CANADA-WIDE SCIENCE FAIR RETURNS TO EDMONTON
Nearly 400 Student Finalists Will Compete for $2 Million in Awards, Scholarships and Prizes at the Edmonton EXPO Centre and University of Alberta

Canada's top young scientists are heading to Edmonton. Youth Science Canada will bring the 64th Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) to the Edmonton EXPO Centre and the University of Alberta from May 23 to 30, 2026. Nearly 400 student finalists from every province and territory will spend the week presenting their STEM projects to expert judges, competing for $2 million in awards, scholarships and prizes, and connecting with peers who share their curiosity about the world.

Harshavardhini Muthukumar, CWSF finalist, presents her project to visiting school students during public viewing on June 5, 2025. Photo: Youth Science Canada

"We're thrilled to bring the Canada-Wide Science Fair back to Edmonton, a city with deep roots in scientific research and an enthusiasm for supporting the next generation of innovators," says Reni Barlow, executive director at Youth Science Canada. "The fair gives Canada's top young scientists a platform to share their discoveries and connect with peers from coast to coast to coast who are just as passionate about STEM as they are."

Student finalists will call the University of Alberta home for the week, with accommodation, lab experiences and social activities throughout the eight-day event. The competition itself project presentations, judging, public viewing, and the STEM Expo takes place at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.

Members of the public are invited to attend on three days during the week. Sunday, May 24, offers a first chance to walk the Project Zone and meet the student researchers behind the 346 projects. STEM Expo joins the program on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29, when more than 50 universities, research institutions, companies and government agencies will operate interactive exhibits alongside the student projects. Last year's CWSF drew more than 8,000 in-person visitors across its public days.

The week will conclude with an awards ceremony on the evening of May 28 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, recognizing the top award recipients across junior, intermediate and senior categories. The following morning, Best Project winners will take part in a panel discussion open to media and registered attendees.

For those unable to attend in person, Youth Science Canada will again offer a virtual experience, enabling people across the country to explore the student projects online. Last year's virtual programming drew more than 10,000 online visitors.

Full details on public visiting and the virtual Project Zone are available at cwsf-espc.ca.