Port McNeill’s Trevor Harder’s dream of making the world a better place with alternative power sources may be coming true.
The North Island Secondary School Grade 11 student was one of 68 students chosen to represent B.C. and the Yukon at the Canada-wide Science Fair and International Fair last May, and at the Innovation Exploration program in Victoria last week where he was nominated for a MISTIC (Mid-Island Science Technology & Innovation Council ) award.
MISTIC recently added a new award category for students in grades 10, 11, and 12 who have elevated a product or service that could benefit the region, said MISTIC representative Paris Bodet.
Harder enjoys the sciences and the outdoors, and his interests focus on building a greener future.
So it seems natural his entry at the science fair was an experiment in electrolysis — the chemical process, not cosmetic hair removal.
Harder’s work focused on the separation of water into its constituent elements of oxygen and hydrogen, the latter being an alternative energy source and potentially very plentiful since it’s is the most common element in the universe.
He relished the chance to show off his work at the science fair.
“It was big coming from a small town,” he said.
“It was really cool to meet people from across Canada.”
The recent Victoria tour of various scientific institutions showcased the vision and enthusiasm the BC Innovation Council wants to encourage, said BCIC spokesperson Lin Kishore. “It is a two-day program that encourages science students to consider many different career opportunities,” she said.
“We help develop entrepreneurs’ technology and commericalize them.”
There are many different possibilities for fun and rewarding careers in numerous fields, including research, forestry, mining, product design and media, among others, she said.
Thanks to the BCIC and MISTIC, Trevor and other aspiring students now have an understanding of the many options they have available to them.
The MISTIC award finals will be held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo on Nov. 2. We wish Trevor the best of luck.