2018 - Ottawa
Countdown to CWSF
Welcome to Ottawa 2018
SELECT YOUR ROLE
ImportantInformation
The list below includes all available Special Awards. A project may be nominated for up to three Special awards. Only those awards for which a project is eligible will appear in the Special Awards area of the CWSF online registration system.
- Junior: $500 cash and certificate
- Intermediate: $750 cash and certificate
- Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate plus a subscription to the Canadian Acoustical Association’s quarterly journal
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: $750 cash and certificate
- Senior: N/A
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: All-expenses paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, August 25-August 30, 2018, for up to two student(s) of the winning project to represent Canada at the International Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition (www.sjwp.ca).
- Junior: $500 cash and certificate
- Intermediate: $750 cash and certificate
- Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate
- Junior: $500 cash and certificate
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: N/A
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: $750 cash and certificate
- Senior: N/A
- Junior: Telescope and certificate plus a one year youth membership in the RASC
- Intermediate: Telescope and certificate plus a one year youth membership in the RASC
- Senior: N/A
- Junior: $500 cash and certificate
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: N/A
- Junior: $500 cash and certificate
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: N/A
- Junior: $500 cash and certificate
- Intermediate: $750 cash and certificate
- Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate plus an all-expenses paid trip to Waterloo, Ontario during summer 2018 to visit the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo, Canada's leading research centre on climate change resilience.
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: Full scholarship to participate in the International Summer School for Young Physicists 2018 from July 15-28 at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario. Total value $3,500.
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate
- Junior: $500 cash and certificate
- Intermediate: $750 cash and certificate
- Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate
- The invention must show novelty (be the first in the world).
- It must show utility (be functional and operative).
- It must show inventive ingenuity and not be obvious to someone skilled in that area.
- Junior: $500 cash and certificate
- Intermediate: $750 cash and certificate
- Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: Can apply to SHAD 2019
- Senior: N/A
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: $750 cash and certificate
- Senior: N/A
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: $10,000 award ($3,750 + $6,250)
- Junior: N/A
- Intermediate: N/A
- Senior: Full scholarship to participate in the faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s weeklong DEEP Summer Academy in Summer 2018. Total value $3,000.
- Junior: Four projects will each receive a $500 cash award and certificate
- Intermediate: Four projects will each receive a $750 cash award and certificate.
- Senior: Eight projects each receive a $1,000 cash award and certificate. Four of these Youth Can Innovate Award winners will also be announced as winners of an additional $7,000 cash award.
After a full day of judging, participants will have a chance to unwind and relax while experiencing one of Ottawa’s best museums – the Museum of Nature. When darkness falls, the Museum comes alive and participants will have the opportunity to explore the galleries after hours, engage their curiosity with amazing science-themed activities, novel food choices (taco bar, poutine bar and sundae bar to name a few!) and enjoy some great music and “mock-tails”. It will be an unforgettable experience that will move the body and stimulate the mind.
Interested in learning more about your home for the week? Finalists and delegates are encouraged to join us for a guided campus tour on arrival day(s). Tours will be offered in the early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday. Tours will start with an overview of the essential CWSF facilities.
The Opening Ceremonies and Welcome Event will be held Sunday, May 13th, 2018 at the Canada Science and Technology Museum from 5:30pm until 8:30pm. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and experience the newly-renovated exhibits including Wearable Tech, Game Changers, From Earth to Us and the ever-popular Crazy Kitchen as well as participate in hands-on demonstrations and hear presentations from CSTM educators. Dinner will be served on site. There is no need to dress up for the event - just eat, relax, and have fun! Meet new people and get acquainted, and have a casual evening before judging day!
- SHARE a week with other Canadian students who are also interested in science and technology;
- MEET new friends from across Canada and internationally;
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INTERACT with scientists, engineers and other professionals who work here in the National Capital Region;
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DISCOVER the historical, cultural and natural beauty of Ottawa;
- EXPLORE all that Carleton University has to offer;
- WELCOME visitors in the Fieldhouse and the Raven's Nest, including students and teachers from across the National Capital Region;
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ENCOURAGE others to build upon their curiosity in science and technology, and inspire the pursuit of scientific and technological solutions to the challenges that face the world;
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CELEBRATE at our ceremonies and special events, DANCE their hearts out, EXPERIENCE cultural activities and some of the world-class attractions unique to this region.
Dr. Paula C. Piilonen
We are excited to be hosting the 57th annual Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa, our Nation's capital. Our National Capital Region showcases Canadian culture from coast to coast to coast - from national treasures to architectural wonders, from outdoor adventures to scientific wonders, Ottawa represents the diversity and unity that defines our country. The 2018 Host Committee is excited and ready to welcome visitors from all across Canada to Ottawa for a week of discovery, exploration and celebration!
