Your monthly connection to youth STEM in Canada

👋 Hi Aspiring Innovators,

There’s something about January that makes us think about fresh starts. New notebooks. Blank calendars. The feeling that anything is possible this year.

For those of us with projects on the go, or at least in the mind, January marks a turning point. Regional fairs are approaching (most happen March through April), and there’s this growing sense that it’s time to commit. Time to actually do the thing.

That moment, between thinking about doing something and actually starting, can feel like dragging your mind (and body!) through quicksand. What if your idea isn’t good enough? What if your experiment doesn’t work?

Here’s what I’ve learned in my own life and from every alumni story we’ve shared: the students who made it to CWSF weren’t necessarily the ones with perfect projects. They were the ones who started, even when it felt scary or when they didn’t know what to expect.

So stop rethinking your idea. Stop making your notes look ✨ pretty ✨. Just get started. I promise it’s going to be okay!

What we’re learning

I recently read an article about a concept called “Luck Surface Area.” The idea is beautifully simple: Luck = [Doing Things] × [Telling People]

Every student who made it to CWSF first had to tell someone about their project. They registered for their regional fair. They presented to judges. They explained their work to visitors. Each of those moments created an opportunity for something unexpected and good to happen.

The article makes a point worth remembering: For every critical comment, there are 10 times as many people quietly admiring not only your work, but your bravery to put it out publicly.

If you’re working on a project right now and feeling nervous about registering for your regional fair, remember this: Yes, it’s a competition but more importantly, you’re creating opportunities for unexpected things to happen. And in STEM projects, unexpected is often where the best discoveries live.

Do the work. Don’t be afraid to dive deep into your curiosity and your expertise. We need more people that are intensely curious.

What’s Happening This Month

January Opportunities

– Apply to be a CWSF ambassador (Deadline Jan 10) – must be aged 20-25 as at May 23, 2026
– Ingenious+ (Deadline Jan 23) – Award for innovative projects
– Nat Geo Slingshot Challenge (Deadline Feb 6) – submit a 1min video for a chance to win US$10,000
– AIYES:AI Project Competition (Deadline Feb 10) – for projects using AI to solve real-world problems
– Join a TMU Study on Youth and the Environment – Toronto students aged 16-18yrs old

👉 See all opportunities for more details

Worth Your Time

– Why to How Podcast episode with Sarah Simionescu, CWSF 2016 alum – she discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of overcoming analysis paralysis and learning through experience.
– Terry Allen has championed science fairs for over 60 years, from Calgary classrooms to Youth Science Canada’s national board. His story is a great read!
– We’re big fans of reflection and now is a great time to ask yourself these 40 questions on your past year

This Month’s Thought

January is for starting anyway. For registering for that regional fair even though your project isn’t perfect yet. For sharing your idea even though you’re still figuring it out. For asking that question that won’t leave you alone.

The students whose stories I get to write, the ones who solved a local issue, the ones who presented at CWSF, the ones who discovered something unexpected, they all started somewhere imperfect. They all had that moment of deciding to share their work anyway.

Your turn.

— Stuart