Team BASEF Success at National and International Fairs

Local Students Win Four Awards at Canada Wide Science Fair

International Team Brings Home Two Prestigious Awards

Download this media release as a two-page PDF file.

Over the past two weeks twenty students, representing Hamilton, Halton, Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant Counties, have been competing at the National and International Science Fairs, after having won trip awards at the 51st annual Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair (BASEF) this past March.

The BASEF Team brought home four awards from the Canada-Wide Science Fair, held from May 14th to May 21st in Toronto:

Calvin Rieder (Grade 8, Oakville Christian School, Oakville), Gold Medal
Project: "Water. water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink"
Calvin's project was the design of atmospheric water condensers to provide clean drinking water in areas where water may not be readily available.
His award includes $5,500 in cash and scholarships.

Patrick Chong (Grade 8, Canadian Martyrs School, Dundas), Silver Medal
Project: "Light Amplification to Improving Solar Cell Efficiency"
Patrick's project investigated using Fresnel lenses to concentrate light and improve the output of solar cells.
His award includes $2,700 in cash and scholarships.

Gaven Mann (Grade 8, W. H. Morden Public School, Oakville), Bronze Medal
Project: "Sleep? Haven't Heard of It."
Gaven's project was a study of sleeping habits of students and the relationship to academic performance.
His award includes $1,300 in cash and scholarships.

Adam Chen and Nick Dobrovolskis (Gr 8, Hillfield Strathallan, Hamilton), Bronze Medal
Project: "What's In Your Salt Shaker?"
Adam and Nick's project was an investigation into the levels of mercury found in sea salt.
Their award includes $1,300 in cash and scholarships.

The Intel International Science and Engineer Fair was held in Los Angeles, California, the prior week, from May 7th to May 14th, and four High School Students represented our area as part of "Team Canada". Two students brought home Special Awards:

Sarah Flaherty (Grade 9, Westdale Secondary School, Hamilton),
Project: "Simplifying SODIS"
Award: Google Secret Change Agent Special Award
Sarah's project involved improving the solar disinfection of water by reducing turbidity, to help provide clean water in developing regions.
Her award includes a $10,000 cash prize.

Janelle van Leeuwen (Grade 9, Hillfield Strathallan College, Hamilton),
Project: "Will EMF Stunt Your Growth?"
Award: US Patent and Trademark Office Society Special Award
Janelle's project tested the effects of Electro-Magnetic Fields from landscape lights on the growth of garden plants.
Janelle's award includes a $200 cash prize.

For high resolution pictures of the Canada-Wide Science Fair finalists see our flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/tags/projects/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/sets/72157626587987357/