WOOD BUFFALO REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR
April 12 – 13, 2013
Fort McMurray, Alberta
NEWS
Local student among 4 Canadians in International Science Fair
Yesterday the Regional Finalists in the 3rd Annual Google Science Fair were announced. This premiere International Science Fair brings the best and the brightest together from all across the globe. And joining these bright minds of the future is Fort McMurray’s very own Anam Rizvi. Rizvi recently won a silver medal at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, a competition of the top 500 young scientists from across Canada. Her project, Automating the Diagnosis of Heart Conditions, received a great reception at the CWSF and Rizvi also received accolades from professionals in the medical industry. The Wood Buffalo Youth Science Foundation Board wishes Rizvi best of luck as she makes history as the first person from Fort McMurray to represent our region and our country at an International Competition.
The Google Science Fair consists of a pre-selection of 90 Regional Finalists. Next, the field is widdled down to the top 15 Global Finalists. These finalists will be announced on June 27th.
More information on Anam's Project
More information on Google Science Fair
Media Release from Youth Science Canada
Thank you for another great year!
Team Wood Buffalo has just returned from the 52nd annual Canada-Wide Science Fair in Lethbridge Alberta with precious medals! All of our finalists came home with a medal! Heli Patel and Ashlesha Deshpande and Maithili Udupa each won a bronze medal. Anam Rizvi returned home with a silver. See their prize monies and the project descriptions below. The team of 4 from Westwood Community High School met other participants from across the country and around the world as they showcased their projects which were the best of the 2013 Wood Buffalo Regional Science Fair. The group also took in science workshops, facility tours and other engaging activities on the University of Lethbridge campus all under the supervision of their delegates Vicki Dawe and Corey Conroy from the board of the WBYSF.
On tour day, the group toured around the main attractions of southern Alberta with only one minor setback – a 2 hour break down delay on the side of the road. But we made the best of it! We visited the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre – a very awesome treat, Waterton Lakes National Park and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. All in all an exhausting yet very enriching day! Congratulations to team Wood Buffalo and a huge heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and partners for their amazing support!
Ashlesha Deshpande & Heli Patel
Excellence Award - Senior - Bronze Medal $100
University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship $1,000
Western University Scholarship $1,000
Total $2,100
Poject: The relationship between gender, age, and ethnicity of voters on the gender, age, and ethnicity of candidates was examined using a preferential voting system, without the use of political agendas. It was expected that these three factors would demonstrate a strong influence on the preferences of voters with respect to candidate selection.
Maithili Udupa
Excellence Award - Senior - Bronze Medal $100
University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship $1,000
Western University Scholarship $1,000
Total $2,100
Project: The purpose of this project is to describe the influence of pre-pregnancy physical activity on gestational weight gain among women with different pre-pregnancy BMIs. Physical activity data was separated into four distinct dimensions (work, sports, leisure and total) to find specific links between the rigorousness of the activity performed and weight gain. Maintaining a healthy exercise regime is essential prior to one's pregnancy.
Anam Rizvi
Excellence Award - Senior - Silver Medal $300
Dalhousie University Faculty of Science Entrance Scholarship $2,500
UBC Science (Vancouver) Entrance Award $2,000
University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship $2,000
Western University Scholarship $2,000
Total $8,800
Project: This project investigates an alternate method of determining abnormalities in the electrical impulses of the heart. Instead of using an ECG which maps the electrical impulses as a function of time, I look at how the different frequencies present can represent different abnormalities. I then take the patterns I have found and input them into MATlab in order to automize the diagnosis.
FAIR INFORMATION
Syncrude Sports and Wellness Centre
Participants:
Registered participants will be required to arrive based on division.
Elementary participants will commence registration at 12:00pm and Junior, Intermediate and Senior divisions are asked to arrive at 12:30pm. Only participants, volunteers and judges are permitted to enter the exhibit area on Friday. Lunch will be provided for participants. Judging should be completed by 5:30pm. Participants are encouraged to bring a book or other quiet activity to occupy their time between judging.
