Students excel at science fair

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This article was published 17/05/2021 (1642 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Three Winnipeg students have earned the right to represent Manitoba at the national level after being recognized for their scientific successes.

The Bison Regional Science Fair, which is open to students in Grades 4 to 12 across the province, was recently held virtually for the first time.

The winners include Jailley Marcelino, a Grade 7 student at Holy Cross School who lives in Riverbend; Deion Liu, a Grade 8 student at Holy Cross School who lives in St. Boniface; and Jed Borillo, a Grade 10 student at St. Paul’s High School who lives in Daniel McIntyre.

Marcelino’s project was called Be a carrier: A study of barriers to protect yourself and others against COVID-19; Liu’s was called To stop or to boost: Caspase 3 as the target for treatment; and Borillo’s was called Bombyx mori silk: a novel alternative to polyacrylonitrile precursor fibres.

Dr. Anju Bajaj, a STEM educator at Holy Cross School who is also the founder and co-ordinator of the Bison Regional Science Fair, said the annual fair provides a healthy level of rigour that challenges her students to grow as scientists and foster their own scientific curiosity.

“Participating in the Bison Regional Science Fair is an incredible opportunity for students with a passion for science to pursue scientific endeavours with the guidance of a skilled team of scientists every step of the way,” Bajaj said.

“The science we saw at fair during a pandemic, no less, is a true testament to the curiosity, innovation and ingenuity of our youth. Thank you to teachers, parents and supporters for enhancing their creative thinking, which can result in new solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems. As an organizer, I wish to congratulate all the participants for their hard work and efforts in preparing these excellent projects.”

Bajaj, who lives in St. Vital, said some of the projects at the fair are representative of what’s going on in the world at the moment.  

“In this current pandemic, we have learned to appreciate the hard work that scientists do to save lives. It is through their dedication that several vaccinations for COVID-19 have been developed in a very short period of time. These vaccinations will save lives and restore our ability to return to normal in the future. Perhaps some of you will develop vaccinations or other inventions that will benefit all of humanity in the future.”

Bajaj added she’s grateful for the participation of the team of local judges who shared their time and expertise — Dr. Cory Nykiforuk, John Perry, Herb Reynolds, Scott Kehler and Drs. Ben and Lisa Albensi.

Marcelino, Liu, and Borillo will now represent the province at the Canada Wide Science Fair, which will be held from May 17 to 21.

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