Students from the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) recently represented the Quinte region, competing against top young researchers from across Canada at the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) May 23-30, 2026. The week-long event, hosted at the University of Alberta, included formal project judging, specialized science workshops and tours of Edmonton's cultural and historical landmarks.
For the HPEDSB participants, the event was the result of months of research and experimentation across various STEM fields, with projects evaluated by panels of national judges, academics and industry professionals.
Following the final judging rounds at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, the following HPEDSB students were recognized with national awards:
- Surya Narayan Santhakumar (Eastside Secondary School): Received the Engineering Innovation Award.
- Eli Poyner (Eastside Secondary School): Earned a Bronze Medal in the Intermediate Division and a Shad Scholarship Award.
- Charlotte Guan (Bayside Secondary School): Earned a Bronze Medal in the Junior Division.
Surya Narayan Santhakumar also received national recognition earlier in the month, being awarded the prestigious Ingenious Award at a ceremony in Toronto on May 7, 2026. His project, "SafeRider: AI-Powered Smart Helmet for Cyclist Collision Prevention and Emergency Response," is an AI-powered smart bike helmet offering real-time vehicle detection, active collision prevention through turn signals and laser indicators, and automated emergency crash response. The award, presented by the Rideau Hall Foundation through its Ingenious+ program, recognizes exceptional young Canadians who demonstrate creativity and problem-solving in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). He was the top project for Ontario among the National Award recipients and represented Ontario at the national ceremony.
For more information
156 Ann Street
Belleville Ontario
Canada K8N 3L3
www.hpedsb.on.ca
