On Wednesday May 16th the Exhibit Hall will close for two hours so Finalists can have hands-on experiences in classrooms and labs on campus.  The Faculties of

• Learn how program and control drones with the Computer Science department
• Learn how to test water quality in the Water and Ice Research Lab with the Environmental Studies Department
• Learn how to create a map with ArcGIS with the Geography department 
• Learn how to monitor birds, plants, and trees with the Biology and Environmental Sciences Departments
• Learn how your brain and body communicate with one another with the Neuroscience Department 
• Learn how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks form using rock specimens, thin sections, and petrographic microscopes, as well as visit the Isotope    Geochemistry and Geochronology Research Centre to learn how radioactive elements can be used to determine the ages of rocks with the Earth Sciences Department 
• and much more (be sure to read through the full list of tour descriptions)!

Choice 1 – Aircraft Stability and Control Demonstration

Adjust weights on a model aircraft and control ailerons to try to keep an aircraft stable in one of our on campus wind tunnels

Offered in English only. 

Location:Mackenzie Building (ME) 2140

Choice 2 – Biochemistry

Enzymes are complex protein molecules that carry out specific functions in biological cells, acting as catalysts to speed up the rate of biochemical reactions. They are used in numerous industrial and household products from detergents to food. In our biochemistry lab at Carleton University, you will use typical techniques in enzymology to determine the effects of various factors on the activity of an enzyme.

Offered in English only. 

Location: Tory Building (TB) 102 (basement)

Choice 3 – The Birthday Problem

Imagine you are sitting in a classroom with a number of other students. What do you think the probability is that at least two of you share a birthday? How many students would need to be in the room in order for this probability to be 50%? What about 99.9%? The answers will surprise you!

Offered in English only. 

Location: Herzberg Building (HP) 4385

Choice 4 – Department of Electronics Microfabrication Facility

Are you interested in seeing how we manufacture components that make commerce, communications, entertainment, transportation all possible?  The Carleton University Microfabrication Facility is used for manufacturing silicon integrated circuits and other devices in support of research in many fields.

Offered in English only. 

Location: Minto Center (MC) 4082

Choice 5 – Discover the electron in yourself!

(Grade 11-CEGEP only)

Perform for yourself the classic 1897 experiment that first identified the electron as a subatomic particle. You will create a beam of electrons and steer it through electric and magnetic fields to measure just how much charge this tiny mass carries.

Offered in English and French (Experiment description and worksheets will be provided in English and French, experiment presentation will be bilingual)

Location: 

Session 1 (2pm): Southam Hall (SA) Theatre B 

Session 2 (3:15 pm): Herzberg Building (HP) 3125

Choice 6 – Discovery Center

Welcome to the Discovery Centre at Carleton University’s MacOdrum Library! The Discovery Centre offers interactive learning labs and spaces. You will explore the ways the library incorporates innovative technologies and adds multiple layers of discovery to learning and research. You will get hands-on experience and instruction in our various learning labs including the 3D Gaming Lab (including 3D printers), the Multi-Media Lab, and the Standing Work Stations (treadmill desks and huddle tables). 

Offered in English only.  

Location: Herzberg Building (HP) 2120

Choice 7 – Drone Hacking/Piratage des drones

Drone are flying robots, without on-board human pilots. They have revolutionized many areas, such as surveillance, search and rescue, aerial imagery and package delivery. They can work in coordinated groups. Their autonomy and ability to achieve complex reasoning are growing, thanks to advances in artificial intelligence. Drone hacking is an activity aiming to modify and extend the capabilities of a drone. In this session, students will learn about the system architecture of a drone, drone control and programming, review the system components and learn how each of them is hackable. Access to the navigation system, computer and communication system will be discussed.
Offered in English and French. 

