Science Fairs program is an introduction to the scientific method - William Gadoury's Science Fair project

MONTRÉAL, May 12, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Every year, all over Québec, around 12,000 young people take part in the Expo-sciences (Science Fairs) program, presented by the CDLS-CLS Network. The primary objective of the program is to introduce young people to the scientific method, providing them with a venue in which to exercise their scientific imagination and have fun doing it.

Above all, the program is meant to be a human adventure, inviting our youth to prove their skills to themselves and share them with other budding scientists. The competitions' raison d'être is to provide an enriching, stimulating experience for the next generation of scientific professionals.

Exchanges and exploration

Every Expo-sciences Hydro-Québec, Québec Final is a launch pad for science and technology, providing venues for the student exhibitors to discuss their ideas and those of others, as well as their projects' potential.

"Exhibitors are judged according to their scientific approach," explains Dr. Jacques Yves Gauthier, a chemist and national chief judge for the Québec Science Fairs and the Super Expo-sciences Hydro-Québec, Québec Final. "There's no requirement for them to design, discover or invent anything. Their only obligation is to do research. And it's purely on their approach that they are judged, using the Science Fairs evaluation grid. Every exhibitor is also encouraged to ask for help from a mentor in preparing their project."

William Gadoury's Science Fair project

For his Science Fair project, which recently attracted mainstream attention, 15-year-old William Gadoury set out in search of a lost Mayan city in Mexico. His main tool: satellite data acquired from the Radarsat-2 satellite, courtesy of the Canadian Space Agency.

"The judges evaluated William's project according to the quality of his scientific method," Dr. Gauthier continues. "In William's case, his research and his analysis of the results sufficiently impressed the judges to ensure his selection at the Super Expo-science Québec Final, and a trip to the Canada-Wide Science Fair along with 39 other young Quebecers. We must remember that the quality of William's project, as measured using the Science Fairs evaluation grid, depends not on whether the Mayan city's existence is confirmed, but on his application of the scientific method. Will his hypothesis be proven correct? Time will tell. In the meantime, this 15-year-old's passion and interest in science, the rigour of his approach, and the quality of his research are no less worthy of mention!"

About the Réseau CDLS-CLS

The Réseau CDLS-CLS and its Conseils du loisir scientifique partners are present in every one of Québec's regions, producing the Science Fairs along with the Junior Tech Challenge, Club des Débrouillards and Les Innovateurs à l'école programs. The Network also distributes a range of science teaching kits for primary and secondary classrooms.

About the Science Fair program

The Science Fairs are a science and technology competition for students aged 6 to 20. Exhibitors are urged to experiment with the scientific method by creating a project, solo or in teams of two. Projects can involve experimentation, design or study of a topic that interests them.

SOURCE RÉSEAU CDLS-CLS

Maude Péloquin, Communications Advisor, Tel: [phone], ext. 3895 / Mobile: [phone], [email protected]