http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/ en mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Copyright 2013 2013-06-14T22:39:27+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_releases_new_2013_16_strategic_plan http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_college_releases_new_2013_16_strategic_plan#When:22:39:27Z WHITEHORSE – Demonstrating a culture of excellence, expanding research capacity, creating multiple pathways into programs and credentials, continued collaboration with Yukon First Nations and communities, and creating a comprehensive land use plan, are just some of the goals set for Yukon College by their Board of Governors in a new strategic plan released today. Dr. Karen Barnes, Yukon College president, will unveil the 2013-16 Strategic Plan at a Yukon Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Old Fire Hall in Whitehorse today. “This is an exciting time for Yukon College. We have a 96% student satisfaction rate, we have strong partnerships with industry and territorial, federal and First Nation governments, our community campuses are busier than ever, we had more students through our trades department last year than ever before, our research centre is attracting international attention, and we are poised to meet these goals and the challenges that lay ahead,” said Dr. Barnes. Over 540 people participated in an extensive consultation conducted by the College Board throughout last year. Meetings were held in every Yukon community and with key stakeholders, including youth and youth workers, the arts community, the mining sector, the business community, Yukon government, plus college staff and students, amongst others. “The College Board of Governors was guided by your input while crafting this vision for Yukon College.” said Paul Flaherty, Yukon College Board Chair. “In creating this plan, we heard loud and clear that Yukoners are proud of their college and see us as a valuable partner in communities and across all economic sectors. Yukoners want us to build on our unique strengths as a provider of supportive learning environments and meet the expectations of employers, industry, governments, citizens and communities.” The strategic plan, subtitled “Inspiring dreams. Revealing passion. Changing lives.” demonstrates the impact of the College’s previous strategic plan by listing over 30 milestones achieved since 2008. It contains an overview of the input received during consultations last year and five new strategic directions to guide college department goals throughout the next three years. The Yukon College 2013-16 Strategic plan can be viewed at : www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/stratplan -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-06-14T22:39:27+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_research_centre_event_to_celebrate_and_attract_partnerships http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_research_centre_event_to_celebrate_and_attract_partnerships#When:17:55:45Z WHITEHORSE – “Partnering with the Yukon Research Centre opens doors,” says Yukon-based software programmer Peter Coates. Coates created Race Tracker with the support of a $20,000 grant from Technology Innovation at the Yukon Research Centre (YRC). Race Tracker is custom-built software that tracks race competitors and streamlines much of the organizational activity around race events, “The financial support is certainly helpful, but more importantly the Research Centre connected me to the Yukon River Quest last year which enabled me to test and refine the software,” said Coates. More refinements have followed, including an app for mobile devices which transmits a racers location as frequently as every thirty seconds, making the software more attractive to shorter races where lack of cell-phone coverage is not an issue. Coates has plans to launch the software commercially, once again with the support and advice of the YRC. Coates will be showcasing Race Tracker at an event at Yukon College this week. Partnering for Growth in a Changing Climate on Thursday, June 13 will celebrate those individuals, companies, governments and universities who have partnered with the YRC. Staff hope the event will also attract more partners to the table. YRC partners - Kluane First Nation, Alexco Resources, Zakus Farms, Interpretour Inc., Boreal Compost Enterprises, and Borealist, will also be speaking about or showcasing their projects at the event. “Strong partnerships are critical to our success and the success of each project,” said Dr. Chris Hawkins, VP Research at Yukon College. “It speaks very well of the Research Centre that so many of our partners have returned to engage us in further projects.” Kluane First Nation has now partnered with YRC three times - on a Community Energy and Emissions Inventory, a wind monitoring turbine, and a landscape hazards mapping project. Yukon Energy partnered with YRC to complete an initial hydro security assessment of the headwaters of the Yukon River and then returned to work with YRC to develop projects and install meteorological stations that support the initial assessment. Hawkins also points to new partnerships like NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Mine Life