Provided by the Upper Canada District School Board
CORNWALL, ONTARIO – Afaq Virk, a Grade 12 student at Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (CCVS) and a current student trustee for the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB), is gaining international attention with his science fair project on assistive technology.
Virk caused a stir at the Canada-wide Science Fair (CWSF) in Edmonton last spring. His project aims to advance the field of assistive technology by developing a device that uses the principles of echolocation and acoustics to help visually impaired individuals navigate their environment. This innovation promises to address challenges and significantly improve the quality of life for people with visual impairments.
Virk’s amazing work has earned him several prestigious awards at CWSF, including a qualifying ticket to the International Movement for Leisure Activities in Science and Technology (MILSET) International Science Fair in Puebla, Mexico, where he was one of 22 students selected to represent Canada. .
This international event, held from October 21 to 27, brought together young minds from around the world to collaborate and showcase their knowledge in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Virk, who presented the same project as the CWSF, and his Canadian representatives received the Best Delegation award.
Virk’s ability to speak 10 different languages made his experience at the event even more wonderful, as he was able to exercise his linguistic talents and contribute to international cooperation.
“MILSET Expo-Sciences International was a great learning experience for me,” says Virk. “I would like to thank Mr. Marshall and Ms. McDonnell for all their support and encouragement during this wonderful opportunity.”
“Afaq is the first student I have ever traveled to MILSET in my 15 years as science fair chair,” says Jason Marshall, St Lawrence Secondary School (SLSS) teacher and science fair committee chair at Stormont, Dundas. And Glengarry. “He is a resourceful young man who sought out this journey on his own.” Marshall completed a letter of recommendation for Virk and shares his great pride in Virk representing Canada and the UCDSB.
“His accomplishments serve as an example of what dedicated students can accomplish when given the opportunity to shine,” Marshall adds. “His passion for innovation and dedication to creating solutions that improve lives is inspiring.”
Virk hopes to expand on this project in the future at other science-related events.
