LAB SKILLS CONTESTS

Winners

• Sardis Sardis Secondary School (1996)
• Abbotsford Senior Secondary School (1997)
• Heritage Park Secondary School (1998)
• Yale Secondary School (1999)
• Yale Secondary School (2000)
• Yale Secondary School (2001)  
• Yale Secondary School (2002)  
• W. J. Mouat Secondary School (2003)  
• W. J. Mouat Secondary School (2004) 

 Lab Skills Contest 1997 - Results of 2nd Annual Laboratory Skills Contest for High School Chemistry Students.

As part of its celebration of National Chemistry Week and Science and Technology Week, the Chemistry Department at the University of the Fraser Valley hosted its second annual Chemistry Laboratory Skills Contest on Saturday, October 18.

Ten teams representing nine local high schools from Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Mission compete in the event. Each team consisted of four students and completed two experiments " The Spectrophotometric Analysis of Aspirin " and " The Synthesis of Some Inorganic Complexes ".

The overall winner was the team from Abbotsford Senior Secondary School represented by Mary-Ann Shantz, Andrea Dahl, David Lim and Kulgit Virk.

Second was Mennonite Educational Institute, represented by Chris Gledhill, Joshua Wilder, Brooke Larsen and Lindsay Cupit.

The best performance in the spectrophotometric analysis was by the team from Yale Secondary, consisting of Luke Materek, Sean MacTavish, Anita Algie and Kerry Cupit.

The team from St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary School, composed of Christina Meadows, Simone LeFebvre, Julia Bright and Bryan Hanlon turned in the best performance in the inorganic synthesis experiment.

Successful participants received prizes donated by A & B Sound, Bootlegger (Sevenoaks), Towne Cinemas, the UCFV Bookstore, Fisher Scientific, Anachemia Science, Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium. Science and Technology Week celebrations in B.C. were coordinated by the B.C. Information, Science and Technology Agency. National Chemistry Week activities are supported by The Chemical Institute of Canada.

Lab Skills Contest 1998 - Results of 3rd Annual Laboratory Skills Contest for High School Chemistry Students.

Ten high schools entered this year's event with representation from Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Sardis and Agassiz.

Two experiments were completed by each student: the analysis of vitamin C tablets and the synthesis of salicylic acid from oil of wintergreen.

The best overall team was from Heritage Park Secondary. The best vitamin C analysis went to W.J. Mouat and the best synthesis was by Mission Secondary. An individual award for the best results obtained by a student not on a winning team went to Jessica Kennedy from Chilliwack Senior Secondary.

Lab Skills Contest 1999 - Results of 4th Annual Laboratory Skills Contest for High School Chemistry Students.

October 16, 1999 -  Eleven teams of four students, representing high schools from Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Mission, took part in this one-day event, with each team member completing two experiments. In one experiment, each member of a team was required to standardize a given solution of potassium permanganate and then use the standardized solution to determine the molar mass of an oxalate salt by means of a redox titration.

In the second experiment, participants completed an inorganic synthesis, preparing copper(I) chloride from copper(II) nitrate.

The team of Roh-Eul Yoo, Derek Wong, Michelle Kooy, and Amandah MacKinnon, representing Yale Secondary School, finished in first place in both experiments and were accordingly declared overall winners.

The runner-up in both experiments was the team representing Abbotsford Senior Secondary School, consisting of Mike Gebert, Farzin Pouyan, Poonam Jatana, and Marcio Penner. Although this is primarily a team event and all members of the Yale team obtained excellent results in the titration experiment, Roh-Eul Yoo was recognized as the best individual student. Roh-Eul, along with Jordan Brigden of a second team from Yale, and Cam Scott of Heritage Park Secondary, each gained the maximum possible marks from the synthesis experiment.

All participants should be congratulated for their willingness to spend a sunny October Saturday working indoors in a chemistry laboratory. Participants were entertained with a short chemistry magic show at the end of the contest.

