Pacific Northwest Participants at Canada-Wide Science Fair 2009
Three talented young women comprised the team that represented the Pacific Northwest Region at the 2009 Canada-Wide Science Fair held in Winnipeg, Manitoba held May 10-17. They are: Natasha Steenhof, a Grade 8 student at Bulkley Valley Christian School, Raelyn Kerbrat, a Grade 11 student at Smithers Secondary School, and Arctica Cunningham, a Grade 8 student at Smithers Secondary School. Arctica Cunningham won the Bronze Medal - Earth & Environmental SCiences - Junior Division (sponsored by Petro-Canada), and as a Bronze Medalist, she also received a $1,000 Entrance Scholarship to the University of Western Ontario
Natasha Steenhof, Smithers (Bulkley Valley Christian School)
"Hyperphrenia: Your Brain on Media"
This project explores the affect that media exposure has on specific cognitive tasks. The project investigated whether media explosure, both during the actual test and in the students' everyday experience, impaired or enhanced their performance on reading and vocabulary tests. These results were also compared to the grade equivalency scores for the reading tests. The students were also observed as they took the test.
Biography of Natasha Steenhof:
Natasha Steenhof lives in the beautiful northern town of Smithers, BC. She is a Grade 8 student at Bulkley Valley Christian School. She is an avid athlete, competing at a provincial level in both soccer and basketball. Her volleyball team recently won the zone championships. She also enjoys music, playing piano, violin, and french horn. Last year she was able to sing and act in Les Miserables, which she enjoyed greatly. Natasha also enjoys reading, plants, baking and hanging out with her 3 brothers and 1 sister. In the future, she hopes to go to university and possibly become a teacher or lawyer.
Raelyn Kerbrat, Smithers (Smithers Secondary School)
"Ice Cooties 2"
I used the scientific method to search for the cause and effect of human contact in a regular restaurant situation. I asked the question if the bacterial contamination of ice from a restaurant that uses an ice dispenser would be different than the bacterial contamination of ice from a restaurant that uses an ice machine.
Biography of Raelyn Kerbrat:
My name is Raelyn Kerbrat, I am in Grade 11, and currently attending Smithers Secondary School. This past winter I was on the Smithers Secondary School ski/snowboard team. The Girls Snowboard Team earned a berth at the BC School Sport Provincial Championship and we were successful bringing home the Provincial Banner to our school. I currently play with the school's rugby team and enjoy playing soccer on a BVYSA team. I am currently a member of the Smithers Secondary Senior Jazz Choir. Our choir had the privilege of performing at the Cantando Music Festival in Edmonth this past April. After high school I am interested in becoming an aircraft maintenance engineer. I became interested in the aircraft industry this past year while taking an aviation course at school.
Arctica Cunningham, Smithers (Smithers Secondary School)
"Scraps for Laps"
My project studied whether heat created by compost could be used as an energy source to heat swimming pools. Water was circulated from a jar thorugh a bucket of compost, using a pump and plastic tubing. Temperatures were recorded regularly. Results showed that compost heat energy was transferred to the jar of water, and indoor pool temperatures of twenty-eight degrees Celsius were achieved.
Biography of Arctica Cunningham:
I am a grade eight student at Smithers Secondary School. I am involved in Leadership, Youth for a BetterWorld, and I play clarinet in the Junior Concert Band. I love living in Smithers, a small, beautiful town 1300 km northwest of Vancouver. I enjoy swimming, and I have earned my Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross because I want to become a lifeguard when I turn sixteen. My favourite summer activity is fly fishing for salmon. My other interests include reading, cooking, camping, public speaking, my pets, and I am passionate about preserving the environment. I always try to think of science fair projects that will have a positive impact for the earth. I have competed in the Pacific Northwest Regional Science Fair five times. This year my project won Gold, as well as the Junior Overall, Calderwood Special Effort, and BC Innovation Council awards. In past fairs, my other projects have won the BC Hydro Power Smart, Chevron Canada, and BC Science Teachers awards. This is my first year going to the CWSF, and I am thrilled to have been selected. I am planning to pursue a career in either Veterinary Medicine or Environmental Science.
For more information, please visit the website at
