TRURO, NS — (May 22, 2007) Steven Johnson's science fair project-a protective neck brace for rodeo riders-has earned him a Manning Innovation Achievement Award. Johnson, a Grade 12 student from Manning, Alberta, won the $500 prize at the 2007 Canada-Wide Science Fair.

The award-winning neck brace is made from sheet aluminum, high density foam, cotton, Velcro®, clips and elastic material. Johnson created the brace to protect rodeo riders from head and neck injuries, including jabs from blunt or sharp objects. An avid bull rider, himself, Johnson says that in preparation for the fair, he "got on a few bulls and tried it out." The innovative brace could be used in a variety of extreme sports.

Johnson was among the approximately 25,000 young Canadians in Grades 7 though 12 who earlier this year competed in regional science fairs across the country. Of these students, 459 Finalists gathered at the 2007 Canada-Wide Science Fair, held in the Colchester County of Nova Scotia from May 12-20^th. The annual fair is the showcase event of Youth Science Foundation Canada.

The Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation introduced the Young Canadian Program in 1992 to recognize innovative Canada-Wide Science Fair projects. Each year a judging team selects eight winning projects for the $500 Manning Innovation Achievement Awards, which are presented at the science fair awards ceremony.

Contact:
Bruce Fenwick
Executive Director, Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation
Phone: 403-645-8277
Email: bruce.fenwick@encana.com

Lori Murray
Youth Science Foundation Canada
Phone: (Toll free) 866-341-0040 ext. 3
Email: communications@ysf-fsj.ca