- To provide a safe and secure environment for all participants:
- All Finalists, Delegates, Staff and Volunteers are required to wear a name badge with their photo on it throughout the Fair. The back of the name badge includes emergency contact information as well as any relevant medical information (eg., allergies).
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" The host site for the Fair is the Carleton University campus. Students will spend most of their time in the Lennox and Addington residences, the Field House and the Raven's Next, the Residence Commons and the University Centre, containing their rooms, the exhibit hall, and the cafeterias. These buildings are adjacent to each other, and it takes only a couple of minutes to travel from one building to the next, using either outside walkways or the indoor tunnels.
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In addition to the host team, there will also be campus security personnel available to help ensure a safe environment. All finalists and delegates will be staying in residence accommodations. Our residences are controlled access at all times. We have staff in each building and will work closely with our campus security to ensure the safety of all of our guests. Meals will be served in the Residence Commons Cafeteria where participants are free to choose items that are safe for them. Please be sure to tell us about special dietary needs on the registration form and encourage your student to identify these needs to their delegate(s) as well as food service staff in our dining room and at events if they have any questions.
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Please ensure that your child understands that the adults appointed by his/her regional science fair (known as the delegates) are acting on your behalf, and that your child must have any activity approved by that adult before proceeding. It is vital to your child's safety and well-being that we have delegates fulfill this parental role at CWSF 2018. It is equally important that your child recognize the delegates' authority as well as that of any authorized CWSF officials or appointed delegates, who are ensuring a safe environment for everyone's sake.
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As part of the registration process, everyone (student finalists and delegates alike) should view the CWSF Orientation Video (add link) to learn about emergency procedures, safety, and expectations for behavior. An emergency contact list will also be provided to all participants.
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To provide the finalists with exciting new experiences and opportunities to create memories and friendships to last a lifetime:
- From our opening event to evening social activities, tours of our museums and Parliament, a chance to enjoy the Tulip Festival and take a cruise on the Ottawa River or the Rideau Canal, the STEM Expo, the awards ceremony and closing event, we have planned a full week of incredible experiences for your student in the Nation's capital. Please encourage them to be open to these experiences and make the most of this week!
- Dr. Paula C. Piilonen, Chair, CWSF 2018 Host Committee
Project Take-down - Friday May 18 (12:00 to 14:00):
Several universities provide scholarships to top finalists at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Self-nomination is not required for these awards; the recipients are selected as part of Medal judging.
Youth Science Canada has identified seven challenges, known as the Canada-Wide Youth Science Challenges, which focus on issues that are important to Canada’s youth, the future of our country and our world. They reflect the growing trend in current Canadian science, technology and innovation to focus on specific multi- and interdisciplinary global, national and provincial issues.
Youth Science Canada’s Challenges are meant to inspire youth to exercise their curiosity and creativity by doing a project that addresses one of these Challenges:
Discovery Sponsor: Youth Science Canada Create new fundamental knowledge based on your curiosity by asking a question and using the techniques of scientific inquiry to develop an answer.
Energy Sponsor: Youth Science Canada Improve our use of current energy sources, enable the transition to alternative energy sources, or reduce our energy footprint.
Environment Sponsor: Youth Science Canada Reduce our impact on, improve our understanding of, and ensure the quality of water, air, soil, and the diversity of living things.
Health Sponsor: Youth Science Canada Increase our understanding of the human body, or apply science and technology to improve health, control disease, or support an aging population.
Information Sponsor: Youth Science Canada Enhance communication and our use of information using digital and networking technologies, or applications of new media.
Innovation Sponsor: Youth Science Canada Combine scientific principles with your creativity to develop a new material, structure, device, or system to solve a problem or improve an existing solution.
Resources Sponsor: Youth Science Canada Develop better ways to use our natural resources that provide sustainable sources of food, products, or prosperity.
At the CWSF, 3 awards are presented - junior, intermediate and senior - for the best project that addresses each challenge.
The choice of Challenge is determined by the Finalist in consultation with the Delegate. The choice of Challenge has relatively minor consequences, because the only award based on the Challenge selected is a single award. Medals are not awarded based on the Challenge, and neither are Special Awards.
