TSF | Grades 5-12
TSF | Grades 5-12
Registration for Grade 5 - 12 Projects is a two step process.
School registration is now closed. Please contact torontosciencefair@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Opened Monday, January 12, 2026
Closed Friday, February 13, 2026
Each school should identify ONE contact teacher. That teacher should go to the TSF website and register their school using the google form found on the registration page. This form indicates that a school is intending to send students to participate in this year’s TSF. Teachers will be asked to estimate the number of projects that they will be sending to the fair. TSF realizes that this total may change but your best estimate will help us plan to provide sufficient space for the projects.
Only those teachers who register their schools by February 13 will be sent the link for Step 2: Individual Project Registration. Last year School Registration was kept open until the deadline for Individual Project Registration, but this year we would like to be able to estimate the number of participants earlier and more accurately.
Teachers should register their schools even if they think they will only have one project to enter. Project Quotas will apply to each school. See School Quotas under Rules and Regulations.
For Home-schooled students:
Please complete the School Registration form using a parent/guardian as the teacher contact.
For Independent entries: School Has No Science Fair Plans
There are many demands on teachers and students and it will happen that a particular school is focusing on other areas of science and is not planning on promoting science fair in a particular year, even to the extent of encouraging small groups of students to participate. At the same time, there may be one or two students at the school who have a keen interest in doing a science fair project and who wish to work independently to produce one. This is a student who is prepared to work on their own outside of classroom and school expectations. Such students are responsible for discussing their plans at an early stage with their teachers so that there will be time to include their school in the registration process.
Teachers are asked to support this kind of student initiative by agreeing to be the contact teacher with TSF and register their school by the February 13 deadline. TSF Registration will then have someone to send the individual project link which can then be forwarded to the participating student.
TSF is requesting that every potential exhibitor have the support of at least one staff member from their school. The basic responsibilities of the contact teachers are to register their school and forward the Individual Project link to the student. They will also be asked to make sure that students are familiar with information posted on the TSF website, particularly regarding rules and regulations and registration deadlines. They would also be asked to confirm that the school is not sending other projects to TSF 2026 so that we can be sure that project quotas are respected.
It is hoped that this teacher will also take an interest in the student’s project, monitor their progress and try to assist if difficulties are encountered.
If students wishing to participate as an Independent Entry have any difficulties with this process, they should contact TSF Registration at torontosciencefair@gmail.com well before February 13.
Opens Monday, February 16, 2026
Closes Wednesday, March 4, 2026
A link to a project registration form for students will be sent to each contact teacher by February 16, 2026. The contact teachers will be asked to pass along this link to the students from their school who have been selected to attend TSF 2026.
Students must complete and submit this form by Wednesday, March 4, 2026. If there are two students working on a single project, both students should work together to complete one form.
All Students will need to complete the consent form as part of the registration process. They will be asked to scan the signed form and upload it as part of he registration process.
It is very important that students complete their Individual Project Registration form by the March 4 deadline. Once registration lists have been compiled and distributed to committee members for action, no additional registrations can be accepted.
A special workshop has been prepared for all Grade 5 and 6 participants. You do not need to choose a workshop to attend.
All exhibitors will be participating in a science workshop during the fair.
Read over the list of workshops and decide on your top four choices:
Workshop 1
Oil Extraction from an Orange
Use chemistry to extract oil from orange peel in a hands-on experiment.
Presenter: Dr. Andrew Baer
Location: Room 436 – Centennial College (Max. 22 students)
Workshop 2
Cells and DNA
Examine life’s building blocks under the microscope and extract genetic material from common food items.
Presenter: Dr. Samiha Mohammad Sharif
Location: Room 452 – Centennial College (Max. 22 students)
Workshop 3
Microbial Fuel Cells: Generating Electricity Using the Power of Mud
Explore soil-based microbes capable of producing electricity in a hands-on environment.
Presenter: Dr. Nalina Nadarajah
Location: Room 454 – Centennial College (Max. 22 students)
Workshop 4
Build Your City with Architectural Technology
A blend of art and engineering, offering 2D/3D drawing software demonstrations and insights into career pathways.
Presenters: Prof. John Romanov & Prof. Francis Lapointe
Location: Room 332 – Centennial College (Max. 35 students)
Workshop 5
Science Explorations: A Hands-On Chemistry Workshop
This interactive workshop invites students to step into the role of real-world chemists as they investigate three engaging, mystery-based laboratory cases. Through experiments involving infrared spectroscopy, polymer chemistry, and melting-point analysis, participants explore how chemical principles are applied to solve everyday problems—from forensic identification to product design, to drug analysis. Designed to spark curiosity and build practical laboratory skills, this workshop offers a dynamic introduction to the diverse and exciting world of chemistry.
Presenters: UTSC professors and students
Location: Two Chemistry labs in Environmental Science and Chemistry Building (Max. 32 students - 16 per room)
Workshop 6
Self-Driving Laboratories: AI-Guided Experiments in Action
How can artificial intelligence (AI) accelerate scientific discovery? Self-driving laboratories (SDLs) combine AI, automation, and data analysis to help scientists plan and run experiments more efficiently. This workshop will include live demonstrations of how algorithms used in SDLs evaluate experimental results and make decisions in real time. Participants will also take part in hands-on experiments that reflect real SDL workflows including selecting variables, collecting data, and improving results through continuous feedback loops. No previous experience needed.
Presenter: Gurpaul Kochhar, Acceleration Consortium, University of Toronto
Location: Classroom in Sam Ibrahim Building (Max. 25 students)
Workshop 7
How a Crazy Idea and No Business Experience Built a Biotech Startup
You don't need a business degree to start a company. Learn how a group of grad students randomly came up with a wild idea and actually went out and convinced people to fund it. They're now building the next wave of computing called DNA computers and want to use it to do what regular computers never could, interact with biology to diagnose disease. Hear about the crazy ups and downs, what really goes on behind the scenes, and everything they don't teach you in school about turning a big idea into a real company.
Presenter: Farshad Murtada, CEO SCRY Bio
Location: A classroom in the Sam Ibrahim Building (Max. 25 students)
Workshop 8
Code with Ozobots!
Join us for a hands-on digital literacy activity where you’ll learn the basics of coding using tiny robots called Ozobots. Using simple colour codes, you’ll guide these miniature robots along paths, control their movements, and watch them respond to the instructions you create. Experiment, problem-solve, and see firsthand how coding works as your tiny robot brings your ideas to life. No experience needed—just curiosity and creativity!
Presenters: Nhien Dinh and Let’s Talk Science Volunteers
Location: Catalyst Centre – 1st floor, Environmental Science and Chemistry Building. (Max. 25 students)