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Message from the Executive Director

The 2008/2009 fiscal year was an exciting one for the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia! The partnership with the British Columbia Innovation Council enabled increased promotional activities plus collaboration of the Regional Science Fairs with the Regional Science and Technology Councils. This resulted in a 30% growth in Science Fair activity throughout the province – a significant step towards achieving the Foundation’s mission to build British Columbia’s future by supporting science and technology education and by inspiring curiosity through the Science Fair program.

Highlights of the program achievements for the past year include:

• Record growth and impact – the outcome of the partnership of the Science Fair Foundation BC with BC Innovation Council whose goal is to support regions, expand participation and increase awareness of Science Fairs in British Columbia.
  Increased promotion and awareness resulting from the BC Regional Science & Technology Network collaboration with the Regional Science Fair volunteer organizing committees.
• 9% increase in student participation at the Regional Science Fair level.
• 30% overall increase in Science Fair activities at the school level (inclusive of all levels – teacher, class, student, non-competitive fairs, competitive fairs)
• 14% increase in participation in the Alumni Mentorship Program (AMPS) – 32 students with 29 projects – the outcome of the expansion to include 5 Regional Science Fairs.
• Increased media promotion in 8 BC communities (Terrace, Kelowna, Fort St. John, Campbell River, Cranbrook, Castlegar, Chemainus, Prince George).
• Completion of the Aboriginal pilot project which culminated in the Aboriginal Science Fair Celebration in Campbell River, BC May 2009 –166 students with 86 projects from 3 schools participated! Plans are in place to expand this program in 2009/2010.

Recogniton of students and teachers provided much to celebrate in 2009:

• 74 students and 26 educators, BC’s largest team ever, attended 2009 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Winnipeg, Manitoba! the results – 5 gold, 11 silver, 15 bronze, 15 honorable mentions, 13 special awards, and 65 scholarships for a total of $137,700 in scholarships, awards and prize money.
• 2 students and an educator attended the Taiwan International Science Fair and returned with a First Place.
• 4 students were members of the 16 member Youth Science Canada Team Canada contingent that attended the USA Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Reno, Nevada – one was awarded a Fourth Grand Award.
• 3 students attended the Australian National Youth Science Forum in Canberra, Australia.
• 1 student was among the 20 young Canadians to receive the Top 20 Under 20 Award by Youth in Motion.

Thank you to the Board of Directors of the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia for your continued commitment in support of the Science Fair program in schools around the province. These innovative students are our future – as increased numbers of teachers and students are engaged in Science Fair activities the community strengthens and British Columbia’s future is enhanced.

Patti Leigh
Executive Director, Science Fair Foundation BC.

Patti Leigh is the recipient of the Science Council of British Columbia's 1996 Eve Savory Award for Science Communication.