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After weeks of theories, experiments and tests, the Innisfail High School Grade 9 Science Fair awarded the best and brightest in science, giving the students a chance to move on to the Regional Fair in Red Deer.

The overall winners of the science fair were Lindsay Craig and Ashley Fehr, who explored the effect of blow dryers on hearing. The project involved testing the sound levels of several blow dryers and researching what sound levels are considered harmful to the eardrum.

"We heard a lot of people comment on how loud their hair dryers are," said Craig.

Besides the opportunity to move on to the regional fair, Craig and Fehr were each awarded with a graphing calculator – a requirement for the next school year.

"We were thinking ahead," joked Dave Dale, a science teacher at Innisfail High.

Last year’s winners emceed the event, and talked about their experience competing in the national science fair, which was held in Winnipeg. Shae Thompson and Taryn Kramer took a look at which teeth whitening method was most effective and found that Crest Whitestrips were better at whitening teeth than toothpastes or services offered in clinics.

Thompson and Kramer said going to the nationals was a great experience, especially meeting international students. Banquets, dances and tours, including a tour of the food research centre, were highlights of their trip.

"We’re trying to go next year," said Kramer. "We really wanted to go this year, but couldn’t think of a good idea for a project."

Although the science fair was only for grade 9 students, students from any grade are eligible to go to the regional fair, providing they discuss their project with the principal.

Bob McKinnie, a former teacher who still participates in the science fair, said the national science fair gives students the opportunity to travel and meet other students from across Canada, as well as from abroad. McKinnie said that beyond science, the trip is always a great experience, because of all the events that are organized for participants.

"Just going is a prize in itself," said McKinnie.

The Regional Science Fair will be held in Red Deer on March 26 and 27 at the Bower Mall.

The Canada Wide Science Fair will be held in Peterborough, Ont. Information on the tours and events that will take place at the nationals is available at www.cwsf2010.ca.

IHS Grade 9 Science Fair Winners
Overall
1st Place: Lindsay Craig & Ashley Fehr - Blow Dryers and Hearing
2nd Place: Tyson Bilton & Haley Weinrauch - Where is the most bacteria in the school?
3rd Place: Jackson Zenert & Jeff Norlin – Does diesel or biodiesel flow better in cold conditions?

Applied Science
1st Place: Tyson Bilton & Haley Weinrauch - Where is the most bacteria in the school?
2nd Place (tie): Jackson Zenert & Jeff Norlin – Does diesel or biodiesel flow better in cold conditions?
2nd Place (tie): Ben Kemball & Conner Dowler – How does hand sanitizer compare to soap?

Life Science
1st Place: Lindsay Craig & Ashley Fehr - Blow Dryers and Hearing
2nd Place: Nolan Lorenz & Darcy Slager – Does Coke cause osteoporosis?
3rd Place: Austin Fundytus & Matt Whitehead – Acidity of fruit

Physical Science
1st Place: Eric Iff & Matt Reierson – Will mass affect the speed and distance a skier will go?
2nd Place: Thomas Houston & Brody Holsworth – Which liquids cause metals to rust most?
3rd Place: Avery Donald – How do different fertilizers affect plant growth?