For Alumni

Your Journey Continues

Whether you participated in a regional fair, competed at CWSF, or represented Canada internationally, your STEM fair experience was more than a moment in time, it was a formative experience that shaped how you think, communicate, and approach challenges.

You’re part of a remarkable alumni community spanning decades, including astronauts, physicians, entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, lawyers, artists, and leaders across every sector. What connects you isn’t just participation in STEM fairs, it’s the shared experience of having your curiosity validated, your ideas taken seriously, and your potential recognized.

We’d love to stay connected with you.

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Share Your Story

Your Journey Inspires the Next Generation

One of the most powerful ways you can give back is by sharing where your STEM fair experience led you. Your story demonstrates to current students that the skills developed through STEM projects serve them regardless of which career path they choose.

Your story doesn’t need to be about becoming a scientist. Some of our most compelling alumni profiles feature lawyers, artists, business leaders, and educators who credit STEM fairs with developing abilities that serve them daily.

What we do with alumni stories:

  • Feature profiles on our website, social media, and in communications to inspire current participants
  • Include in our annual report and impact materials
  • Use when engaging with funders and partners
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Stay Connected

Join the Alumni Network

We’re building a stronger, more connected alumni community and would love to include you.

Ways to stay connected:

Many alumni report that reconnecting with the STEM fair community, even decades later, rekindles the excitement they felt as participants and provides meaningful ways to give back.

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Update Your Information

Help Us Stay in Touch

STEM fair participation may have been years or even decades ago. Contact information changes, careers evolve, and accomplishments accumulate.

Please update us with:

  • Current contact information
  • Professional updates and achievements
  • How STEM fairs influenced your path
  • Interest in volunteering, judging, or other engagement
  • Permission to share your story and accomplishments

Your willingness to stay connected helps us demonstrate the long-term impact of STEM fair participation to funders, partners, and communities considering whether to support youth STEM initiatives.

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Give Back to your Community

Volunteer With Your Regional Fair

Remember the judges who took your project seriously? The volunteers who made fair day run smoothly? The mentors who encouraged you to keep going?

Now you can be that person for the next generation.

Regional STEM fairs need alumni support:

  • Judging – Provide feedback and encouragement to student investigators (you know firsthand how meaningful this is)
  • Mentorship – Guide students through project development in your community
  • Committee participation – Join organizing committees that plan and run annual fairs
  • Event support – Help with registration, logistics, and fair day operations
  • Promotion – Spread the word about opportunities in your networks

You don’t need to be working in STEM to make a difference. Your experience as a former participant gives you unique insight into what students are experiencing and what they need to hear.

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Judge at CWSF

Return to the National Stage

If CWSF was part of your journey, coming back as a judge is a powerful full-circle experience. You’ll engage with 400 of Canada’s top young scientists, witness the caliber of current projects, and provide the kind of meaningful feedback you once received.

What’s involved:

  • Judging takes place over 1-2 days during CWSF week each May
  • Judges evaluate 4-6 projects in their area of expertise or interest
  • Training and support provided before and during the fair
  • Opportunity varies by CWSF host city each year

Many alumni judges report that the experience reminds them why their own participation mattered and reconnects them with the excitement of scientific discovery.

Interested? We collect expressions of interest year-round and reach out when CWSF is in a city near you.

Support Through Giving

Help Today’s Students Access the Opportunities You Had

Not every student has the resources or support to participate in STEM fairs. Your financial contribution—whether monthly, annual, or one-time—removes barriers and creates opportunities for students who might otherwise miss out.

Your donation provides:

  • Resources and materials for students who can’t afford project supplies
  • Technology and platforms that make STEM resources accessible to all
  • Scholarships and awards recognizing student achievement
  • Program development that expands reach into underserved communities

Alumni giving is particularly meaningful because you understand firsthand the value of what you’re supporting. Even modest contributions, when combined with others in the alumni community, create substantial impact.

Consider monthly giving: Regular contributions, even $10 or $25 monthly, provide stable support that allows long-term program planning and sustained impact.

Science fair was a life-changing experience that really made me realize, if I set my mind to something, anything is possible. It was an exciting moment for a 15-year-old.

Ann Makosinski
Inventor, entrepreneur, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree
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Hire YSC Alumni

Connect With Exceptional Talent

If you’re in a position to hire or influence hiring decisions, consider the capabilities STEM fair alumni bring:

  • Proven ability to identify problems and investigate solutions independently
  • Strong communication skills developed through presenting complex ideas
  • Experience handling pressure, feedback, and public scrutiny
  • Track record of initiative, curiosity, and follow-through
  • Comfort with ambiguity and iterative problem-solving

Whether hiring for STEM roles or positions in completely different sectors, alumni who completed significant STEM projects have demonstrated valuable capabilities.

Looking to connect with YSC alumni for recruitment or mentorship? Contact us to explore partnership opportunities.

