Students gearing up for regional fair

Many students from around the Burin Peninsula have donned their lab coats in recent weeks.
Indeed, countless hours have likely been spent researching and conducting experiments, as the young scientists prepared their entries for the annual science fair at their respective schools.
The winners from those competitions are set to display their projects at the Eastern School District's Burin Regional Science Fair at Holy Name of Mary Academy in Lawn on Mar. 13.
Lynn Fitzpatrick-Antle, program specialist for grades 7-12 with the Eastern School District's Burin Region office, coordinates the annual fair.
"I'm always impressed by the high caliber of projects students from this region submit each year. The regional fair in Lawn will undoubted be another amazing event."
Ron Smith, who heads up Science/Technology for grades 7-12 with Eastern School District, is chief judge. About 30 judges from around the peninsula have also been selected to evaluate the projects.
Some 100 students will exhibit approximately 150 projects in four different science categories at the regional fair including: life/environment, mathematical sciences, engineering/computer science and earth/physical science.
In addition to gold, silver and bronze medals, first and second place awards are presented to projects in three age divisions of the four categories. There are also a number of special awards.
Over the past several years, a 'Science Olympics' competition has also been held in conjunction with the fair. Teams of students from each school are given a 'science and technology' problem to solve.
The regional fair at Lawn will be open to the public at 2 p.m., with the awards presentations set for 2:30.
NATIONAL FAIR
This year's winner is in for quite an adventure.
The lucky student will represent the Eastern School District's Burin Region, as well as the Central Newfoundland Zone, at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, which will be held in Ottawa from May 10-18.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick-Antle is big on both the regional and national fairs.
"The national fair is a great opportunity, but so, too, is the regional fair because it gives students on the peninsula a chance to meet one another and see what others have done. It's a good community builder for the region."
Some 450 students from across the country will take part in the national fair, hosted by the University of Ottawa, which is located only a short walk to the Parliament buildings.
The event will mark the first time the Canada-Wide Science Fair has been held in the nation's capital since the inaugural year in 1962.
For further updates and information on the national fair, visit 'http://www.cwsf2008.ca'.