School district confirms support for 2025 Northern BC Science Fair

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — School District 60 is reaffirming their support for April’s upcoming Northern BC Regional Science Fair. 

Representatives from the Northern BC Regional Science Fair presented to the School District 60 (SD 60)  board on February 18th, highlighting the fair’s importance for students.

The board discussed logistical support, including potential volunteers and communication strategies to promote the fair.

SD 60 Superintendent Stephen Petrucci stated the district will continue to support and endorse the fair and the learning opportunities it provides to students.

“I just think it’s one more opportunity among many opportunities for students to be exposed to some different ways of learning, and particularly around science,” said Petrucci. 

One of the representatives was Emily Mineault, one of two students from Fort St. John to attend the Canada-Wide Science Fair at Carleton University in Ottawa in May.

Mineault was also one of only 52 students from British Columbia to attend the fair, and one of only 41 seventh graders.

For her project, ‘Can teachers differentiate AI writing from student writing?’ Mineault was awarded a silver junior excellence award and a $2,000 entrance scholarship to Western University.

Petrucci said he was impressed with Mineault’s initiative for the project and that opportunities are provided for students to pursue their passions. 

“Emily was just super impressive in terms of the initiative that she took to follow through and to  participate,” said Petrucci. 

Petrucci explained in-kind support has been provided to the science fair for several years and is a great benefit to students. 

“You see the benefit that it has to students, so we’ve been supporting that for years,” said Petrucci. 

Northern BC Regional Science Fair will be held in Fort St. John on April 3rd at North Peace Secondary School.

The fair is open for all students in school districts 59, 60 and 81, as well as students to the north Yukon and B.C. border, except the Stikine Region, and east to the B.C. and Alberta border.