The school hosted the South Fraser Regional Science Fair, which doubled as a chance for elementary and high school students to tour the campus and learn a little about the post-secondary institution. Over the course of the two-day event, students showcased their projects to judges, fellow students, family, community members and Kwantlen students.

The displays were classified as either an experiment, innovation or study. Projects studied mold growth, the human brain and wind energy, and included projects like one titled “Effects of Okra Mucilage on Non-Pathogenic Escherichia Coli Growth.”

Up to eight students from the fair will be awarded the opportunity to fly to Toronto to compete in the Canada-wide science fair, all expenses paid. The national competition runs from May 14-21, and the regional participants will be announced on Tuesday.

The winning students will have scored the highest marks after judges graded them on their oral presentations, the construction of their displays and the logic of their projects, among other things.

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

(Photo by Hayley Woodin)

Just like last year, the men’s team couldn’t wait for a dreadful season to end, while the women’s team was set to play in the provincial championships, which are being co-hosted between Kwantlen, Capilano and Langara.

Going into the match, the women hadn’t lost in three games, and were hoping to extend that run.

They were also sitting in second place; four points behind UBCO.

On the other hand, the men’s team was struggling before the match, only picking up one point so far this season.

They had only scored seven goals in nine matches going into this encounter with Capilano, including a streak where the team went over 450 minutes without scoring.

Nicole Gibbons gives the Eagles the lead after 10 minutes into the match against the Blues. (Photo by Kyle Benning)

The ball trickles into the goal after the Blues keeper Samantha Duncan's lapse of concentration causes her team to go down by two after 20 minutes. (Photo by Kyle Benning)

The second goal was scored by Marissa Dionne (left), who celebrates with her teammate. (Photo by Kyle Benning)

Shanay Sangha (left) wraps up the scoring just before the break after lobbing her header over the goalkeeper to hand the Eagles a 3-0 win. (Photo by Kyle Benning)

Despite his best efforts, goalkeeper Tom Johnston can't contain the pressure as Capilano take the lead inside 11 minutes. (Photo by Kyle Benning)

Connor Sheepwash (red) breaks free from his defender, but can't direct his chipped attempt on target. (Photo by Kyle Benning)

The Blues goalkeeper Skyler Causey (right) is able to keep a clean sheet for his team as Capilano would add a late goal through Thomas Mallette to beat the Eagles 2-0. (Photo by Kyle Benning)

RELATED: Welcome Week not so welcoming?

The name of the university is also the name of the Kwantlen First Nation, which was the largest first nation in the Fraser Valley in the mid-19th century, according to the Kwantlen First Nation website.

In the Halq’emeylem language, spoken by the Sto:lo people, the larger band council that it belongs to, Kwantlen means Tireless Runner. That’s also the title of a scholarship given to Kwantlen First Nations students who display financial need, but also contribute to their local First Nations communities.

On Friday, Nov. 13, Kwantlen’s First Nations co-ordinators office hosted a silent auction and dinner benefit to raise scholarship funds for the  award and celebrate First Nations culture. Reporter Justin Langille was there to talk to event organizers and watch attendees bid for a variety of literature, crafts and fine art donated by supporters.

“We’re very pleased with how it turned out. I was overwhelmed with the silent auction,” said Barb Gorman, administrative assistant for educational transitions and aboriginal initiatives. Almost 100 people gathered for the event and nearly $ 5,000 was raised from bidding wars for carved masks, prints, paintings and weavings, according to Gorman.

Approximately 150 students identify themselves as aboriginal at Kwantlen, but about 360 students are enrolled at all Kwantlen campuses, according to Marylin Waithman, director of educational transitions and aboriginal initiatives at Kwantlen. “Our goal is to significantly increase the number of aboriginal students who attend school here,” Waithman said.

A bidder contemplates competing for a drum with a painted eagle design, donated by Emily Carr University.

Along with the auction, patrons were treated to traditional dancing and a gourmet meal of aboriginal foods. The event was the first fundraiser for the Tireless Runner award since 2006. Every year, the award provides three $750 scholarships to aboriginal students who are in financial need and are active in First Nations communities.

“Our people stand so proud, just for the mere fact that we have survived for so long,” Lekeyton Antone, a member of the Kwantlen First Nation, told the crowd before a dinner of smoked salmon began.“ We’re also trying to make sure that our next generations coming have a better way than we did. It’s all about people working together and it’s all about who we are and what our beliefs are.”

Bryan Barker, Jeremy Johnson and Mike Kloeble each drank a two-litre carton of skim milk, competing for two tickets to the Potter’s House of Horrors in Surrey.

A small crowd of students cheered them on outside the cafeteria as the contest took place during the lunch hour..

While drinking milk as fast as they could, Mike Kloeble, Jeremy Johnson and Bryan Barker wore garbage bags to keep from spilling on themselves. (Jacob Zinn photo)

It was bottoms up for Kloeble as he tilted the carton back and chugged to keep up with the contestants next to him. (Jacob Zinn photo)

Johnson had some trouble stomaching the milk. He later dropped out of the competition. (Jacob Zinn photo)

For finishing his carton first, Barker received two tickets to the Potter’s House of Horrors. (Jacob Zinn photo)

Kloeble, who placed second, won a four-litre jug of chocolate milk. All three received KSA water bottles. (Jacob Zinn photo)

This is the third year that the department has partnered with the Home Team. See the full story in Abby Wiseman’s article, which follows the photos.

Jared White puts down a piece of sod in the backyard. Sod is a strip of grass and soil used to quickly create lawns. (Mitch Thompson photo)

Emily Balzer and Sam Keefer carry in a piece of the new swing set. (Mitch Thompson photo)

Keefer secures the ladder that will lead up to a new wooden playhouse for the children. The house was donated to the family by the Vancouver Golf Club. (Mitch Thompson photo)

With barely half an hour to go before the reveal, Alyssa Chuback and Kasia Kilner quickly plant one of two new trees for the backyard. (Mitch Thompson photo)

Adam Graham lends a hand to the carpenter by hammering the final section of fence into place. (Mitch Thompson photo)

The littlest Yule takes her first ride on her new swing set. The entire family was stunned by the work of the Kwantlen Horticulture students. (Mitch Thompson photo)

By Abby Wiseman

Kwantlen horticulture students got the opportunity to get out of the classroom and put their lessons to practical use last weekend.

While Cornerstone Community Church members were renovating the home of the Yule family in Coquitlam, Kwantlen’s students designed and landscaped the backyard.

This is the third year Kwantlen students have worked with the church and the second time student Alyssa Chuback has been part of the church’s Home Team project.

“Giving back to someone who has given a lot is very rewarding, and it makes you feel good about yourself,” Chuback said.

Stan Kazymerchyk, turfgrass management instructor, feels the project is good for the students, who not only get to put their knowledge to practical use, but also get a rewarding experience, saying the students learn how “to help people, how to be people.”

The 13 students worked for two days to create a yard for the Yule family. Sunday the renovated house and yard was revealed to the family.

Homeowner Brian Yule was overwhelmed by the changes, saying that he was lost for words.

“Thank you all so much. Beautiful people, beautiful people,” Yule said.

Kazymerchyk hopes to continue getting his students involved in The Home Project for years to come.

“It would be tough to turn down,” Kazymerchyk said.

Each year, the church chooses a family in need and carries out a complete home renovation.