Cycle, Dr. Amelie Janin, who is working with Alexco Resources Corp., Capstone Mining Corp., Yukon Zinc Corp., and Victoria Gold Corp. This partnership will spend five years addressing northern specific challenges and opportunities within the mining industry, in particular, the managements and treatment of water and soil reclamation practices. “Advancing the North by finding innovative solutions to Northern challenges is what the Yukon Research Centre is all about,” said Dr. Hawkins. And the YRC is being increasingly recognized for it. “The universities of Saskatchewan, Ottawa, Alberta, Laval, McGill, and Queens have partnered with us and more are knocking on our door each month. And only this week, two of our researchers have just returned from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, where they have engaged in an Energy and Emissions Inventory for that community in partnership with the Canadian High Arctic Research Station – as a result of our work with Kluane First Nation,” added Dr. Hawkins. Partnering for Growth in a Changing Climate runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13th. Look for the big tent behind the Yukon Research Centre Lab at Yukon College. -30- The Yukon Research Centre (YRC) at Yukon College has seven key programs: NSERC Industrial Research Chair for College in Mining Life Cycles, Northern Climate ExChange, Cold Climate Innovation, Biodiversity Monitoring, Technology Innovation, Science Adventures, and Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic. Core funding for the Yukon Research Centre is provided by Yukon Education and Yukon Economic Development. For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Tanis Davey Communications Coordinator Yukon Research Centre Yukon College 867.456.8625 tdavey@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-06-12T17:55:45+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_act_10th_anniversary_celebration http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/yukon_act_10th_anniversary_celebration#When:22:29:47Z WHITEHORSE - 2013 marks 10 years since Yukon’s constitution, the Yukon Act, came into force. This landmark Act gave the Government of Yukon direct control over a greater variety of provincial-type programs, responsibilities and powers, including public lands and resource management over water, forestry and mineral resources. To celebrate this anniversary there will be a free public reception and a panel discussion on recent events in the constitutional history of Yukon at the Yukon Arts Centre on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Panelists will include the former federal Northern Affairs Minister who shepherded the new Act through Parliament in 2002/03 Hon. Robert Nault, former Commissioner Jack Cable, then Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell, the Council of Yukon First Nation’s representative in the 2001/02 Yukon Act talks, Daryn Leas, and long-time constitution-watchers Ken McKinnon, Gordon Steele and Kirk Cameron.  The panel will be moderated by the former Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Patrick Michael. This 10th anniversary also marks the repeal of the last of the provisions of the previous Yukon Act to remain in force - one which allowed the federal government's Northern Development Minister to issue Letters of Instruction to the Yukon's Commissioner.  Over this past decade there have been significant advances in all aspects of Yukon governance. Now 11 of the 14 Yukon First Nations have Self-government Agreements in place and considerable progress has been made by many of them in the drawing-down of self-government powers.  Yukon College, Institute of Public Administration of Canada (Yukon Chapter) and northSense management consulting are co-hosting this event with generous support from Air North, the Speaker’s Office of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, the Aron Senkpiel Fund and the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce. -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-06-07T22:29:47+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/three_social_work_degree_students_win_awards_and_recognition http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/three_social_work_degree_students_win_awards_and_recognition#When:18:49:47Z WHITEHORSE - Debbie Janzen, Collyn Lovelace and Lindsay Roberts, final year students in the Bachelor of Social Work program at Yukon College, have each been recognized for their school work. Janzen won a $5,000 Northern Residence Award from the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies for her research project, Exploring and Assessing Social Isolation among Yukon Seniors. Lovelace won the $500 top prize in the Progressive Economics Forum’s annual essay contest in the undergraduate category. Her essay Obstacle to a Safe Exit: Domestic Violence & the Whitehorse Housing Crisis explores how the lack of rental options in Whitehorse impacts women fleeing domestic violence. Roberts won the $250 Barbara Roberts Award at Athabasca University for an outstanding essay on women gender or feminism. Her essay Gold Rush Girls: Newcomer and Native Women’s Relationships during Yukon’s Gold Rush, looks at the, often overlooked, role of women in the