Editor’s note: St. Anne Catholic School teacher Jeff Cardy challenged his Grade 7-8 students to write a newspaper story. This is the fifth and final of their reports.
Annabelle Rayson
Special to The Journal
Science-loving students in Grades 3 to 12 can win big at the Lambton County Science Fair, which is hosted each April at Lambton College.
This year, more than 100 students entered in hopes of winning cash prizes, winning a trip to the Canada Wide Science Fair, and to showcase their scientific expertise.
“I like the science fair because you get to choose the experiment yourself, whereas class science is more structured,’ said St. Anne student Lanna Iacobelli, a regular participant.
“In the science fair, you get to act on world issues and things you’re passionate about.”
There are many different categories for science projects, including environmental, engineering, chemistry, biology and physics.
Cash prizes are given in all categories, which are based on age group, and the top five students in Grades 7 to 12 get to go on to the Canada Wide Science Fair and compete against the top 500 students from across Canada.
This year’s national event is being held this week in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Stephanie Lobsinger has been the chairperson of the local fair the past 20 years.
“The science fair is a great opportunity for students who love science to explore and present their findings through friendly competition,” she said.
“Over 100 volunteer judges from local industry come out to listen to the exhibitors present.”
From my experience as a participant, I agree the science fair is a wonderful opportunity. You get to learn all about a topic you're passionate about, and you get to practice your people and communication skills while presenting your knowledge to the judges and public.
And even if you don’t participate in the fair, I encourage people to go as a spectator. It’s great to get to talk to the students about their projects, and it really excites them to see that other people are interested in what they have learned.
“If you have the motivation to do it, and you choose an experiment with an issue or topic you enjoy, than it is not difficult,” Iacobelli added.
Students who are interested in participating in the 2020 fair will be able to register online next year at www.lambtoncountysciencefair.ca