Canada at IISEF 2014: Day 5: Wednesday May 14, 2014 ... Judging Day and Universal Studios

It was 24’C when we woke up for 6 am breakfast at the hotel … felt like Judgement Day instead of
Judging Day. We learned later that LA hit a record 99’F … HOT, HOT, HOT. The students were all cleaned up and dressed up for a 7:30 am departure for the Convention Centre. Cathy had already been up at 6 am to take Arjuna for his last IB exam.

Prior to the team leaving for judging, Cathy gathered the group together and she read off the numerous inspirational advice and well wishes from previous Team Canada IISEF alumni and chaperones ... what a tight knit group this collection of students have become!

Because the Convention Centre had given notice that no food was to be allowed into the Hall for lunch,

the chaperones coordinated a group pre-order of Subway sandwiches that was picked up and taken to the students when they were given a lunch break at 11:45 am. Gus and Ming had the task of caravaning 18 Subway sandwiches and drinks over 6 city blocks in extreme heat to the students … not a fun adventure. Lunch was served on a concrete walkway by the adjacent Staples Centre; fortunately, an island of shade was found to keep the students somewhat cool.

Judging was completed by 5 pm and somehow we all crawled back to the hotel where I am sure everyone peeled off their drenched clothes in quick fashion. By 7 pm, everyone was out the door and bused to Universal Studios for a fun-filled night of food, ride and games. The theme park was opened only for IISEF for the evening. Not sure where the kids found their energy after Judging but the earliest return of a student was close to midnight when the Universal Studio Event ended.