Bright ideas on display at Montreal’s John Caboto Academy first science fair

Experiments, data analysis, and research was done by dozens of elementary school students at Montreal’s John Caboto Academy for their first ever science and STEAM fair on Friday.

The grade four to six students showcased their scientific discoveries and creations in the school’s gymnasium — projects that they’ve been working on for over three months with their science teacher, Alex Rosauri.

“I think this is a good introduction for students,” said Rosauri. “Once they go into secondary education they’ll have a solid base.”

“You can do so many different things in science,” said Mila Di Santo, John Caboto Academy grade five student. “There’s so many possibilities.”

“When Mr. Alex told us that we were gonna do a science fair project,” said Abigail Rosenberg, fellow student. “(Mila) told me ‘do you want to make stickers with me?’ and I go ‘sure!’ It would be a nice idea because no one else is doing it.”

“And everyone loves stickers,” added Di Santo.

“I think science, STEAM education, is the new way of learning,” said Rosauri. “STEAM is very — you find the problem and you try to solve it using innovative thinking, using creativity.”

“Our objective was to build an air hockey table,” said one student. “By using recycled materials.”

The Science and STEAM fair also welcomed renowned chemist, Yannick Bergeron, who hosted a science show for all visitors.

The event, filled with brainpower, was open to the community to enjoy after school hours. 

“That is what were showing our community,” explained Rosauri. “That our students love science, they love STEAM.”

“Here’s just a testament of their hard work.”

“There’s this software called Thinkercad,” said Siya Patel, grade six student about their project creating keychains. “Where you can import images and essentially make them 3D.”

“It takes nine to 10 hours to make all of them,” added her science fair partner, Stella Proctor.

“It will either work or not work,” said Di Santo on science experiments. “But still, you’re having fun!”

“All my students in grade four, both my classes of grade five and grade six,” added Rosauri. “All impressed me.”