Hannah Martin, a Grade 7 student at North Colchester High School in Tatamagouche and daughter of Anne and Paul Martin of Brule, has recently returned from The 2010 Canada Wide Science fair in Peterborough, Ont., where she won a bronze medal in the Health Sciences Division.
Martin was selected to be on Team Nova Scotia back in April after her invention (a snare drum counter balance appliance) won fourth overall place at the Chignecto-East Regional science fair in New Glasgow along with $200 in prize money and a plaque from The Engineers of Nova Scotia. Her fourth place finish automatically qualified her to attend the National Fair in Ontario May 15–23, where she was judged along with 500 other young science minds from across Canada.
In addition to her bronze medal, Martin also received $300 in prize money as well as a $1,000 entrance scholarship to the University of Western Ontario should she decide to attend that school in the future. During her nine-day stay, Martin attended several local cultural events, met many new people, attended dinners and took part in various educational workshops.
Hannah describes in her own words what the experience has meant to her:
“From the class’s science fair, to regionals, then the National Fair in Ontario has certainly been an unforgettable experience. In only eight days, I have learned so much. I went on educational tours like ‘Experimenting with the super-cold’ and fun tours like ‘The Toronto Experience’ where I spent the day at a science museum and the Royal Ontario Museum. I have also shared tons of good times and laughs with my new friends from across Canada. I have even made friends from other places across the world like Australia. There were students from Taiwan and Mexico there although I did not get to meet them. I traded pins with students from other provinces, went out to eat and shopping with Team Nova Scotia and also went to a ‘much dance’. I have to say I was truly pleased in the end, especially though, at the awards ceremony where all my hard work paid off. The only disappointing part of my trip was having to say goodbye to all my friends when it was over. I would like to give a huge thank-you to these people: Anne MacDonald Martin (mom); Paul Martin (dad), Sherry McMillan (teacher) and Cathy Martin (aunt and film-maker). Without these people, none of this would be possible for me.”
Her parents are very proud of her hard work and determination. They are especially proud that she has made a great role model for all young women in the Tatamagouche area where she lives and attends school – and also for all young women of the Millbrook First Nations in Truro where she is a member.