Some of the area’s top minds were brought together on April 11, 2012 for the 43rd Annual Peterborough Regional Science Fair held at Trent University. Over 300 students from 24 schools were on hand to showcase the work of our next generation of young scientists.
“This is where you find students doing real science,” said Science Fair Committee Co-chair, Mark Dzurko. “These are enthusiastic lovers of science who are moving well beyond working from a text book. They are asking real questions, doing experiments to find pertinent answers, and finding ways to apply it to real life.”
Mr. Dzurko isn’t just a coordinator of the event, he’s also a veteran. In fact, it was attending the Regional Science Fair at Trent in his youth that made him decide to take his B.Sc. in Environmental Science here. “I was going to go somewhere else, but I found more opportunity to actively engage with the programs at Trent,” he said. Mr. Dzurko’s project was on lead poisoning in water fowl, and his interactions with faculty at Trent during his time at high school led him towards environmental chemistry.
After completing his B.Sc. he went on to achieve his M.A. at Trent in what was Watershed Ecosystems, now Environmental Life Sciences. He is currently a professor at Fleming College.
Adam Noble was one of the exceptional students presenting his work. Mr. Noble, whose project has been selected to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) from May 12-19 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, wasn’t competing in the Regional Fair. With his work already moving on to the International Fair, he chose to instead act as both a project judge and a mentor to younger students.
“In preparing for science fairs like this, you find an area of science that excites you,” said the Grade 12 Lakefield District Secondary student. “The kids that are taking part in this are the ones that follow it up with science degrees, Masters degrees, Doctorates. It helps to set you up for a lifetime of learning, a lifetime of science, and perhaps an exciting career.”
Posted on Monday, April 23, 2012.