In its survey of "City Magnets" reported here last week, the
Conference Board of Canada used the number of residents with graduate degrees as a measure of an area's innovative power. But the Ontario Science Centre's
Weston Youth Innovation Award seeks to recognize innovation by those with a lower level of credentials: high school students.
Last year's inaugural winner, for example, was Eden Full, a grade 12 student who developed a process of
Dynamic Photovoltaics. Any whiz kids hoping to follow in her footsteps should hop to it, as the deadline for entries for this year's awards in January 31.
The awards seek to recognize those aged 14-18 who have used science or technology to create real-world solutions to problems and have put their ideas into action. After all submissions are in, an in-house judging committee will create a shortlist of candidates. A winner will then be chosen by a final review panel using a criteria measuring initiative, innovation, successful implementation and demonstration of various skills.
The winner receives $2,000 cash, an exhibit of their project at the Science Centre and a membership to the OSC, which allows admission to science museums around the world.
Last minute entrants can find all the information and forms required
here.
Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Ontario Science Centre