You may have noticed that the old website may have been outdated or “run down.” That is because for the past few months we have been designing a brand new site with new content areas and easier to navigate menus. We now have information for Students, Parents and Teachers as well as information that is found in one easy to navigate area. There will no longer be the worry about finding wrong or outdated information because you were looking at the wrong page. We will be launching the new site at the end of the month. Be sure to check out the new Media Gallery which will be featured on the site with pictures from last year’s fair as well as Team East Kootenay at the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
If you have any suggestions about what we should include or not include on the new site please email your ideas and suggestions to info@ekrsf.ca.
Have a great summer!
After eight months of planning, the day that the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair (EKRSF) Committee members were eagerly anticipating came and went in the blink of an eye! However, even though it was two days of science, there were several firsts that the committee wishes to recognize. For the first time, there were students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 presenting projects at the EKRSF 2010. For the first time, in a long time, participation soared and there were over 330 students in attendance at the EKRSF 2010. Also for the first time, the committee awarded $4500 in scholarship prize money – $500 of which was sponsored by the College of the Rockies as two tuition credits towards two students’ first year at COTR. Over nineteen local science industries, societies, and organizations were in attendance to show the students the science that is going on in our own backyard. Along with creating over 330 meaningful opportunities for East Kootenay youth to engage in project-based science, comes the great pleasure of being able to send four youth to represent the East Kootenays and the EKRSF to the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
The CWSF 2010 takes place May 17-23 in Peterborough, Ontario. Representing the East Kootenays this year are Keltie Murdoch (Grade 9, Parkland Middle School), Curtis Hall (Grade 9, Kootenay Christian Academy), Chris Lavery (Grade 8, Laurie Middle School) and Luke Gould-Hawke (Grade 9, The Fernie Academy). These students demonstrated the highest level of scientifc excellence at this year’s Fair. For Keltie Murdoch, 1st Project Overall, this will be her third time attending the Canada-Wide Science Fair. “I could not think of a better ambassador to represent our fair and our region to this pinnacle event of scientific inquiry in Canada” says Corey Conroy, Head Administrator of EKRSF. Conroy and Sandi Lavery, Co-Chair of EKRSF, will be accompanying the group to the CWSF where they will partake in a week filled with scientific activities, tours, and the most important: three days of judging!
While it takes a group of dedicated volunteers to organize and run this event year after year, this entire event would not be possible without the generous support of our partners and friends of the fair: College of the Rockies, Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council, School District Number 5, Science Fair Foundation of BC, University of Victoria – EK Teacher Ed. Program, The City of Cranbrook, Royal Tyrrell Musem, Columbia Basin Trust, APEG-BC, and Dr. Perry Lerose. Replacing Science World’s Community Science Celebration Road Crew this year was the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Coming to Cranbrook virtually (over the internet), people could find out how technology changed the face of how dinosaurs were portrayed in the movies but also the public could ask the “virtual paleontologists” anything and everything about dinosaurs! Complementing the Royal Tyrrell Shows was Chris Jenkins and his Trilobite Exhibit which was quite a hit!
For more information about the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair, a complete list of award winners, exhibitors, sponsors and more, please visit www.ekrsf.ca. But finally, thank you to the parents of all of the participants who attended the EKRSF – your support and encouragement are the reason why we have such amazing scientists in our region – THANK YOU!
The East Kootenay Regional Science Fair is a community project run by a dedicated group of volunteers. In order for this event to run each year, it takes strong community support in the form of monetary contributions and in-kind support and services. This year, the EKRSF Committee has launched a new program: Friend of the Fair. Friends of the Fair is a program which recognizes the support of the community members and organizations who support our event and are equally committed to providing meaningful experiences and opportunities for East Kootenay Youth to explore the world around them through science. Friends of the Fair can support the fair through the newly created Adopt-A-Scientist Program, present a hands-on interactive Science Exhibit, or provide in-kind services or general monetary contribution to help support EKRSF operations. For more information on the Friends of the Fair program please visit www.ekrsf.ca/friends.html.
Attention Secondary School Teachers! Been thinking about getting into Science Fairs? Now is the time! This year, the BC Innovation Council and the Southern Interior Development Investment Trust are presenting the Young Innovator Scholarship Competition. Secondary Schools can run a School Science Fair of at least 10 Grade 11 or 12 students and they will receive $500 to run the fair and one $4000 Scholarship to award one of the projects. Have more than 10 students? If fairs have 25 students they will receive $750 and two $4000 scholarships and if there are 50 Grade 11 or 12 students the school receives THREE $4000 scholarships! For more information please contact Corey Conroy at corey@ekrsf.ca LET’S MAKE EKRSF 2010 THE BIGGEST AND BEST YET!
All EKRSF 2009 Participants will be receiving their VIP information package on all you need to know about the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair 2010. Liekwise, all SD5 & 6 principals will be getting their own VIP package with promotional materials, information, and more. If you would like more copies of any of the documents (rules, forms, etc.) please check out our website under students and / or teachers.
October 16-25 2009 marked National Science and Technology Week. All across the country events were taking place celebrating Canada’s Science and Technology sectors. Here in Cranbrook, Year 5 Student Teachers in partnership with the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair delivered Science Exploration Kits to Cranbrook Schools. Five schools and 23 classes were visited on Wednesday October 21st and another 25 classes are scheduled for November 4th. These kits were developed by the Student Teachers with a focus to engage students in science and allow them to explore the world around them.
Hey Everyone!
This year the East Kootenay Region is now eligible to apply for the Science Fair Alumni Mentorship Program. This program matches students with a Science Fair Alumnus or a Scientist in the same or similar fields as the students have chosen for their project. If this sounds like something you are interested in act quickly! The Application Deadline is October 17th 2009. For more information or for assistance with the application process please email me atcorey@ekrsf.ca or alumni@sciencefairs.ca
For more information please visit:
www.ekrsf.ca/student.html
www.sciencefairs.ca/mentorship.html