Gracie Tolmie, a Grade 4 student at Agassiz Christian school with her science fair project on aquaponics that won a prize at the Fraser Valley regionals.

Gracie Tolmie, a Grade 4 student at Agassiz Christian school with her science fair project on aquaponics that won a prize at the Fraser Valley regionals.

Young scientists discover success at regionals

Agassiz Christian school students bring back awards from Fraser Valley science fair

Five students from Agassiz Christian school were recipients of Fraser Valley Regional Science Fair awards last Friday at the annual event.

Brady Pranger, Ty Pranger, Annelyn Victor, Shanaya Van Oort and Gracie Tolmie all won in various categories last week for their scientific efforts.

They moved up from their local Agassiz Christian science fair which alternates every second year with a heritage fair, and hosted 17 external judges this year including a geologist, a vice-principal, a University of the Fraser Valley professor, community members and many former educators.

“It gives kids variety, it gives kids an opportunity to really pursue something in depth,” said John Zuidhof, Agassiz Christian’s principal earlier in the year during the event. “And to display their learning, because too often too much of the learning just stays in the classroom.”

A total of 55 awards were handed out to young scientists at the Fraser Valley Regional Science Fair and awards ceremony held in the Envision Athletic Centre on the University of the Fraser Valley’s Abbotsford campus last week.

In all, 114 students participated from 15 schools spanning Abbotsford, Agassiz, Chilliwack, Langley and Maple Ridge. Judges adjudicated 91 projects in the categories of: Life Sciences, Engineering and Computing Science; Physics and Math Science; Health Science; Earth and Environmental Science, and Biotechnology.

The top award—an all expenses paid trip to the Canada Wide Science Fair in Montreal, May 15 to 20—was awarded to three students: Avipal Sandhu from Abbotsford middle for his project “Salt Water Electricity Generator”;  Aiden Rebele from MEI with “Launched by Leftovers: Generating biofuels from garbage”; and Kennedy Campbell from G.W. Graham middle-secondary, for “Thinking in Reverse.”

 

Agassiz Christian student Fraser Valley awards

Brady Pranger: Abacus Dental Centre Award, $50 cash for “Get a grip – Do pruney fingers that are soaked in water improve your grip?”

• Ty Pranger and Annelyn Victor: Science Book Award for “Optical illusions” and “How active is it? Effects of temperature on acidophilus and bifidus” respectively.

• Shanaya Van Oort: FVRSF Math Award, $50 cash for “How will the amount of baking powder affect my biscuit recipe?”

Gracie Tolmie: BC Young Farmers, $75 gift certificate for “Aquaponics”

 

Agassiz Observer