Science Fair marks World Intellectual Property Day

By Nefertiti Matatia 27 April 2018, 12:00AM

More than 10 schools joined the National Science Fair competition to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day yesterday.

Based on the theme “Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity”, the event was held at the National University of Samoa’s (N.U.S.) Gymnasium. 

There were three categories of the competition, category one was an essay competition for Years 9-10 students, category two was an exhibition competition for Years 9-13 and category three was the science fair which was for the senior level just Year 12 and 13.

Through the collaboration of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour together with the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (S.R.O.S.) and N.U.S, students from different colleges had a platform to showcase their research as young scientists in the making.

Present in this event was Lautafi Fio Selafi Joseph Purcell, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour.

With the theme this year, he said: “Imagine how life would have been if Grace Hopper did not invent the first computer.

“Every day women come up with game changing inventions and life enhancing creations that transform lives and advance human understanding from astrophysics technology, medicine to artificial intelligence and robotics. 

“In the field of creative sphere be it movies, animation, music, fashion designs etc. Women are reimagining culture, testing the limits of artistry and creative expressions drawing us into new worlds of experience and understanding.

“The important and inspiring contributions of countless women around the globe are powering change in our world.

Their ‘can do’ attitudes serve as an inspiration to us all. And their remarkable achievements are an invaluable legacy for young girls of today who aspire to become inventors and creators,” said Lautafi.

He explained: “So, whilst today’s theme may be a cause for celebration, it also issues a challenge to the women of today that the world still needs your contributions to science, inventions and creations. 

“How many lives would have been lost in the area of combat and law enforcement if Stephanie Kwolek did not invent the Kevlar a material that is five times stronger than steel used in bulletproof vests, or Madam Marie Curie discoverer of radiation and radioactivity which we now use in x-rays.

“Women’s innovation and creativity have fueled important changes to everyday life.

From life rafts, solar powered homes, internet, fibre optics and telecommunication in general, in laboratories the stem cell isolation process the list is endless.”

The judges were Moon Chan from S.R.O.S, Annie Toailoa from S.R.O.S, Aleluia Taise from N.U.S. and Houlton Faasau of M.C.I.L. with S.R.O.S. providing consolation prices totalled up to $1000 tala.

 

RESULTS 

Science project/invention category: 

1st Place - Vaiola College, 500 tala

2nd Place - Vaiola College, 300 tala

3rd Place - Leifiifi College, 200 tala

 

Exhibition/ Display category:

1st Place - St Mary’s College, 300 tala

2nd Place - RLSS, 200 tala

3rd Place - Vaiola College, 100 tala

 

Essay Writing category:

1st Place - RLSS, 300 tala 

2nd Place - RLSS, 200 tala 

3rd Place - Le Amosa College, 100 tala

By Nefertiti Matatia 27 April 2018, 12:00AM
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