RAMI SAYAR WINS BRONZE AT THE CANADA-WIDE SCIENCE FAIR
By Stephanie Chang of the Mathematics and Science Centre.
May 20, 2008

On May 16th, I attended the Canada-wide Science Fair in Ottawa, in support of our student, Rami Sayar. The theme for this year's fair was "Scientific Excellence Starts Here". There was a lot of energy in the Exhibit Hall, gathering over 450 of the top students from across the country. These students had distinguished themselves from amongst the 25 000 young Canadians who competed in the regional science fairs.

Rami’s project was judged at least 5 times, by doctorates from the local universities and many computer savvy professionals from the public and private sector. He felt that these judges finally had a good understanding of his project and grilled

him with tough questions. All the students are judged according to scientific thought, original creativity/ artistic requirements, oral presentation, display and project and log book.

Rami's project was one of the twelve in the Computing and Information Technology category. The other categories were: Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Health Sciences, Life Sciences and Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

In the late afternoon, hundreds of students, teachers and family members gathered at the Ottawa Congress Centre for the Awards Ceremony. There was nearly $1 million in cash, scholarships and exclusive science opportunities to be distributed. At the announcement of the Division Awards, it was an exciting and proud moment to hear Rami Sayar's name announced as one of the Bronze Medal winners for the Computing and Information Technology category. He was awarded $300 cash from Intel Canada Ltd. and $1000 Scholarship from the University of Ottawa. Rami's family was present to celebrate with him.

The event was an impressive display of young innovators and future top scientists and leaders. The recognition of Rami’s achievements at the nation-wide level is truly a marked success for Vanier to celebrate. Rami will continue on as part of the team heading to the 12th Expo-Sciences International in Tunisia in July 2009.

The projects that won the Grand Awards were:

Junior, $5000: Garlic's Potential as a Biological Seed Treatment
Intermediate, $5000: Voice Activated Navigator for the Blind
Senior, $5000 and Best in Fair, $10,000: Plastic Not Fantastic

Stephanie Chang
Mathematics & Science Centre

PHOTOS TAKEN AT THE COMPETITION