On April 11, 2023 the annual Waterloo Wellington Science & Engineering Fair was held for the 50th time. 170 students in Grades 7-12 displayed 142 projects, judged by a group of around 140 volunteer judges - all scientists or engineers. It was the 37th year that our Rotary Club sponsored this inspirational event, which even received a warm letter from the Prime Minister this year.
The atmosphere in the hall at Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener was electric. Students were both nervous and excited to display their own science projects, while also curious to check out the "competition" and see what other students had worked on. Teachers and parents hovered with encouragement and pride in the students, while red-jacketed organizers calmly directed traffic and ensured a welcoming, orderly atmosphere. Terrie Jarvis was happy to finally meet "Sheriff" Louis Silcox, our club's primary science fair contact for over two decades. Another "red jacket" official turned out to be our former District Governor Bill Proctor, actively supporting this science fair along with his wife Judy for their 45th year!
It was surprising to see the high number of judges involved - around 140! That's because each project gets independently judged at least 4 times, with the final project scores based on an amalgamation. About 20% of the judges turned out to be former Science Fair contestants, now qualified and returning to give back to the next generation. Many of the judges come back year after year, with some celebrating over 40 years of continual judging - that's commitment! Michele Richardson from our Rotary Club of Guelph, along with her husband Scott, were also repeat judges and excited to participate once again this year.
The projects themselves ranged from basic to exceptionally complex, but every student had to demonstrate rigour in their scientific approach, as the judging sheets below indicate. The end results are therefore less important than the thorough scientific effort put into the project, which means that even "failed experiments" can prove something.
Winners from this local science fair go on to compete in provincial and national competitions, and may even be selected to represent Canada in international competition. Some science fair alumni go on to important careers in science and engineering, as can be read here.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a warm letter of congratulations - see below.
