Summary of Science Fair winners head to nationals
Sohila Sidhu, a 15-year-old student, won the UWindsor Faculty of Science Award at the Windsor Regional Science Fair for creating an artificial pancreas prototype. This device uses sensors to monitor blood glucose and automatically administer insulin via a pump when levels are high, stopping when normal levels are detected. The project aims to reduce the need for manual insulin injections, inspired by her mother's experience with gestational diabetes.
Parts used in the Artificial Pancreas Prototype:
- Sensors
- Pump
- Tubing
- Wiring
- Arduino circuit board
- Smartphone interface
Science fairs are no longer the sacred domain of potato clocks and erupting volcanos.
Sohila Sidhu and the five other winners at the recent Windsor Regional Science, Technology and Engineering Fair (WRSTEF) have taken their projects light years beyond the reaction between baking soda and vinegar.
Sidhu, a 15-year-old Assumption College High School student, won the UWindsor’s Faculty of Science Award for building a prototype of an artificial pancreas to help people living with diabetes.
“It works on sensors,” she said. “When it senses high blood glucose levels it allows the pump to administer insulin and when the sensors detect normal glucose levels it stops delivering insulin.”
Sidhu used tubing, a pump, wiring and an Arduino circuit board to make her prototype accessible using a Smartphone.
She started working on her project last October and she presented it virtually to the judges of the 59th annual regional science fair last month. Sidhu will make another virtual presentation Monday at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, which is being hosted by Fredericton, NB.
Judges will review her project outline and video presentation and then she has to handle any follow-up questions.
Her inspiration hit close to home. Sidhu’s mother had gestational diabetes while pregnant with a younger sibling.
“I watched her take insulin injections and that was a very scary thing to see as a child,” said Sidhu, who plans on a career in medicine as a pediatrician one day. “I don’t want someone else to have to go through that.”
Source: Science Fair winners head to nationals
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How does the artificial pancreas work?
It uses sensors to detect high blood glucose levels and allows the pump to administer insulin, stopping delivery when normal levels are detected. -
What parts did Sohila use to build her prototype?
She used tubing, a pump, wiring, an Arduino circuit board, and made it accessible via a Smartphone. -
Where will Sohila present her project next?
She will make another virtual presentation at the Canada-Wide Science Fair hosted by Fredericton, NB. -
What award did Sohila win at the regional fair?
She won the UWindsor Faculty of Science Award. -
What inspired Sohila to create this project?
Her inspiration came from watching her mother take insulin injections due to gestational diabetes while pregnant. -
What is Sohila's future career goal?
She plans on a career in medicine as a pediatrician. -
When did Sohila start working on her project?
She started working on the project last October. -
How will judges evaluate her project at the national fair?
Judges will review her project outline and video presentation before she handles any follow-up questions.
