Two Chinook’s Edge students make their schools and communities proud at the National Science Fair

Claire Friesen and Oceana Jones have just returned from the National Science Fair in New Brunswick, held May 31 to June 7, thrilled with their experience. Jones is a Grade 12 student from École Olds High School (EOHS). Friesen is a Grade 9 student from Cremona School; she received a bronze award for her project. This is the third time Friesen has received that standing at the national event. 

Both of the students qualified to attend the event after a regional science fair in Red Deer earlier this spring.

Oceana Jones’ deep dive into disproved link between autism and vaccines results in her first flight and trip outside of western Canada

Oceana Jones’s science fair project is called “Deceived”.  Her research project was a deep dive into Andrew Wakefield and his now disproved claim that the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine given in childhood causes autism. 

“I knew a little bit about him before this project, and wondered why everyone says his name. I wondered ‘what’s the deal’,” she says.

Jones says, “It was fascinating to learn that he didn’t have the authority or the research to make the claims he did. Also, Wakefield was being paid by a lawyer, who was working for an organization called JABS. It was also interesting to learn about the resulting media coverage of his claim, and the impact of that.”  JABS is an organization formed by parents who claimed their children became ill after the MMR vaccine.

Jones says she wants to go into psychology, and is interested in doing a double major in psychology as well as theatre. “Before this project I didn’t understand how to properly do research. What I learned about doing research for this project will help me in my education.” 

Attending the National Science Fair was Jones’s first trip outside of western Canada, and also her first time flying. “Going outside B.C. and Alberta for the first time was honestly pretty cool,” she says. Highlights included attending the dance, and watching as science oriented kids “started a mosh pit for the song Y.M.C.A, and that was something to behold,” she says. 

Also, she enjoyed the tour of Hopewell Rocks, and the library archives tour at the University of New Brunswick and specifically seeing the first draft of the first Star Wars movie there.

Jones says she was really happy to see Claire Friesen receive a bronze. “I am so proud of her,” says Jones. Also, a student who displayed her project in the same row as Jones won an award in the discovery category. “She was developing schizophrenia treatments that have less side effects and are more effective,” says Jones. “I only talked with her once, but I was so excited when she won. I screamed when they called her name. I have never been more proud of a complete stranger!” 

Jones says she was happy to have been invited to attend the national science fair. “I didn’t expect to win,” she says. “I have never won anything before, or even been on the honour roll. I just loved going and learning from so many people.” 

Jones graduates from EOHS this year. In fact, the night of her graduation celebration was cut a little bit short when she rushed to Calgary to catch a late evening flight to New Brunswick. After graduation Jones plans to work for a year or two, and then hopes to return to school again to earn a double degree in Psychology and Theatre.

Claire Friesen brings home third bronze medal for her work in aviation related research

Claire Friesen received a bronze medal at the National Science Fair for the third year in a row, for her research in the aviation field. This year she was in the intermediate category (for Grade 9 and 10 students). According to Friesen, there were 180 awards available for 390 participants in her age category. She received one of 30 bronze medals. 

“I am pleased with the results,” says Friesen. “Judging was a lengthy, but surprisingly enjoyable experience, as we got to spend our time conversing with judges selected to be well-versed in our chosen project topics. I liked that the actual award ceremony had a focus on celebrating everyone who participated, no matter if they got an award or not.” 

Friesen’s research looked at changing the surface of an aerofoil - or airplane wing - and if by dimpling it, it might increase the lift. Friesen says “I found that one of the three designs I tested had a minor increase in lift. I found with the other two designs there was a substantial improvement in the level of stall.” 

Friesen explains that her research showed that changing the wing surface could also make it safer to fly with wings at steeper angles. “Also dimpling helps with drag amount, increasing fuel efficiency.” 

Conference highlights for Friesen included spending time with other students, and touring New Brunswick. She liked seeing the Bay of Fundy, and the University of New Brunswick, where the students stayed. She enjoyed activities focused on robots and rudimentary audio speakers. 

Friesen says she loves science and everything related to aviation. She hopes to be a pilot in the future. She is not sure what her science fair project will be next year, but she plans to continue exploring aviation related topics.