Four of the Greater Vancouver students who represented BC at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in May spent the summer realizing further honours and accolades for their science explorations. Forsan Chan, Linda Liu, Mary Zhao and Steven Zhu all used Science Fair projects as a chance to create amazing memories.
After winning over $9000 in prizes at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, Forson Chan represented BC on an educational Arctic expedition. Mr. Chan is not new to scientific exploration - his research for Science Fairs this year investigated how protein inhibition can reduce antibiotic resistance forming mutations. With the goal to ‘bathe in the splendor of the Arctic’ Forson Chan spent two weeks this summer in the Arctic as part of the program, Students on Ice.
Linda Liu’s latest science fair project investigated the effect of rhubarb extract on the proteins causing Alzheimer’s disease. In previous Science Fairs Ms. Liu produced breakthrough research showing the dose-dependent, anti-cancer properties of the drought-resistant plant, Z Spinoza. Ms. Liu started an organization, Planting Hope, to promote the plant and the findings. Youth in Motion named Linda Liu one of 2009’s Top 20 Under 20 for this work.
Mary Zhao was awarded over $11,000 in prizes at the Canada-Wide Science Fair for her innovative approach to inducing precipitation using Ice Nucleating Protein in cloud seeding. Her prizes included the opportunity to represent Canada at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Sweden with participants from over 30 countries. Mary Zhao travelled to Stockholm, Sweden in August and as a runner up, was awarded a Diploma of Excellence.
Steven Zhu won a gold medal and over $30,000 in cash and scholarships at the Canada-Wide Science Fair for his project, Fabulous Fiddleheads. He was also awarded a place on Team Canada for the International Biology Olympiad in Japan that took place in July. After more than 10 hours of exams, Steven Zhu returned from the International Biology Olympiad with a Bronze Medal and friendships that span the globe.
“Science Fair projects are not finished when the judging is complete,” explains Patti Leigh, Science Fair Foundation BC. “Students may take their project research further, compete internationally, or even develop businesses and organizations based on their work. There are excellent opportunities available to young people who participate in Science Fairs, including the chance to travel and learn within Canada and abroad. These are invaluable experiences.”