Location: Herzberg Building (HP) 4155

Choice 8 – Earth Sciences Investigations: How we learn what rocks can tell us about the history of the Earth and how it works 

Visitors to the Department of Earth Sciences will spend half of this hour-long tour in our teaching laboratories investigating how igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks using rock specimens, thin sections and petrographic microscopes, and the other half of the tour visiting the Isotope Geochemistry and Geochronology Research Centre (IGGRC)  to learn how we precisely measure radioactive element contents and radiogenic isotope ratios in Earth materials to determine their ages and gain understanding of Earth processes and history.

Petrography session: English only, IGGRC lab: English and French

Location: Herzberg Building (HP) 2120

Choice 9 – Embedded Systems to Mobile Apps

Check out innovative projects and problems students work on in Systems and Computer Engineering relevant to today's technologies.

Offered in English only. 

Location: Mackenzie Building (ME) 4463

Choice 10 – Engine Performance Laboratory

Measuring engine performance including efficiency at different speeds on different types of engines in a controlled environment.

Offered in English only. 

Location: Mackenzie Building (ME) 2232

Choice 11 – Entrepreneurship Takes Flight

In this fully hands-on challenge, students will learn to differentiate a product, build a prototype, and organize to deliver quickly and win the contract.  Students will create teams and engage the client in a competitive bid process for a new Airplane. They will design, test and ensure compliance. During this stage the market conditions may change. Upon agreed timelines the teams will promote (pitch) their offer and competitive advantage to the client. Ultimately the contract will be awarded.  

Offered in English only. 

Location: Tory Building (TB) 342

Choice 12 – Exploring Sensory Motor Neuroscience

Ever wonder how your brain and your body communicate with one another?  Visit the Carleton neuroscience teaching labs and learn just that!  Moving through a series of short hands on activities, you will have a chance to: map your own sensory homunculus, record the electrical signals our neurons use to communicate, and maybe even use your brain to control your lab partner’s arm.  

Offered in English only (may be bilingual if needed). 

Location:Health Sciences Building (HSB) 2201

Choice 13 –  Explosions, NMR and nano-imaging Come and explore the chemistry department! This tour is composed of 3 parts: (1) a chemistry demonstration featuring fireworks, explosions and glowing chemicals, (2) a demonstration of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and how it can be used to characterize ethanol/alcohol, and (3) a tour and hands-on demonstration in the state-of-the-art Nano Imaging Facility (NIF) where students will be asked to provide samples for imaging.  
Offered in English only. 

Location: Steacie Building (SC) 203

Choice 14 – Field Sampling for Ecology and Conservation

Come spend some time outdoors!!  Students will have the opportunity to participate in ecological field sampling in Brewer Park, adjacent to the campus. You will have the opportunity to learn about local plant and bird conservation issues, invasive and threatened species, as well as bird and tree identification techniques.  This tour includes actual field work – students will get hands-on experience setting up transects and quadrats for measuring plant diversity, plant identification, and conducting bird surveys.  

Offered in English only. 

Location: Meet in Field House (FH), then go the Brewer Park

Choice 15 – Flight Simulation, Virtual Reality, and Brain-Computer Interfaces

Come and visit the Cognitive Science department and experience the Advances Cognitive Engineering (ACE) and visualization and simulation labs. In the Large Flight Simulator Lab, experience the thrills of flying a full-scale Cessna 172 over the Gatineau Hills. Just what is a pilot’s brain busy doing while he or she is flying… Much more than you realize! You will learn about the importance of cognitive factors when it comes to flying an aircraft. In the Virtual Reality Lab, experience what it is like to be immersed in virtual reality. In the Brain Computer Interfaces lab, you will watch as a wireless electroencephalography (EEG) device responds to brain activity to control a mouse and other objects on a computer screen. We need volunteers, so perhaps you will get to see your own brain waves in action!

Offered in English only.

Location: Visualization & Simulation Building (VS), 4th floor

Choice 16 – Here today and gone tomorrow! Radioactivity and the world around us 

A popular discussion of a quantum phenomenon that plays an important role in our everyday lives. This tour will include an experimental demonstration that makes visible the decays of nuclear particles.

Offered in English and French. 