Klondike experience. “We are thrilled for our students. the awards help demonstrate that it is not only possible for a Bachelor of Social Work program to be successfully offered in the north, but that students from the program can distinguish themselves at a national level. Creating opportunities for northern social workers to respond to social issues is important, and these awards show that even at an undergraduate level valuable contributions can be made,” said Janice Wiens, program coordinator. “We need to be talking more about senior issues,” said Janzen about her research project. “Seniors are a fast-growing demographic in Yukon and more are choosing to stay in the north following retirement, yet there have been few studies on the challenges to seniors in Yukon.” Janzen has spent five years working part-time with seniors alongside studying for her degree. Lovelace similarly drew upon personal experience for her essay subject. “As a single parent I struggled to find housing in Whitehorse and so the issue is an important one to me,” said Lovelace. -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-06-05T18:49:47+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/registration_opens_for_fall_programming_june_3 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/registration_opens_for_fall_programming_june_3#When:22:32:53Z WHITEHORSE – If you want to secure your seat at Yukon College this fall, be prepared to line up when registration opens on Monday. The doors of the admissions office will open at 9:00 a.m. and admissions staff said applications are up 18% over this time last year. “We usually experience a rush for high demand programs when we begin registration,” said Jennifer Moorlag, Yukon College Registrar. “Students coming on Monday should definitely expect a line up.” Moorlag said the eight programs with the highest demand are Renewable Resource Management, Practical Nursing, Office Administration, Home Care Assistant, Carpentry, Electrical, Pre-Employment Welding, and Culinary Arts. These programs currently have more qualified applicants than seats available. To help students entering these specific eight programs who may not have all their funding in place, the college will be accepting a non-refundable deposit of $250.00, with the balance due by August 15. This is a change in admissions policy for the college which asks for full payment of all tuition and fees from students at the time of registration. “Some students determined to enter a program this year could lose that opportunity while waiting on decisions from various funding agencies, so we made an adjustment to level the playing field. It is first-come-first-served for everyone,” explained Moorlag. For students registering in all other programs, payment in full will be expected at the time of registration. Yukon College Admissions office is located at Ayamdigut campus in Whitehorse and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Students outside of Whitehorse can register at their nearest community campus. For more information visit: www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/future_students/pages/admissions_registration or call Admissions at (867) 668-8710. -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-05-31T22:32:53+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/bob_watts_to_bring_message_of_hope_to_whitehorse_watson_lake http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/bob_watts_to_bring_message_of_hope_to_whitehorse_watson_lake#When:21:51:19Z WHITEHORSE – Bob Watts is a hopeful man. “I have great faith in humankind. I believe that in our core we are noble beings and can act in a noble way.” Watts is bringing his hopeful message to Whitehorse and Watson Lake next week in a presentation entitled 2013: Time to Right the Relationship – True Reconciliation in Canada. Engaging Canadians in their history and in the issues that have arisen from it is a major theme of Watts’ life, and his presentation. “Far too many people in this country have witnessed in silence, and we need people to engage in these issues, of how we treat one another, how we address the legacy of residential schools, and speak out,” said Watts, a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Fellow at the Harvard Law School. “Because reconciliation does not just happen at a high level between Chiefs and Premiers and Prime Ministers. Regular people need to engage, act and react. Reconciliation must happen on the streets, in the workplace, and in coffee shops, if it is going to matter and if is to have a meaningful impact on each of us.” For Watts, engaging in this work of addressing the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada, began over 20 years ago as he watched the Oka crisis unfold. Since then, he has served as the Chief of Staff and CEO to the Assembly of First Nations’ National Chief, Phil Fontaine.  