The featured presenters at the monthly Tecsocial are two of the top participants of the recent Cape Breton Regional Science Fair. Cody Fraser of MacLennan Junior High and Robert Barrett of Riverview High both picked up top awards for their entries.
Fraser’s project “Gutter Filter” presents an innovative approach to collecting, filtering, and cleaning rainwater from a rooftop, making it suitable for storage and household use. The entry won the Junior Engineering Category and the Junior peer choice award. In addition to his academic pursuits, 14 year old Fraser leads an active extracurricular lifestyle that includes hockey, sailing, dirtbiking, and enjoying the outdoors.
Barrett, an avid kickboxer, designed his project around a favourite activity. Entitled “Knock Out”, his entry presents a design that is used to determine the degree to which proper technique instruction increases the momentum of kickboxers’ punches. In addition to winning in the Overall Engineering Category and Best in Show, the grade 10 student went on to the National Science Fair where he scored a Silver Medal in the Physical and Mathematical division, a monetary award, and a scholarship to Western University.
This month’s Tecsocial is sponsored by Nova Scotia Business Inc. Tara Milburn of NSBI was very pleased with Barrett’s and Fraser’s science fair successes. “NSBI would like to congratulate this year’s winners. They demonstrate excellence in Science and are wonderful role models for others.” Milburn explained that promoting academic excellence amongst youth was very important to Nova Scotia’s economic prosperity. “Bringing high value jobs to the region is a priority for NSBI. The quality of our graduates is a key attraction feature for companies, particularly in science and math.”
NSBI works to promote and expand business activity in Nova Scotia, with the goal of expanding wealth and increased revenue to the province. Since 2001, NSBI has provided technical assistance to local businesses and start-ups, as well as promoting Nova Scotia as a place to do business for out-of-province and international companies.
Tecsocial will be held from 5pm to 7pm, June 3 at Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. Admission is free of charge, and a cash bar will be available. Door prizes and light appetizers will be provided compliments of NSBI.
Tecsocials are held on first Thursday of each month, with each event featuring a different sponsor and presentation on the theme of technology and entrepreneurship. For more information, visit www.tecsocial.ca
