He compared wind, hydro and solar. Fortier found there was no true winner among the three, with all having strengths in different areas. With the solar panel, he did three different tests to check how effective they were. The test looked at three different angles, with 90 degrees getting the most power. The “cloud test” used different materials to see how cloud coverage impacted power generation. He also did temperature tests, finding room temperature collected the most power. Fortier also compared the panel to batteries.
Fortier also learned, and could explain what a solar panel was made of and how it worked. He felt it was a perfect idea for his project and concluded solar panels are a good energy source.
“They definitely are,” he explained. “When we run out of fossil fuels, say coal, we won’t have any energy. But solar panels, we can likely use solar panels until the end of the earth. When the sun runs out, the earth runs out.”
“I don’t have to keep wondering what they (panels) use for energy, how they work, all of that stuff.”
Fellow grade six student Emily Hildebrand’s project was about what melted ice the fastest. She said the idea peaked her interest from a personal but common experience.
“I chose this project because I slip a lot on the concrete at home,” she explained, “so I was going to find out what worked best and use it on the concrete at home.”
She put ice cubes on a rack and sprinkled independent variables on each. Salt, sand and sugar were added to see which would melt fastest. Her hypothesis was the sand would do the best job, but she instead found the salt did the trick. She learned something, and was happy with how the project turned out.
“Yes, I enjoy doing science fair,” adding she had some family help with the experiments.
Volcanoes, paper airplanes, what happened at Chernobyl nuclear site – there was a great range of different inquiries at the fair. Beghin said they do see development over the years they hold the event.
“I honestly do think that we are seeing a growth in ideas for projects - especially students who have done a couple projects in past years,” she explained “As students continue through the grades, the projects tend to get more elaborate, scientific, and more personal to them. Watching the expansion of ideas is great.”
Judges met with students to evaluate their projects. As is always the case, judges came from the general public. Beghin said they play a huge role.
“We rely on the community for help in judging, and are grateful so many people are willing to volunteer their time to help us judge. We had enough this year. Some judges had helped us in the past, and some reached out to us offering to help. Many judges worry that they don’t know enough science to help judge, but that is fine - the students should be teaching them about their topic. The students get judged on their scientific thinking, mentorship, communication, and originality and creativity.”
One judge was Carol Light. Last year was her first experience judging the science fair, getting involved because of her role with the Boissevain & Morton Foundation. She had so much fun in 2025, she could not wait to return and learn more.
“I did not really know anything about anodizing, which was the first project I looked at, and it was a change in the colour of the metal based on the ingredients you dip it in and the amount of voltage you add, so Scott (Thiessen) and Blake (Wilson) definitely taught me a lot,” Light explained.
This year she had two projects to judge, the other being making crystals. Light said she checked how comfortable students were with their material, could they talk to someone they may or not know, and what excites them.
Light added their marks and comments were going back to a committee for final decisions. She enjoyed her time with the students once again.
“Absolutely. They are just so full of new ideas and there is always a project when I do the circle at the end where I say ‘I would never have thought of that, that is so cool’. I always look forward to doing that loop.”
Beghin said many members of the public came out to view the projects after the judging was complete.
She said there were opportunities for students to move on to the Western Manitoba Science Fair in Brandon. The committee will be trying to get a fair representation of projects from younger and older ages. This is held on April 14.
The science fair is definitely a highlight.
“I think the science fair is a great opportunity for students to explore science topics that interest them, and to be creative at the same time,” Beghin explained.
By PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff