Started in 1962, the Canadian-Wide Science Fair (abbreviated as CWSF) is an annual science fair in Canada coordinated by Youth Science Canada. Finalists qualify from approximately 25,000 competitors at over 100 Youth Science Canada-affiliated regional science fairs in every province and territory, or, in the province of Quebec, the provincial science fair.

Competition is split into three age/grade categories: Junior for grades 7 and 8, Intermediate for grades 9 and 10, and Senior for grades 11, 12 and Cégep.

The Canada-Wide Science Fair is a weeklong event. Students travel with their respective regional representatives to the designated location (listed below). The Canada-Wide Science Fair has been held every year since 1962. The Canada-Wide Science Fair was presented by Blackberry from 2012 through 2014.

History

The First Canada-Wide Science Fair was held May 11 and 12, 1962 at the Science Building at Carleton University in Ottawa. In 1962, the fair was co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa Incorporated. The initial Headquarters for the Canadian Science Fairs Council was 45 Rideau Street, Ottawa. The two-day science fair was made up of 45 exhibits of regional winners from secondary school fairs across the country.The Ottawa Journal (Ottawa, Ontario) May 12, 1962 Page 3 science fair

The 2020 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton, Alberta was cancelled due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic: the cancellation was the first time that Youth Science Canada had ever cancelled the fair.YSC Cancels Canada-Wide Science Fair 2020 Next year saw its return on a virtual basis.

Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) Several competitors and winners from the Canada-Wide Science Fair have been selected for competition at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair as part of Team Canada, among them inventors Ann Makosinski and Alex Deans. Past Canada-Wide Science Fair winners Raymond Wang and Austin Wang both from Vancouver, BC, won the Gordon E. Moore award at Intel ISEF in 2015 and 2016, respectively. In 2025 Evan Budz from Burlington, Ontario, won the Gordon E. Moore award at Regeneron Isef

Awards Almost $1 million in awards and scholarships is given out each year at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Bronze, silver, and gold medals are awarded to outstanding projects in each age/grade category (see above). Challenge awards are presented for the best project in each of seven STEM challenges (discovery, energy, environment, health, information, innovation and resources) for each age/grade category. Sponsored special awards are also offered. Three Grand Awards recognize the top project from the gold medal winners in each age/grade category: The Best Project Award (including $2,500 cash) is presented to the top overall project, regardless of category. The top projects from the two remaining categories receive Platinum Awards, which include $1,000 cash. Two or three of the platinum award winners compete at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists. Canadian students have won EUCYS core prizes (first, second, and third prizes) for the past five consecutive years. Notable winners include Liam Desre, Gurnoor Kaur, Sara Waqas, and Evan Budz.

Host Cities

Below is a list of host cities of the Canada Wide Science Fair.Information verified directly from Youth Science Canada

Year City Province Regions Projects Finalists2026 Edmonton AB 95 341 3882025 Fredericton NB 96 336 3852024 Ottawa ON 98 340 3812023 Edmonton AB 102 3383892022 Fredericton NB 93 3243712021 Ottawa ON 99 3353702020 Edmonton AB N/A N/A N/A 2019 Fredericton NB 103 409 4612018 Ottawa ON 103 403 4582017 Regina SK 101 390 4432016 Montréal QC 104 420 4852015 Fredericton NB 101 402 4692014 Windsor ON 100 381 4622013 Lethbridge AB 100 400 481 2012 Charlottetown PE 103 402 489 2011 Toronto ON 99 425 509 2010 Peterborough ON 102 407 494 2009 Winnipeg MB 102 387 474 2008 Ottawa ON 102 386 478 2007 Truro NS 98 369 459 2006 Saguenay QC 99 369 455 2005 Vancouver BC 98 384 479 2004 St. John's NL 96 375 483 2003 Calgary AB 90 362 465 2002 Saskatoon SK 89 336 447 2001 Kingston ON 91 345 431 2000 London ON 95 341 437 1999 Edmonton AB 99 328 427 1998 Timmins ON 98 318 443 1997 Regina SK 93 315 411 1996 North Bay ON 103 331 423 1995 Whitehorse YT 102 317 393 1994 Guelph ON 102 307 410 1993 Rivière-du-Loup QC 106 299 399 1992 Sudbury ON 103 298 387 1991 Vancouver BC 102 297 383 1990 Windsor ON 99 310 411 1989 St. John's NF 94 311 377 1988 Winnipeg MB 92 308 396 1987 Mississauga ON 85 297 376 1986 Calgary AB 71 302 374 1985 Cornwall ON 68 272 321 1984 Halifax NS 67 262 314 1983 Saskatoon SK 61 188 230 1982 Toronto ON 56 196 248 1981 Waterloo ON 52 186 236 1980 Thompson MB 51 170 236 1979 London ON 50 171 220 1978 Sudbury ON 55 165 182 1977 Victoria BC 51 137 168 1976 Brandon MB 47 124 163 1975 Jonquière QC 48 134 187 1974 Calgary AB 42 112 147 1973 Thunder Bay ON 38 100 124 1972 Sarnia ON 38 96 110 1971 Edmonton AB 34 85 85 1970 Hamilton ON 38 91 91 1969 Regina SK 30 64 64 1968 Vancouver BC 28 68 68 1967 Québec QC 28 72 73 1966 Windsor ON 26 74 74 1965 Winnipeg MB 26 68 68 1964 Montréal QC 22 60 60 1963 Toronto ON 18 53 54 1962 Ottawa ON 12 45 45

References

External links

Youth Science Canada