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Seven young scientists en route to Montreal

Regional science fair names top projects

Collège Notre-Dame student Patrick Trottier, 17, will be going to the Canada-Wide Science Fair for the second year in a row.

He earned the right with his latest science project, The Ultimate Computer Team. Essentially, it revolved around having people connected to one server, all sharing computing power to perform whatever task they need to accomplish.

“The goal is to share information,” he said on Saturday, during the 47th annual Sudbury Regional Science Fair. 

“One computer can solve a problem in X-amount of time, two computers might be able to solve in half of X, and three computers might be able to solve it even faster. The idea is to get people connected to one common goal, which would allow us to solve problems faster and for less cost. No one uses the full power of their computer, so why can't it be spent elsewhere, like helping a scientist do research, or anyone who needs that extra computing power.” 

His project claimed the top spot in the computer sciences division. Trottier is among a group of seven students who will attend the Canada-Wide Science Fair, taking place this year in Montreal, Que., from May 14-21.

“There were at least 400 projects there last year,” he said. “It's a full week of fun. You get to talk and hang out with people who are all their for the same thing. It's the best experience I've had.”

This year's regional science fair featured 62 projects and 94 participants. More than 60 judges critiqued the students and their projects, all of whom were vying for 36 regular awards and 44 special awards.

“The science fair is a great event where students can share their work with professional scientists and the general public,” said Nicole Chiasson, president of the Sudbury Regional Science Fair Committee. “It is wonderful that such an event can get students thinking about the world around them and at the same time let them have fun with science.”

For the second year, the Sudbury Regional Science Fair Committee also presented an award recognizing a teacher for excellence in science. Nominated by school principal Paul Dupont, Dean MacDonald, of R.L. Beattie Public School, was recognized for his strong passion for teaching science, for his extensive involvement with science fair projects in his school and for his dedication in helping students succeed at their science fair project.

Since its inception in 1969, approximately 4,600 students have participated at the regional science fair level and 272 students have had all expense paid trips to the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

Following is the list of winning young scientists and their project who will represent Sudbury at the Canada-wide Science Fair:

The Effect of Worms on the Decomposition of Food Waste
Eran Bursey
MacLeod Public School

No More Dehydration, Use Solar Desalination
Kaylee Kruk
Marymount Academy

Déterminer si l'endroit où le ballon est frappé fait une différence dans la distance voyager? (Does a ball travel farther depending on where it's hit?)
Luc Couture
Collège Notre-Dame

Don't Waste Waste Water
Nethra Wickramasinghe
MacLeod Public School

Ethanol: Heating Things Up
Mariam Alaeddine
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

L'ultime équipe informatique
Patrick Trottier
College Notre Dame

Best-in-Fair Project:
Oscar Sorting: Sorting the Waste Stream
Brendon Matusch
Sudbury Christian Academy


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Arron Pickard

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