Ottawa, April 15, 2021 – Good news seems to be more valuable and sought after these days, especially for teachers and parents of school-aged children. Today, Youth Science Canada officially announces details of its most accessible and robust teacher/parent program for its annual Canada-Wide Science Fair. Scheduled from May 19 to 21, the country’s leading project-based STEM event of the year, as action-packed as in-person events from the past, will be virtual this year and so will be more accessible than ever to the country’s teachers and parents interested in STEM and activities for their students.

The program, appropriately billed as a virtual field trip, features direct access to the ‘project zone’, the event’s main attraction where students can view projects submitted by more than 400 finalists selected at regional STEM fairs across Canada. STEM Expo, the country’s largest youth STEM outreach and promotional event, also returns with 50 virtual exhibits from leading STEM-related organizations. Students can also watch CWSF-TV with three hours of original STEM-related content each day, including interviews with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk, Dr. Mona Nemer, Canada’s Chief Science Advisor and short videos from STEM partners across the country such as Ingenium, Canadian Museum of Nature, Telus World of Science in Edmonton and the Canadian Association of Physicists.

“This is history in the making,” says Reni Barlow, executive director of Youth Science Canada, organizers of the fair. “Students from across Canada have the chance to explore the country’s top youth STEM projects virtually at home or in the classroom. This year’s event is specifically designed to provide students, teachers and parents with programming that will inspire and challenge students to stay curious, pursue questions and develop solutions to problems that interest them. Our goal is for students to experience the thrill of using STEM to help people and make the world a better place. Once the fire of curiosity is ignited, it is difficult to extinguish.”

Visiting students can participate in an educational and entertaining Escape Room and Scavenger Hunt taking place twice daily throughout the three days of Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Available for two age groups, grade 5 to 8 and 9 to 11, students will search among the STEM Expo booths and finalist projects for answers to STEM-related questions. Participants will be entered into a daily draw for various prizes. Details of the activities will be included in the Visitor Overview Booklet, which is available for download at youthscience.ca.

In early May, Youth Science Canada will hold a series of three webinars to offer registered teachers and parents an opportunity to learn more about Canada-Wide Science Fair Ottawa 2021 and how to participate in the Scavenger Hunt, Escape Rooms, STEM Expo and Student Projects on ProjectBoard.

Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) is the country’s largest annual youth STEM event, bringing together top young scientists and their projects, selected from Canada’s national network of more than 100 regional STEM fairs. Expected to draw in as many as 35,000 virtual visitors, the event offers three full days of school and public viewing during which students and visitors can engage with finalists about their projects and also experience STEM Expo – interactive and inspiring exhibits featuring ideas and opportunities in STEM. Details and registration available at youthscience.ca under CWSF.

About Youth Science Canada
Youth Science Canada fuels the curiosity of Canadian youth through STEM projects. A registered charity incorporated in 1962, YSC delivers on its mission through national programs including mySTEMspace, the National STEM Fair Network, Canada-Wide Science Fair, STEM Expo, “Team Canada” representation at international fairs and Smarter Science professional development for teachers. Through these programs, YSC provides direct support to the more than 500,000 students who do STEM projects in any given year. For more information, visit youthscience.ca.

Media Contacts:

Samiha Fariha Torchia Communications Cell: (647) 268-6687 [email protected]

Kathy Biron Torchia Communications Cell: (514) 466-3444 [email protected]