The Department of Chemical Engineering at Queen's University was proudly represented at the Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Science Fair, held at Duncan McArthur Hall in the Faculty of Education on March 26–27. The event welcomed students in Grades 5 through 12 from public, separate, private, and home schools across Kingston, Frontenac County, and Lennox & Addington County.
Graduate student representative Dante Flores attended on
behalf of the department, engaging with participants and learning about the wide range of projects driven by student curiosity and innovation.
I had a lot of fun engaging with the students and discussing the topics they chose to explore,” said Flores. “Events like this play a vital role in fostering curious minds.”
As part of the department’s contribution, Flores presented the Chemical and Bio-Technologies for Sustainability Award ($100), which recognizes projects focused on environmental impact and sustainable innovation. This year’s award was given to a Grade 9 student who collaborated with Go Zero Recycle to implement an inhaler recycling program at his school.
The student’s project explored the full lifecycle of asthma inhalers—from production to disposal—and examined their environmental footprint. Using data collected at his school, he demonstrated the potential impact of expanding the program across the Limestone District School Board.
“His research and initiative were truly inspiring,” Flores noted. “I hope our award continues to empower young students to pursue ventures that address our climate crisis.”
The Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Science Fair continues to provide a platform for young scientists to explore real-world challenges and develop solutions that could shape a more sustainable future.