Judges and Volunteers:
Judges are asked to arrive at Keyano College (Clearwater Campus) in the Recital Theatre by 12:30pm on April 12, 2013.
Public Viewing & Awards
Public viewing will take place from 9:00-11:00am on Saturday, April 13. Participants are asked to stay with their projects so that they can answer questions for the public. A public awards ceremony will take place from 11:00-12:00. All projects must be removed from the exhibit area by 1:00pm.
We look forward to seeing you at the Fair.
Please contact registration@wbrsf.ca for any questions or concerns.
2013 WBRSF Opening Talk
We are proud to introduce Dr. Marwin El-Rich, Assistant Professor, Structural Engineering at the University of Alberta, as our keynote speaker for the 6th Annual Wood Buffalo Regional Science Fair. Dr. El-Rich will present his investigations into the Biomechanics of the Human Spine specifically focusing on spinal injuries in relation to workloads. This public talk will take place at the Oil Sands Discovery Centre on Thursday April 11th at 7:00pm. The talk will be followed by a reception to recognize this year’s generous sponsors. Tickets are available free of charge at the Keyano Theatre Box Office. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door on the evening of the talk.
In addition to the evening talk, Dr. El-Rich will present two daytime talks for local schools. For more information on these school talks, please contact info@wbrsf.ca .
JUDGES & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Judges are required for the 2013 regional science Fair. Please contact us if you have a keen interest in science and can spare a few hours of your time on April 12th to support our newest scientists. To learn more about the judging process and eligibility requirements, please go to the Volunteers and Judges page.
Potential judges are invited to email registration@wbrsf.ca for details on Judge Orientations, Registration and more.
Volunteers are asked to fill out a short application outlining their time availability and role preference so that our volunteer coordinator can ensure that we have enough man power to make sure that the event runs smoothly. The volunteer application link is also on the Volunteers and Judges page.
2013 WBRSF REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Preparations for the 2013 WBRSF are well underway. All school science fair coordinators must register their school fair with the Wood Buffalo Youth Science Foundation no later than December 21, 2012 using our school registration form. Students chosen to represent their school at the WBRSF must register their projects no later than March 22, 2013. It is the responsibility of each participant to register for the Fair using our online registration system. Students attending schools that are not holding a fair are asked to have a teacher from the school contact us if they wish to send a project to the WBRSF (these projects will be assessed for merit by a panel of WBYSF Judges).
WBYSF BOARD RESTRUCTURING
2012 WBYSF Board of Directors (photo taken at the 2012 WBRSF)
The recent General Annual Meeting of the Wood Buffalo Youth Science Foundation marked the completion of five very successful years and was accompanied by significant changes to the Board membership. Daron Van Lingen from Father Mercredi High School has replaced Andrew Taylor as President of the WBYSF and Chair of the WBRSF, while Vicki Dawe from Westwood Community High School has been appointed the new WBYSF Vice-President. Former Vice-Presidents Louis Dingley and Adrian Revington will remain on the Board as directors. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank these Board members for their years of service and wish them continued success in their new roles. We’d also like to express our gratitude to Connie Farrell and David Smith for their dedication and years of service as they step down from the Board. Finally, we are very pleased to welcome our newest member, Director Andrew Hanley from École McTavish.
WELCOME BACK!
Last season was a remarkable year for the Wood Buffalo Regional Science Fair as we celebrated our fifth year. A record number of judges and volunteers assisted us in selecting three exceptional projects to proceed to the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Our National Finalists returned with a Silver Medal, a Bronze Medal, two Special Awards and several University Entrance Scholarships. Most importantly, well over two hundred Wood Buffalo students had an opportunity to share their research and enthusiasm with their peers, judges and the community.
We’re looking forward to another fun and rewarding year and hope you’ll join us for the 2013 WBRSF on April 12th and 13th.