Location:

Session 1 (2 PM): Southam Hall (SA) Theatre B

Session 2 (3:15 PM): Herzberg Building (HP) 3125

Choice 17 – Microbiology

Bacteria, fungi, and viruses live all around us, on us, and inside of us! We'll talk about the ways in which microbes contribute to environmental processes, to health, and to disease. You'll have the opportunity to carry out experiments in the microbiology lab, look at various kinds of microbe, and sample microbes from the environment.

Offered in English only. 

Location: Tory Building (TB) 104

Choice 18 – Motion Capture

Explore Carleton's Motion Capture System, used to record movement of objects and people. Giving an industry standard experience, this technology is used by military, entertainment, sports, medical applications, and robotics

Offered in English only. 

Location: Azrieli Pavillion (AP) 234

Choice 19 – Net-zero Energy Tiny House

A tour of the net-zero energy tiny house and a discussion of the different innovative technologies used in this unique 4th year capstone design project.

Offered in English only. 
Location: Tiny House/Architecture Bridge between Mackenzie Building (ME) and Architecture Building (AA)

Choice 20 – Physical Geography and Geomatics (1)

With two waterways adjacent to Carleton University campus, it is a perfect opportunity to do some Water Quality Testing! We will introduce you to our Water and Ice Research Lab (WIRL) and you will get hands on experience running water quality tests using Vernier sensors. You will collect water samples from the waterways adjacent to Carleton University campus. Then you will bring these samples back to the WIRL lab to measure temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and total dissolved solids.

Offered in English only.  

Location:Loeb (LA) A200 (2nd Floor of Loeb in towerA)

Choice 21 – Physical Geography and Geomatics (2)

Come and check out our Geomatics lab where you will use ArcGIS to create a community plan that highlights key features and land use areas within your local community. Students will produce a high quality map that contains a variety of different physical/natural features, human/constructed features, and land use area designations. Just like a geomatics scientist, you will create a collection of point, line and polygon features and symbolize them with appropriate symbols and colours.

Offered in English only. 
Location: Loeb (LA) A120 (First Floor of Loeb in tower A)

Choice 22 – School of Industrial Design Modelmaking Labs

See Industrial Design labs Carleton students use to manufacture prototypes as well as reinforce physical principles to create products and systems.

Offered in English only. 

Location: Mackenzie Building (ME)3470

Choice 23 – Structures - Why Things Don't Fall Down

A tour of the civil engineering structures lab will show how we test large specimens of steel, concrete and wood and highlight some innovative new materials and designs for new structures or to rehabilitate older structures or structures damaged in an earthquake.

Offered in English only. 

Location: Minto Center (MC) 2030

Choice 24 – Think Water 

A tour on the Environmental Engineering undergraduate laboratory will include a discussion of the challenges facing drinking water quality following by a lab to assess drinking water quality and/or treatment.

Offered in English only. 

Location: Minto Center (MC) 1040

The list below includes all available Special Awards. A project may be nominated for up to three Special awards. Only those awards for which a project is eligible will appear in the Special Awards area of the CWSF online registration system.

• Junior:  $500 cash and certificate
• Intermediate:  $750 cash and certificate
• Senior:  $1,000 cash and certificate

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  N/A
• Senior:  $1,000 cash and certificate plus a subscription to the Canadian Acoustical Association’s quarterly journal

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  N/A
• Senior:  $1,000 cash and certificate

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  $750 cash and certificate
• Senior:  N/A

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  N/A
• Senior: All-expenses paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, August 25-August 30, 2018, for up to two student(s) of the winning project to represent Canada at the International Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition (www.sjwp.ca).

