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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, D ecem ber 9, 2 0 1 6 118 E v e r y w e e k w e s h o w c a s e to p ic s a ro u n d to w n . SEND US YOUR PHOTOS: If you happen to come across an interesting topic relevant to your community, and you have a good picture to prove it, w e'll do our hest to publish it on this page. Email it to ahlackhum@oakvilleheaver.com, along with your name and a brief paragraph about why you want to share it with our readers. Spring is in the air for students serious about BASEF by Kathy Yanchus Metroland West Media T he 2017 Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair is not until next spring, but interested students are urged to start preparing now The fair is open to students in Grades 7-12 from Hamilton, Halton, Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant and Six Nations. Halton Region students have a history of performing well at the event, which offers cash awards and scholarships, and for some lucky students, all-expense paid trips to national and international competitions. Next year' s Canada-Wide Science Fair will be held in Regina and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Eos Angeles. "BASEF is one of the most successful science fairs in the country, with 540 student participants last year, but there are still a number of schools that do not send any representatives to compete at this local level," said Michelle Lafontaine of BASEF' s Outreach Committee, adding that organizers are hoping to attract even more participants to the 2017 event at Mohawk College in Hamilton. At 16, Oakville' s Jack Mogus is a science fair Veteran.' "I had such a great experience doing my first project in Grade 7 that I entered again in Grade 8, Grade 9 and Grade 10." And he has no plans to stop; the Garth Webb Secondary School student is already working on his science fair project for the 2017 fair March 29-April 4 (registration begins Feb. 1 and continues to March 7). Not only did Jack win the Australian National Youth Science Forum Award at last year' s BASEF but he went on to win a silver medal at the Canada Wide Science Fair held at McGill University in Montreal for his project entided, Graphene Reinforced Guayule Rubber-Conductive Hypoallergenic Super Nanocomposite. Next year' s entry will be a continuation of his 2016 project. Jack Mogus ".. .1 discovered a brand new nanocomposite material that can revolutionize our dependence on the harmful environmental and dangerous longterm use of natural latex rubber," said Jack "This will be the first year I am doing a continuation project because I will now be able to utilize my new discovery into a useful, innovative product for everyday use." In Grade 8, Jack worked on a project designed to improve the protective capability of a hockey neck guard, earning him a BASEF gold medal and a silver medal at the national competition. He followed that up with a bronze medal at the national fair in Grade 9 and a second silver medal at the Canada Wide Science Fair in Grade 10 plus a trip as an observer to the 2016 Intel ISEF in Arizona. "Most of m y ideas have something to do with what I like doing or something that may have an impact in my life." Jack was the only student from his school to participate in BASEF in Grade 7 and admits to being nervous and missing a few important components. "hike an abstract, proper log book and acknowledgements. Also my board was coming apart because I used cheap glue and I had no idea you weren' t allowed to bring in sand to display at the fair. Yet, overall, I was excited to enter and the experience was really amazing. The judges were supportive and provided me with constructive advice for a better project if I decided to enter the following year." In the end, he earned a bronze, won some cash and a scholarship and met "a lot of new friends who are still my friends today" "I would tell any student interested in gaining valuable and transferrable skills to enter a science fair. Even if that student decides not to pursue a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), entering a science fair will help you to be a better student because you learn communication, organizational and other valuable skills that can be used in any held of study," said Jack. The best advice he can give a student thinking of entering the 2017 BASEF is to begin preparing now. "Purchase a log book or journal and start taking notes on a particular topic you are interested in. Start researching that topic or begin building your prototype. Once you are comfortable with your topic or solution, take notes on your successes and failures. I also reached out to the scientific community and to organizations that specialized in the held I was conducting my research on." For more information on BASEF visit http:/Avwwbasef.ca. For stories on other youth success stories in Halton, visit Vachon Insurance Group 2 0 0 -5 4 6 8 D un da s St. W, Toronto, ON 1 -8 0 0 -7 6 6 -8 6 6 2 v a c h o n in s c e .c o m As independent insurance brokers, w e have freedom of choice. So should you. We'll present you with more options designed to better match your protection and budget needs. Don't settle for one quote from your insurance agent. Let us help you get your money's worth. D ecem b er 'f e a t u r e OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 7 A M - 3 PM 2 5 0 1 P r in c e Challah French Toast with strawberry and banana finished with a chocolate Toblerone puree. 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