In School District 60 we aim for our students to be best for the world, we have students that are best in the world too! Congratulations to Victoria and Emily on your achievements!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2015
BC Science Fair Students Win International Awards in Taiwan!
SuYun Geithner (centre), the head of Political and Public
Affairs at the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei.
Vancouver, BC – Emily O’Reilly, a Grade 12 student from College Heights Secondary, Prince George and Victoria Platzer, a Grade 9 student from Bert Bowes Middle School, Fort St. John, have returned with success from the Taiwan International Science Fair, held February 4th to 10th in Taipei, Taiwan.
Ms. Platzer received a gold medal in the Environmental Sciences category for her project, Hay Aliens, a study that showed that the seeds of invasive plants are spread throughout the Peace region in hay harvested by local farmers. Of the 5,568 seeds that she collected from 22 samples of hay, 628 were identified as invasive. Ms. O’Reilly received a gold medal in the Health Sciences category for her project, Ancient Knowledge – Modern Approach, a study which demonstrated the antibacterial properties of the apricot kernel. It has long been rumored that the apricot kernel has medicinal value, however, scientific results have been inconclusive due to the presence of cyanide in the kernel. Ms. O’Reilly was able to devise a novel approach to extract the cyanide from the kernel to allow her to test the medicinal properties of the apricot kernel in the absence of cyanide.
Ms. Platzer and Ms. O’Reilly were accompanied by Mr. Darren Platzer, a teacher from Alwin Holland Elementary School. The students were selected to participate based on their Science Fair project work, their communication skills and their ambassadorial qualities. Mr. Platzer was chosen as the educator because of his broad outreach education experience, his years of participation and support of the science fair program and his appreciation of its educational benefits for students.
Mr. Platzer reported after the awards ceremony in Taipei on Monday that both students are “very happy and had a great experience”. British Columbian students have attended the Taiwan International Science Fair since its inception in 1991, a legacy of the Pan Pacific component of the 1991 Canada-Wide Science Fair hosted by the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia.
“Through scientific research and innovation, Science Fair participants are able to gain important life and job skills which help reveal where new career opportunities exist,” said Patti Leigh O.B.C, Executive Director of the Science Fair Foundation of BC. “Science Fairs allow students to stretch their imagination and intellect, and they also provide a chance for young scientists to network with their peers and with potential mentors.”
British Columbia regional science fairs are supported by the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia, a non-profit, charitable organization whose vision is to sustain and enhance the science culture of the youth of British Columbia.
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About the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia
The Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia is the largest science and technology outreach network in the Province supporting science education by inspiring curiosity through the Science Fair program.
To learn more about the Foundation, please visit our website at: www.sciencefairs.ca.