Name

How old are you?

18


Where did you go to school?

Mount Douglas Secondary School on Vancouver Island, and I’ll be heading to the University of Toronto in the fall.


What was your experience with science fairs?

It was an amazing opportunity, but not enough people know about them. I found out about science fairs through school, and immediately thought they were something people only did in the movies. However, they were a cool part of my high school experience, which allowed me to go all in in a well-organized and connected setting.


You participated in the Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair and made it to the Canada-Wide Science Fair, can you tell me about the project that brought you there?

My project “Is Bigger Better,” asked the question of whether bigger cities are more emissions-efficient than smaller cities. I analyzed carbon emissions and population data from cities in Canada and the United States to determine the relationship between the two variables. I also used statistical analysis to test values like density, income and temperature to determine which were most important. I was able to draw on my experience from the science club I ran at my school and my AP Statistics and Calculus knowledge.  

I found that large Canadian cities are less emissions-efficient than smaller ones, while large American cities are more efficient than smaller ones. In a world that revolves ever-tighter around metropolitan environments, it is crucial to understand how their size affects global warming. Ultimately, I think my project was successful because it was timely and relevant. It aimed to solve a current issue, climate change and global warming, with tangible data.


What was your inspiration behind the project?

With the evolution of technology and innovation, I drew inspiration from exploring how our world can become more sustainable and efficient on a bigger scale. However, not only did my motivation come from my passion for projects that approach sustainability and climate, but also the lack of public school participation at all levels of science fairs. I saw from my experiences in 2023 that the vast majority of exhibitors were privately educated. They had many resources dedicated to science fairs, while most people at my public school did not even know the fair existed. 

I spearheaded the Science Fair Club at my school last year to establish a precedent for science fair participation. We found many interested students, and three of them placed top five in the senior category! Getting the attention of public schools is probably the best way to promote science fairs, and I wanted a project that would turn heads.


What advice would you give to students participating in YIS for the first time this year?

The image of science fairs can be misleading. I used to think they were only geared toward a particular type of audience, but they are much more diverse than one would think. Don’t try to make your project more advanced than it needs to be. I made that mistake the first time around by trying to complicate my project to impress others once I got to Canada-Wide. It just shook my confidence, and if I had just stuck with my original plan, I would have performed better. My best advice is to give it a shot and be yourself.