How will we use less energy in the year 2050? That answer just became a little clearer courtesy the hopes, dreams, imagination and creativity of 143 Kootenay Boundary students.
The annual Kootenay Contraption Contest put on by the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST), GLOWS (Growing Learning Opportunities With Science) program received a record number of entries in 2012 and generated some truly unique ideas. Open to all grade 2 to 8 students across the region, students were given a full month to express their ways to use less energy through photography, sketches, models, videos and written submissions
The incredibly imaginative contraptions ranged from simple and practical ways to automatically turn off household light bulbs, futuristic chore-doing robots, to an invisible “Ener-Bubble” that absorbs heat and kinetic energy. The tried and true “hamster powered TV” also returned once again as a contender this year.
Emry McGill from Ecole des Sept Sommets in Rossland took home the grand prize of an iPad, for his “ERC – Energy Recovery Cube”. Emry submitted an engaging video on the ERC, and how his renewable energy invention will help us use less energy in 2050. Emery’s video is available to view on the KAST Vimeo channel at www.vimeo.com/kast. All contraption entries can be viewed on the GLOWS Facebook page.
Along with the glory and honour of saving our future world, the best contraptions in each grade were awarded pizza parties for their whole class. See below for the full list of winners.
Supported by title sponsor FortisBC , NSERC, the Columbia Basing Trust and the Nelson & District Credit Union the Kootenay Contraption Contest is one more outlet provided by KAST GLOWS to allow the young genius residing in our local school to let their imaginations and creativity run wild. Given the increasingly sophisticated entries year upon year, you can rest assured, our future is in good hands and we’ll have clean green energy to spare come 2050.
Thank you sponsors!
2012 Kootenay Contraption Contest Winners
Overall Winner: Emry McGill, Ecole des Sept Sommets (Rossland) – “ERC – Energy Recovery Cube”
Grade 2: Everett Webb, RSS (Rossland) – “Armpit Power 2050”
Grade 3: Claire Ziegler, Winlaw Elementary (Winlaw) – “Sun Powered Car”
Grade 4: Emry McGill, Ecole des Sept Sommets (Rossland) – “ERC – Energy Recovery Cube”
Grade 5: Isaiah Persad, Adam Robertson Elementary (Creston) – “Gray Water to Energy Converter”
Grade 6: Lily HUtteman, Trafalgar Middle School (Nelson) – “Ener-Bubble”
Grade 7: Ben Goeppner, Trafalga Middle School (Nelson) – “Waste Water Generator”
Grade 8: Shyanna Werner & Hannah Dube, Mount Sentinel Secondary (Slocan Valley) – “Operation Energy”
Grade 5 winner Isaiah Persad’s “Gray Water to Energy Converter”
Grade 5 winner Isaiah Persad’s “Gray Water to Energy Converter”
About (KAST): The Kootenay Association for Science & Technology (KAST) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the continued growth of science and technology as key economic drivers in the beautiful West Kootenay-Boundary region of BC. KAST works with business, students, educators and communities to support and showcase the opportunity provided by science, technology and innovation in our region.
About (GLOWS): Growing, Learning Opportunities with Science (GLOWS) is KAST’s annual program of initiatives and events designed to make science and technology learning fun, accessible and non-intimidating for the region’s kids and youth, in the hope that they continue to incorporate technical learning into their future education and career choices, enhancing community vitality and sustainability.