Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair Recap

From better wildfire interventions to electrochemistry, the future of science was on full display last weekend as 16 WPGA students from grades 7-12 took part in the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair. This fair brings together hundreds of students from across the Lower Mainland to share their own scientific research with expert judges, industry representatives, and the general public. Walking through the display hall is an inspiring experience—the youth of Greater Vancouver are asking big questions and conducting impressive scientific research!

Typically, students’ research addresses real-world problems and/or innovates towards new technologies. This year, our students' projects included investigations like improving the efficiency of atmospheric water generators, designing an algae-based microplastics filter, using AI to detect signs of mental health distress in students’ writing, improving indoor navigation systems for drones, and finding ways to better get medical treatment across the blood-brain barrier (the protective layer that shields our brains). 

At WPGA, all students are introduced to science fairs through a school-based fair that is integrated into their Science 7 coursework. They learn the basics of sound experimental design and the scientific method, how to manage the timeline of such a large project, and practice presenting their research to a large, diverse audience. Students then have the opportunity to independently develop science fair projects during their time in the senior school. Sometimes students, especially in the Senior School, develop mentorship connections with university professors and other experts as they plan their projects. 

At the Regional Fair, it is often stressed that when it comes to science fairs, “it’s not the award you earn but what you learn along the way." Science fairs encourage youth to explore their interests and develop their scientific inquiry skills. Celebrating curiosity, critical thinking, and clear communication, science fairs are a wonderful opportunity for students to exercise the Core Competencies of the BC curriculum. 

Student projects represent the culmination of months of hard work and careful planning. Congratulations to Kingsley Wei, Yumeng Zhong, Charlotte Bonn, Victoria Potter, Nisa Karim, Livana Zhao, Willem Vuurmans, Julia Cao, Ethan Xie, Eric Miao, Ann Wang, Belle Song, James Wang, Harold Wang, Adrian Lee, and Owen Qu for their hard work and excellent presentations this past weekend. Many of these students had their efforts acknowledged with special and divisional awards:

Congratulations, everyone! And good luck to Willem '30, who will be attending his second Canada Wide Science Fair this May.