Young scientists face off in Whitehorse this Saturday

Whitehorse – The Yukon/Stikine Regional Science Fair (Grades 4-12) takes place at Yukon College on Saturday December 1, 2012. For the first time in ten years, students from Chief Zzeh Gittlit School in Old Crow will participate in the annual event.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing what our budding scientists will investigate this year. The variety and quality of the research questions asked never fail to impress the judges,” said Heather Dundas, Chair of the Yukon/Stikine Regional.

Ten schools are participating in the science fair program this year: Atlin, Chief Zzeh Gittlit, Christ the King, Emilie Tremblay, FH Collins, Hidden Valley, Holy Family, Jack Hulland, Porter Creek and Teslin.

Select winners of the Science Fair (Grades 7-12) will have an opportunity to compete in Lethbridge, Alberta at the Canada-Wide Science fair in May 2013.

Last years’ Yukon/Stikine Regional Science Fair sent three finalists, Jacob Newkirk, Pelly Vincent-Braun, and Alyssa Bunce, from Yukon to Charlottetown, PEI. Newkirk and Vincent-Braun both won medals, scholarships and cash prizes at the event.

The three grade eight scientists also recently returned from a trip to Vancouver. The two-day Innovation Exploration career event gave young scientists and innovators the opportunity to meet and network with leaders from BC's science and technology development community.

The students visited Simon Fraser University, BC Institute of Technology, Centre for Surgical Excellence Institute and the Museum of Anthropology. Tour activities included robotics, spectroscopy, cardiopulmonary simulator and testing in a structural engineering lab.

Visit the Science Adventures website for more information on science fairs and science fun in the Yukon: www.scienceadventures.ca