The event was co-ordinated by Dr. Art Last of the U.C.F.V. Chemistry Department with the assistance of the following members of the department: Aileen Ablog, Roshan Cader, Shawna Dyck, Astrid Opsetmoen, Gordon von Hollen, Jane Webb, and Noham Weinberg. Additional assistance was provided by the following U.C.F.V. student volunteers: Simran Bains, Camilla Coates, Jim Crowley, Rebecca Dyck, Greg Letendre, and Janick Livera.

Prizes were donated by A and B Sound, Towne Cinema, Fisher Scientific, Anachemia Scientific, VWR Scientific and the U.C.F.V. Bookstore. Financial support was received from the Canadian Society for Chemistry, the B.C. Information, Science and Technology Agency, the U.C.F.V. Faculty Staff Association, and the U.C.F.V. Department of Employee and Student Services.

Lab Skills Contest 2000 - Results of 5th Annual Laboratory Skills Contest for High School Chemistry Students

October 14, 2000 - Eleven teams of four students and one team of three students, representing high schools from Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Mission, took part in this one-day event, with each team member completing two experiments. In one experiment, each member of a team was required to determine the amount of Iron in a Vitamin tablet by means of a spectrophotometric analysis. In the second experiment, participants completed an inorganic synthesis, preparing alum from aluminum foil.

The team of Brent Vankleeck, Melissa Chan, Candice Brady and Kim Hall, representing Yale Secondary School, were the best overall team and accordingly declared the winners. The runner-up in for best overall team was the team representing Mennonite Educational Institute, consisting of Christine Bergen, Sheila Balakshin,Stephanie Dick and Matthew Wilder. The best team in the Iron Determination experiment was the team of Paul Davis, Jeff Gebert, Ravi Rajwan and Osmar Penner representing Abbotsford Senior Secondary. Osmar Penner representing Abbotsford Senior Secondary was recognized as the best individual student. The best team in the Alum preparation experiment was the team of Sukhi Atti, Bryce Smiley, Nicole Boisjoli and Cameron Mertke representing Chilliwack Senior Secondary.

All participants should be congratulated for their willingness to spend a sunny October Saturday working indoors in a chemistry laboratory. Participants were entertained with a short chemistry magic show at the end of the contest.

The event was co-ordinated by Dr. Art Last of the U.C.F.V. Chemistry Department with the assistance of the following members of the department: Aileen Ablog, Shawna Dyck, Shawn Millar, Gordon von Hollen, Jane Webb. Additional assistance was provided by the following U.C.F.V. student volunteers: Leah Davies(former UCFV student),Katherine Hinkley, Tasenka Kushner, Jeffrey James, Janick Livera and Sean Share.

Prizes were donated by A and B Sound, Towne Cinema,  and the U.C.F.V. Bookstore. Financial support was received from the Canadian Society for Chemistry, the B.C. Information, Science and Technology Agency, the U.C.F.V. Faculty Staff Association,  and the U.C.F.V. Department of Employee and Student Services. Chartwells Food Service of  U.C.F.V. contributed to the lunch enjoyed by all participants.

Lab Skills Contest 2001 - Results of 6th Annual Laboratory Skills Contest for High School Chemistry Students.

Invitations were extended to high schools in the U.C.F.V. catchment area to enter teams of four students in the 6th Annual U.C.F.V. Chemistry Laboratory Skills Contest held on Saturday, October 13 as part of National Chemistry Week.  Ten teams, representing eight different high schools accepted the invitation. The high schools represented were Abbotsford Senior Secondary (two teams), the Mennonite Educational Institute, Mission Secondary, Rick Hansen Secondary, Sardis Secondary, St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary, Timothy Christian School, and Yale Secondary (two teams).

Competing students each completed two experiments: the analysis of a solution of hydrogen peroxide using a redox titration and the synthesis of two inorganic compounds. The overall winner was one of the teams from Yale Secondary School - the third consecutive year that this school has won the trophy. The winning team consisted of Kevin Lee, Tony Chan, Dustin Tseng, and Shabita Nathwani. The runner-up was the team representing Sardis Secondary, composed of Heather Armstrong, Heather Smith, Travis Forstbauer, and Chris Veenstra. Third place was taken by the second team from Yale.

Lunch was provided for all the participating students, and the day concluded with a Chemistry Magic Show presented by students from the U.C.F.V. Chemistry Department.

