Abbotsford students took home the top awards at the Fraser Valley regional science fair, held at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) in Abbotsford from April 3 to 5.
The winners of the 2013 grand awards were Baneet Braich from Abbotsford Middle School, Gurmeen Banipal and Charanpreet Mahal from Dasmesh Punjabi School, and Harshleen Buttar, also from Dasmesh Punjabi School.
Those students will head off on an all-expenses-paid trip to the Canada-wide science fair in Lethbridge, Alta. from May 11 to 18.
A series of other awards were issued from local schools, organizations, businesses and community groups, with Abbotsford students taking home 30 of the 52 awards.
The event featured 140 science projects from 191 elementary, middle and secondary students, from schools in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Langley.
The projects were entered into six categories, including biotechnology, earth and environmental sciences, engineering and computing sciences, health sciences, life sciences, and physical and mathematical sciences. Students examined subjects such as which shape of parachute works best, the effects of running barefoot, and whether cracking knuckles can cause arthritis.
The competition was judged by a variety of community members, including university students, industry representatives, members of local service groups, trustees and administrators.
Joss Ives, an organizer of the event and a physics instructor at UFV, said the university and the school district come together for the event to help encourage students in their love of science.
"It helps people who are interested (in science) to see what possibilities are out there."
He added that it also gives the students an opportunity to visit UFV and learn more about the science programs there.
A complete list of winning students can be found here.