Toronto Science Fair

Virtual Toronto Science Fair 2021 for Grade 7-12

The Toronto Science Fair is holding a Virtual Toronto Science Fair in April 2021 for Toronto students in Grades 7-12. Youth Science Canada (YSC) is revising the Project Board platform which was used for the YSC On-Line Science Fair last May and the Toronto Regional Science Fair will have a dedicated spot on this platform for Toronto students to upload projects. Projects will be judged and prizes awarded. In addition, plans are being developed to include on-line science activities and a guest speaker and an award ceremony to help to make the experience as exciting as possible. Students will be chosen from among the gold medal winners to represent Toronto at the Virtual Canada Wide Science Fair in May 2021.

Students are encouraged to start thinking about starting a science fair project this year. Students who had projects all ready last year for the cancelled Toronto Science Fair 2020 are particularly encouraged to consider entering them in our new format this year.

While there will be some changes in the on-line project format, visiting https://makeprojects.com/ysc will give students a good idea of what is involved.

Science Fair for Kindergarten – Grade 6

Toronto students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are encouraged to continue working on inquiry-oriented science projects and share their ideas at the classroom and school level. The Toronto Science Fair Committee is still exploring whether or not we can offer a science fair experience for younger students. More information will be available before Christmas.

See the November 3, 2020 Information Letter for further information.

The Toronto Science Fair Committee remains committed to encouraging students to get involved in inquiry-oriented, project-based science. Because of COVID-19 it is unlikely that we will be able to go ahead with an in-person Toronto Science Fair in the spring of 2021. However, we are looking at holding an On-line fair for students in the Toronto region.

In the spring of 2020, when regional fairs across the country and the Canada Wide Science Fair itself were cancelled, Youth Science Canada organized an On-Line Science fair for students in Grades 7-12 across the country. Toronto students responded well and 86 projects were submitted. With the help of some of our regular science fair judges, some regional judging for these projects was organized and virtual ribbons were awarded. National virtual ribbons were also given. The YSC on-line science fair projects can be viewed at https://makeprojects.com/ysc. A teacher’s guide can be ordered through this site.

Youth Science Canada is in the process of considering how best to support students working on science fair projects this year. While final decisions have not yet been finalized, the on-line science fair developed last spring is being reviewed and modified. If science fairs across the country cannot be held in person this year, there will be a virtual platform for students in Grades 7-12 to showcase their work.

An announcement of the details of the Youth Science Canada plan for this year is expected in September. The Toronto Science Fair Committee will then be able to consider how we may best support teachers and students involved in science fair projects this year. Further updates will be posted as information becomes available.