The number of boys competing in the Canada Wide Science Fair is dropping.
Bluewater Region Science and Technology Fair Chair John Twelves calls this very concerning.
He says over the last few years the number of boys competing has dropped by 20 per cent.
The boys to girls ratio used to be 65 to 35 but now the girls have surpassed the boys with a 55 to 45 girl to boy ratio.
And while Twelves is pleased the female students are excelling, he doesn’t want the boys to fall behind.
He wonders if there is any merit in the argument that male and female students should be separated when taught subjects such as math and science.
At the local level the Bruce Grey region hasn’t sent a male student to the Canada Wide Science Fair in over two years.
Bruce Grey Catholic Superintendent of Education Catherine Montreuil isn’t overly concerned by the numbers.
She believes the new trend is a reflection of the recent and intensive energy that has been spent helping girls in the math and sciences.
Montreuil expects the numbers to even out as the school board now places a heavier focus helping boys articulate their thoughts better which will help them when explaining their science projects at the local level.
Whatever the case the Grey Bruce region continues to excel in science.
Twelves says based on a percentage bases in the last two years Grey Bruce has been the top regional science fair out of the 102 that competed at the Canada Wide Competition.
This region is also in the top five for medals awarded.