Prince Edward Island will welcome the country’s top young scientific minds to the 2012 Canada Wide Science Fair, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Alan McIsaac.

“We are proud to welcome the largest science fair in the country to our province and I would like to wish all students and participants the very best of luck,” said Minister McIsaac. “Our government would also like to congratulate the six Island students representing Prince Edward Island. This will be an exciting learning opportunity as students compete on the national stage.”

The Canada Wide Science Fair will be hosted at the University of Prince Edward Island, May 12 to 19. This year marks the first time in its 50-year history that this prestigious event will be hosted in Prince Edward Island. As the largest science fair in the country, the Canada Wide Science Fair will feature more than 500 young scientists in grades 7 to 12 selected from more than 100 regional fairs across Canada. Students will compete for medals, cash prizes and scholarships valued at almost $1 million.

Prince Edward Island will be represented by six outstanding students selected from the Provincial Science Fair held at UPEI on April 3.

• Hayley Whelan and Simon Trivett (Charlottetown Rural High School)

• Pieter VanLeeuwen (François-Buote)

• Alex Cairns (François-Buote)

• Shobhitha Balasubramaniam (Summerside Intermediate School)

• Andree Roy Garand (Summerside Intermediate School)

“The Canada Wide Science Fair will attract a great deal of attention to our province and to the University of Prince Edward Island,” said Innovation and Advanced learning Minister Allen Roach. “The Government of Prince Edward Island would like to recognize the efforts of the organizing committee, led by co-chairs Bill Whelan and Andrew Trivett. Thank you to all committee members for ensuring this event is a success.”

Participants of the Canada Wide Science Fair will tour the UPEI campus during their stay. They will also visit a number of Island landmarks such as Province House, Green Gables Heritage Place, Cavendish beach, Gateway Village, the Confederation Bridge as well as the Cows Factory.

The public is invited to view all Canada Wide Science Fair displays at the Exhibit Hall at the CARI complex on the UPEI campus on Monday, May 14 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, May 17, from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; and Friday, May 18, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Award winners will be announced on Thursday afternoon.

For more information, please visit the website at cwsf.youthscience.ca/