(Fort McMurray, AB, June 2, 2022) Sparsh Patel’s résumé keeps getting better and better. The grade 12 Westwood Community High School has just secured a Top 4 Finalist Award at the Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF) - a first for the Fort McMurray Public School Division (FMPSD), Westwood, and Fort McMurray! And, he secured a Silver Medal in the Excellence Award accumulating $8,000 in scholarships. The CWSF was held virtually this year in Fredericton, NB from May 16-20.
“The $7000 Youth Can Innovate award was presented to the Top 4 finalists in Canada with the most innovative projects that demonstrated a practical application in advancing our society today. Being the recipient of the highest award ever given to a science fair finalist from our region hasn't really settled in my mind yet. As this was my first and last national science fair, it will definitely be something I look back on in the future and be proud of!” enthused Sparsh, 17, who graduates in a few weeks, and is heading to the University of Waterloo to pursue software engineering.
His project, “FOCUS! An EEG and ANN Powered Brain Sensing Headband for Accident Prevention” helps combat the pressing problem of distracted driving. It is a brainwave sensing headband that can detect and accurately predict an individual’s state of mind - if they are focused, distracted, asleep or any type of similar brain activity. This way either the individual can be removed from the road, or can take immediate action to prevent an accident.
Sparsh also received a special award from York University, which was a full scholarship to participate in the Youth Science Canada/York University STEM Entrepreneur Experience in the summer of 2023. He also received the Youth Can Innovate grand award, which is given to the top 8 most innovative projects along with a CWSF a $1000 cash prize.
In addition, Team Wood Buffalo - all made up of Westwood students for the second year in a row did very well. Manorama Joshi secured a Senior Bronze Medal, Dhyan Patel - Senior Bronze and Nishka Rai brought home Intermediate Bronze along with a Shad Canada Scholarship Award.
“I am delighted and surprised to receive two national awards as this was my first time. I’m glad that CWSF recognized the efforts I put into my project - Buzz - An Affordable Chronic Wound Alert System,” said Nishka, 14, who is in grade 9.
“I am thrilled that the Shad Canada Scholarship Award will provide me an opportunity to enhance my passion for STEM. I would like to thank my teachers at Westwood, my friends, and my family for supporting me throughout this exciting journey,” she added.
For Dhyan, 18, who was at the CWSF for the second time, it was “amazing to finally win an award.”
“Winning a Senior Bronze made me feel like my hard work has paid off. CWSF this year has been a surreal experience. I had the opportunity to meet so many like-minded youth from across the nation and see so many cool projects and keynotes. I learned a lot from the week-long experience and the award was the cherry on top,” said the grade 12 student who won for his project, “Where What Goes. The Combination of CV and AI to Enhance the Recycling Experience.”
Manorama, 17, won for her project, the “Automotive SMART Cane for the Visually and Auditorily Impaired,” and won a Bronze Excellence Medal in the Senior Category.
“I am overjoyed to be recognized nationally and am very proud of myself for coming so far. I have always looked to participate in the CWSF since grade 6 and by competing and winning, I was able to make that dream come true! The entire experience was valuable. I had the chance to meet amazing people all over Canada and was able to explore amazing future opportunities.”
Jeremy Hiscock, President, Wood Buffalo Youth Science Foundation is also our Composite High School science teacher and was overjoyed with the results.
“Team Wood Buffalo comprised of four amazing students from Westwood Community High School, and they represented our community with brilliance. All four of our participants earned medals at the CWSF. Our biggest award from Team Wood Buffalo to date, Sparsh won Top 4 innovators across Canada, earning the Youth Can Innovate Award, valued at $8000 cash! Our team is so proud of the work they did, and we did all we could to help them out and cheer them on. It was so great to have a watch party, to see all the awards come in, together as a team!”
“Great job to the whole team, they represented our region admirably. We cannot wait to see what amazing things these kids accomplish in the future! A special farewell to Sparsh, Manorama, and Dhyan, all graduating seniors who have been with us since grade 4. Congratulations to everyone!” he noted.
Annalee Nutter, Superintendent, FMPSD, echoed similar sentiments.
“These students have made us phenomenally proud, especially Sparsh! Congratulations again to these outstanding young minds, who have put FMPSD, Westwood, and Fort McMurray on the map. There’s no measure to what Sparsh, Nishka, Manorama and Dhyan can achieve, and we look forward to it all.”
Congratulations all!
Photo collage: Top L-R: Dhyan Patel, Manorama Joshi
Bottom L-R: Sparsh Patel, and Nishka Rai
For more information, please contact:
Kiran Malik-Khan
Communications Consultant
FMPSD
kiran.malikkhan@fmpsd.ab.ca