On Friday, February 24, 2012, students in grade 8 at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer, participated in their annual science fair. This year, the science fair took on a whole new look, and became an inventor’s fair. During the morning, all grade 8 students displayed their inventions in order for the entire school community to view and celebrate their achievements. The inventions were evaluated by members of the community, and ten
inventions were selected to present their inventions to the panel of Dragon’s in the afternoon. The dragons consisted of, Mr. Mathieu, principal of St. Anne School, Ms. Ubriaco, curriculum coordinator at SCDSB, Ms. Langlois, physics teacher at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School (BAC), and Jessica Vaillancourt, grade 12 student at BAC. “It was a very refreshing and innovative way to approach science fair. It was very obvious that the students were totally engaged in their work and were very proud to share it with others. It was a great experience for both the students and
myself as a judge. Definitely a venue worth exploring further for all of our students,” said Connie Ubriaco. Students worked diligently over the past 6 weeks, planning, constructing, interviewing, testing, and marketing their new inventions. Their innovations demonstrated the development and evaluation of innovative devices, models, techniques or approaches in technology, engineering or computers (hardware and software). With the help of their teachers, Jody O’Daiskey and Julie Caissie, students integrated several technologies, inventions or designs and constructed innovative technological systems that could have human and/or commercial benefits.
St. Anne Angels created highly original products that demonstrated resourcefulness, and creativity in design. Some of the top products were the “EZ Carry”, created by Caleb Beland, which aids in the carrying of numerous bags, as well as the “Skaterz Friend”, created by Chris Rowsell, which helps teach children how to skate. “I personally had a great time with the Dragon’s Den. I especially think that the creativity of everyone made
this Science Fair the best of all,” said Caleb Beland, inventor of the EZ Carry. “The science fair at St. Anne’s was one of the best I have seen,” said Jody O’Daiksey, grade 8 teacher at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School. “Students demonstrated engagement from the minute the Dragon’s Den concept was introduced. Their ideas and final products were better than we could have ever expected.” “It was exciting to see student’s applying all of the research skills we have been developing together all year,” said Julie Caissie. “These Dragon’s Den projects were an amazing opportunity for students to really showcase their abilities.” The Sudbury Catholic District School Board held a board wide science fair on Thursday, March 1st, and four projects from St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer were among the projects featured.

Recently, intermediate students from St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer, participated in a”Tech Day” at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School. The St. Anne Angel’s are invited annually to participate in this high school experience as a way of making the transition to high school that much easier. Throughout the day, students were exposed to various programs such as Welding, Wood Working, High Skills major program in computer technologies and AutoCad. The students at St.Anne Catholic School embraced the day, actively participating and asking questions about the programs, routines, and student life. The staff and students at BAC were more than happy to address all of their questions and concerns. The day proved to be an exciting one for all involved!

Transitioning into high school can sometimes be a difficult process for young teens, but St. Anne Catholic School and Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School make that transition easier on their students. On Thursday, January 12th, 2012, grade 8 students from St. Anne School in Hanmer, visited Bishop Alexander Secondary School (BAC) to continue with their transition from elementary school into high school. This day was an exciting one for all students as they participated in different workshops featuring the arts and sciences that BAC has to offer. Students had the opportunity to explore the music program and listen to the BAC Band, drama and compete with the BAC Improv Team, and make button pins in the visual arts classroom. They were also fascinated with the various stations in the biology lab, and the explosive experiments in the chemistry lab during their visit. St.Anne Angels are always enthusiastic to visit BAC because it is always a fascinating and welcoming environment.