Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF)

Descriptions:

Science Fair is a project-based competition that focuses on the scientific method. The goal is for students to act as scientists, involving asking a testable question, formulating a hypothesis, designing and conducting an experiment, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing a conclusion.

Overall rating: smt Credibility rating: smt

    1. Discovery: projects in this category use scientific methods (experiments or analysis) to investigate a hypothesis and expand our understanding.

    2. Innovation: projects in this category center around developing new technologies, products, or methods to solve real-world problems in a practical way, often involving some level of engineering.

    • Students will choose one of the project types above and work towards a project board that mimics a scientific paper but with a focus on visuals. A successful project board typically include the following elements:

      1. Abstract that provide a summary and guidance

      2. The problem this project aim to solve

      3. The design process and experiments

      4. Results clearly represented in graphs and figures

      5. Meaning of the conclusions 

    • Students will also present their project to a judge, followed by a Q&A period. 

Please note that the Canada-Wide Science Fair is a national event, you would need to earn your spot at the regional science fair

Competition Details:

Official website: click here

  • Grand Awards, representing the top achievements at CWSF, recognizing projects that demonstrate exceptional innovation, scientific rigour and potential to create meaningful change to the world, these awards include:

    • Best Project Awards

    • Platinum Awards

    • Youth Can Innovate Awards

    • Excellence Awards recognize outstanding STEM achievements, which include:

      1. 10 gold medals in each grade category

      2. 20 silver medals in each grade category

      3. 30 Bronze in each grade category

    • Challenge Awards, recognizing outstanding students that target one of the following categories:

      1. Aerospace

      2. Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

      3. Curiosity and Ingenuity

      4. Digital Technology

      5. Disease and Illness

      6. Energy

      7. Environmental and Climate Change

      8. Health and Wellness

      9. Natural Resources

  • Additional Awards including Special Awards that recognise outstanding achievement in specific scientific fields sponsored by various organizations and scholarships given by universities to some medalists for post-secondary education support. 

Award Categories:

International Opportunities:

Top CWSF projects may be selected to represent Canada at prestigious international competitions, including: Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF, in short, especially well-known, credible, and beneficial for US university applications), European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), and Taiwan International Science Fair.

The top 20 students are invited to compete for one of the eight spots on the Team Canada for the next ISEF, with the final selection often happening the following year.

Timeline

  • September - January: Prepare and attend regional science fair

  • Around May 23rd to May 30th: CWSF

Grade Categories:

  1. Junior - Grade 7 & 8

  2. Intermediate - Grade 9 & 10

  3. Senior - Grade 11 & 12