Manitoba student wins big at the Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF) this week!

A few Manitoba students attended CWSF this year and many are coming home with awards, new friends and experiences.

CWSF is the science fair of all science fairs, it is a week-long event celebrating the hard work and smarts of all the students involved.

Jessie MacAlpine, member of the youth science Canada executive team said the science fair is something students start preparing for a year in advance and often completely on their own time.

The event lasts for a week and includes many events and outings including a talent show, field trip, pin trading, talent show and many more!

The Science fair awards ceremony took place last night which highlights students specific successes and contribution to the fair and scientific learning.

These awards remind the kids that "they really are doing exceptional innovative work," says  MacAlpine.

The students are encouraged by these awards to continue to study and pursue a career in science, technology or engineering, says MacAlpine.

Emily Robb, a grade 10 student from Vincent Massey High School in Manitoba, took part in the Canada Wide Science Fair for her third year running. 

Robb's project focused on using different types of hydroponics fertilizer, a sustainable methods of growing agriculture, to grow arugula. 

Robb then analyzed the arugula to see which hydroponics fertilizer produced the most biomass in the lettuce.

The young scientist said, "by finding the most effective fertilizer to use in growing plants we can make more biomass, which in turn leads to more yield, and more food to eat. Then we can come up with a solution on how we can actually fight this food insecurity."

Robb won several prizes at this year's fair including, the Nutrients For Life Foundation award and the Environmental Challenge Award in the intermediate category. 

The fair itself and the awards are of course a highlight, said both MacAlpine and Robb, but it is the friendships you make over the week that have the biggest impact.

"I have friends from all across Canada, and I keep in contact with them every day. I honestly don't think I could live without them," says Robb.

There is a regional fair in just about every corner in Canada" says  MacAlpine, who believes it is important to encourage students to get involved in any way they can.