Local students show well at national science fair

By Peggy Revell on June 16, 2018.

prevell@medicinehatnews.com @MHNprevell

Youth from southern Alberta were excited to take their visions for green energy to Ottawa this year while participating in the annual Canada-wide Science Fair.

“It was an amazing opportunity to be able to go to the national science fair,” said Jordan Kurtzweg, one of three students who represented southern Alberta in Ottawa from May 12-19.

It was the Grade 9 student from Foremost School’s first time at the CWSA, and he was recognized with a renewable energy award for his project on what angle of wind turbine blade produces the most electricity, and storing energy until needed during peak times.

“That was really amazing, because most first-years don’t win anything at all. So it was really amazing to win an award,” he said.

His project was inspired by the possibility of a wind turbine farm being built in his area.

“I found out that a 30-degree blade angle produces the most electricity,” he said, and he then extended his project toward the creation of a water battery.

“During the day, different amounts of electricity are required,” he explained. During low demand times, the turbines could send extra power to an electric pump that pumps water up an incline where it’s stored as potential energy. Then during peak power demand time, the water can be sent back downhill into the hydroelectric pump and electric generator, sending power to the grid.

Kurtzweg’s science project last year focused on biodeisel, while next year he wants to go in a “completely different direction,” he said.

Ice power

“It was an incredible opportunity to meet Canadian students from across the country,” said Malak Hassan, a Grade 10 student at Duchess School, who also represented the region at CWSA.

Hassan and her two younger siblings were the first students from Duchess to ever participate in the Kiwanis Southeast Alberta Regional Science Fair this past March at Medicine Hat College. There, Hassan won gold at the senior level — while she and one brother won the DRDC Innovation Award and had the opportunity to tour CFB Suffield. She hopes to continue encouraging other youth in the region to participate in science fair in years to come.

Canada is known for its weather and numerous bodies of water, with Hassan’s project turning these into renewable energy source.

Ice that covers waters during colder seasons acts as an insulator, she explained, meaning the difference in temperature above and below the ice is enough to produce energy, she explained.

“Through calculations, experiments, and discussions with experts, this innovation project could drastically change Canada’s future,” she said —and is applicable to improving life in northern communities, who have to transport in oil and have face high electricity bills.

Hassan first started developing this idea before even considering to use it for science fair — and hopes to continue to develop it.

“I enjoy science because it’s truly empowering. Science has given me the ability to fight back some of the very common misconceptions that people often label me with,” she said.

Pakeeza Mushtaq of Brooks also represented the region, and was recognized with a silver medal for her project on essential oils and cancer treatments.