A high school student from Guelph, Ontario, has earned a spot at a national science fair competition by conducting an experiment inspired by her family’s interest in squirrels. Kira Egete, a 15-year-old student at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School, shared her excitement about advancing to the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton, where she will join 400 other students for a week of academic exchange.
Kira’s project, initially a Grade 10 assignment, delved into studying how squirrels perceive colors in their environment. Motivated by her family’s fondness for squirrels since moving to Canada in 2014, Kira explored the concept of dichromatic vision in squirrels, akin to dogs. Contrary to her hypothesis based on dog studies, Kira discovered that squirrels showed a preference for red and yellow colors over cooler tones like blue and green.
Setting up a controlled experiment in her backyard, Kira meticulously designed five pots of different colors, each housing a peanut to attract squirrels. Through 50 trials, she observed and documented squirrel behavior towards the colored pots, leading to unexpected findings that challenged her initial assumptions.
Kira’s project not only impressed her school community but also earned her a place in the national science fair after success at regional levels. Apart from her scientific endeavors, Kira is actively involved in charitable activities and extracurricular pursuits like robotics and track.
Looking ahead, Kira aims to explore opportunities in STEM fields, possibly in engineering or medicine, while also nurturing her interest in entrepreneurship. With a passion for science and a love for squirrels, Kira’s journey from a school project to a national competition showcases her dedication and curiosity for the natural world.