A high school student from Guelph, Ontario, has earned a spot at a national science fair after 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 the unexpected journey her project has taken. It all began as a Grade 10 assignment but has now led her to the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton, where she will join 400 other students for a week-long event filled with opportunities to win scholarships and connect with peers who share her passion.
Kira’s project focused on studying squirrel behavior in response to different colors, stemming from her family’s love for the animals since moving to Canada from Serbia. Curious about how squirrels perceive the world, she hypothesized that they might be more attracted to blue and yellow hues, similar to dogs with dichromatic vision.
Setting up a controlled experiment in her backyard, Kira observed squirrel interactions with pots of varying colors, recording their responses with a GoPro camera over multiple one-hour sessions. Surprisingly, the results showed that squirrels favored red and yellow colors over blue and green, challenging Kira’s initial assumptions.
Reflecting on the implications of her findings, Kira suggested practical applications such as using red and yellow objects to engage wildlife or deter squirrels from certain areas. Her project, which underwent rigorous testing and analysis, impressed her school’s science fair judges, leading to her advancement to regional and national competitions.
Apart from her scientific pursuits, Kira is known for her charitable work and participation in school activities like robotics and track. While she is considering a future in STEM fields like engineering or medicine, her current focus is on representing her school and community at the upcoming science fair in Edmonton.
As she prepares for the national stage, Kira remains captivated by the adorable nature of squirrels and the journey that began with her family’s fascination with these creatures.