• Junior:  $500 cash and certificate
• Intermediate:  $750 cash and certificate
• Senior:  $1,000 cash and certificate

• Junior:  $500 cash and certificate
• Intermediate:  N/A
• Senior:  N/A

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  $750 cash and certificate
• Senior:  N/A

• Junior:  Telescope and certificate plus a one year youth membership in the RASC
• Intermediate:  Telescope and certificate plus a one year youth membership in the RASC
• Senior:  N/A

• Junior:  $500 cash and certificate
• Intermediate:  N/A 
• Senior:  N/A

• Junior:  $500 cash and certificate
• Intermediate:  N/A
• Senior:  N/A

• Junior: $500 cash and certificate
• Intermediate: $750 cash and certificate
• Senior: $1,000 cash and certificate plus an all-expenses paid trip to Waterloo, Ontario during summer 2018 to visit the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo, Canada's leading research centre on climate change resilience.

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  N/A
• Senior: Full scholarship to participate in the International Summer School for Young Physicists 2018 from July 15-28 at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario.  Total value $3,500.

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  N/A
• Senior:  $1,000 cash and certificate

• Junior:  $500 cash and certificate
• Intermediate:  $750 cash and certificate
• Senior:  $1,000 cash and certificate

1. The invention must show novelty (be the first in the world).
2. It must show utility (be functional and operative).
3. It must show inventive ingenuity and not be obvious to someone skilled in that area.

• Junior:  $500 cash and certificate
• Intermediate:  $750 cash and certificate
• Senior:  $1,000 cash and certificate

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  Can apply to SHAD 2019
• Senior:  N/A

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  $750 cash and certificate
• Senior:  N/A

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  N/A
• Senior:  $1,000 cash and certificate

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate:  N/A
• Senior:  $10,000 award ($3,750 + $6,250)

• Junior:  N/A
• Intermediate: N/A
• Senior:  Full scholarship to participate in the faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s weeklong DEEP Summer Academy in Summer 2018.  Total value $3,000.

• Junior:  Four projects will each receive a $500 cash award and certificate
• Intermediate:  Four projects will each receive a $750 cash award and certificate.
• Senior: Eight projects each receive a $1,000 cash award and certificate. Four of these Youth Can Innovate Award winners will also be announced as winners of an additional $7,000 cash award.

Projects are required to pass a safety check before they can be displayed at the CWSF. The safety check involves an inspection based on a Safety Checklist. Once all items on the checklist are approved, a safety check sticker will be applied to your project’s table sign.

1. Set up your project in the assigned space, including all items and materials that you plan to display during judging and public viewing. Store all packing materials in the assigned area for your region. Once your setup is complete, inform your delegate that you are ready for a safety check. Your delegate must be available if required.
2. Proceed to the safety check area and obtain the Safety Checklist for your project.
3. Wait in the designated area with your Safety Checklist until a safety inspector (red vest) greets you.
4. Introduce yourself, hand your form to the inspector, and bring him/her to your project.
5. The initial inspection should only involve the finalist(s) and the inspector. The inspector’s job is to ensure that your project passes the safety check. If all aspects of your project comply with the safety requirements, the inspection will proceed smoothly.
6. If a safety concern is identified, the inspector may suggest a minor change. Your delegate will be consulted before any change is made. If the change can be made quickly, your project will be approved and the inspector will place a safety check sticker on your project’s table sign.
7. For more serious or complex safety issues, a member of the National Science Fair Committee may be consulted. If extra time is required to make the necessary changes, your Safety Checklist will be returned to the safety check area by the inspector. After the required changes are made, return to the safety check area to obtain your checklist and wait for an inspector who will complete the safety check process and then place a safety check sticker on your project’s table sign.

Under Project Safety, you are asked whether your project involved the use of humans or animals (vertebrate or invertebrate). Your answers to these questions determine which forms are required in the Project Forms area.

Form 4.1A (Humans Low Risk)is required if your project involved the use of human subjects and the project meets the criteria for low risk, as defined in Youth Science Canada Policy 4.1.1.1 - [Participation of Humans in Research - Low Risk] (i.e., the project involves a survey of attitudes and beliefs, skill tests, or observations of behaviour withthe participants’ consent where there is minimal risk to the participant).

