YOUTH SCIENCE CANADA
Canada's top youth scientists awarded $1.3 million at the 2025 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Fredericton

From groundbreaking schizophrenia treatment research to innovative sea turtle robots, Canada's top young scientists showcased world-class research and innovation this week at the 63rd Canada-Wide Science Fair. At an awards ceremony this evening at the University of New Brunswick, 219 finalists were recognized with nearly $1.3 million in scholarships and awards at the country's premier youth science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) event. The fair's Best Project Award in Discovery went to Sara Waqas from Calgary for her project, "Neurobiologically Informed Targeted Schizophrenia Treatment: A Multi-Omic, fMRI Approach", while the Best Project in Innovation went to Evan Budz from Burlington, Ontario, for his project "Development of an Autonomous Bionic Sea Turtle Robot for Ecological Monitoring using AI".

"This week, we've witnessed the power of youth curiosity in action," said Reni Barlow, Executive Director at Youth Science Canada, organizers of the event. "Every student who undertakes a STEM project deserves to be celebrated for their dedication and creativity. Tonight's winners are a powerful example of the impact youth can make through STEM."

Top winners, selected by over 200 judges, include:

Best Project Awards

Best Project: Discovery
Sara Waqas from Calgary, Alberta, for Neurobiologically Informed Targeted Schizophrenia Treatment: A Multi-Omic, fMRI Approach.
Link to project

Best Project: Innovation
Evan Budz from Burlington, Ontario, for Development of an Autonomous Bionic Sea Turtle Robot for Ecological Monitoring using AI.
Link to project

Platinum Awards - Discovery

Best Junior (Grade 7/8)
Claire Sehn from Peterborough, Ontario, for Beat the Blaze: Preventing Wildfires and Drought With a Novel, Biodegradable Treatment.
Link to project

Best Senior (Grade 11/12/Cégep)
Hejin Wang from Saint John, New Brunswick, for Controlling Humongous Fungus: Cyanobacteria as a Biocontrol Agent for Root Rot Fungus.
Link to project

 Platinum Awards - Innovation

Best Junior (Grade 7/8)
Trisha Haldar from Windsor, Ontario, for Visual Drug Interaction Checker.
Link to project 

Best Senior (Grade 11/12/Cégep)
Chloe Rae Filion and Sophie Rose Filion from Fenwick, Ontario, for The Home Smog Alarm: How clean is your home's air?
Link to project

The 64^th edition of the Canada-Wide Science Fair will be held at the Edmonton EXPO Centre and the University of Alberta from May 23 to 30, 2026.