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Science Fair Foundation BC
2021 Program Report
This report highlights the activities of the Science Fair Foundation BC for the 2020 - 2021 school year.

BC Regional Science Fairs

Every year, thousands of students across British Columbia and the Yukon spend weeks and months preparing their projects to present at one of our 13 Regional Science Fairs. These Regional Science Fairs are made possible by dedicated local volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure that their local fair not only recognizes excellence, but also provides a great experience for inquisitive students.

Science Fairs provide an opportunity for students to showcase their work to a community that includes peers, experts, and people who may directly benefit from their research. Further, they are a forum for healthy competition for awards, scholarships, and the opportunity to represent their region at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. By creating a science fair project and presenting it, students exercise critical skills in independent research, collaboration, and communication.

Due to COVID-19, all of the regional science fairs transitioned to be held virtually in 2021. Some regional committees elected to host independent regional science fairs while seven partnered with SFF BC to host the combined BC/Yukon Virtual Science Fair. This combined fair attracted 284 participants with almost 70% being first-time regional science fair participants.
Awards Recipients
The British Columbia Provincial Awards Program consists of awards generously sponsored by organizations across BC and the Yukon, to support and recognize students for their accomplishments across a broad range of science and technology disciplines. Awards within this Program are available to students residing throughout BC and the Yukon.
List of Award Recipients
Awards Show
The Regional Science Fair for Central Okanagan, Fraser Valley, Pacific Northwest, South Fraser Vancouver Island and West Kootenay were hosted together on April 14, 2021. 
Congratulations to all participants of the 2021 BC/Yukon Regional Science Fair! 
Watch the Awards Show

2021 Youth Innovation Showcase

From innovative, new medical devices to a sustainable 3D printing process and everything in between, youth from all areas of BC and the Yukon were invited to pitch their innovative solutions at the 2021 Youth Innovation Showcase (YIS)! Innovators were asked to complete a registration form and submit a 45 second selfie video outlining; who they are, where they are from, their age and a brief summary highlighting their latest and greatest innovation. Finalists in each age category were invited to pitch their ideas to a panel of industry leaders during our live, online competition on June 10, 2021. 

The Competition received 71 submissions from youth throughout BC and the Yukon who received feedback from industry mentors on their innovative projects. Interviews were conducted with 21 Semi-finalists in order to select the top five projects in each age category. These ten finalists were then interviewed by a panel of industry judges to select the Young Innovators of the Year.

All of the finalists received a cash award of $500 and the two Young Innovators of the Year received $5,000.
 
Learn More & Watch the Awards Show

Mentorship Program

The Mentorship Program supported 7 projects from the Lower Mainland in getting connected with mentors in academia or industry this year, upon request. As part of the program, aspiring science fair students submitted their project proposals and were connected with a mentor who provided science project or domain expertise, and even lab space, to the inquisitive students. The program is open to students in grades 7 through 12, from across British Columbia and the Yukon.

We look forward to expanding expand upon this program in the 2021-2022 Science Fair season to connect more students with mentors in the earlier stages of their science fair project.

Let's Innovate Podcast

Join our host Michael Unger as we uncover the passion behind great ideas, meet STEAM thought leaders and talk with young people working on inspiring innovations. With 14 episodes and counting, the Let's Innovate! Podcast is helping shine light on the incredible projects that youth in BC and the Yukon are developing each year.

Listen Now

Sweatin' for Science

Sweatin' for Science was born out of a necessity to adapt how we interact, inspire and connect with one another after deferring the 2020 Fun Run race due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Now after 20 years, we have softy retired the Fun Run and after a lot of work and thought, were thrilled to announce Science Fair Foundation BC's newest signature event, Sweatin' for Science. Sweatin' for Science was born as a hybrid virtual/ in-real-life event that saw participants- solo, with friends, family or approved social bubbles, from regions across BC and Yukon take part in personal and socially distanced group workout in real life and then connect virtually + track their progress online with a fun-fitness app, atlasGO.

We were excited to see 494 registrants on our online platform this year from all 13 of our regions througout BC & the Yukon. Together we logged 116,187.79 KM, took 646 Sweaty Selfies, 3,668 High-fives given and 11,032 activities logged. 
Watch the Awards Show & Learn More

Thank You!

Thanks to you, our sponsors and supporters. The Science Fair Foundation of BC continues to maintain the largest volunteer science and technology outreach network in British Columbia. These dedicated volunteers and educators continue to inspire youth to connect with the fascinating and ever changing world of science and technology. We thank you on behalf of the students across British Columbia and the Yukon, for your continued support. 
Our sponsors who make it all possible