Four Yukon students heading to national and international Science Fairs next week

Whitehorse - Three students from Whitehorse will compete against 500 other young scientists from across Canada in Lethbridge, Alberta next week, while another will head to Phoenix, Arizona, to take part in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

The three competing at the 52nd annual Canada-wide Science Fair (CWSF) taking place at the University of Lethbridge were the top three winners at the Yukon/Stikine Regional Science Fair this past December. The regional fair saw competitors from grades four to seven competing. The national fair is for young scientists from grades seven to twelve.

The three Yukon scientists and their projects competing in the Junior Division are:

• Alyssa Bunce, Grade 8, Vanier Secondary School “Pressure Points: A New Way to Manage Stress”
• Isabel Magsucang, Grade 7, Christ the King Elementary School “Don’t Let It In”
• KC Mooney, Grade 7, Christ the King Elementary School “Don’t Let It Out”

Bunce is a CWSF veteran, having attended the competition last year in Charlottetown. Magsucang and Mooney created complementary projects focused on radon gas and home heating.

Grade 8 student Jacob Newkirk received an invitation to attend the international competition as an observer after winning a silver medal at last year’s national competition for his project “Mythbusting Mouth Guards”. Students in grades 9 to 12 from around the world are eligible to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Newkirk will join 17 students from across the country.

The students heading to Lethbridge will be accompanied by Hidden Valley Elementary Teacher Brenda Allen and Vanier Secondary Teacher JD Caudle.

The primary goals of the CWSF are to create a positive scientific and social experience for the students by introducing them to their peers from across the country, and to see how the Yukon student’s projects compare with what other young Canadian scientists are doing.

The entire week will be full of social and recreational events including a banquet and opening ceremonies, visits to educational institutions and industries, and two days of project judging by over 500 scientists, industry experts and educators.