Form 4.1B (Humans Significant Risk)is required if your project involved the use of human subjects in an experiment involving significant risk, but the project does not meet the criteria for low risk as defined in Youth Science Canada Policy 4.1.1.2 - [Participation of Humans in Research - Significant Risk].

Form 4.1C (Animals)is required if your project involved any use of animals or animal parts. Refer to Youth Science Canada Policy 4.1.2 - [Use of Animals in Research] for details.

All required forms must be downloaded and completed using the free Adobe Reader software. After the form has been filled out on the computer, it should be saved and then uploaded to the online registration system.

To upload the saved form, go to the "Project Forms" area and then click the "Browse" button below the red “No file uploaded” message bar. Locate and select the saved form,and then click “Open” to confirm your selection. (If you have done this correctly, text showing the file location will appear in the box to the left of the "Browse" button.) Finally, click the "Save and Upload Forms" button to upload the file.

After any project form has been saved and uploaded, it must be printed and then signed as required. Bring the signed form(s) to the CWSF as they will be verified during the Safety Check. Unlike previous years, these project forms should not be faxed or mailed in advance of the CWSF.

Contents

A complete Project Report includes the following subtitles and sections. The five-page limit applies to sections 1-5. Sections 6 and/or 7 may be up to two additional pages, for a maximum total of seven.

1. Introduction: a description of the background to your experiment, innovation or study. What measurements or inventions by other people have laid the groundwork for your project? Where did you get the idea? What need are you addressing or what question are you trying to answer? The Introduction should include the specific objectives of the project. For example, if your project tested a hypothesis or if there were design criteria, you would describe them here. If an earlier version of the project was submitted in a previous year, you should describe it and highlight the changes and additional work done.
2. Procedure: a brief outline of the materials and methods used, which might include methods of data/information gathering in a study or construction of prototypes in an innovation, for example.
3. Results or Observations: a summary of the results of the experiment, innovation or study. Graphs, diagrams and charts may be included in your report, but not the raw data or observations.
4. Conclusions: an explanation of what can be concluded from the results of your project and why it is important.
5. Acknowledgements: recognition of those individuals, institutions and businesses that provided significant assistance in the form of guidance, materials, financial support and/or facilities for this work.
6. References: detailed references are mandatory for any specific literature referred to in the text of the report. Key sources used in the development of the project must be referred to in the text and listed in the References appendix. Author, title, source publication, volume, date and page numbers must be given for each reference, where available. Any use of quotations from references must be clearly identified in the report as well as the source being listed in the References appendix. It is recommended that senior projects format their references using APA format, which is commonly used in the scientific literature. Junior and intermediate projects may use APA format too. The references at the end of this article are in APA format. 
7. Bibliography (if necessary): a list of all significant sources consulted, but not specifically referred to in the report (books, articles, audio-visuals, documents, web sites with dates of access, interviews, etc.).

Format

• The format of the report will be a maximum of five letter-sized (8.5 x 11 inches) pages as a PDF file, to include sections 1-5 above. 
• An appendix of an additional two pages is allowed, containing the References and Bibliography (sections 6 & 7). Any additional material will be discarded and will not be distributed to judges. 
• Text must be in 12-point Times, Arial or equivalent type, double-spaced with margins of 2.5 cm (1 inch) all around. 
• Page 1 must have the project title and finalist name(s) at the top. 
• A footer in 8-point type is required on each page containing the date, finalist name(s) and project title as well as the page number. Here is an example of the footer:  "16 April 2018 - Jane Doe: The Generic Project - Page 1 of 5"

Composition

• composition style, 
• appropriate vocabulary,
• correct verb tense use,
• agreement of verbs and their subject nouns in number,
• and correct punctuation. 

Units

Respectable scientific work for international consumption is recorded using Système international (SI) units (www.bipm.org/en/publications/si-brochure), which must be used throughout. Correct abbreviations for units must be used.

