Manitoba First Nations students to show their science projects

Nearly 500 Grade 4 to Grade 12 students will be in the Max Bell Centre on March 8 and March 9 as part of the 14th Annual Manitoba First Nations Science Fair, an event designed to provide extended opportunities for students of First Nations schools to become engaged, and to excel, in science. 

Students from 35 Manitoba First Nations-operated schools will be taking part, competing within Youth Science Canada standards for Gold, Silver and Bronze medallions of excellence in science.

Four students between Grade 7 and Grade 12 will go on from the event to represent the MFNSF at Canada’s national fair, the CWSF in Montreal in May.

“We are proud that this empowering event, the Manitoba First Nations Science Fair, is entering another year,” said executive director Lorne C. Keeper of the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc., the event host. “It remains one of the fastest growing regional science fairs in Canada. Partnering with the University of Manitoba, this science fair gives an opportunity for First Nations students to showcase their knowledge and, often, initiative to create positive change.”

Digvir Jayas, vice-president (research and international) and Distinguished Professor at the University of Manitoba, said it is exciting to be hosting the next generation of scientists “and for them to share their discoveries and passion for knowledge.”

Student displays and science activities will be held Tuesday, March 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with opening ceremonies from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Judging will be held Wednesday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with the Awards Ceremony from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. that same day.