 NEWS RELEASE |
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For Immediate Release |
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LOCAL SCHOOL A WINNER IN APEGGA PROVINCIAL SCHOOL CHALLENGE |
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Edmonton - How much weight can a pillar constructed of only 100 Popsicle sticks and glue hold? Just ask the students at Niton Central School. They constructed a Hercules' Pillar that successfully held 91 kg for a regional prize in the contest. The team's efforts placed sixth overall in the province. Students in schools across Alberta were invited to participate in a Provincial School Challenge sponsored by the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA). A hands-on challenge, the event encourages science smarts and teamwork by getting students to build vehicles and structures using limited materials. Teams in Grades 1-6 were put to the task of building Balloon buggies, while students in Grades 7-12 constructed Hercules' Pillars. First, second and third place teams in four different age categories receive cash prizes ranging from $100 to $400. In addition, one school from each of APEGGA's nine branches is selected to receive a regional prize of a National Geographic Society Book in engineering, geosciences or general science. By investing in Alberta's youth through science activities like the Provincial School Challenge, APEGGA is encouraging critical thinking, creativity and a better understanding of the everyday world in a hands-on, minds-on way. A professional member of APEGGA will be on hand at the school to recognize these budding scientists and present them with their prize. Prize money is awarded to the school, and can be used for materials or field trips. Monday,
April 17, 2000 The Provincial School Challenge takes place during National Engineering Week, an annual public awareness event organized by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers, Engineering Institute of Canada, Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering, and provincial engineering and geoscience associations. In Alberta, APEGGA organizes and sponsors events to promote engineering and the geosciences as interesting and rewarding careers, and generate awareness of its' members contributions to Alberta's economy. APEGGA and its 33,000 members are committed to promoting the role science and technology plays in the lives of Albertans, particularly the contributions of engineers and geoscientists. APEGGA is responsible for regulating the practice of engineering, geology and geophysics in the province of Alberta. -30- For more information, contact: Jeanne
Keaschuk Tracy Sopkow |
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