Measurements and uncertainty

Most physical measurements have uncertainty. Students should be aware of the concepts of accuracy, precision and uncertainty in measurements, and the methods scientists use to represent them e.g. (Bell, 2001). In senior projects, data are expected to have the appropriate number of significant figures, and graphs should have corresponding error bars. Junior and intermediate projects may have as sophisticated a treatment of uncertainty as the finalists’ experience allows.

Graphs, Charts and Maps

Captions, labels on axes and legends must be accurate and legible.

In conclusion

Saving the report as a PDF

The Project Report is submitted electronically as part of the online CWSF registration process. It must first be saved as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, which preserves the appearance of your document regardless of which computer it is viewed on.

Please note: PDF is the only acceptable format for Project Reports.

• Use the “Save As…” option in Microsoft Word 
• Open the document and select Print > Save as PDF on any Macintosh computer running MacOS.
• Download the free CutePDF Writer (Windows only) and use it to convert your file.
• Go to Adobe and click “Try it for Free” to sign up and create up to five Adobe PDF files for free.
• Enter “convert to PDF” into your favourite search engine. You’ll find several other free offers for online conversion services.
• Get a local computer expert to do it for you. Your region should be able to help you with this process.
   

If you have won a place on your regional (or provincial) team to attend the Canada- Wide Science Fair (CWSF) - congratulations!

You will be joining 500 top young scientists from across Canada for a week that will be extremely busy, with activities including project set up and safety checks, judging, ceremonies, tours and social events. There is very little unstructured or “free” time.

Be sure to celebrate this achievement, but remember that this honour comes with certain expectations and responsibilities.

You (and a parent/guardian if you are under 18) are required to sign the CWSF Permission and Release Form acknowledging that you have read and agree to abide by the Youth Science Canada Code of Conduct (Policy 1.5.1) and policy on Academic Integrity (Policy 1.5.5), and to be governed by the Youth Science Canada policies on Discipline (Policy 1.5.2) and Appeals (Policy 1.5.3). Violation of these standards of conduct can result in a CWSF participant being disqualified and/or sent home at his or her own expense.

The CWSF is a great experience and adventure, and it’s fun, too. Thank you in advance for agreeing to meet the above expectations.

Youth Science Canada Code of Conduct

The Youth Science Canada Code of Conduct requires all CWSF participants to:

• Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of CWSF participants.
• Demonstrate respect for individuals regardless of gender, ethnic or racial origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, political belief, disability or economic status.
• Direct comments or criticism appropriately and avoid public criticism of finalists, judges, delegates, alternate delegates, host committee members, volunteers, guests, staff and members of Youth Science Canada, among others.
• Demonstrate ethical conduct and practices.
• Abstain from the non-medical use of drugs.
• Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes harassment, that is, comment or conduct, directed toward an individual or group, that is offensive, abusive, racist, sexist, degrading or malicious.
• Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment, that is, unwelcome sexual advances or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.
• Comply at all times with Youth Science Canada and CWSF policies, rules and regulations.

In addition, the Code specifically requires CWSF finalists to:

• Support and cooperate with every member of their Regional team.
• Adhere to the expectations set out in writing for them by their delegate(s).
• Attend and participate in all activities, tours and events that are part of the CWSF.
• Be punctual at all CWSF activities and events.
• Attend their displays at all times during the period that the CWSF is open to the public.
• Ensure that their delegate knows at all times where they are and with whom.
• Obtain their delegate’s explicit permission before leaving the group.
• Respect all curfews explained to them by their delegate.
• Get sufficient sleep.
• Understand the consequences of serious misbehaviour as described in Youth Science Canada's Discipline (Policy 1.5.2).
• Respect academic integrity as described in Youth Science Canada's Academic Integrity (Policy 1.5.5).

The Code also specifies that CWSF finalists shall not:

• Visit any areas declared off limits.
• Engage in any activity that will bring the moral tone of the CWSF into disrepute.
• Buy, possess, consume or distribute alcohol or illegal substances and materials (including drugs).

Any finalist who experiences any incident that he or she feels is unwelcome, inappropriate or in violation of the Code of Conduct or Academic Integrity policies should report the matter immediately to their Regional Science Fair delegate or to a CWSF Host Committee member. You can be assured that any complaint will be investigated immediately.