Prizes for participating students were donated by Landmark Cinemas, the U.C.F.V. Bookstore, Fisher Scientific, Anachemia Scientific, and VWR Scientific.

Financial support was received from the Canadian Society for Chemistry; the U.C.F.V. Faculty Staff Association; the U.C.F.V. Department of Student and Employee Services; and the U.C.F.V Faculty of Science, Health, and Human Services.

Lab Skills Contest 2002 - Results of 7th Annual Laboratory Skills Contest for High School Chemistry Students.

Invitations were extended to high schools in the UCFV catchment area to enter teams of four students in the 7th Annual UCFV Chemistry Laboratory Skills Contest held on Saturday, October 19 as part of National Chemistry Week. Twelve teams, representing nine different high schools, accepted the invitation. The high schools represented were Abbotsford Senior Secondary (two teams), Chilliwack Senior Secondary, Heritage Park Secondary, the Mennonite Educational Institute, Mission Secondary, W. J. Mouat Secondary (two teams), Rick Hansen Secondary, Sardis Secondary, and Yale Secondary (two teams).

Competing students each completed three experiments: the determination of the concentration of phosphoric acid in cola beverages, the synthesis of iodoform, and the qualitative analysis of six chemicals found in or around the home. The overall winner was one of the teams from Yale Secondary School - the fourth consecutive year that this school has won the trophy. The winning team consisted of Manreet Gill, Amy MacKenzie, Jeraldine Chan, and Shahona Nathwani. The runner-up was the team representing Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, composed of Alanna Stewart, Kyle Nadalin, Linh Trieu, and Charlene Dyck. The team of Jesse Jansen, Tara Rother, Ryan Chapman, and Sanjay Singh, representing W. J. Mouat Secondary School, was third.

Lunch was provided for all the participating students, and the day concluded with a Chemistry Magic Show presented by UCFV staff and students.

The event was co-ordinated by Dr. Arthur Last of the UCFV Chemistry Department with the help of technicians Aileen Ablog, Shawn Millar, and Shawna Dyck; and laboratory instructors Gordon von Hollen and Jane Webb. Assistance was also provided by UCFV students Gail Garcia, Lisa Ego, Chris Reilly, Tony Raymond, Ken Dykstra, and Candice Brady. The assistance of Lisa Gojsic of the UCFV Development Office in obtaining prizes from sponsors is gratefully acknowledged.

Prizes for participating students were donated by Abbotsford Printing, Giggle Ridge, Castle Fun Park, Milestones, Winsome White, Roger’s Video, Towne Cinema Centre, Save-on Foods, Boston Pizza, Panago Pizza, Big Brothers / Big Sisters, Dollar Superstore (Murrayville), the UCFV Bookstore, the UCFV Student Union, Fisher Scientific, and VWR Scientific. Financial support was received from the Canadian Society for Chemistry (Vancouver Section); the UCFV Faculty Staff Association; the UCFV Department of Student and Employee Services; and the UCFV Faculty of Science, Health, and Human Services.

The following are pictures of some of the participants of the fall 2002 Chemistry Laboratory Skills Contest and of the Chemistry Magic show.

Lab Skills Contest 2003 - Results of 8th Annual Laboratory Skills Contest for High School Chemistry Students

As part of National Chemistry Week, local high-school students turned out in record numbers to participate in the eighth annual chemistry lab skills contest held at the Abbotsford campus of the University College of the Fraser Valley on Saturday, October 18. With the recent opening of a third chemistry laboratory at UCFV, and the successful application for a grant from the PromoScience program administered by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the maximum number of participants was increased this year.

Eleven high schools from the UCFV catchment area responded to this increase by entering a total of seventeen four-person teams. Participating schools were Abbotsford Senior Secondary, Abbotsford Christian, Chilliwack Senior Secondary, Rick Hansen Secondary, Heritage Park Secondary, the Mennonite Educational Institute, Mission Secondary, W.J. Mouat Secondary, D.W. Poppy Secondary, Sardis Senior Secondary, and Yale Secondary.

