When Terry Allen walked into his first science fair committee meeting in Calgary in the early 1960s, he had no idea he was stepping into a role that would span more than six decades. “I’ve always been interested in promoting science education,” he says simply, as if that explains giving most of your adult life to helping young Canadians discover their curiosity.

It does.

From Calgary classroom to national stage

Terry’s path to science fairs began in a classroom, as is so often the case. Born in Manitoba and educated primarily in Alberta, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Alberta before deciding to become a teacher. In 1960, he joined the Calgary Board of Education as a junior high science teacher.

That same year, one of Calgary’s superintendents attended a science fair in Ottawa and returned with an idea: Calgary should have its own. A colleague became the first chairman, and Terry joined the board of the science fair committee. “From that point on, I’ve had an interest in what’s happening with science fairs,” he says.

That interest would prove to be an understatement.

Bringing the Canada-Wide Science Fair to Calgary

In the early 1970s, Terry took students to the national science fair in Hamilton and saw an opportunity. He convinced the organizers that Calgary could be a great host city. The 1974 Canada-Wide Science Fair became his first major leadership role, serving as chairman.

But Terry was just getting started. He joined the Youth Science Canada Board of Directors in 1980 and served until the 1990s, including two years as chair. He helped bring the Canada-Wide Science Fair back to Calgary in 1986 for its 25th anniversary, producing a commemorative book that captured the event’s history (which he’s kept to this day!). In 2003, Calgary hosted again, with Terry serving as one of the vice chairs.

“I’ve attended many Canada-Wide Science Fairs across the country,” he recalls. “From St. John’s and Halifax, to Cornwall, Toronto, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Winnipeg. All of which I enjoyed very much.”

More than science fairs

Terry’s commitment to science education extended beyond fairs. After visiting the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, he became determined to bring something similar to Calgary. In the 1970s, a committee of scientists from the university, the oil industry, and teachers advocated for a science centre in Calgary. With the support of the director of the Calgary Centennial Planetarium, they were provided with space in the building’s basement to create numerous hands-on science displays.

That modest beginning eventually grew into what is now the Telus Spark Science Centre.

What makes science fairs special

Ask Terry what draws him to science fairs, and he’ll tell you it’s not the science itself. It’s the people.

He’s watched the projects evolve over six decades. “When we first started, the science fairs were always talking about volcanoes,” he laughs. But even those early projects matter. Young students explaining simple phenomena are still developing their understanding of nature and why things happen. As they mature, they tackle more complex ideas.

“I am amazed at the sophistication of the projects now,” Terry says. “The work students are doing in all the scientific fields, I applaud it.”

Behind every project, though, are teachers who nurture that curiosity, who find ways to help students explore the world around them. Science fairs give young people the chance to develop their ideas and share them with others, and that sharing is what Terry treasures most.

“The key thing for me when I go to a science fair, whether it’s local or national, is meeting like-minded people across Canada who have a similar interest in developing children’s interest and passion for science,” he explains. “The Canada-Wide Science Fair has become a place to meld students together, to develop associations. You go to the science fair, and here’s a kid from Newfoundland talking to a kid from Alberta or BC or Saskatchewan, doing the same kinds of work. To me, that’s amazing.”

Building the next generation of supporters

Even from a distance and after a lifetime of support, Terry continues to champion science education. His family helped with the local fairs over the years, and they all pitched in when Calgary hosted the Canada-Wide Science Fair in 1986 and again in 2003.

That tradition continues. His son’s company now provides a major award at the Calgary Youth Science Fair, and Terry and his wife contribute an award of their own. It’s a way of staying connected, even as Terry attends fewer fairs in person.

When asked about funding challenges, Terry’s pragmatism shows. “It doesn’t take a lot of money, but it does take a lot of effort,” he says. “There are funds out there if you approach the right people. Local service clubs and businesses recognize that the future of our country depends on educated and informed citizens.”

But money isn’t his only concern. Terry worries about something harder to fix: the growing attacks on scientific integrity from some governments and politicians. “There are people in power who don’t believe in vaccines and the research successes in dealing with diseases and climate change,” he says. “This needs to change.”

It’s why he believes science fairs matter more than ever. “Every citizen needs to support science research and promote the great work done by scientists, and this includes our youth, who will make a difference given the opportunity.”

What excites him about the future

At 88, Terry doesn’t get to as many fairs as he once did. But his enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed. Asked what excites him most about the next generation of young scientists, his answer is immediate: “Just seeing kids doing it, attempting something and working on it.”

When asked about the legacy he hopes to leave, Terry’s answer is characteristically modest: “That I was able to make a contribution to the continuation of the science fair movement and to help promote science and science education across Canada.”

In 2005, Youth Science Canada recognized Terry’s contribution by naming him an Honorary Life Member, one of the organization’s highest honours for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to youth STEM development in Canada.

For more than sixty years, through classrooms and committee rooms, from Calgary gymnasiums to national stages, Terry Allen has done exactly what he set out to do. He helped build a community where curious kids from one side of Canada can talk to curious kids from the other, where teachers are supported, and young scientists are celebrated.

And that community endures.