He was also a member of the team which negotiated the historic Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and instrumental in leading the process to establish Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Today, the 55-year-old focuses on teaching at Queens University and public speaking. He also devotes time to assisting corporations develop meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal communities. “This is part of what gives me hope. There are a significant number of companies in Canada who understand that they must include Aboriginal people as partners in order to move ahead. We have the fastest growing population in Canada, the youngest population in Canada, and there are an increasing number of well-educated Aboriginal people across the country. We are key players in the future of Canada.” His work has given him insight into what he sees as one of the greatest obstacles to achieving true reconciliation between the non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal peoples of Canada. “Too few of us understand significant parts of our history and too many of us use stereotypes instead of interaction.”2013 being the 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation is a fact Watts will use to anchor his presentation and help illustrate our shared history. He points out that this document did attempt to set a tone for how aboriginals and non-aboriginals should treat one another in this country, to recognize each other as allies with a joint future. “For many Aboriginal people it’s our Magna Carta, and we need to go back to these first principles to guide what we are doing now instead of relying on the courts to sort through this relationship and interpret the constitution.” Reconnecting Canadians with words that were written over two centuries ago is quite a challenge, but Watts feels his message is getting through. He points to the work of the Idle No More movement in bringing greater attention to Aboriginal, environmental and cultural issues as evidence that more Canadians are seeking meaningful ways of engaging. “To see young people stand up for these issues; and those young people who walked from James Bay to Ottawa to make their voices heard… It’s very inspiring. I get to meet a lot of good people, from all over Canada, who inspire me and inspire each other. I hope this type of interaction encourages and motivates people to keep fighting for a better tomorrow, a better Canada.” Bob Watts will present 2013: Time to Right the Relationship – True Reconciliation in Canada, 7.30 p.m., Tuesday May 21 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse, and at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday May 22 at the Rec Centre in Watson Lake. Both events will be followed by a Q+A session with Watts. At both events Resolution Health Support Workers will be in attendance to assist anyone who may need support during the talk, courtesy of Council of First Nations and Liard First Nation. These are free events presented as part of the Yukon College Speaker Series. In Whitehorse tickets can be picked up in advance at the Yukon College reception and Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. For more information visit www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/bobwatts -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-05-14T21:51:19+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/ualberta_yukon_college_celebrate_awarding_first_bachelor_of_science_degree http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/ualberta_yukon_college_celebrate_awarding_first_bachelor_of_science_degree#When:22:07:35Z WHITEHORSE – Natasha Ayoub became the first person awarded a Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences (ENCS) north of 60 in Canada on Saturday. The B.Sc. Northern ENCS program is a partnership with University of Alberta. It has been very popular, with over 30 students taking courses over the past three years, many of whom are working full time and using the credits to complete a program or qualify for a Masters program elsewhere. “This is an excellent program,” said Ayoub. “The small class sizes enable instructors to tailor courses to student interests and needs. The overall focus on northern content, First Nations content and Yukon legislation like the Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Act (YESAA) is vital for professionals working or intending to work in the territory.” “And being able to study for my Bachelor of Science in Yukon has been fantastic. It has allowed me to build a house here, where I plan to work, instead of paying to live most of the year in Edmonton,” she added. She said the program also provided connections with local companies that helped her obtain her current position as Environmental Scientist with Access Consulting. .Ayoub graduated “with distinction” and is enrolled in a Master of Science program at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. Dr. John Kennelly, Dean of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences at University of Alberta, was on hand at the Yukon college graduation ceremony to present Ayoub with her credentials. “This has been a wonderful partnership and it is just the beginning. Our goal was to help Yukon College build capacity through partnering to deliver this science program and we look forward to continuing our work building this program with the College, as well as expand into joint research and new subject areas such as food security,” said Dr. Kennelly. Next year the program will offer a new major in Northern Systems which will be unique to the Yukon College delivered degree. Program director and instructor, Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow, said the program is attracting interest from students across the country, including students at the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton wishing to transfer to Whitehorse.  