Each team completed seven experiments consisting of two quantitative determinations and five syntheses. The quantitative experiments involved the determining the amount of calcium in a dietary supplement by two different methods, the first method making use of an ion-exchange column followed by a titration and the second method being a gravimetric determination involving the precipitation of calcium as the hydrated oxalate.

The syntheses involved the preparation of some colourful complexes of cobalt, nickel, and chromium. The overall winner was one of two teams from W.J. Mouat Secondary School consisting of Robert McDougall, Bradley Roger, Andrew Field and Ezekiel Echon. Yale Secondary School, the winner for the last four years, placed second with the team of Brian Wong, Katie Newcombe, Rika Morrow, and Rebecca Graham. The team of Emily Glenn, Kuljit Dhaliwal, Ryan Dyck, and Jared Klassen, representing the Mennonite Educational Institute, was third. Members of the first-placed team will each receive $100, while members of the second- and third-placed teams will each receive $50 and $25, respectively. All participants received complimentary snacks, lunch, and a custom-designed t-shirt. A post-contest chemistry magic show was presented by UCFV staff and students.

As in previous years, the event was co-ordinated by Dr. Arthur Last and would not have been possible without the enthusiastic support of a dedicated team of chemists and chemistry students, all of whom performed a variety of tasks in addition to those detailed below.

Chemistry Magic Show

• Aileen Ablog and Shawn Millar, with help from student volunteers.
• Set-up, clean up, organizing chemicals and apparatus, etc:
• Aileen Ablog, Shawna Dyck, Shawn Millar, Jane Webb, and Gordon von Hollen, with help from student volunteers.

Contest supervisors:

Shawna Dyck, Arthur Last, and Gordon von Hollen, with help from student volunteers.

The student volunteers, who between them contributed over 55 person-hours of their time, were:

Christine Bergen, Lindsay Boon, Nick Boon, Tristan Chappell, Lisa Ego, Carly Fredette, Jason Harvey, Miranda Kelly, Shawn McIssac, Alexandra Nagy, Lori Thiele, Eric Yang, and Zhijun Zhao.

Lab Skills Contest 2004 - Results of 9th Annual Laboratory Skills Contest for High School Chemistry Students.

Fifty-eight local high-school students participated in the ninth annual chemistry lab skills contest held at the Abbotsford campus of the University College of the Fraser Valley on Saturday, October 16. This National Chemistry Week event is sponsored by the UCFV Department of Chemistry with financial support from the PromoScience program administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Each team of four students completed two experiments: the determination of the amount of calcium in a dietary supplement by means of a complexometric titration, and the synthesis of an inorganic compound.

The overall winner for the second straight year was W. J. Mouat Secondary School, with a team consisting of Carolyn Conrad, Caitlin Conrad, Charlotte Lin, and Emily Bell-Higgins. Last year’s runner-up, Yale Secondary School, again placed second with the team of Michelle Barker, Lisa Lin, David Fowler, and Corey Goosney. The team of Kate Lee, Ellen Ryn, Jane Lee, and Jing Lin, representing Maple Ridge Secondary School, was third. Members of the first-placed team will each receive $100, while members of the second- and third-placed teams will each receive $50 and $25, respectively. All of the participants enjoyed a post-contest chemistry magic show presented by UCFV staff and students and will be receiving a custom-designed t-shirt as a souvenir of the event.

A special thanks to our UCFV Student volunteers!

Christine Bergen, Emanuelle Bellavance, Jason Harvey, Leah Quanstrom, Lindsay Boon, Lisa Ego, Nick Boon and Tristan Chappell.

UCFV Staff members:

Aileen Ablog, Leanne Edwards, Art Last, Edward Lathioor, Shawn Millar, Gordon von Hollen and Jane Webb

LAB SKILLS CONTEST 2005

PREVIOUS WINNERS IN THE COMPETITION WERE

• Sardis Secondary School (1996)
• Abbotsford Senior Secondary School (1997)
• Heritage Park Secondary School (1998)
• Yale Secondary School (1999)
• Yale Secondary School (2000)
• Yale Secondary School (2001)  
• Yale Secondary School (2002)  
• W. J. Mouat Secondary School (2003)  
• W. J. Mouat Secondary School (2004)