The 47th annual United Counties Science Fair showcases student talent

CORNWALL, ONTARIO – The 47th Annual United Provinces Science Fair was held on April 6, 2024 at St. Lawrence High School, showcasing bright young scientific minds. The exhibition featured 39 projects from 11 schools, and included students from sixth to twelfth grade. In addition, youth from first through fifth grade had the opportunity to shine through “Flag on the Wall” poster displays.

Jason Marshall, chair of the United Counties Science Fair and science teacher at St. Lawrence High School, emphasized the importance of the event in promoting STEM activities. “Science fairs are one of the few platforms that allow students to excel and shine in STEM-related activities,” he said, highlighting opportunities to win scholarships and bursaries for post-secondary education.

Lily Cumming, a participating Year 6 student from Emmer Corners Public School, demonstrated the fascinating science of osmosis with her project to create a bouncy egg. “My science project was to make a bouncy egg by pouring vinegar into a cup, leaving the egg there for 24 hours, and then doing it again,” she explained. The experiment transformed the egg, making it more transparent, removing the shell, and strengthening the membrane, resulting in an egg that can bounce and survive a 7-inch drop onto some surfaces. Lily won numerous awards for her project, including a Silver Award, an English Catholic Teachers Association of Ontario Trophy for Best Maize Project, a Bommier Award for Excellence in Science, and a St. Lawrence College Health Sciences Trophy for Best Science in Botany.

Anita Bedi, of Heritage High School, won several awards for her project on the biodegradation of organic materials by SCOBY culture, earning a trip to the Canadian Broad Science Fair and several other awards, including a Canadian Chemical Institute Award and a University of Ottawa Admissions Scholarship Award.

Hannah Stone and Maeve Windle from Seaway District Intermediate School were recognized for their project on ocean acidification, and also won a trip to the National Gallery and Rotary Club of Cornwall Plaque for best small project. Additionally, Holy Trinity Catholic High School's Dolev Klein Harari received awards for “Schizophrenia Software Solution,” and CCVS' Aafaq Virk was honored for “Babble2Byte,” which highlighted excellence in communications and technology.

Other award winners included Kishori Rajkumar of Holy Trinity Catholic High School for “How Weather Affects Solar Cell Production,” and Alicia MacDonald of St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School (SJSS) for “Go Ahead!” Shake my tire!”, Alicia MacDonald of Eamer's Corners PS for “What is Cancer”, Masyn Berry and Ainsley Brown of Longue Sault PS for “To Sphere or Not to Sphere”, and Ellie Billard and Anne Lygo of St. Joseph's Catholic High School for “The Stroop Effect “, Ethan Grainger-House of Viscount Alexander PS on “What is Electricity?”, Casey Claxton of Seaway District Intermediate School on “Newton's Third Law of Motion”, and Mia Davey and Rhys MacDonald of SJSS on “Organic Popcorn vs Non-GMO Popcorn”. “Organic”.

The fair also welcomed booths from several community organizations, including the River Institute. Emily DeRucci, RIVER Strategy Project Coordinator, emphasized the importance of science fairs in community engagement and inspiring careers in science and the professions. “I was inspired to enter the field of science because I love the St. Lawrence River and want to work to protect it,” she said, encouraging young people to explore the exciting and rewarding field of science. For more information about the United Counties Science Fair, email [email protected].