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+"$$45"%6,3+%)7"%2,"$*8"!)$ Welcome to the the spring Summer Edition of the Science Expo News Bulletin. lotvery has excited happened in the last elcome to edition of the Science Expo News Bulletin! WeAare to announce few Science months Expo since 2012 Science Expotaking 2012:place Convene and Connect on Feb 25thon atFebruary the Ontario that is soon at the Ontario Science Center 25thScience 2012. Center. With the most successful conference to date under our belt, we’ve launched a beta version of our new mentorship program, EXPOtential, and publically pitched at the Youth Social Innovation hard at work to prepare for what promises to be an exciting day. Competition and came in 2nd place. This is a very exciting time at Science Expo, and we’ll be welcoming 7 interns to the team for the summer. Also stay tuned for details about our upcoming Two years hiring since for ournext inception, executive year. Science Expo has grown from a local 2-hour event to a full day provincial conference. As Co-Presidents and Co-Founders of this organization, we arethat so we’ll proudbetoleaving see what it has grown of Science *!)",!4(%7*57(*57)$ We’re sad to announce as Co-Presidents Expo, a project we started together 12 over years ago. Starting we’ll be taking the role of Board into, but in it grade wouldn’t havetwo been possible withoutSeptember the hard 2012, - Science Expo 2012 taking place on of Directors, and will no longer involved in the of Science Expo. However, work of everyone involved. Webe would like to giveday-to-day a special operations Feb 25th at the OSC we’re excited welcome a new leadership consisting of Stephanie Chan, BerBer Xue, and thank you totoour amazing team and theteam ambassadors -2nd Annual Science Expo Honghu Wang. We are confident that this team will take Science Expo to new heights and we’re who brought this vision to life. Scholarship Awarded excited to see all the possibilities they’ll unleash. In the meantime, we’d like to extend a sincere Wangfamily. wins No Science Expo thank you to the Science Expo 2011-2012 team that has become-Grace our second words can Even for those of you who are unable to make it out to the describe the journey, but I’m sure our legend of minions, burnt meat, karaoke will likes. go down in Photo and Contest with 323 conference, we hope to convey some of the excitement to history. - Science Expo reaches over 600 likes you through this newsletter. As you read through the articles, on Facebook Lastly, weyou wantare to thank each youaction who have part of the Science Expo story. We want you to we hope inspired to of take and been get involved know that you’re part of something extraordinary, and it’s only going to get better. Science Expo’s with STEM opportunities in any way you can. refined mission is to empower youth through *!$*8"%)7*$%*$$'" connections so we leave you with one last Spotlight on STEM: U of T We started Science Expo after our last science fair advice: when opportunities don’t knock, Mentorship Program.................... Science Expo 2012: Convene and Connect ........ 2 2 competition and thought what better way to end our science build a door – let Science Expo be that door. Word from the President: Check News bulletin: Intel International Science and fair journey than to start it for someone else. It is our hope out ISSYP!.......................................... Engineering Fair ........................................................... 3 3 Cheers to a new beginning! that Science Expo will act as a catalyst in your STEM journey and help to empower your future. ScienceFund Feature: Stem cells made Youth Social Innovation ................................. 4 Yours in leadership signing off, simple................................................. 5
- Susie Pan and Hillary Dawkins
Susie Pan & Hillary Dawkins Co-Presidents, Science Expo 2011-2012 Co-Presidents
Spotlight on STEM: ISEF ............................................ 5 Tech guru talks about STEM Internal Highlightsexperiences...................................... ...................................................... 6 6
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Among the world of high school science, no competition is as prestigious and revered as the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, held each May in circulating American cities. The event gathers 1500 students from over 70 countries around the world to compete for hundred of thousands of dollars in cash prizes, scholarships, awards and internships. Team Canada was represented by 18 competitors at this year’s event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Despite its relatively small size, Canada has consistently been recognized with disproportionately more awards received. However, this year’s team had an even more spectacular showing with a total award count of 30, speaking volumes about the capacity of our country’s scientific ingenuity and leadership by youth. Nicholas Schiefer, a speaker at Science Expo 2012: Convene and Connect, won the Intel Young Scientist Award of $50 000, given to each of the top three competitors at the event, along with the Best of Category Award at $5000, the First Place Grand Award at $3000 in Computer Science and five other Special Awards. Nicholas’ research centered around improving the abilities of search engines capabilities to sort through vast amounts of information, such as tweets and Facebook status updates. His work is no stranger to Canada’s science fairs; in 2011 he won a gold medal at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Toronto. Christopher Nielsen of Calgary Alberta and a returning member to Team Canada was honoured with the First Place Grand Award in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and fours Special Awards for developing a robotic navigation system with mobile control. Adam Noble of Lakefield, Ontario brought home the Environtal Management Best of Category Award and First Place Grand Award for his research into the recovery of antibacterial nanosilver particles in wastewater. Adam Mofeed Sawan of London, Ontario also won a best of Category Award in Earth and Planetary Sciences for developing a computer model to investigate geochemical consequences of the proposed Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal.