Dr. Schmiegelow is the first University of Alberta Professor to be appointed outside of Alberta. -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-05-13T22:07:35+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/first_grads_of_first_nations_governance_public_admin_program_celebrated http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/first_grads_of_first_nations_governance_public_admin_program_celebrated#When:22:04:29Z WHITEHORSE - The first four graduates of the First Nations Governance and Public Administration (FNGPA) program were celebrated at a dinner at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on Saturday. Wesley Barrett, Delilah Pillai, Kathleen Van Bibber and Lily Sembsmoen graduated from the full certificate program at Yukon College. “This is the first time I have graduated from something in my life and I am very happy that it is from this program because it has been so worthwhile,” said 35-year-old honours student Delilah Pillai. “My 17-years of experience in First Nations were focused on finance and human resources. My skills were based on my experience, now that experience is backed up with formal education in those areas as well as land claims, public policy, strategic management, communications, intergovernmental relations and economic development…all necessary for a well-rounded understanding of Self Governance,” added Pillai. The FNGPA program is a joint initiative between Yukon First Nations, Yukon government and Yukon College and is focused on building capacity and providing senior management staff the tools to enhance the operations of governments in Yukon. It is a made-in-Yukon approach that incorporates local knowledge and experience and recognizes the unique Yukon governance landscape. The program was developed and expanded from an earlier Executive Development program which was spearheaded by Lawrence Joe at Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) and focused on CAFN citizens. Over 35 students have taken classes in the program from eight Yukon First Nations, CYFN, and the Governments of Yukon and Canada. The program uses new models of delivery including compressed courses and individual tutoring which allows the students to help define the teaching models that work best for them. “The Government of Yukon is pleased to be involved in this joint education initiative. It is a significant step in advancing modern self-government and building a stronger Yukon,” said Premier Darrell Pasloski. “Graduating students can be proud of their achievements in completing this unique program.” Program content has been well received across Canada, with the courses being transferable to a number of academic institutions, including Camosun College, Simon Fraser University, and the universities of British Columbia, Victoria, Lethbridge, and Northern BC. Discussions are currently taking place with the University of Saskatchewan about building on this program to develop an integrated degree program in Northern Governance and Development. John Burdek, assistant deputy minister of Yukon government’s Governance Liaison/Capacity Development branch, has been involved in the development and delivery of the program since it began four years ago. Burdek, also a former Ta’an Kwäch’än Council chairperson, is excited to celebrate the hard work of the graduating students and the achievements of the accredited program. “This program is an excellent example of Yukon First Nations governments identifying a need and building a program, asking the Yukon government to partner and provide support for the development and implementation, and then asking Yukon College to partner and provide academic support,” said Yukon College president Dr. Karen Barnes. “This program, and the Executive Development program before it, have been catalysts that have opened up conversations about more training that is specific to our First Nations here in Yukon – including Heritage training and First Nations Leadership training,” added Dr. Barnes. -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-05-13T22:04:29+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/top_lawyer_to_speak_yukon_pioneers_to_receive_recognition_at_yukon_college http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/top_lawyer_to_speak_yukon_pioneers_to_receive_recognition_at_yukon_college#When:16:46:56Z WHITEHORSE – Yukon College students will have the opportunity to hear from three people whose work has each had a significant impact on the development of Yukon and Canada’s North at their graduation this Saturday. The keynote address will be given by Thomas Berger, a former justice of the B.C. Supreme Court who acted as counsel for the Manitoba Métis Federation in their successful Supreme Court of Canada case earlier this year. Berger is best known for his work as commissioner of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline inquiry in the 1970s where he recommended delaying the creation of an oil pipeline through the Mackenzie Delta in favour of settling Aboriginal land claims and protecting northern ecosystems. Former Yukon Commissioner James (Jim) Smith will receive an Honorary Diploma in Northern Studies from the College. 