The Yukon College cafeteria was full of young scientists last Saturday as 76 students vied for cash prizes, scholarships and other special awards at the 2013 Yukon/Stikine Regional Science Fair.

Throughout November, more than 300 students presented science projects at schools throughout the Yukon. The winners from each school were showcased Saturday.

A group of 44 volunteer scientific and engineering judges, led by chief judges JP Pinard and Tim Topper, evaluated the projects and interviewed students to select the Yukon's top projects.

Three students and their projects were chosen to represent the Yukon at the next Canada-Wide Science Fair in Windsor, Ont. in May 2014.

College president Karen Barnes presented these Vanier Catholic Secondary School Grade 8 students with scholarships for a year's free tuition:

• Isabel Magsucang, project: "HRV Efficiency.”

• KC Mooney, project: "Do smells affect memory?” and

• Sophia Ross, project: "Handsfree Cellphones.”

The Commissioner's Award for Best of Fair awarded by Bob Cameron, on behalf of Commissioner Doug Phillips, went to Wyatt Sheardown-Waugh, Golden Horn Elementary, Grade 6, for his project "But Mom, Music Helps Me Concentrate.”

The Student Choice Award, voted on by the students, was awarded to Liam Russell and Derek Deuling, Whitehorse Elementary, Grade 6, for their project "Hover Over Here.”

Yukon MP Ryan Leef and Education Minister Elaine Taylor also presented awards.

The science fair is organized annually by a group of dedicated volunteers.

Visit www.scienceadventures.ca for complete results and information on science fairs and other science activities in the Yukon.