Two Chilliwack students are heading to New Brunswick with their award-winning project to compete at the upcoming Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Gurleen Dhaliwal and Abigail Trites, both Grade 10 students at Chilliwack Secondary School, won a gold ribbon for their project called 'The Effect of Forest Fires on Plants and Soil' at the Fraser Valley Regional Science Fair in April, and will now represent the Fraser Valley when they head to nationals.
They'll present their research to experts, peers, and the public at the University of New Brunswick May 31 to June 7, and will be competing against nearly 400 other students.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to represent the Fraser Valley at the national level. It not only highlights the dedication and time that went into our project but also reflects my passion for science,” Dhaliwal said.
"This is such an exciting opportunity to represent our school and city at the national level. It’s going to be a unique experience to meet students from across the country and to grow, learn, and be inspired by others,” Trites added.
The students’ project looks at how fire intensity impacts the recovery of plants by altering soil properties. Their interest stems from B.C.’s frequent major forest fires and by traditional Indigenous forest management practices, which use low-intensity fires to maintain ecosystem health.
Through their research, the two discovered that high-intensity wildfires significantly change soil acidity, which can stunt plant growth and delay recovery. In contrast, low-intensity fires tend to preserve soil quality, allowing for faster and healthier plant regrowth. Their project compares the effects of high and low-intensity fires on soil characteristics and subsequent plant recovery.
Hosted annually by Youth Science Canada, the Canada-Wide Science Fair is the nation’s largest annual youth STEM event (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
“It’s an honour for students from Chilliwack Secondary School to represent their school at the Canada-Wide Science Fair,” said Scott Liang, a science and biology teacher at CSS. “They’ll have the opportunity to engage with peers who share a passion for science and innovation. In addition to presenting their research, students gain valuable experience by networking with leading experts, researchers, and university professors in various STEM fields.”
This marks the second time CSS students have had the opportunity to represent the school at the national event. Alex Thorburn represented the school in 2023.
