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Science fairs are competitive for good reason |
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Written by Byron Puchalski and Sharon Cudrak-Puchalski
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Saturday, May 16 2009, 8:51 PM |
Re: “Science on parade,” The Herald, April 5. Contrary to The Herald, school participation is down significantly since earlier fairs. Students are not lining up in droves to participate. There were only two schools participating in the 7-12 grades.
The primary goal of the Youth Science Foundation Canada is to help Canadian youth develop skills and knowledge for excellence in science and technology. Herald assistant circulation director Chris Roedler has now attended the national science fair as a delegate for the past four years in which he could see “phenomenal “ projects and it is embarrassing he would think a project such as building a volcano would be “the right stuff” when excellence is the standard.
Due to Mr. Roedler’s lack of a scientific background, he would rather mislead the public on the success of the local fair rather than use the newspaper space to promote the opportunity of science fairs. Fair organizers should recognize that high school students belong at the science fair as participants rather than volunteers. This certainly demonstrates the fair’s inability to provide opportunity to high school students who can receive the greatest benefit. By developing mentorship arrangements, students in the Lethbridge region have access to good scientists at world-class institutions that can rival any large city in Canada. Through mentorship arrangements, they learn the standards of good science. That success of students at earlier fairs led to immediate rewards of cash and scholarships, but their participation has also paid dividends long after the fair or their high school years have ended.
Three students from Lethbridge will attend the 2009 Canada Wide Science Fair in Winnipeg. The science, engineering, dentistry, medicine and agriculture faculties at the University of Manitoba are aggressively competing for the students’ attention, offering 24 options for their science day activity. Molecular biology, robotics, nanotechnology and the Raman microscope would make selection choices very difficult for any scientist.
The Manitoba tours day offers 14 choices that promote unique sites in Manitoba, including the Narcisse Snake Dens, Boeing Canada and the Canadian Mint. All students should have a great week.
To get an increase in participants, this is what Mr. Roedler should be promoting.
The fair is fun but also is competitive. It should be because our nation needs good scientists. Projects such as toilet paper roll volcanoes or vinegar and baking soda explosions have no place here.
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