From testing arsenic levels in rice to training artificial intelligence systems through trial and error, Ontario high school students explored how science shapes everyday life during Brock University\u2019s 36th annual Scientifically Yours conference.<\/p>\n
Held Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8, the event welcomed 75 Grade 10 and 11 students from 17 high schools across Ontario.<\/p>\n
Over the\u00a0two days, participants immersed themselves in\u00a0science, technology,\u00a0engineering\u00a0and mathematics (STEM) as well as health sciences and psychology projects\u00a0led by faculty,\u00a0staff\u00a0and students in the\u00a0Faculties of Mathematics and Science, Applied Health Sciences and Social Sciences.<\/p>\n
Participants completed six interactive projects while connecting with professionals working in medicine, university research and industry through networking events, panel discussions\u00a0and\u00a0a mentors\u2019 dinner.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach year, we aim to bring new projects to the conference to facilitate opportunities for budding scientists to experience cutting-edge science at Brock,\u201d says co-organizer Christene Carpenter-Cleland, Wet-Lab Supervisor in the Department of Biological Sciences.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s\u00a0projects introduced students to\u00a0emerging\u00a0areas of science and technology through practical experiments and demonstrations. Participants investigated whether washing rice lowers natural occurring arsenic levels using advanced laboratory equipment capable of detecting trace amounts of metals in foods. Other sessions examined\u00a0colour-changing materials, \u201cmemory metals\u201d that return to their original shape and superconductors that can make magnets float.<\/p>\n
Students also learned how artificial intelligence systems improve through rewards and feedback, while another workshop showed how digital designs created with computer-aided design software can be turned into physical objects using laser-cutting technology.<\/p>\n\n\t