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!"##$%&'()' !+,-./01-&,2&!-$#3&!456746&895:;&97<&-69=&>979<9&9?&/!$8 BY CHRISTINA DING
My 2012 Intel ISEF experience was one of the highlights of my life. My project was investigating Lycium barbarum or goji berry’s effects on the formation of UV-light induced cataracts. I learned about doing science fair projects at Shad Valley, an enrichment camp. At Shad, I met amazing people like Brian Krug and Vivienne Tam who inspired me to do my own research project. I started my experiment at the University Of Waterloo School Of Optometry in the summer of 2011, after finding a mentor who was willing to take me into her lab. Since this is my first year doing a real research project, I had no idea that my project would qualify for Team Canada. I had only hoped in the beginning that my hypothesis would “work”. After getting some preliminary results, I applied for Team Canada. It was a very rigorous process. I sent in a report and there was a power-point presentation and interview I had to do with a panel of judges while talking to them over the phone. Intel ISEF in Pittsburgh was absolutely amazing. I had never met a group of people who were more talented, motivated, and just so nice. It was incredible to share a week with these people, who were extremely similar to me, learning about their research and their personal goals. I came back inspired to challenge myself, and to push beyond my limits. CONTINUE READING >>
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Cataracts, which is when your lens becomes cloudy and unclear, is becoming increasing common, especially in developing countries. It is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. My project investigated if Lycium barbarum or goji berries, which is traditionally a Chinese herbal medicine can prevent cataracts from UV-light. Goji berries have been shown to contain high amounts of antioxidants, specifically zeaxanthin. In my study, I used cow eyes with induced cataracts. I found that when the lens was treated with a supplement of Lycium barbarum, or goji berries, it prevented the formation of cataracts. My study also suggested that the antioxidant is preventing cataractogenesis. Eating goji berries can be a preventative method against cataracts. Since goji berries are extremely easy and cheap to grow, it is possible for everyone to have access to this supplement to prevent cataracts.
/569<5=>&17?@>7?@6A t 4DJFODF &YQP IBT MBVODIFE the beta version of EXPOtential, a mentorship program for conference alumni to pair students with experience in STEM programs with those seeking support. Check out our website and Facebook page for upcoming information on ways to get involved! t 4DJFODF &YQP JT IJSJOH B OFX HSPVQ PG JOUFSOT GPS UIJT TVNNFS 5IFZ XJMM CF IFMQJOH MBVODI several new projects and we are excited to work with such talented youth. t 0VS MFBEFSTIJQ UFBN JT USBOTJUJPOJOH UP OFX NFNCFST JODMVEJOH 4UFQIBOJF $IFO #FS#FS 9VF and Honghu Wang. We wish leaving co-presidents Susie Pan and Hillary Dawkins all the best in future endeavours and we thank them for the tireless work they have invested in the seeding and growth of our organization. We have confidence they will provide excellent oversight in their new SPMFT BT #PBSE .FNCFST 8F BMTP TBZ HPPECZF UP &EEJF ,JN %JSFDUPS PG *5 $PNNVOJDBUJPOT 7FOJTTB 9JBP 5FBDIFS 0VUSFBDI $PPSEJOBUPS .FSFUUF 4IJOPVEB $POGFSFODF %JSFDUPS BOE %BOJFM Zhang, Director of Social Media.
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Thank you for reading this issue of STEM Connect! Pass this on to your friends who are interested in STEM. For article submissions or any questions or coments, contact newsletter @science-expo.org. PS. Our new website will be launching later this summer! Look forward to it! - Science Expo Youth Empowerment Group
PRODUCED AND EDITED BY BRIAN KRUG AND STEPHANIE CHAN SPECIAL CONTRIBUTER: CHRISTINA DING
SCIENCE EXPO 2011-2012 TEAM BACK: BRIAN KRUG, DANIEL ZHANG, KEVIN LAU, MERETTE SHINOUDA, VENISSA XIAO, TINA TANG, BERBER XUE, HONGHU WANG FRONT: MEGAN SCHLORFF, SUSIE PAN, STPEHANIE CHAN, EDWARD KIM, HILLARY DAWKINS
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