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Attend Alumni Events

Reconnect With Your Community

Youth Science Canada is considering hosting occasional alumni gatherings, especially when CWSF visits major cities. These events would provide opportunities to reconnect with fellow alumni, meet current students, and engage with the programs and people shaping today’s STEM fair experience.

Event ideas include:

  • Alumni receptions during CWSF week
  • Regional alumni meetups in major cities
  • Virtual networking events connecting alumni across Canada
  • Milestone celebrations (anniversaries, significant achievements)

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, we would love to hear from you! Let us know what sort of alumni events you’d like to see and what you’d hope to gain by attending.

Notable YSC Alumni

You’re in exceptional company. YSC alumni have gone on to remarkable achievements across every field imaginable:

Dr. Roberta Bondar
Canada’s first female astronaut, neurologist, and photographer. Participated in Toronto science fair before representing Canada at CWSF.

“As a Grade 13 student, I participated in the city science fair in Toronto and then went on to represent my region at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. It was an experience that would ultimately define my life.”

Ann Makosinski
Inventor, entrepreneur, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Created the Hollow Flashlight powered by body heat.

“Science fair was a life-changing experience that really made me realize, if I set my mind to something, anything is possible. It was an exciting moment for a 15-year-old.”

Adam Noble
Founder and CEO of Noblegen, creating sustainable protein alternatives. CWSF 2013 Best Project Award and Intel ISEF 2012 First Place Grand Award winner.

“The main goal is not winning awards but to make the world a better place. With our more sustainable, natural and vegetarian protein, dietary fibre and oils, we are addressing some of the world’s largest food supply challenges.”

And thousands of others working as physicians, engineers, educators, business leaders, artists, policy makers, and change-makers across Canada and around the world.

Alumni Stories

Diverse group of young women holding a Canadian flag at the London International Youth Science Forum, promoting STEM education and international youth participation.

When Science Becomes a Universal Language: Raneem Salah’s Journey from Zebrafish to Team Canada

Raneem Salah attended CWSF 2024 and represented Canada at LIYSF 2025 and MILSET ESI 2025. Her research focuses on brain regeneration in zebrafish and its potential applications for stroke treatment in humans.

Sajeev standing in front of brick building

From Googly-Eyed Robots to Gene Editing with Sajeev Kohli – Alumni Profile

Sajeev is busy addressing a range of issues facing different groups of people around the world, and his experiences with science fairs have shaped the way he’s able to think deeply about a range of subjects. We chatted with Sajeev about his adventures in STEM, here’s what he had to say.  

Jackson Weir in front of science fair project

Using Science to Improve the World with Jackson Weir – Alumni Profile

After science fair shaped the way he sees the world, Jackson is letting his curiosity guide his work in addressing the enormous challenge that is cancer treatment. We chatted with Jackson about his adventures in STEM, here’s what he had to say. 

Kelcie at Bayer Youth Ag Summit

Advocating for Diversity with Kelcie Miller-Anderson – Alumni Profile

Science fair is full of surprises, and even when life takes unexpected directions, it’s the same curiosity & mindset which you can take with you along the journey. We chatted with Kelcie about her adventures in STEM, here’s what she had to say.

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The Skills You Gained Are Still Serving You

Even if you don’t work in STEM, your STEM fair experience likely influences how you approach your work and life:

  • Critical thinking – Evaluating evidence and drawing reasoned conclusions
  • Problem-solving – Breaking complex challenges into manageable investigations
  • Communication – Explaining complex ideas to diverse audiences
  • Resilience – Handling setbacks, feedback, and unexpected results
  • Curiosity – Continuing to ask “why?” and “how?” throughout life
  • Confidence – Knowing you’re capable of tackling challenges independently

These capabilities don’t expire. They compound over time, shaping careers and contributions in ways you might not even consciously recognize.

That’s the lasting legacy of your STEM fair experience, and why supporting the next generation matters.

Questions We Often Hear From Alumni

“I participated decades ago—can I still be considered part of the alumni community?”
Absolutely. Whether you participated last year or fifty years ago, you’re part of the YSC alumni community. We’d love to hear from you.

“I didn’t win any awards—does my story still matter?”
Yes! Some of our most compelling stories come from alumni who didn’t win major awards but gained life-changing confidence and skills. The experience matters more than the outcome.

“I’m not working in STEM—is there still a way for me to contribute?”
Definitely. Your perspective showing how STEM fair skills transfer to non-STEM careers is incredibly valuable. You can also volunteer, donate, or simply stay connected.

“Can I bring my own children or students to visit CWSF?”
CWSF includes public showcase days where community members can visit and be inspired. Check the CWSF website for details about the upcoming fair and visitor information.

“How do I find out about regional fairs in my current community?”
Use our Regional Fair Finder to locate fairs near you and connect with organizers about volunteer opportunities.

Your Participation Mattered Then. Your Connection Matters Now.

The judges who took your project seriously, the volunteers who made fair day possible, the sponsors who funded your opportunity – they invested in you because they believed in the power of youth curiosity.

Now it’s your turn to ensure the next generation has the same opportunities you did.

Stay connected. Share your story. Give back.

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