Age: Grade 7
School: Dr. Kearney Middle School in Fort St. John in Northern BC

What was your experience with science fairs?

It's been amazing. Across the three regional fairs I've attended, I've made so many friends and learned so much. And being able to attend the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) was on another level. Being surrounded by people working on real solutions to real-world problems was such an eye-opening experience. Every fair I've done has added something new to my experience.

What was your inspiration behind your project, and what award did you win?

I'm from Fort St. John in Northern BC, and the wind is just a constant here. At the same time, greenhouse gas emissions are a huge issue, and a lot of places don't have access to sustainable energy sources. That got me thinking about how we could harness something we already have. My project, Unleashing the Power of Wind, involved building a wind tunnel for aerodynamic testing, similar to what car manufacturers use, and adding a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine to it to generate power sustainably and reduce carbon footprint.

At CWSF, I won the Challenge Award in Energy for the Junior category, along with a $500 cash prize and certificate from Youth Science Canada. I also received the Excellence Award Bronze in the Junior category.

What other projects are you working on?

The project isn't completely carbon-neutral yet. I had to use a fan to simulate real-world wind conditions, which is a limitation. The next step would be to scale up to a larger facility, where I could test actual commercial vehicles under real conditions. That's where I want to take it.

What advice would you give to students participating in science fairs for the first time?

Choose something you actually care about and want to learn from. Don't pick a project just because you think it'll win; you won't get anything meaningful out of it. STEM isn't worth it if the only goal is a trophy. Go in with the mindset of wanting to learn and understand that not winning is okay. The experience itself is the point.

What are your future plans?

I'm considering either the medical field (specifically pediatrics) or civil engineering, both paths where I can give back to the community. And regardless of where I end up, I'd encourage anyone who's done CWSF to stay connected. Most participants end up in a big group chat where we still talk, share ideas, and support each other. The connections you make don't end when the fair does.