MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS SCIENCE FAIR
The Manitoba First Nations Science Fair, initiated and held annually by MFNERC, primarily function to support the networking of First Nations schools in the area of science. The objective is to encourage the schools and students to first develop and participate in their own local science fairs, and take part to convene the provincial wide First Nations schools in Winnipeg.
It also aims to increase the awareness of, interest in, and attention to science in First Nations Schools; improve the amount and quality of science being experienced by First Nations students and demonstrate that:
- science is fun
- science is all around us in everyday things
- science includes all the other subjects
- science can be understood by everyone
THE 15TH ANNUAL SCIENCE FAIR
MARCH 9 & 10, 2017 AT THE MAX BELL CENTRE, UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA.
Theme: Listeners of the Earth
George Knott School Science Fair Delegation
By Butch & Cora Rabasto
This year (2017), George Knott School sent six (6) students and three (3) teachers as chaperones to participate in a two-day (March 9-10, 2017) Manitoba Science Fair event held at the Max Bell Centre of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Various First Nations schools throughout the province of Manitoba joined this event which was spearheaded by MFNERC.
The trip going to STP airport to catch the flight was a challenging experience for the entire team. Amidst the uncomfortable weather, flight reschedules and delays, the GKS Science team finally arrived 5:10 p.m. at Winnipeg on March 9th, 2017. The group headed directly to Max Bell Centre to register for the event. GKS Science team received a cordial welcome from MFNERC’s Science coordinator and staff upon arrival at the Science Fair. The ceremony commenced with a banner parade of delegations from various First Nations schools throughout Manitoba.
March 10th, 2017, Friday was the big day to conclude the event. The team went to the Science Fair venue early and was able to set up their respective booths, prepared and ready to answer the questions and inquiries of the judges.
It was indeed a very busy time for the group. Some members of the team were able to set up in the assigned booth while the others needed to redo and fix their board because of the messed up during the travel. Some students stayed late until 3:00 a.m. tweaking the board for display in order to make it presentable at the booth for the following day.
Judging of the science projects started at 9:30 a.m. and ended up at 11:30 a.m. The team went to St. Vital Centre Mall for lunch and squeezed some time to stroll and relax before coming back to the Science Fair for the awarding ceremony.
GKS entry for the early years and middle years garnered bronze medals while GKS high school entry received a silver medal – a good pay-off for all the hard work the previous night. We are truly proud of our George Knott School students!
After the awarding ceremony, the team went back to the hotel and prepared the students to make use of their spare time to play and stroll at the mall. First stop was at SpeedWorld where the students enjoyed a round of kart race at the indoor car racing tracks. Polo Park food court called for sumptuous meals enjoyed by the team for dinner and browsed shopping stuff inside the mall. Some students with their chaperone went back ahead to experience and enjoy the indoor swimming pool of the hotel’s amenities. The other members of the team went to Walmart to shop some goodies and stuff and back to the hotel to prepare for the following day’s first flight travel back.
On March 11, 2017, GKS team boarded the scheduled STP flight at 10:00 a.m. and arrived safely at 11:10 a.m. Manitoba Science Fair participants were dropped off to their respective houses through the courtesy of Samantha and Angela using their trucks. Also to Sylvia McDougall and skidoo drivers for providing a ride going to STP airport.
It was a remarkable and exhilarating experience for all the participants - thank you for the overwhelming support of all the parents, Percy Harper (Education Authority Director), Leslie Harper (Principal), Jody Koch (Vice Principal EY-MY), Adam Knott (Vice Principal – HS), Keith Ranville (HS Science Teacher), Angela (7A), Sierra, all the teachers and students who worked behind the successful outcome of GKS showcase at the Manitoba First Nations Science Fair.
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