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Stewardship Report 2022-2023
Science Fair Foundation BC
2023 Program Report
This report highlights the activities of the Science Fair Foundation BC for the 2022-2023 school year.
Regional Science Fairs

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Every year, thousands of students across British Columbia and the Yukon spend weeks and months preparing their projects to present at one of our 12 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. 
 
2023 saw a return to in-person science fairs in all 12 regions in BC and the Yukon and with this return came the enthusiasm and excitement that experienced science fair attendees have been missing. While youth participation was down in all regions, the electric atmosphere from the in-person events have created a spark of new interest, with several youth, parents and educators already reaching out to find out how they can be involved in science fairs next year. 

Science Fair Foundation BC played a lead role in the West Kootenay regional science fair, which came back in 2023 as the West Kootenay Science and Technology Fair. With the volunteer committee unable to host the fair, Science Fair Foundation BC organized virtual judging on April 1st with judges from across BC, and was present in Nelson on April 15th for the in-person project showcase and awards ceremony. 

Science Fair Foundation BC is grateful for the additional time and energy spent organizing science fairs this year, and for the incredible support we received from the science community in BC, in Canada, and beyond.  We are deeply encouraged by the perseverance and optimism we saw in students through these turbulent months, and their enthusiasm for tackling some of the world’s problems, big or small. 

2023 Regional Science Fairs

Cariboo-Mainline Regional Science Fair
When: April 12-13
Where: Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops BC

Central Interior Science Exhibtion
When: March 4
Where: University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George BC

East Kootenay Regional Science Fair
When: March 10
Where: College of the Rockies
Cranbrook BC

Fraser Valley Regional Science Fair
When: April 6
Where: University of the Fraser Valley
Abbotsford BC

Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair
When: April 13-15
Where: University of British Columbia, AMS Student Nest
Vancouver BC

Northern BC Regional Science Fair
When: April 12
Where: North Peace Secondary School
Fort St. John BC

Northern Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair
When: March 15-16
Where: Port McNeill Lions Hall
Port McNeill BC

South Fraser Regional Science Fair
When: April 13-14
Where: Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Surrey BC

Pacific Northwest Regional Science Fair
When: March 15-16
Where: Bulkley Valley Christian School
Smithers BC

Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair
When: April 16-17
Where: University of Victoria, Student Union Building
Victoria BC

West Kootenay Science and Technology Fair
When: April 15
Where: Taghum Hall
Nelson BC

Yukon-Stikine Regional STEM Expo
When: April 6
Where: Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre
Whitehorse YT
Provincial 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. 

With participation drastically increased compared to last year’s science fairs, many more students benefited from the awards and scholarships provided by our sponsors. A total of $20,455 was distributed to students showing outstanding scientific thought, creativity or ingenuity.  

List of Award Recipients

Youth Innovation Showcase

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Tackling everything from food waste to sustainable housing and supporting our strained medical system, students from around BC pitched their innovations at this year’s Youth Innovation Showcase for a chance to win the grand prize of $5,000. Young innovators were asked to submit a 45-second video explaining their innovation or idea, what problem they were trying to solve, and who their innovation would impact the most. Semi-finalists presented their projects to a team of judges during the live, virtual semi-final round in October. Five finalists were chosen from each age category (12-15 and 16-19) and their projects were reviewed by a larger team of judges from around BC, the United States, and as far away as Edinburgh, Scotland.  

During registration, Science Fair Foundation BC presented multiple 45-Second Challenge videos outlining what students could expect from the Youth Innovation Showcase and giving them an idea of what 45-seconds feels like to the viewer. In the lead-up to the semi-final round of judging, Science Fair Foundation BC partnered with KAST (Kootenay Assocation of Science and Technology) and Volition to hold a “How to Pitch” bootcamp, inviting all registrants to get some tips and tricks for pitching their ideas to others. During the last round of judging, all youth and viewers were invited to vote for their favourite innovation for the People’s Choice Award. The winner in each age category of both the grand prize and the People’s Choice Award was announced at the Youth Innovation Showcase Awards Show on November 30th.

YIS 2022 Awards Show

Over the duration of the competition, YIS 2022 pitch videos received over 1,800 views on YouTube, there were over 800 votes for the People's Choice Award, and the winners were featured in publications like CBC Kids, Daily Hive, Chek News and Techcouver.

View the 2022 Youth Innovation Showcase Awards Show

Sweatin' for Science

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2023 marked our 3rd year for Sweatin’ For Science and we’re so humbled by the support we received from companies and individuals who participated, sponsored, partnered and supported the event from across BC and the Yukon. 

Thanks to this incredible industry support, we were able to raise more awareness of the barriers youth can face with accessing equal opportunity in the fields of science, tech and innovation.  As students and educators returned to the classrooms over the past year, we saw a need to provide resources and support to several regions who are stretched thin. Science fairs are essential to supporting science and technology education and helping our future STEM leaders to develop the skills and networks for successful careers in the field.  

This year, 365 people registered for the month-long activity challenge. Together, we logged 7,366 hours of activities and had representation from all 13 science fair regions. 

Why We Sweat

Participants from the corporate STEM community across BC and Yukon joined and committed to “gettin’ their sweat on” to raise awareness and funding for increased access to science, technology and innovation education programs for youth, so all youth with a passion in STEM can have the opportunity to pursue their interests.

See why we're Sweatin' For Science in 2023

Let's Innovate Podcast

In the third season of Let’s Innovate! we invited volunteers from our regional science fairs to tell our host, Michael Unger, about their passion and what makes science fairs so important to them and their communities.
Listen Now

STEM Project Grant

Funded in 2022-2023 by The Discovery Foundation, our Financial Aid Program offers grants of up to $200 for students in BC and the Yukon who plan to attend a science fair or the Youth Innovation Showcase for the coming year. Grant funds can be used to purchase material and supplies for their projects, help with the cost of registration fees, or contribute to the costs of travel for students who require travel and accommodation in order to attend regional science fairs. The goal of this program is to encourage youth to explore science, attend their regional science fairs, and reduce barriers for any youth who may want to do more in STEM but faces financial barriers in doing so. 

2023 was the last intake for the Financial Aid Program and disbursed a total of $1,875 in grant funding to assist 11 students. With the Discovery Foundation funds depleted, the Financial Aid Program will be put on hold as we search for a new sponsor to fund the program. 

RSF Speaker Sessions

Science fairs are built on community. For 2023, Science Fair Foundation BC organized monthly Speaker Sessions from September to March where our community of regional science fair volunteers could share their ideas and experiences. This was an opportunity for veteran science fair volunteers to have open, casual discussion around common challenges and successes, but also for newer volunteers to gain information and insight into their roles. Topics included fundraising, judging rubrics, registration, awards, and preparing regional delegates for the Canada-Wide Science Fair. 

View the RSF Speaker Sessions

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