Scientific muscle

The regional science fair gives students a chance to flex their brains, says a spokesman for the Northwestern Ontario Regional Science Fair.

More than 130 students from Lakehead Public Schools and the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board attended the 2011 the Northwestern Ontario Regional Science Fair on Tuesday. Presentations blanketed the Lakehead University gymnasium as students from Grade 4 to 12 showed off some of the results of their scientific muscle.

Ian Stewart, chair of the committee for the Northwestern Ontario Regional Science Fair, said students traveled from as far as Sault Ste Marie and Sandy Lake First Nation to demonstrate their scientific findings.

"I think it gives them the outlet to be more on the academic side of things," Stewart said.

"They can have a lot of fun doing experiments. A part of the whole process is to have their experiment on the board and show what they have done. They have to be able to talk to the judges and public and explain their project.

“I think it takes a lot of confidence to ensure they can do this."

Kristen Kowlessar, a 15-year-old Grade 10 Sir Winston Churchill student, and her partner, Megan O’ Donnell, prepared a presentation on the effects of the Stroop effect.

Kristen said the Stroop effect is a delay in the brain that takes place when it tries to perform multiple tasks at once. She and Megan tested 50 boys and 50 girls on their reactions and found that the brain did have problems conducting multiple tasks.

Kristen has always had an interest in the brain and wanted to do a project so she could learn more about it.

"I’m really interested in psychology," Kristen said. "I want to help people."

Gabe Davey, a Grade 5 student from Ecole Gron Morgan, hypothesized that a couple of citrus fruits could conduct electricity. He tested oranges, grapefruits and lemons and said he was shocked to have learned that it took three grapefruits and lemons to power his LED light.

"I like being here, it’s fun," Gabe said about attending the regional science fair. "I really like science. I go to science camps every summer."