Project Set-up and Opening Ceremonies

Today started with breakfast at 7:30am, which is just a warmup to our even earlier starts needed the rest of this week - however the team was up and ready to go on time, and we were on the buses to the exhibit hall by 9am. Though speaking of "warmups", the team had its first challenge last night, as it turned out that the heat to the residence had been turned off. This resulted in a cold night with only a thin blanket as defense... But we survived, and though heat will not be on until Monday at the earliest, at least we got additional blankets for tonight....

Today was project set-up and safety-check day. The CWSF volunteers continued their great work and had the project bags already waiting at each display location, and the team got right to work with assembly and setup.

Everything arrived in one piece, and setup went smoothly. All students passed the safety check with no problems at all, and were done by noon - there was a brief orientation welcome over lunch, and the chance for the kids to collect some "swag" - t-shirts, pens, keychains, and even "slinky"s. This resulted in some creative uses for the slinky - we wouldn't expect any less from budding scientists and engineers!

At a relaxed paced we made our way back to the Trent campus and got ready for the Opening Ceremonies. All the provinces were 'marched in' following their provincial flag, plus the addition of some international visitors from Mexico, Taiwan and Australia!

The Opening Ceremony featured speeches from many dignitaries including the University President, the Mayor of Peterborough, and the local MP and MPP. Entertainment from local First Nations singers and dancers was also featured. But the highlight speech was from honourary Canada-Wide Science Fair Chair Dr. Roberta Bondar, who gave a rousing and impassioned talk about how science touches every part of our lives. She challenged the students to be the next generation of innovators and leaders, and to bring their passion to all parts of their lives - arts and culture as well as science and discovery.

The outdoor ceremonies were under clear blue, cloudless skies, a perfect day for both the opening and the outdoor Opening Banquet that followed.

After the banquet, the students were given a choice of a few activities, and most took advantage of the great weather to head to the Athletic Field and play a game of pick-up volleyball. As darkness started fall the energy levels finally started to run low, and we all returned to the residence to wind down and prepare for tomorrow - which will start with a "High School tours and Delegates viewing" morning, followed by a series of activities around the Trent Campus in the afternoon.