PRSF Projects Win Two Medals and an

Honourable Mention at CWSF 2009


Award Winners:


Sarah Langer - A Model for Human Decomposition in Fresh water and Salt Water
Lakefield District SS

Awards:

Silver Medal, Life Sciences, $700 cash.

Scholarships:

$2,000, Dalhousie
$2,000, UBC
$1,500, Western
$3,000, University of Ottawa.

Alyson Bell - A Tale My Grandfather Told Me
Lakefield District SS

Awards:

Bronze Medal in the Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Sciences $300 cash

Scholarships:

$1,000. Univ of Western Ontario
$1,000. University of Ottawa

Jessica Kuipers and Jennine Boyce - BioChar
East Northumberland SS

Awards:

Honourable Mention in the Earth & Environmental Sciences $100 cash

2009 PRSF Winners


The PRSF sends 5 students to the CWSF which this year takes place in Winnepeg from May 9 ? 17. Their projects are:

A Model for Human Decomposition in Fresh water and Salt Water
Student: Sarah Langer
School: Lakefield District SS

What Makes Us Care? Do physiological and emotional responses relate to decision-making
Student: Abby Menendez
School: PCVS

BioChar
Students: Jennine Boyce , Jessica Kuipers
School: East Northumberland SS

A Tale My Grandfather Told Me
Student: Alyson Bell
School: Lakefield District SS


The CWSF participants at the awards ceremony.


The send off to the CWSF.

The complete results are now online


Greetings from the Director


On behalf of all organizers and volunteers, I am very pleased to welcome you to the Peterborough Regional Science Fair.

Our yearly celebration of science through experiments and exploration is a great way to meet new friends who share your passion. You may consider participating as a small group or by yourself, and as far as project topics go, the sky is the limit .... especially in the International Year of Astronomy 2009! 400 years after Galileo began studying the skies with his telescope, this worldwide commemoration was established by the United Nations and the International Astronomical Union to help us realize and understand the impact of astronomy and science in general on our daily lives.

You also have the opportunity to compete for special awards (including scholarships to Trent University and University of Ottawa) or even a trip to the Canada Wide Science Fair in Winnipeg where you can see the winning projects from all over Canada. Last year, five students from Peterborough went to the Canada Wide Science Fair in Ottawa and returned with one gold and two bronze medals, cash awards and scholarships!
We are thrilled that you consider participating in the Science Fair and look forward to meeting you in April for a truly rewarding and successful day.

Experiment, explore, experience!

Best wishes,
Sabine McConnell
Director, Peterborough Regional Science Fair


2009 Rule Changes


The maximum number of students in any group experiment is 2.

Read all the rules


2009 will be the International Year of Astronomy


The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, stimulating worldwide interest not only in astronomy, but in science in general, with a particular slant towards young people.
Read the complete article.

One of the many prizes available in the PRSF is the $100 Frank Hancock Award donated by the Peterborough Astronomical Association to the top astronomy project.


Make sure your project is safe and ethical


Before you start a project, it's important to know the rules - especially if you're thinking of using animals, human subjects, hazardous equipment or materials, recombinant DNA or other biotechnological materials. (By the way, animals include pets and livestock and humans include family members and students in your class or school.) It's heartbreaking to have your project disqualified at the regional or Canada-Wide Science Fair because you broke the rules - or maybe even the law! Check the rules BEFORE you start!

Use of Human Subjects


Science fairs often include excellent projects involving human research participants. These projects are usually based in the social and behavioural sciences such as psychology, sociology, and education, and in related health sciences such as physiology, kinesiology and nursing.

Human participants must be assured that they are safe, that they are treated with respect and dignity, and that the information they provide will be kept confidential

If your project involves human participants please refer to the CWSF document Use of Human Subjects and follow the rules therein.

Use of Animals (Vertebrates and Invertebrates)


Many science fair projects involve experimentation with animals. Such studies can lead students to respect all living things and to educate students on the laws, regulations, and procedures that govern experimental research involving animals.

While student investigations of biological processes are to be encouraged, they are subject to the same laws, ethics, and regulations as any other research.

If your project involves animals please refer to the CWSF document Use of Animals (Vertebrates and Invertebrates) and follow the rules therein.

Hazardous Materials, Equipment and Firearms


Science fairs allow students to conduct research involving hazardous materials, equipment and firearms as long as they adhere to federal and provincial/territorial regulations and guidelines that are designed to protect the safety of the researchers.

Any experimental design involving firearms, and/or hazardous devices, must be approved by YSF or the PRSF Ethics Committee to ensure compliance with regulations and restrictions. If necessary the PRSF may refer the project to the authorities cognizant of current regulations. Use of hazardous equipment, dangerous goods, explosives and firearms requires proper supervision by an Adult Supervisor.

If your project includes the use of hazardous equipment, dangerous goods, explosives and firearms, please refer to the CWSF document Use of Hazardous Equipment and Materials and follow the rules therein.

Recombinant DNA and Biotechnological Safety


Projects involving the manipulation of recombinant DNA molecules or animal viruses are allowed if conducted under qualified supervision. Evidence of this supervision, including the supervisor's name, institution, and qualifications must be included in the "CWSF Supervisor" form and must be available at all times during the fair.

If your project involves the manipulation of recombinant DNA molecules or animal viruses, please refer to the CWSF document Recombinant DNA and Biotechnological Safety and follow the rules therein.