None of the schools that I attended as a youth featured science fairs. I don't know if this was true of all the schools in Vancouver, but I certainly don't remember hearing about any science fairs when I was young.
Science fairs are a big thing now. They are chance for young scientists to explore, learn, and experiment. They offer a chance to go to the national science fair and compete on a Canada-wide stage. Or even go to an International Science Fair.
The students in the central interior have always done well at the Canada-wide and International fairs. For example, last year, Ashley Anderson and Forrest Tower competed at the Taiwan International Science Fair in Taipei, Taiwan, and earned a 3rd place showing in the environmental category for their project "Application of Biofuel Technologies for Third World Countries".
Each year, five students are selected to go to the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Students such as Emily O'Reilly whose study of the levels of bacteria on household surfaces made her a winner at the 2010 CISE and ensured a trip to the Canada-wide Science Fair in Toronto that year. In case you are wondering, the most germ-laden item in most households is the dishcloth. Kitchens harbour far more bacteria than bathrooms.
But science fairs aren't just about winning or going to the nationals. At least, they shouldn't be just about that. Science fairs are a chance to ask questions - sometimes the sort of questions that most people wouldn't even think about.
Over the years, I have talked to many students about their projects. Many years ago Cody Krause and Andrew Ross were interested in finding a different way to preserve things. Most of us preserve food by freezing or canning it. But before the invention of glass jars and refrigeration, how could you preserve something for a long time?
They became interested in "mummification". Yes, the ancient secrets of Egypt did not die with the early Egyptians. Mummification is a practice that is still carried out. You can even have your favourite pet mummified once they have passed on.
For Andrew and Cody, the question that they were pursuing was fairly straightforward: "Is there a better way to store food?"
By the judicious use of the chemicals employed by the Egyptian morticians and priests, they found an answer: "Yes".
Mummified food lasts a very long time. The problem is that it tastes terrible. The chemicals involved make the food almost inedible, so it is not likely that you will find mummified oranges at the local supermarket.
In any case, it was an interesting and memorable approach to a question. After all, most of us take food preservation for granted.
A favourite topic that appears frequently at science fairs is the effect of music. Indeed, even Leonard Hofsteder of the Big Bang Theory studied the effects of classical music on the growth of lima beans in an admittedly fictional setting.
But studying music has led to all sorts of interesting results. Many years ago, Gregory Poelzer was interested in the effects of music on blood pressure and heart rate. In a project entitled "Goin' up?", he tested both his and other people's blood pressure and pulse at different times of the day while listening to a variety of musical genres.
Perhaps not surprisingly, classical music had a soothing effect resulting in a drop in blood pressure and pulse. And equally not surprising was the result that rock music increased both. But what he found that is quite perplexing is that the effects of country music depended very much on the time of day when he conducted his tests.
His results preceded those of Michelle Jackson and Carly Friedrich who were interested in the effects of music on the ability of students to do a math test. Again, perhaps not surprisingly, classical music produced the best results. This could definitely have something to do with being calmer and more relaxed during the test.
Interestingly, they found that the 1812 Overture, which I have always found to be an exciting piece of music, produced the best results overall. So maybe it is a combination of low blood pressure and heart rate with a rousing rendition of a classical piece that is best for writing tests.
In any case, these students enjoyed doing their project. They learned something about the world around them. More importantly, they learned something about doing science.
This year's Central Interior Science Exhibition is being held at the Bentley Science Centre at UNBC this Saturday, March 9th. Some of the best and the brightest young minds will be on display. Who knows which project will be selected to go to the national competition or maybe even on to international fame?
In the end, though, answering a question and learning something about science along the way is the real prize.
