YOUTH SCIENCE CANADA
Team Canada celebrates award-winning achievements at Regeneron ISEF 2024 in Los Angeles, California

Members of Team Canada competed at the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, California from May 14 to May 17. Representing Team Canada (from left to right) were Cindy Cheng, Keanu Chan, Jason Zhao, Arushi Nath, Gurnoor Kaur, Elizabeth Chen, Chloe Filion and Sophie Filion pictured at ISEF 2024 on May 15. Photo credit: Adelina Neilsen.

Chloe and Sophie Filion, Grade 11 students from Fenwick, Ontario, won a First Award in embedded systems, for their project creating a digital air rifle ballistic measuring device which has the potential to be a game-changer for the air rifle Olympic sport. Jason Zhao, a Grade 11 student from West Vancouver, British Columbia, won two awards for his project creating a rocket-launched drone for wildfires including a Second Award in engineering technology: statics and dynamics and a special award from the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). Cindy Cheng, a Grade 11 student from Waterloo, Ontario, won two awards for her project employing soft microbots to deliver stem cells throughout the body including a Second Award in materials science and a special award from the China Association of Science and Technology (CAST).

"It was extraordinary to witness the outstanding performance and innovative spirit of our Canadian youth at this prestigious global event," said Prof. Patrick Whippey, chair of the Team Canada-ISEF selection panel for Youth Science Canada. "Their dedication and ingenuity in tackling complex scientific questions is a testament to the calibre of talent in this country. This event showcased their scientific prowess and ability to engage at the global level."

Team Canada-ISEF was honoured with four Grand Awards, including:

First Award - Embedded Systems, $5,000
Chloe Filion and Sophie Filion, École Secondaire Catholique Saint-Jean-de-Brebeuf, Fenwick, Ontario
The Digital Air Rifle Ballistic Measuring Device

Second Award - Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics, $2,000
Jason Zhao, Collingwood School, West Vancouver, British Columbia
Low-Cost Rapid Response Rocket Launched UAV for Wildfire Hotspot Detection

Second Award - Materials Science, $2,000
Cindy Cheng, Laurel Heights Secondary School, Waterloo, Ontario
3D Bioprinting Soft Microrobotic "Niches" for Stem Cell Delivery

Third Award - Biomedical Engineering, $1,000
Keanu Chan, Mount Baker Secondary School, Cranbrook, British Columbia
PRecision Exospinal Constructive Innovative Stereotactic Evolution (PRECISE)

Team Canada-ISEF also received three special awards:

China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) - $1,200
Jason Zhao, Collingwood School, West Vancouver, British Columbia
Low-Cost Rapid Response Rocket Launched UAV for Wildfire Hotspot Detection

Cindy Cheng, Laurel Heights Secondary School, Waterloo, Ontario
3D Bioprinting Soft Microrobotic "Niches" for Stem Cell Delivery

Non-Trivial Fellowship - $500 scholarship, and up to $15,000 in funding
Gurnoor Kaur, Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute, Waterloo, Ontario
MalaScope - A Low-Cost Deep Learning Sensor for Label-Free Detection of Malaria

"The remarkable achievements of Team Canada at Regeneron ISEF underline the importance of encouraging curiosity and passion for STEM among our youth," said Reni Barlow, executive director of Youth Science Canada. "These young scientists and innovators exemplify the bright future of STEM in Canada. Congratulations to all members of Team Canada on their success."

The YSC Team Canada-ISEF program is possible thanks to the support of the Gwyn Morgan and Patricia Trottier Foundation through its Youth Can Innovate program. For more information or to help support Canadian youth in STEM, please visit the Youth Science Canada donation page.