UNews - Southern Alberta Technology Council

Lethbridge Regional Science Fair goes virtual

caroline.zentner — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:32:33 +0000

The Southern Alberta Technology Council (SATC), which has organized the Lethbridge Regional Science Fair and Science Olympics since 2002, has decided to virtualize the 2020 Regional Science Fair event.

Originally scheduled to take place on March 27 and 28, the science fair had to be postponed due to limitations on public gatherings put in place shortly before the event was scheduled.

SATC is now accepting video submissions of student projects from Grades 4 to 12 until Thursday, April 30. Virtual project judging will take place from Monday, May 4 to Monday, May 11. A public showcase of the projects and student awards will be held virtually following the project evaluation.

This format allows students, judges, and the public to follow social restrictions while celebrating the work these students have done.

“We have done our best to include aspects of the fair that are feasible during this time of uncertainty,” says Dr. Locke Spencer (MSc '05, PhD '09), SATC President and Canada Research Chair in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. “While postponing until a time when we could run the full event would have been ideal, given the uncertain timeline, we wanted to have something in place that was possible within our current social restrictions. We are one of only a small few regions in Canada hosting a virtual Regional Science Fair this year.”

A few regions held their Regional Science Fair in advance of the public restrictions and many cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Youth Science Canada (YSC), the parent organization of the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF), has cancelled the 2020 CWSF, which was scheduled to take place in Edmonton in May. YSC will be hosting a Youth Science Canada Online STEM Fair open to virtual project submissions from students across all of Canada.

Kelly Oikawa, SATC Board member and Lethbridge College instructor, was key in developing plans for this year’s virtual event.

“For many of our participants, the science fair is something they look forward to each year and many have already completed projects and had school science fairs,” says Oikawa, who also represents Lethbridge College within SATC. “These young scientists are our future and this could set an example of how to move forward, adapt, and problem solve in an ever-changing and complex world. I think today's youth could use a message of being positive, innovative, and dealing with challenge, as opposed to much of the negative press and noise on social media, and this could offer that opportunity.”

“I am glad to hear that the science fair will still occur amidst this uncertain time,” says Charlène Golsteyn, a Lethbridge Regional Science Fair alumna (2009-2015), two-time national science fair medalist, and a virtual judge for this year’s event. “I think it is important for students to have a chance to present and be rewarded for their hard work.”

To host the Lethbridge Regional Science Fair and Science Olympics, SATC is sponsored by the City of Lethbridge, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Quantum Alberta, and many other local and regional sponsors. Information about this year’s event, the SATC organization, and its sponsors is available at www.satclethbridge.ca.

Kovalchuk wins ASTech Award for agricultural contributions

trevor.kenney — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 20:03:29 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge epigenetic researcher Dr. Igor Kovalchuk was honoured with the Innovation in Agricultural Science Award at the 2013 ASTech Awards held in Calgary Oct. 25.

The Innovation in Agricultural Science Award recognizes an individual, team, or company that has demonstrated exceptional innovation or has developed a technology of significance to Alberta's agriculture industries. Because of Kovalchuk’s groundbreaking epigenetic work (the study of how genes are expressed or “turned on” by environmental factors) fields of medicinal poppies may soon grow in the Canadian Prairies and biomonitoring plants will detect pollution in the air, water and earth.

Dr. Igor Kovalchuk and his epigenetic work have sparked new crop industries in Alberta's agriculture sector.

Vice-President (Research) Dr. Dan Weeks says Kovalchuk’s drive sets him apart, and that support of epigenetic research has the potential to build new industries in Alberta, as well as create opportunities for southern Alberta farmers to grow higher value crops.

“Dr. Igor Kovalchuk has a personality to lead and succeed,” says Weeks. “Dr. Kovalchuk’s focus on bringing novel crops, hardier crops, and better yielding crops to southern Alberta is impressive. His efforts, achievements and drive exemplify the growing research culture at our university.”

Kovalchuk is currently working with a Canadian biotech company that plans to develop a market for the high thebaine poppy industry in Canada. Kovalchuk’s lab is the scientific arm of this endeavour into the development of a poppy industry.

His own company, Plantbiosis, is currently developing new varieties of transgenic plants that will have unique properties – to sense the presence of environmental pollution. Building on his previous success with plant biomonitors, he has developed a completely novel idea of plant biomonitoring that would allow the ability to sense the presence of a pollutant and also to detect and visualize it through laser-based aerial imaging.

Of the 24 honourees, three (including Kovalchuk) had significant U of L connections. U of L researcher Dr. David Naylor was nominated for his international leadership in building instrumentation that provides the tools to better understand our universe. Naylor co-developed the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) with scientists from eight countries. SPIRE was used on the Herschel Space Telescope to pick up heat signals not visible by optical telescopes.

Also, the Southern Alberta Technology Council (SATC) was nominated for its work in hosting the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) 2013, an event supported and held at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. The CWSF is considered the championship round of the national science fair program, where finalists selected from regional science fairs across the country compete for national honours.

The Alberta Science and Technology Leadership (ASTech) Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded through an industry initiative in 1989. The ASTech Foundation was created to showcase the substantial achievements in science & technology in Alberta and to promote the importance of these activities to social and economic benefit.

Sci-Fusion 2013 hosted by U of L

trevor.kenney — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:52:56 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will serve as the host site for SCI-FUSION 2013, the Lethbridge Regional Science Fair & Science Olympics, this weekend.

Presented by the Southern Alberta Technology Council (SATC), the event will take place on the track level of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness beginning Friday afternoon and wrapping up Saturday evening.

Students in Grades four to 12 will present science projects with the chance of being selected to receive cash prizes and awards.

