Young scientists gain agency

st. boniface

st. vital

Sanford

Grant Park

When it comes to championing the scientific achievements of students in the province, Dr. Anju Bajaj is front and centre.

Bajaj is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educator at Holy Cross School in St. Boniface and also the founder and co-ordinator of the Bison Regional Science Fair, which empowers students to transform their curiosity into meaningful, real-world impact through science and innovation.

One of the largest regional science fairs in Canada, the educational event is open to students in Grades 4 to 12 across the province and will bring together more than 300 students from urban, rural and northern communities at St. Paul’s High School (2200 Grant Ave.), on Wednesday, April 8 and Thursday, April 9.

This year will feature a change to the evening judging format that will make it easier for families, community members, and STEM professionals to participate and connect with the participants.

Bajaj said the public is invited to attend to check out the different projects from 3:30 p.m. onwards on April 9.

“The science fair is very important, as it helps students build up their real-world skills and solve problems beyond the textbook,” said Bajaj, who lives in St. Vital, adding that every year she’s impressed with the innovation and creativity of the students competing at the fair.

Bajaj has also long been a cheerleader for young women studying STEM subjects.

“It matters. The more females studying STEM, the more diverse perspectives we have, whether it’s in the health care, climate, energy, or technology fields. It’s inspiring… and the more women in STEM means a stronger workforce, and an inclusive environment to explore STEM,” she said.

One upcoming science fair participants is Amy Clark, who attends Sanford Collegiate. Her project is called Q-Factor Amplification: A Multi Variable Analysis of Damping Mechanisms for Resonant Kinetic Energy Harvesters.

In part, Clark’s project addresses “the battery crisis” and how there’s an abundance of batteries in landfills containing potentially toxic chemicals and looking at alternative ways of reducing this waste.

Clark, 16, said she’s pleased to be involved with the science fair, as it’s a supportive, nurturing environment.

“It’s such a great community, and everyone in it is passionate about science,” said Clark, who’d like to study physics at university.

“It’s important for me to be part of such a great community,” she added, noting her gratitude to Bajaj for her support and for helping foster her passion for science, calling her “an excellent mentor.”

St. Paul’s High School alumnus Baljot Rai is a former science fair participant who looks back fondly on his involvement with the event. The 19-year-old, who is taking a dual degree at the University of British Columbia, participated for nine years, and stayed involved as a co-ordinator.

“It was a really pivotal experience for me. The science fairs changed the trajectory of my life,” Rai said. “Science-based learning gave me agency to think about things I was passionate about… and offered me more than just the classroom could.”

Bajaj said the fair will provide the first opportunity for many participants to present their ideas to experts, which will help them build confidence and begin to see themselves as future scientists, engineers and innovators.

Students with the top projects will go on to represent Manitoba at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton, Alta., in May.

Go online at region.youthscience.ca/bison for more information.