Two students from Algoma joined other top young scientists from over 100 regions online for the Canadian Science Fair.
Ila Giroud and Niati Patel were co-finalists in the competition with projects looking to find non-toxic ways to put out fires.
Giroux received the Silver Award for Excellence for its project “Fire Can’t Be Boiled Without O2”.
They both say they have learned a lot during the process and are looking forward to the race next year.
Below are the Rotary Club press releases about the event and links to Giroux and Patel projects.
Two talented local students presented Algoma at the Canadian Science Fair, which ended last Friday. The Canadian Science Fair is the largest annual youth science event in the country, bringing together leading young scientists from more than 100 STEM regional fairs in each province and territory. Hundreds of finalists from 7th to 12th grade compete for cash prizes, scholarships and medals – one of which is on its way to Sault Ste. Marie!
Ila Giroux was awarded the Silver Award for Excellence in the Junior Category for her project “Fire Can’t Be Steamed Without O2”, which aimed to create a non-toxic way to put out fires in challenging environments. “I felt nervous about entering the fair because I had never done anything like this before, but I was encouraged by my family and decided to just do it and I’m really glad I did it,” said Ila. “I was really having fun [Canada-Wide Science Fair]. They did a really good job of making it fun, even though it was online. ”
Ila presented the Algoma region with cofinist Niyati Patel, who is competing in the middleweight category with her project “Carbon Dioxide and Its Diffuse Properties”, which seeks to identify a fast and non-toxic way to put out fires that is better for the environment.
“I decided to go to the Algoma Rotary Science Fair because I really like doing new activities and taking on new challenges,” Niyati said. “Science Fair was just a new opportunity to further explore new challenges.”
Both students plan to participate in future Algoma Rotary science fairs presented by Tenaris. Niati is already considering new ideas to pursue and plans to return in 2023 with a “new and better project!”
Ila shared that she learned a lot not only about her own project, but also about the presentation, communication and the process of creating something. “The judges and people in Rotary were great, and my mentor across Canada, Kim Carter, was so amazing and supportive.”
Science and technology have always interested the Carter family. Kim’s children participated in their high school fairs, as well as in the regional fairs of Algoma. In 2014, Kim joined the judiciary at the regional level, and in 2015 she represented Algoma as a delegate to the Science Fair across Canada along with five young finalists in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
“This year’s CWSF2022 was hosted virtually by Fredericton,” Kim explained. “There was a virtual exhibition of presenters from all fields of science and many universities. There was a TV channel for the finalists to watch short videos. Classrooms across Canada toured the virtual CWSF. The program of the one-week virtual event included inspiring guest speakers, daily chess games, curious challenges, treasure hunts, talent shows and many virtual pins made and exchanged! The demonstration of projects in ProjectBoard was the main event! ”
The president of the Science Fair and a Rotarian, Dr. Dante Carlazio expects to return to a personal event next year. “It makes a big difference to be in person and see all the projects, to make students meet each other and also to come face to face with the judges to present their projects,” said Dante, who
participated in the fair of the year when he joined the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie.
While the date for the Algoma Rotary Science 2023, presented by Tenaris, will be booked in the fall, parents, students and teachers can expect the event to take place in late March or early April. “If you already have an idea for a project next year, it’s never too early to start testing and recording your findings,” Dante encouraged. “If you are a science teacher in grades 7-12, it would be amazing to get your support and do research projects for your students in time to sign up for our fair. This is a great opportunity to see how excited students are about what they have learned. ”
You can see Ila and Niati’s projects here:
Ila –
Niyati –
For 100 years the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie has encouraged service, leadership, and good works in our community. Founded in 1918, our mandate to support children with disabilities is at the heart of the hard work of hundreds of Rotarians across generations. We invest in Sault’s youth through Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary Science Fair Algoma, Rotary Sports Awards dinner, scholarships and local projects such as Rotary Adventure Playground. Every year we look forward to hosting tens of thousands of people at our community building events, including ROTARYFEST, The Sault’s Summer Festival! Just because of the dedicated Rotarians, tireless volunteers, and our extremely generous community, the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie had the privilege of returning millions of dollars and touching countless lives.
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