YOUTH SCIENCE CANADA
- Toll-free: 866-341-0040 ext. 230 (Lori Murray)
- Toll-free fax: 866-613-2542
- [email protected] or [email protected]
- Toll-free: 866-341-0040 ext. 232 (Julia McDevitt)
- Toll-free fax: 866-613-2542
- [email protected]
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Toll-free: 866-341-0040 ext. 237 (Alisha Bainbridge)
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Toll-free fax: 866-613-2542
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- For air travelers, one piece of valid government issued photo ID that shows name, date of birth and gender is required. Reference: Government of Canada - Identity Screen Regulations. Note: The name on the identification must match the “legal name” in the CWSF online registration system, which will appear on the boarding pass.
- Money for personal expenses;
- Dress clothes for the Awards Ceremony/Banquet; business attire for judging; casual clothes for other occasions; comfortable shoes for walking and active tours.
- One towel will be provided for each participant.
- Health card and personal identification (see above for air travellers).
- Comfortable footwear and clothes for all seasons. Check the Ottawa weather forecast closer to the event. You really could have all four seasons in one day.
- Personal toiletries and required medications; Gravol for motion sickness on aircraft, trains, buses or boats.
- Musical instruments and other performance items can be brought if you’d like to share your talents in lounge areas.
- Reading material, games or other quiet activities for between judging interviews.
- Camera, alarm clock, cell phone and charging devices.
- Regional fair pins or other items for trading.
- All materials and equipment for your project, carefully packed to meet airline or shipping regulations. Please note that the new project display system will be used.
- Supplies needed to set up the project must be placed in checked baggage only – Airport security will confiscate tools in hand luggage.
- Backup digital files for your display materials (just in case), data/logbook and extra copies of the Project Report.
- Materials needed to repack the display materials.
- accommodation
- meals
- tours
- local transportation
Incidental costs incurred by participants (souvenirs, phone calls, purchased snacks, entrance to museums, etc.) or regions (baggage fees, activities in addition to the scheduled program) are not included.
Awards Ceremony
The Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday May 17 from 15:30-17:30.
Following the Awards Ceremony, all attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with new friends and enjoy photo ops. Buses will transport Finalists and Delegates to the EY Centre for the Dinner and Dance.
Awards Gala Dinner and Dance Celebration
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A CWSF display unit, including a preprinted header sign with the project title is provided for each project.
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Use of the CWSF display unit is mandatory - do not bring a backboard of any kind.
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Details of the display unit are available under Projects - Display
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Approved adhesives will be provided and must be used - no other adhesives may be used.
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Each CWSF display unit will have access to one AC outlet.
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Wireless Internet will be available in the exhibit hall.
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Go to your assigned project number.
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Each display unit will be supplied with adhesives.
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If you need basic tools (e.g., scissors), or additional adhesives, go to the Tool booth.
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If you need technical/computer assistance, go to the Information booth.
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Once your project is completely set up, take any packing materials to the trash area or back to your room. (Packing materials cannot be stored at your display.)
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Follow the procedure for the Project Safety-Check.
Note: No display materials may be added after the project has been approved.
On Wednesday May 16th the Exhibit Hall will close for two hours so Finalists can have hands-on experiences in classrooms and labs on campus. The Faculties of
- Learn how program and control drones with the Computer Science department
- Learn how to test water quality in the Water and Ice Research Lab with the Environmental Studies Department
- Learn how to create a map with ArcGIS with the Geography department
- Learn how to monitor birds, plants, and trees with the Biology and Environmental Sciences Departments
- Learn how your brain and body communicate with one another with the Neuroscience Department
- Learn how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks form using rock specimens, thin sections, and petrographic microscopes, as well as visit the Isotope Geochemistry and Geochronology Research Centre to learn how radioactive elements can be used to determine the ages of rocks with the Earth Sciences Department
- and much more (be sure to read through the full list of tour descriptions)!
Choice 1 – Aircraft Stability and Control Demonstration
Adjust weights on a model aircraft and control ailerons to try to keep an aircraft stable in one of our on campus wind tunnels
Offered in English only.
Location:Mackenzie Building (ME) 2140
Choice 2 – Biochemistry
Enzymes are complex protein molecules that carry out specific functions in biological cells, acting as catalysts to speed up the rate of biochemical reactions. They are used in numerous industrial and household products from detergents to food. In our biochemistry lab at Carleton University, you will use typical techniques in enzymology to determine the effects of various factors on the activity of an enzyme.
Offered in English only.
Location: Tory Building (TB) 102 (basement)
Choice 3 – The Birthday Problem
Imagine you are sitting in a classroom with a number of other students. What do you think the probability is that at least two of you share a birthday? How many students would need to be in the room in order for this probability to be 50%? What about 99.9%? The answers will surprise you!
Offered in English only.
