by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 14/97) - Mildred Hall school students stole the show at Monday's regional science fair, taking two of three trips to the Canada-wide science fair in Regina this May.

One shining star from Mildred Hall is Grade 8 student Meaghan Fisher.

She received recognition and a trip to Regina for her project on making water from hydrogen and oxygen.

While Monday night's science fair was her fourth try at regionals, it resulted in Fisher's first crack at a Canada-wide competition.

"I'm going with the attitude that I probably won't win, and if I get in a place, that's great," she said. "But if I don't, I still got the experience."

She wanted a project that was a little different, one that would mean something.

The articulate 12-year-old went with an idea that she thought might help billions of people.

"On the news, you always see Third World countries without water," she said. "And there's also places in the mid-west where there's drought. I thought I'd try to make a rough solution."

Fisher said she learned a lot about chemistry by doing her project and has chosen chemistry as a career.

"Ever since I was four I liked science, but now I think I'm going to be a chemist," she said. "I really enjoyed learning about chemistry for this project."

Fisher shared top honors with Grade 7 student Jonathon Zaozirny and Grade 10 St. Pat's student Katy Dillon, who is a graduate of Mildred Hall.

They were competing against students from both Yellowknife school districts and the Dogrib school district.

More than 300 people turned out for the evening awards ceremony after 40 judges viewed the projects earlier in the day.

Mildren Hall science teacher Adam Bunin said a lot of their students and graduates of the school have been successful in the regional science fair. He attributes their success partly to the school's science program and the emphasis placed on the school science fair.

"We hold the science fair awards ceremony at night so that everyone can share in the success of the students together," he said.

"This is something we're very excited about and very proud of."