Trent hosts fair for young scientists

The next generation of Trent scientists will showcase their inventions during the Peterborough Regional Science Fair to be held in the Environmental Science Complex on April 10th. The annual event brought over 250 exhibitors last year from area schools and this year's fair is expected to be even bigger.

"It's been growing every year," says Huda Al-Haddad, Trent course instructor and Science Fair director. Students from kindergarten to Grade 13 began working on their projects in February to be ready for the April show. Trent has been hosting the event for over 30 years and she says the university's role is to encourage students to explore science, do research and analysis, and form conclusions. "Once they have tried this they realize science is not a scary subject - it's fun.Š Hopefully, these are our future students and professors."

Over 90 volunteer judges, along with faculty and students from Trent's science departments, have the difficult task of evaluating the young scientists' projects, while ensuring a positive experience for every student. This year for the first time, high school students who have excelled in science will also participate in the judging. Exhibits will be judged on scientific thought, creative ability, skill, and dramatic value.

An awards presentation will be made in Wenjack Theatre at 3:30 p.m. Winners will go on to the Canada-wide Science Fair to be held in Kingston this May.