YOUTH SCIENCE CANADA
Canadian students continue remarkable streak with awards at prestigious European science competition

Youth Science Canada celebrates the impressive achievements of Ann Wang and Angela Cao, who secured top honours representing Canada at the 35th European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Katowice, Poland, September 9 to 14, 2024. The event brought together 85 innovative projects from 140 of the world's brightest young scientists.

CWSF alums Angela Cao (left) and Ann Wang (right) proudly showcase their core prize awards at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists held September 9-14, 2024, in Katowice, Poland.

Ann Wang, who was awarded Best Project (Discovery) at the 2024 Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) in Ottawa this past May, received a second prize, worth 5000, for her project, Eradicating Cystic Fibrosis Biofilms by a Novel Non-Toxic, Multi-Pathway Salicylate Therapy. Wang was also honoured with a special prize from the Medical University of Silesia, highlighting the groundbreaking potential of her research in addressing a major health challenge.

Angela Cao, the CWSF 2024 Best Project (Innovation) winner, was awarded a third prize, valued at 3500, for her project, S2S: AI-Powered Translation Between Sign and Spoken Languages, which leverages artificial intelligence to bridge communication gaps between the deaf and hearing communities.

"We are incredibly proud of Ann and Angela," says Reni Barlow, executive director at Youth Science Canada. "Their work not only represents the remarkable talent and curiosity of Canadian youth but also demonstrates the profound impact young scientists can have on some of the most pressing global challenges. We commend them wholeheartedly for their outstanding achievements and performance in Poland."

EUCYS is an internationally renowned event organized by the European Commission, showcasing the highest calibre of scientific talent from across the globe. The 2024 competition took place in Katowice, Poland, the European City of Science for 2024, where Wang and Cao competed alongside 146 young scientists aged 14 to 20, from 37 countries.

Team Canada delegations, coordinated by Youth Science Canada, represent the country at international youth STEM project competitions. Team Canada's remarkable accomplishments are made possible through the generous support of Youth Can Innovate, a program of the Gwyn Morgan and Patricia Trottier Foundation.

This is the third consecutive year that Canadian students have achieved the distinction of winning two Core Prizes at EUCYS. It is also the third year in a row that Canada was the only country to win two EUCYS Core Prizes. Canada's consistent success on the international stage underscores the country's commitment to fostering young STEM talent and reasserts the status Canadian youth have earned as leaders in scientific innovation. Youth Science Canada remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of researchers, ensuring they have the tools and platforms to make significant contributions to the world.

To stay up to date on Youth Science Canada programs, STEM project competitions, and events, please visit youthscience.ca.