This year, approximately 100 students will demonstrate more than 70 projects. The event requires more than 50 judges and volunteers, many from the U of L faculty, staff and alumni community.

Up to four top students in the Grade 7 to 12 divisions will be chosen to represent Lethbridge at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, also taking place at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, May 11-18, where up to $1 million in cash, prizes and scholarships will be awarded.

Science Fair projects

Science fair projects encourage students to focus on a science question or problem, conduct research, construct and test a hypothesis, analyze data and then draw conclusions.

Further, students are challenged to communicate their results to science fair judges who will determine the students' level of understanding of their project. Projects have been pre-registered and are presented individually or with a partner. Participation in science fair projects has been known to lead to a life-long interest in science and has influenced many a career choice.

Science Olympics

Four-person teams work together to solve a hands-on science challenge. (In 2012, students worked against the clock to build the longest self-supporting Pinocchio nose). Divisions for the Science Olympics competition are Grades 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 12.

This year, the event features 140 youth who take part in a surprise science challenge competition and are supported by more than 30 U of L Faculty of Education students, co-ordinated by Cynthia Greenfield, a local educator on secondment to the Faculty of Education, as well as a SATC volunteer.

To view the SCI-FUSION schedule, visit: https://secure.youthscience.ca/sfiab/lethbridge/index.php

For more information about Canada-Wide Science Fair, visit: http://cwsf.youthscience.ca

Science fair judges and volunteers needed

trevor.kenney — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:50:48 +0000

In preparing for 52nd annual Canada-Wide Science Fair, to be hosted by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge May 14-18, Chief Judge Dr. Roy Golsteyn is faced with a unique challenge.

Evaluating 500 of Canada's best young scientists requires judges with specific expertise to ensure that participants receive the highest-quality feedback on their exceptional projects.

Hosted at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge through the local host organization, the Southern Alberta Technology Council (SATC), this national event is a program of Youth Science Canada and strongly supported by corporate, community, federal, provincial and city organizations.

While Golsteyn, who leads the Cancer Cell Laboratory at the U of L, is a talented researcher and committed volunteer, he can't do this alone. Three hundred judges are being sought to make sure the participants get the highest-quality feedback.

There are three qualification levels for judges, including those with master's degrees or greater in sciences, those with professional diplomas such as engineering or veterinary medicine, and those with professional diplomas and experience in a science and technology-related field.

Judges are required for only one day (14 May) of the week-long event.

Judges with French language skills are also especially welcomed.

To date, the U of L community has stepped up to commit more than 60 judges, and the overall tally of committed judging volunteers has passed 150, but Golsteyn says there is still a need for judges from a variety of backgrounds including health sciences, math, and digital arts.

"Our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has a leadership role for science in Southern Alberta. The values of the Canada-Wide Science Fair are perfectly aligned with our values of education, mentorship and research," Golsteyn said. "Being a Judge is an excellent way to share these values."

"Finding 300 judges for the CWSF is no small feat. We are halfway there and we would like to build on this momentum. Plans are in place to solicit volunteers and judges from a variety of organizations in Lethbridge and area, and from across the province. The Science Fair competition date (14 May) will be a truly memorable experience. We will have 300 expert judges meeting 500 expert students, which certainly electrifies the atmosphere in the exhibition hall. I am looking forward to engaging the U of L and broader community as judges and volunteers to share this experience and to support science in our country. "

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a judge for the upcoming Canada-Wide Science Fair, please e-mail Dr. Roy Golsteyn for more information at roy.golsteyn@youthscience.ca.

In addition to judges, volunteers are required to assist with a variety of hosting duties, and there will be a specific need for those with bilingual capabilities. For more information on how you can volunteer, please email admin@satclethbridge.ca or visit this website.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to play major role in science fair

trevor.kenney — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:11:43 +0000

While Lethbridge is known to have some of the top scientists and researchers in Canada, the city will gain even more brainpower next year when more than 400 of Canada's best young scientists visit the city for the Canada-Wide Science Fair, May 11-18.

Youth Science Canada, along with federal, provincial and City representatives, announced last week that Lethbridge would host the 52nd annual Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) through its local host organization, Southern Alberta Technology Council (SATC). The weeklong event will be presented at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge biological sciences researcher, Dr. Roy Golsteyn, has volunteered to be the Chief Judge.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase our facilities and technology to Canada's top-level students and their families," says Golsteyn. "Like many of us, I still fondly recall that my first steps into science started at school science fairs. The values of the Canada-Wide Science Fair are perfectly aligned with our values of education, mentorship and research. I am looking forward to engaging the U of L and broader community as judges and volunteers, and having fun with this project."

The fair will feature more than 400 outstanding science projects created by students from grades seven through 12 who have been selected from more than 100 regional competitions across the country.

The event will include project judging, social and cultural exchanges, tours to regional science and research facilities, along with visits to featured southern Alberta tourism destinations. Approximately 800 parents, judges, sponsors and dignitaries will accompany the participants.

The 2013 CWSF will showcase southern Alberta's culture, industry, research and educational facilities including the U of L, Lethbridge College and the Canada-Alberta Research Station. Its success will be enhanced by the involvement of many community organizations and individuals who will come together to make the entire science fair experience a memorable event for participants.

Volunteers will be recruited to assist with a variety of hosting duties, and there will be a specific need for those with bilingual capabilities. CWSF participants representing each province will be housed in student residences on campus at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ where many of the activities will take place. Included in the event are opening ceremonies, several rounds of judging, presentations by leading science authorities and a gala awards banquet and ceremony.

UNews - Southern Alberta Technology Council

Lethbridge Regional Science Fair goes virtual

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