Location: Herzberg Building (HP) 4385
Choice 4 – Department of Electronics Microfabrication Facility
Are you interested in seeing how we manufacture components that make commerce, communications, entertainment, transportation all possible? The Carleton University Microfabrication Facility is used for manufacturing silicon integrated circuits and other devices in support of research in many fields.
Offered in English only.
Location: Minto Center (MC) 4082
Choice 5 – Discover the electron in yourself!
(Grade 11-CEGEP only)
Perform for yourself the classic 1897 experiment that first identified the electron as a subatomic particle. You will create a beam of electrons and steer it through electric and magnetic fields to measure just how much charge this tiny mass carries.
Offered in English and French (Experiment description and worksheets will be provided in English and French, experiment presentation will be bilingual)
Location:
Session 1 (2pm): Southam Hall (SA) Theatre B
Session 2 (3:15 pm): Herzberg Building (HP) 3125
Choice 6 – Discovery Center
Welcome to the Discovery Centre at Carleton University’s MacOdrum Library! The Discovery Centre offers interactive learning labs and spaces. You will explore the ways the library incorporates innovative technologies and adds multiple layers of discovery to learning and research. You will get hands-on experience and instruction in our various learning labs including the 3D Gaming Lab (including 3D printers), the Multi-Media Lab, and the Standing Work Stations (treadmill desks and huddle tables).
Offered in English only.
Location: Herzberg Building (HP) 2120
Choice 7 – Drone Hacking/Piratage des drones
Drone are flying robots, without on-board human pilots. They have revolutionized many areas, such as surveillance, search and rescue, aerial imagery and package delivery. They can work in coordinated groups. Their autonomy and ability to achieve complex reasoning are growing, thanks to advances in artificial intelligence. Drone hacking is an activity aiming to modify and extend the capabilities of a drone. In this session, students will learn about the system architecture of a drone, drone control and programming, review the system components and learn how each of them is hackable. Access to the navigation system, computer and communication system will be discussed.
Offered in English and French.
Location: Herzberg Building (HP) 4155
Choice 8 – Earth Sciences Investigations: How we learn what rocks can tell us about the history of the Earth and how it works
Visitors to the Department of Earth Sciences will spend half of this hour-long tour in our teaching laboratories investigating how igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks using rock specimens, thin sections and petrographic microscopes, and the other half of the tour visiting the Isotope Geochemistry and Geochronology Research Centre (IGGRC) to learn how we precisely measure radioactive element contents and radiogenic isotope ratios in Earth materials to determine their ages and gain understanding of Earth processes and history.
Petrography session: English only, IGGRC lab: English and French
Location: Herzberg Building (HP) 2120
Choice 9 – Embedded Systems to Mobile Apps
Check out innovative projects and problems students work on in Systems and Computer Engineering relevant to today's technologies.
Offered in English only.
Location: Mackenzie Building (ME) 4463
Choice 10 – Engine Performance Laboratory
Measuring engine performance including efficiency at different speeds on different types of engines in a controlled environment.
Offered in English only.
Location: Mackenzie Building (ME) 2232
Choice 11 – Entrepreneurship Takes Flight
In this fully hands-on challenge, students will learn to differentiate a product, build a prototype, and organize to deliver quickly and win the contract. Students will create teams and engage the client in a competitive bid process for a new Airplane. They will design, test and ensure compliance. During this stage the market conditions may change. Upon agreed timelines the teams will promote (pitch) their offer and competitive advantage to the client. Ultimately the contract will be awarded.
Offered in English only.
Location: Tory Building (TB) 342
Choice 12 – Exploring Sensory Motor Neuroscience
Ever wonder how your brain and your body communicate with one another? Visit the Carleton neuroscience teaching labs and learn just that! Moving through a series of short hands on activities, you will have a chance to: map your own sensory homunculus, record the electrical signals our neurons use to communicate, and maybe even use your brain to control your lab partner’s arm.
Offered in English only (may be bilingual if needed).
Location:Health Sciences Building (HSB) 2201
Choice 13 – Explosions, NMR and nano-imaging Come and explore the chemistry department! This tour is composed of 3 parts: (1) a chemistry demonstration featuring fireworks, explosions and glowing chemicals, (2) a demonstration of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and how it can be used to characterize ethanol/alcohol, and (3) a tour and hands-on demonstration in the state-of-the-art Nano Imaging Facility (NIF) where students will be asked to provide samples for imaging.
Offered in English only.
Location: Steacie Building (SC) 203
Choice 14 – Field Sampling for Ecology and Conservation
Come spend some time outdoors!! Students will have the opportunity to participate in ecological field sampling in Brewer Park, adjacent to the campus. You will have the opportunity to learn about local plant and bird conservation issues, invasive and threatened species, as well as bird and tree identification techniques. This tour includes actual field work – students will get hands-on experience setting up transects and quadrats for measuring plant diversity, plant identification, and conducting bird surveys.
