Four Westman students taking science to Ottawa

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This article was published 17/04/2024 (680 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Healthy Living Centre at Brandon University buzzed with youthful excitement last week as the 56th annual Western Manitoba Science Fair showcased the ingenuity and creativity of local students.

Among the standout projects were those of the winner and four runners-up who will represent the region at the prestigious Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) in Ottawa from May 25 to June 1.

The coveted title of winner went to 12-year-old Abereham Moges, a Grade 7 student from Christian Heritage School in Brandon. His project, “Mood Foods,” captured the attention of judges and attendees alike.

Inspired by the challenges faced by individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, Abereham delved into the impact of nutrient-rich snacks on cognitive performance and mental well-being. His project aimed to explore the potential of these foods to enhance brain function, a topic close to his heart as he witnessed firsthand the struggles of loved ones with such conditions.

“I feel great about winning,” Abereham told the Sun, reflecting on his surprise and joy at hearing his name called. “I was completely surprised and shocked and could not close my mouth for some minutes. I didn’t expect it at all because I had thought I would be a runner-up.”

He expressed his gratitude to his mentors and the support of his family.

“My science teacher, Tim Frykoda, has been instrumental in guiding me through this project. He believed in me from the start and encouraged me to push the boundaries of my research,” he said. “I’m also thankful for the unwavering support of my family, especially my parents, my brother Yishak and my cousin Minte Yilma, who have always encouraged my curiosity and passion for science.”

Joining Abereham on the journey to Ottawa are the talented runners-up, each with their remarkable projects.

Angelina Zhang, a Grade 8 student from École New Era School in Brandon, impressed judges with her project on “Enviro & Genetic Factors in Cancer Risk.”

Motivated by her aspiration to become a doctor, Angelina utilized her passion for science to investigate the interplay between environmental and genetic factors in cancer, using coding to simulate cell behaviour and study cancer development, and tackling the pressing issue of cancer risk factors.

“I want to become a doctor because I think it’s cool to help people and use science to make a difference,” Zhang told the Sun in an interview. “Using code to simulate cellular processes offered a creative approach to conducting scientific research, especially considering the limitations in accessing certain resources at my age.”

Angelina expressed her gratitude to her mentors and family.

“I’m grateful to my science teacher, Mrs. Smith, for her guidance and encouragement throughout this journey. My parents have also been incredibly supportive, cheering me on every step of the way,” she said.

Also making waves is Danielle Vrignon, a Grade 11 student from École La Source in Shilo, with her project “Buzzicompteur.”

Coming from a family of beekeepers, Vrignon combined her love for bees with her fascination for technology and coding to create a device that counts bee activity around hives. Her innovative project aims to contribute to the understanding of bee behaviour and its impact on ecosystem health.

“I chose something that would have a personal interest,” she told the Sun. “I wanted to do something that wouldn’t just be boring.”

She expressed appreciation for her mentors and family, adding, “My chemistry teacher, Mr. Johnson, provided invaluable guidance and support throughout this project. I’m also grateful to my family for their encouragement and belief in my abilities.”

Completing the lineup of talented individuals is Diego Gaudet, a Grade 12 student from École La Source in Shilo, whose project “Chitine: Chic ou chagrin” explores the extraction of chitin from shrimp.

With aspirations to pursue chemistry in his post-secondary studies, Gaudet’s project exemplifies his passion for the subject and his desire to push the boundaries of scientific exploration.

“I wanted to do something related to that subject,” he said. “It was just a fun project for me to do and see where the field is going.”

Like others, Gaudet expressed gratitude to his mentors and family, stating, “My chemistry teacher, Mrs. Martinez, provided invaluable guidance and encouragement throughout this project. I’m also thankful to my family for their unwavering support and belief in my abilities.”

With their sights set on Ottawa, Western Manitoba Science Fair spokesperson Charlotte McConnell said the students are poised to make waves at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. At the regional science fair, she said, 368 students were hosted with 258 projects from 26 schools in Brandon and western Manitoba.

“These four students have received an all-expenses-paid trip to move on to represent western Manitoba at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa,” she said. “The Canada-Wide Science Fair is the largest youth-oriented science event in Canada, and Ottawa will welcome 500 brilliant young minds from across the country for this national weeklong event, allowing finalists to compete for cash prizes, scholarships and special awards.”

She lauded the efforts of the judges and volunteers who helped with the regional science fair, with “a big thank you to the teachers, co-ordinators, parents, mentors that helped students with their STEM projects and our WMSF sponsors, who make running our science fair and sending our finalists to Canada-Wide Science Fair possible.”

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