Two Prince Edward Island high school students have been selected to represent Canada at the International Science School for High School Students taking place in Tokyo, Japan this summer. Ellen Clarke, a Grade 11 student from Kensington Intermediate Senior High School, Kensington, PEI, and Graeme Francis, a Grade 11 student from Bluefield High School, North Wiltshire, PEI, will attend the summer institute in Tokyo, July 22 to August 2.
"We are proud that two PEI students will represent Canada at the International Science School," says Minister of Education, Chester Gillan. "It is an excellent learning opportunity for Ellen Clarke and Graeme Francis to study science with students from around the globe. I am confident they will be excellent ambassadors for PEI and Canada."
The primary purpose of the program is to invite high school students from the Asia-Pacific region to Japan to take part, along with Japanese youth, in lectures and experiences at research laboratories and institutions on the latest topics in physics and biology. Ms. Clarke and Mr. Francis will join students from Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, China, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Singapore and the United States.
Ellen Clarke will be participating in the Biological Science Program and she is counting down the days until she leaves for Japan. "I have a lot of scientific questions that I would like answered," says Ms. Clarke. "This trip is going to be a real cultural experience for me."
Graeme Francis will be participating in the Synchrotron Radiation Science Program. He loves to travel and expects the trip to Japan will be an experience of a lifetime, where he'll meet many interesting people. "I imagine we will see a lot of high-tech gadgets, which is great because we don't get much exposure to that," says Mr. Francis.
Classes at the International Science School for High School Students will be given in English. The programs will help students to understand the latest research in Japan and will promote a mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and other Asia-Pacific countries.
The International Science School for High School Students is sponsored by the Association of International Education, Japan, (under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture), the High-Energy Accelerator Research Organization and the University of Tokyo.