93-year-old Smith was Commissioner from 1966-76 and in 1973 led the charge to change the Territory’s relationship with Ottawa. His vision and work has led to greater control by Yukoners over Yukon resources and government – from devolving power to the legislature in 1979, the Umbrella Final Agreement and first four signed land claims in 1993, to devolution in 2003. Anthropologist Dr. Julie Cruikshank will also receive an Honorary Diploma in Northern Studies from the College. Cruikshank is Professor Emerita in the Department of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. For more than a decade, she lived in the Yukon Territory where she worked with the Yukon Native Language Centre recording oral traditions and life stories with Athapaskan and Tlingit elders. Cruikshank’s work has brought fresh attention to traditional knowledge and oral history held by First Nations elders in their stories and traditions. Senator Dan Lang, Premier Darrell Pasloski, College Chancellor Geraldine Van Bibber and College President Dr. Karen Barnes will also be speaking at the convocation. Students from over 40 certificate, diploma and degree programs will cross the stage Saturday May 11. These include the very first graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences degree program and the First Nations Governance and Public Administration certificate program. 48 students will be graduating with honours. Following last years’ sold out ceremony, the College has split the day into two events. Students in Applied Arts programs will receive their credential at the 11:00 a.m. ceremony. Students in Applied Science and Management and Academic and Skill Development programs will receive their credential at the 2:00 p.m. ceremony. For more information about this years’ graduation ceremonies, including how to get tickets, go to www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/grad/ -30- For more information, contact: Michael Vernon Communications Coordinator College Relations Yukon College 867.668.8786 867.332.4722 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Jacqueline Bedard Director College Relations Yukon College 867.456.8619 jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca 2013-05-08T16:46:56+00:00 http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/four_yukon_students_heading_to_national_and_international_science_fairs_nex http://www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/news/post/four_yukon_students_heading_to_national_and_international_science_fairs_nex#When:23:25:09Z Whitehorse - Three students from Whitehorse will compete against 500 other young scientists from across Canada in Lethbridge, Alberta next week, while another will head to Phoenix, Arizona, to take part in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The three competing at the 52nd annual Canada-wide Science Fair (CWSF) taking place at the University of Lethbridge were the top three winners at the Yukon/Stikine Regional Science Fair this past December. The regional fair saw competitors from grades four to seven competing. The national fair is for young scientists from grades seven to twelve. The three Yukon scientists and their projects competing in the Junior Division are: Alyssa Bunce, Grade 8, Vanier Secondary School “Pressure Points: A New Way to Manage Stress” Isabel Magsucang, Grade 7, Christ the King Elementary School “Don’t Let It In” KC Mooney, Grade 7, Christ the King Elementary School “Don’t Let It Out” Bunce is a CWSF veteran, having attended the competition last year in Charlottetown. Magsucang and Mooney created complementary projects focused on radon gas and home heating. Grade 8 student Jacob Newkirk received an invitation to attend the international competition as an observer after winning a silver medal at last year’s national competition for his project “Mythbusting Mouth Guards”. Students in grades 9 to 12 from around the world are eligible to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Newkirk will join 17 students from across the country. The students heading to Lethbridge will be accompanied by Hidden Valley Elementary Teacher Brenda Allen and Vanier Secondary Teacher JD Caudle. The primary goals of the CWSF are to create a positive scientific and social experience for the students by introducing them to their peers from across the country, and to see how the Yukon student’s projects compare with what other young Canadian scientists are doing. The entire week will be full of social and recreational events including a banquet and opening ceremonies, visits to educational institutions and industries, and two days of project judging by over 500 scientists, industry experts and educators. -30- For more information contact: Michael Vernon, Communications Coordinator Yukon College 867-668-8786 mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca Heather Dundas, Coordinator Science Adventures   Yukon Research Centre, Yukon College  867-668-8739 scienceadventures@yukoncollege.yk.ca   http://www.scienceadventures.ca 2013-05-07T23:25:09+00:00