"Science Fair Squad" takes provincials by storm

After several months of research and experimentation, seven Grade 8 students, including myself, participated in the three-day Manitoba Schools Science Symposium (MSSS) event at Max Bell Centre at University of Manitoba last weekend. We all worked hard during the science fair at school, and we were selected by judges from the scientific community to show our work at the provincial fair.

On Friday, we witnessed amazing experiments and were taken through several fascinating workshops, including the basics of molecular biology, pop bottle rockets presentation tips, and course selection at University of Manitoba. Seeing the immense programs that U of M has to offer made me think about some career possibilities that I could see myself pursuing! We also had lots of time to view the other competitors' interesting projects and practise presenting in front of each other.

The next day, we prepared for the judges that were assigned to evaluate our projects to determine our overall ranking. The judges were professionals that came from many different career fields such as microbiology, medicine, and even computer science. Certain "specialty" judges also represented sponsors, judging projects that involved the professions of the sponsors. After we each presented to multiple judges, we all had time to relax over lunch and chat anxiously about the awards that would be announced the next day.

It turns out that our presentations gained each of us well-deserved awards! Marina Levit received a bronze medal commending her project "Quality Consumption." Emma M, with her project "Under Pressure," Isabella J, with "Photosynthetic Rates of Plant Through Water Displacement," and Kendra H & Eve H-V, with "Your Mouth Rinse Makes It Or Fakes It," all earned a silver medal. Brooke A received a gold medal for her project, "Did You Hear That?" I also received a gold medal, along with the Manitoba Association of Home Economists award and the Manitoba Association for Medical Laboratory Science award for my project, "Fighting Harmful Bacteria with Food."

Overall, I loved learning more about science and spending time with my classmates was so great! I had an informative yet exciting experience at MSSS, and I congratulate everyone on their impressive projects and achievements!