Students 'enhance their scientific skills' through fair

Go green cleaning products, carbon dioxide and plant growth, factors affecting crystal growth and the effect of colour on temperature are just some of the topics that will be explored by Grade 7 and 8 students participating in the Rainbow District School board's annual Elementary Science Fair on March 9.

A total of 90 projects will be featured at this year's fair, which takes place at Lockerby Composite School in Sudbury.

The public is invited to view the projects in the gymnasium at Lockerby Composite School from 12:30-1:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will take place in the Auditorium from 1:45-2:15 p.m.

Judges, local professionals with a science background, will select 37 projects for the Sudbury Regional Science Fair being held at Laurentian University April 9 and 10.

"Students are researching specific areas of science that relate to curriculum expectations in all areas - earth sciences, the environment, engineering, research and more," Elementary Science Fair chair Ron Hodkinson said, in a press release.

“Working on science fair projects gives students an opportunity to capitalize on their natural curiosity to inquire and learn.”

He adds, “Students actively engage in authentic learning when they investigate questions that are real. In the process, they enhance their scientific skills and further develop interests in possible careers in the field of science."

The Elementary Science Fair is the first step on the journey to the nationals. Sudbury Regional Science Fair projects will be selected for the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Toronto from May 14 to 21.