The Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) is the country’s largest youth STEM event. It brings together the top youth scientists from across the country. It’s an exciting event where students compete with their projects for medals, cash prizes, scholarships, and other exclusive opportunities.
After competing in the Calgary Youth Science Fair (CYSF), 14 other students and I were selected to compete at CWSF as a part of Team Calgary.
Here’s what we have to say about our experiences competing at the Canada Wide Science Fair:
Arnav Kumar (Grade 11)
Check out Arnav’s CWSF Project Board and CYSF project!
Q: Why did you want to compete in the science fair?
A: Science fair for me was an opportunity to apply my knowledge on a problem that would affect people’s lives. Math and computer science have been big passions for me, and science fair helped me better understand how they can change people’s lives.
Q: What was the highlight of science fair for you?
A: The highlight of the science fair would be being able to see all of the great projects everyone worked on. They are all really impressive and I definitely got inspired after seeing some of the projects.
Q: What are your recommendations for people who want to compete in a regional science fair or even go to nationals?
A: My only recommendation is to shape your project around something you are passionate about. This makes the project way more engaging and you are more motivated too.
Q: Tell me about your project (why did you choose to do it, what did you do)?
A: My project had to do with the prognosis of a disease called Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis through machine learning methods. I used several models which were given data including the patient age, sex, smoking status, lung capacity, and a CT scan of the lungs and outputted a prediction of the patient’s future lung capacity. I choose this project because it applies all of my knowledge in mathematics and computer science.
Q: What is your advice for any student in pursuing science?
A: Remember that science is not a solo sport. It is often really nice to communicate and work with others in science and make sure to stay involved with the community as well!
Q: Anything else you’d like to say?
A: Good luck!
A big Congratulations to Arnav for receiving the following awards:
- Buckley Family Award for Engineering (Secondary)
- CWSF Travel Award
- CWSF Bronze Excellence Award (Senior)
Alia Damji (Grade 9)
Check out Alia’s CWSF Project Board and CYSF project!
Q: Why did you want to compete in the science fair?
A: I wanted to meet people that are interested in the same, or similar, things I am. I’m also very passionate about the scientific method, and just generally wanted to expand my knowledge.
Q: What was the highlight of science fair for you?
A: After compiling all of the data, there is a moment of euphoria when you get to look at what you found out. There’s really nothing quite like it!
Q: What are your recommendations for people who want to compete in a regional science fair or even go to nationals?
A: Don’t give up, I know that sometimes it becomes stressful and time-consuming. My advice is to just continue forward, it will be worth it in the end.
Q: Tell me about your project (why did you chose to do it, what did you do)?
A: I did the sense of direction between males and females. I chose to do this because it has become somewhat of a controversial subject. I also thought that there could be a bias in saying that men are better at navigation, making it a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Q: What is your advice for any student in pursuing science?
A: Top grades are good, but they aren’t the most important thing. Instead, you need persistence, motivation, and loads of curiosity. Pursue your interests!
Q: Anything else you’d like to say?
A: Never worry about not being smart enough, you are most definitely smart enough!
Congratulations to Alia for receiving the following awards:
- CYSF Travel Award
- Dr. Werner Becker Clinical Neuroscience Award
- The Psychologists Assoc. of Alberta Behavioral Science Award
Aarushi Bhargava (Grade 10)
Check out my CWSF Project Board and CYSF project!
Q: Why did you want to compete in the science fair?
A: I have always been a curious person and have enjoyed just learning about science. As I got older, this interest channelled itself into finding ways to solve problems.
Q: What was the highlight of science fair for you?
A: I really enjoyed being able to see all of the other projects. When you look at the work that they’ve spent a whole year on, you can see how passionate they are about it, and seeing that is truly inspiring!
Q: What are your recommendations for people who want to compete in a regional science fair or even go to nationals?
A: Just go for it! You have nothing to lose! Whatever happens, you’re going to learn something new!
Q: Tell me about your project (why did you chose to do it, what did you do)?
A: My project looked at the effect of weather conditions on the amount of electricity that solar panels generate. I used a multivariable statistical model to look at how factors such as rain, cloud cover, sunlight hours, and others impact the amount of electricity that solar panels generate in Calgary.
Aarushi was awarded the following awards:
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Award
- CYSF Top Intermediate Runner Up
- CYSF Travel Award
- Intact Climate Change Resilience Award
- CWSF Bronze Excellence Award (Intermediate)
- CWSF Statistical Society of Canada Award.
If you want to learn more about CYSF and Team Calgary, check out their Instagram page!
Once again, congratulations to Team Calgary for all of their hard work and efforts!