Fraser Valley schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12 had the opportunity to showcase their best science fair projects at the Fraser Valley Regional Science Fair held at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) on Thursday, April 11. Students from Langley, Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, and Hope participated either as a class, group, or individual. A total of 116 projects were presented to the public and judges, with the chance to win cash and prizes. Students in Grades 7 to 12 also had the opportunity to be selected to represent Team BC at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa with all expenses paid.
One eager participant, Grade 5 student Avneet Singh Sandhu from Dasmesh Punjabi School, expressed his excitement for the event, stating that he had been looking forward to it. Sandhu’s project focused on plant photosynthesis, while other topics ranged from global warming to mental health and even a 3-D printer. The selection process at Dasmesh Punjabi School involved an in-class round where the top five projects from each class were chosen, then narrowed down to three finalists who presented at the regional fair.
For Grade 4 student Gurnihaal Singh Bains, making it through the first round was a pleasant surprise. The event aims to inspire a love for science and spark the imagination, which was clearly evident in Grade 8 students Japandeep Gill and Metaab Khangura. Khangura’s project, inspired by a missed flight at the Vancouver International Airport, involved creating a sensor for vehicles to help drivers find parking spots easily. Gill and Khangura were excited about their project and expressed a desire to advance to the national level.
The young scientists, including Gill and Khangura, eagerly await the awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 17, to find out how they fared in the competition. Overall, the Fraser Valley Regional Science Fair provided a platform for students to showcase their innovative ideas and passion for science, with the opportunity to potentially represent Team BC at a national competition.