Once again School District No. 5 (SD5) is keen to recognize the achievements of one of its own. Recently, Darcy Verbeurgt, District Principal of Student Services, was one of six recipients of Youth Science Canada’s 2014 Distinguished Service Award.

Youth Science Canada is the national organization that coordinates and supports project- based science activities in schools throughout Canada and organizes the annual Canada-Wide Science Fair held each May in Windsor, Ont.

Verbeurgt has been involved in science fairs in the East Kootenay for over 21 years, judging at the district and regional levels and has been an event organizer, promoter and fundraiser. The Regional Science Fair took place locally at the College of the Rockies on April 11 for middle and secondary students and April 12 for elementary students.

According to Board Chair Frank Lento, Verbeurgt is the backbone of the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair (EKRSF). “Participation in the East Kootenay has gone from seven in 2006 to over 350 by 2012. This increase was due to Darcy’s passion for science inquiry, and that’s good for our kids.”

“I’ve always loved science,” says Verbeurgt. “As a child I studied everything from ponds and plants to birds and the weather.” Verbeurgt worked for Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Canadian Wildlife Service, and Ducks Unlimited Canada prior to joining SD5 in 1983.

“I entered education because I loved the excitement and enthusiasm of children when I was able to work with them in the area of science. My involvement in science fairs keeps that passion alive.”

For more information on Youth Science Canada, visit their website at http://www.youthscience.ca/.

SD5

Article Share