Yellowknife (Feb 21/03) - William McDonald students tested their scientific hypothesis at a school-wide science fair.

The more than 65 projects about volcanoes, plants, acids, weather and robotics filled the school gym last week.

"I think it gives students a chance to get their involved with hands-on learning and it's an opportunity to practice what they're learning about in the classroom," said vice principal and Grade 8 science teacher Adam Bunin.

The event is held every second year at the school and gives students a chance to explain their scientific theories in either French or English.

Twelve community science enthusiasts interviewed the students and judged the projects for quality presentation, the use of scientific language and an accurate visual display.

In the end, Grade 6 Jenny Merrithew and Alex Spence earned gold for their science experiment "Viscosity." Adam Scarf and Andrew Jossa got silver for "L'effet de la temp" and Alisa Ronsko and Kristy Ollerhead won bronze for "Solar cooker."

The Grade 7 winners included a gold for Kathleen Smith with her project "Mes mains gelent," silver for Tansi Summerfield's "Stain remover" and bronze for "Thermal reflectivity" by Emily Cook.

The top Grade 8 projects included a gold for Jaya Bastedo for "Selever des cendres," silver for Stephen Kruger's "Whitening power..." and bronze for Kim Legler and Caitlyn Fraser's project "When plants go bad."

Each student received a medal for their efforts.

They will not go on with their projects because a regional science fair was not organized this year.

Yellowknife hasn't had a regular regional science fair in about two or three years, said Bunin.