Offered in English only.
Location: Meet in Field House (FH), then go the Brewer Park
Choice 15 – Flight Simulation, Virtual Reality, and Brain-Computer Interfaces
Come and visit the Cognitive Science department and experience the Advances Cognitive Engineering (ACE) and visualization and simulation labs. In the Large Flight Simulator Lab, experience the thrills of flying a full-scale Cessna 172 over the Gatineau Hills. Just what is a pilot’s brain busy doing while he or she is flying… Much more than you realize! You will learn about the importance of cognitive factors when it comes to flying an aircraft. In the Virtual Reality Lab, experience what it is like to be immersed in virtual reality. In the Brain Computer Interfaces lab, you will watch as a wireless electroencephalography (EEG) device responds to brain activity to control a mouse and other objects on a computer screen. We need volunteers, so perhaps you will get to see your own brain waves in action!
Offered in English only.
Location: Visualization & Simulation Building (VS), 4th floor
Choice 16 – Here today and gone tomorrow! Radioactivity and the world around us
A popular discussion of a quantum phenomenon that plays an important role in our everyday lives. This tour will include an experimental demonstration that makes visible the decays of nuclear particles.
Offered in English and French.
Location:
Session 1 (2 PM): Southam Hall (SA) Theatre B
Session 2 (3:15 PM): Herzberg Building (HP) 3125
Choice 17 – Microbiology
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses live all around us, on us, and inside of us! We'll talk about the ways in which microbes contribute to environmental processes, to health, and to disease. You'll have the opportunity to carry out experiments in the microbiology lab, look at various kinds of microbe, and sample microbes from the environment.
Offered in English only.
Location: Tory Building (TB) 104
Choice 18 – Motion Capture
Explore Carleton's Motion Capture System, used to record movement of objects and people. Giving an industry standard experience, this technology is used by military, entertainment, sports, medical applications, and robotics
Offered in English only.
Location: Azrieli Pavillion (AP) 234
Choice 19 – Net-zero Energy Tiny House
A tour of the net-zero energy tiny house and a discussion of the different innovative technologies used in this unique 4th year capstone design project.
Offered in English only.
Location: Tiny House/Architecture Bridge between Mackenzie Building (ME) and Architecture Building (AA)
Choice 20 – Physical Geography and Geomatics (1)
With two waterways adjacent to Carleton University campus, it is a perfect opportunity to do some Water Quality Testing! We will introduce you to our Water and Ice Research Lab (WIRL) and you will get hands on experience running water quality tests using Vernier sensors. You will collect water samples from the waterways adjacent to Carleton University campus. Then you will bring these samples back to the WIRL lab to measure temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and total dissolved solids.
Offered in English only.
Location:Loeb (LA) A200 (2nd Floor of Loeb in towerA)
Choice 21 – Physical Geography and Geomatics (2)
Come and check out our Geomatics lab where you will use ArcGIS to create a community plan that highlights key features and land use areas within your local community. Students will produce a high quality map that contains a variety of different physical/natural features, human/constructed features, and land use area designations. Just like a geomatics scientist, you will create a collection of point, line and polygon features and symbolize them with appropriate symbols and colours.
Offered in English only.
Location: Loeb (LA) A120 (First Floor of Loeb in tower A)
Choice 22 – School of Industrial Design Modelmaking Labs
See Industrial Design labs Carleton students use to manufacture prototypes as well as reinforce physical principles to create products and systems.
Offered in English only.
Location: Mackenzie Building (ME)3470
Choice 23 – Structures - Why Things Don't Fall Down
A tour of the civil engineering structures lab will show how we test large specimens of steel, concrete and wood and highlight some innovative new materials and designs for new structures or to rehabilitate older structures or structures damaged in an earthquake.
Offered in English only.
Location: Minto Center (MC) 2030
Choice 24 – Think Water
A tour on the Environmental Engineering undergraduate laboratory will include a discussion of the challenges facing drinking water quality following by a lab to assess drinking water quality and/or treatment.
Offered in English only.
Location: Minto Center (MC) 1040
ONLINE STORE
Shop the CWSF Online Store
Visit the Online Store to pre-order your CWSF merchandise, including hoodies, t-shirts, mugs - and Expo, the CWSF Bear. Your order will be ready for pickup at the CWSF Store outside the Project Zone.
CWSF APP
Android or iOS download
Go to http://eventmobi.com/app/cwsf-espc20 in your device's web browser
View in a web browser
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