The Ross Glen Science Fair became a playground for over 60 young Einsteins on Monday.
At this annual event, kids turned their passions and curiosity into science projects.
“We’re here because we like science and we want to like show off what we can do with science,” said grade six student Xavier Myles.
Myles, along with his peer Ayden Ventley, combined their love for sports and science to create a hockey game that automatically counts goals. They said it took a great deal of hard work.
“We started this in August, so it took us like seven months,” said Ventley.
Myles added: “We worked like non stop the whole time.”
For others, their science project came together a bit quicker.
Mack Ferguson is in grade four and created his project in an hour.
Mack Ferguson, Grade 4 student, says his science project is powered by ‘quantum physics’.He said science is ‘just my type of thing,’ and created a fan-powered car.
“It works by quantum physics,” Ferguson said..
“If you don’t know what quantum physics is, it’s basically momentum transfer,” he added.
Other students used their science experiment to fix a real-life issues, like Grade four student Beckett Munro.
Grade 4 student Beckett Munro speaks to CHAT News. (CHAT News)“I decided to make a lava lamp for my brother, because he is afraid of the dark, so I wanted to give it to him,” Munro said.
Jazmynn Wist did the same, hoping to see what liquid substance could make a flower or bouquet last the longest in a vase.
“I had to have six jars and I had to do all the different liquids…then buy some roses and wait five days,” explained Wist.
Wist put the roses in their own cup and filled them with substances such as pepsi, water, mud and Gatorade.
Jazmynn Wist wanted to find out what liquid substance could make a flower or bouquet last the longest in a vase.(CHAT News)“I’m surprised because Pepsi did the best,” Wist said.
Science Fair Coordinator Michael Tschritter says the students were challenged to develop a question, investigate a hypothesis, observe and then draw conclusions for their project.
“A science fair is really a fantastic opportunity for students to explore what they are passionate about, investigate the scientific method deeply and also apply their hobbies to the sciences in real and amazing context,” Tschritter said.
Some prominent community members, including Mayor Linnsie Clark and Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede royalty, stopped by to judge at the fair.
“It’s been such a fabulous day,” said 2023 Stampede Queen Emma Atkinson.
“These kids have put in so much hard work and just seeing them be able to show off their work explain it to us and their passion has been really cool to be a part of.”
Mayor Linnsie Clark said events like this will have positive long-lasting impacts on the students.
Mayor Linnsie Clark rates a hockey-themed science fair entry. (CHAT News)“It’s just amazing that they’re willing to participate and put themselves out there, to learn the scientific method and do just such a great job,” Mayor Clark said.
Many projects won medals for impressing the judges, but the kids were mostly just happy to show off their finished masterpieces after working hard.
“Making it all work in the end,” was Ayden Ventley’s favourite part of the entire process.
When asked what the reaction has been to his science project, Mack Ferguson said: “They’re pretty impressed with it.”
Beckett Munro said “[It was] so fun that I could explode.”
Twenty-three of the enthusiastic scientists who won medals today will be able to participate in a regional science fair on March 23.
