
Canada-Wide Science Fair scholarship winner shares passion for STEAM
Last week’s Canada-Wide Science Fair was yet another reminder of how students across Canada are inspiring others with STEAM. We awarded three amazing finalists with scholarships to attend Shad 2020: Amy Gudmundson, Tamara Chisholm, and Penelope Armstrong. Amy took some time to answer questions about her project, interests and excitement for Shad!
Amy Gudmundson
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself:
A: My name is Amy Gudmundson, I’m in ninth grade at École Jours de Plaine, in Laurier Manitoba. I live 15 minutes away from my school in the town of Ste. Rose du Lac. I really love all STEAM fields, and I do science fair projects, robotics, and coding during my spare time. I also figure skate and participate in various leadership activities in my community!
Q: Have you been to the Canada-Wide Science Fair before?
A: Yes, this is my second time at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. I previously did a project on vermicomposting, which won a Junior Excellence Award (Gold Medal) last year.
Q: What is your project?
A: My project is about a flash glucose monitoring system, a new system approved by Health Canada in 2017 for people with diabetes. With my experiments, I evaluated whether a barrier between the sensor of the system and the skin could prevent allergic contact

Q: How did you come up with the idea?
A: I had the idea for my project from people with diabetes in my community. They used a flash glucose monitoring system and enjoyed the numerous benefits from this product, which has improved their diabetes management. Later, they developed a skin irritation from the sensor, which renders this product useless! I wondered whether the use of a barrier could be a cost-effective solution to this problem. After further research, I found almost no studies on this topic, so I decided to investigate further!
Q: What is the real-world issue it helps solve?
A: Diabetes is a worldwide disease, and there are new diabetes products being introduced, that have many benefits for the users. My project investigates one of the biggest disadvantages of this
Q: How will you bring this momentum to Shad?
A: I think I can bring the momentum of CWSF to Shad with my enthusiasm, energy and my positive attitude! I also think I can really contribute to the Shad community with my perseverance and determination when faced with a challenge.
Q: What will you do between now and Shad 2020?
A: Between now and Shad 2020, I will be continuing figure skating and working to become a CanSkate coach (a national learn to skate program). I will also pursue re-election to the position of president of my school’s student council. I would like to continue to contribute to my divisionary leadership program, Jeunes Manitobains des Communautés Associées (JMCA). I am also taking a coding class next year, the first ever coding and robotics class offered at my school! I also plan to continue doing music lessons, playing the trumpet, piano and the bass guitar.
Q: What does your ideal future look like?
A: My ideal future would be continuing to learn in STEAM throughout my life and becoming a female role model in those areas! I am also very passionate about our environment, and I am concerned about our climate. I want to contribute towards solutions to solve this ongoing issue, making a positive change in our world.