Canada’s brightest young scientists will be in Regina May 14-20 for the 56th edition of the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
The event will feature 500 students and their 400 projects that have earned top marks at regional science fairs across the country. The event is expected to attract about 6,000 visitors to the Regina area, making this Canada’s largest youth science competition. Visitors will include 500 volunteers, 350 judges, 200 chaperones and the public.
Dylan Peil of Nelson, B.C., won a bronze medal at last year’s Canada-Wide Science Fair for his “Active Solar Tracker,” through which he tracked the sun by using a parabolic dish to harness rays to generate electricity or heat.
The national science fair, taking place on the campus of the University of Regina, recognizes students from Grades 7 to 12 that have identified solutions to a local, regional or global concern through their science project. Past projects have addressed issues from climate change and food security to declining natural resources and environmental degradation. Students are competing for nearly $1 million in cash awards and scholarships and are assessed by volunteer judges, including professional scientists, researchers and engineers.
“It’s a thrill to host this showcase of finalists from our regional fairs across the country,” says Jim Jo, Vice-President at Saskatchewan Association of Science Fairs. “Everyone involved is committed to supporting youth as they develop solutions that will help humanity in the years and generations to come. Each year, the Canada-Wide Science Fair brings thousands of people together and we’re simply delighted to welcome them to Regina, and celebrate the achievements of the finalists.”
“It takes 10 to 15 years to ‘grow’ a scientist or engineer”
The Saskatchewan Association of Science Fairs, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging youth in Saskatchewan to develop scientific literacy and participate in science fairs, is the local host organization in Regina. The group has worked with Youth Science Canada for two years to organize this year’s event.
“It takes 10 to 15 years to ‘grow’ a scientist or engineer,” says Reni Barlow, Managing Director at Youth Science Canada, of which the fair is its flagship program. “We are proud to help sow the seeds as we help youth pursue satisfying careers that will enhance Canada’s ability to fulfil its potential in science, technology and innovation.”
Alongside the competition, the fair will feature STEAM 2017, a festival of learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. This three-day gathering will provide students from across Saskatchewan the opportunity to experience innovation through interactive displays from industry leaders as they begin the process of determining their future careers. 
The event serves as the Regina stop for Innovation150, an interactive nationwide tour by five leading science organizations that celebrates Canada’s innovative past and sparks the ideas and ingenuity that will propel our future. It’s also part of Innovation Festival: Saskatchewan, a three-month celebration of innovation across the province organized by Innovation150 partners and the Saskatchewan Science Centre.
The Canada-Wide Science Fair is a flagship Science Odyssey event. Powered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Science Odyssey is Canada’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, bringing together youth, outreach organizations and the public for 10 days of discovery and innovation. To participate in 2017 Science Odyssey, May 12 to 21, please visit odsci.ca. For more information, follow Science Odyssey on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information, please visit cwsf.youthscience.ca/welcome-cwsf. Stay up to date on all fair news by following the Canada-Wide Science Fair on Facebook and Twitter.
About Youth Science Canada
Since 1962, Youth Science Canada has been Canada’s leading organization for the promotion of innovation and celebration of excellence in science, engineering and technology among our
nation’s youth. A national, registered charitable organization, Youth Science Canada provides or partners in programs to increase awareness and involvement of youth in science, engineering and technology to engage, mentor and recognize Canada’s young scientists. The not-for-profit also engages leading public and private sector organizations in the development of a national science, engineering and technology network of Canadian youth. For more information, please visit www.youthscience.ca.
