YOUTH SCIENCE CANADA
Canada-Wide Science Fair returns to in-person format with over $2 million in scholarships, awards, and prizes, May 14 to 19, 2023

The largest annual youth STEM fair in Canada takes place this year at the Edmonton Convention Centre

After three years of online competition, Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) returns to an in-person format this year, ready to showcase the best in STEM projects by Canadian students. The 61st edition of CWSF, the country's largest annual youth STEM event, takes place May 14 to 19 at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Over 396 student finalists from 13 provinces and territories will present their innovative projects, vying for over $2 million in scholarships, awards, and prizes.

"We are excited to meet so many inspiring students from across the country, in person, but also to continue to welcome the thousands of visitors who've now been able to connect to the fair from their own communities and homes," says Reni Barlow, executive director at Youth Science Canada. "Regardless of how you tune in, I'm confident you'll find inspiration in seeing our youth continue to put forth such talented discoveries through STEM projects and the power of human curiosity, ingenuity and perseverance."

The judging of STEM projects will take place during the first three days of the competition. The public will have close-up access to the projects in the Project Zone during the public viewing days, May 17 to May 19. CWSF expects 10,000 in-person visitors from Edmonton and neighbouring schools throughout the public viewing days. Visitors can participate in various events and activities, including viewing projects in the Project Zone, a scavenger hunt and STEM Expo, a showcase of 53 STEM exhibits from post-secondary institutions, agencies, companies, museums, and other youth STEM-related organizations. CWSF will also continue with its popular virtual fair, which offers an online look at the top STEM projects in the Project Zone, activities including a virtual scavenger hunt and, on Thursday, May 18, a live stream of the CWSF Awards Ceremony. The virtual fair expects to attract more than 30,000 visitors from across Canada.

"We are delighted to have the Edmonton community join us at the event while we host the rest of the country virtually," says Jamie Parsons, chair of the Youth Science Canada board. "Canada-Wide Science Fair encourages students throughout the country to exhibit their inspiring work in STEM, and this year, like in years past, they will not disappoint."

Finalists whose projects won their regional fairs will arrive in Edmonton to a host of planned activities around the city, the University of Alberta, and the TELUS World of Science Edmonton. The Grand Award winners will participate in a panel discussion on Friday, May 19, at 10:00 am MST at the Edmonton Convention Centre.

For additional information on Youth Science Canada, to plan your visit to CWSF, and to stay up-to-date with the latest news, please visit cwsf.youthscience.ca.