Additional CWSF requirements

Registration

Finalists are required to complete the online CWSF registration process, including the uploading of a Project Report and the completion of a Project Abstract and Biography by midnight (local time) at the end of April 30.

Travel & Attendance

Finalists are required to travel to/from the CWSF, be present for the entire week and stay in residence with their regional/ provincial team. Late arrivals or early departures, regardless of the reason, may only be requested by the finalist’s Regional Coordinator and require the written permission of the CWSF Travel Plan Manager.

Disqualification

Disqualification may occur prior to or at any time during and after the CWSF for violations of the Youth Science Canada Code of Conduct, Academic Integrity policy or the CWSF policies governing the safety and ethics of student research and project displays. Any finalist disqualified after the fair will forfeit all prizes and monies awarded to him or her. Appeals are governed by the Youth Science Canada Appeals (Policy 1.5.3).

• SHARE a week with other Canadian students who are also interested in science and technology;
• MEET new friends from across Canada and internationally;
• INTERACT with scientists, engineers and other professionals who work here in the National Capital Region;
• DISCOVER the historical, cultural and natural beauty of Ottawa;
• EXPLORE all that Carleton University has to offer;
• WELCOME visitors in the Fieldhouse and the Raven's Nest, including students and teachers from across the National Capital Region;
• ENCOURAGE others to build upon their curiosity in science and technology, and inspire the pursuit of scientific and technological solutions to the challenges that face the world;
• CELEBRATE at our ceremonies and special events, DANCE their hearts out, EXPERIENCE cultural activities and some of the world-class attractions unique to this region.

Several universities provide scholarships to top finalists at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Self-nomination is not required for these awards; the recipients are selected as part of Medal judging.

• Toll-free: 866-341-0040 ext. 230 (Lori Murray)
• Toll-free fax: 866-613-2542
• [email protected] or [email protected]

• Toll-free: 866-341-0040 ext. 232 (Julia McDevitt)
• Toll-free fax: 866-613-2542
• [email protected]

• Toll-free: 866-341-0040 ext. 237 (Alisha Bainbridge)
• Toll-free fax: 866-613-2542
• [email protected]
   

The purpose of the CWSF Awards is to reward outstanding scientific and technological achievement and excellence by Canada’s young scientists at the national level and to recognize those national finalists at the Canada-Wide Science Fair whose achievement places them above the rest.

Rigorous judging standards ensure all projects are assessed critically and fairly. All are judged on the following criteria (Judge's Marking Form):

• Scientific Thought
• Originality and Creativity
• Communication

About 325 judges from University, the public and private sectors, sponsors and regional science fair partners across Ontario volunteer their time to judge the science on display at the CWSF.

Awards include the Special, Challenge, Excellence (medals), and Grand Awards, with nearly $1 million presented as cash, scholarships, travel and other prizes!

Judging Policy

Youth Science Canada, with its National Judging Committee (NJC), establishes the criteria for awards, sets the judging standards, oversees selection of the CWSF Chief Judge, recruits award sponsors and organizes the presentation of the awards.

The CWSF Chief Judge recruits and trains judges, coordinates the judging process and selects the Special, Challenge, and Excellence Award recipients. A special Youth Science Canada panel selects the Grand Award recipients from the gold medal winners.

Awards are assigned to the best eligible project on the basis of ranking projects relative to others at the current CWSF.

Award recipients are selected based on the quality of their projects and presentations. Neither formal nor informal selection criteria based on gender or ethnocultural heritage are permitted in the National Awards Program or at the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

Judging Process

Special Awards

These awards are for outstanding projects that meet specific criteria within a particular aspect of science and often reflect the special interests of the sponsoring foundations, companies and professional associations. All Special Awards include cash awards, trips, summer internships and other prizes for outstanding projects that meet specific criteria established by the sponsor(s).

Self-nomination is required; judges will only consider projects that the finalists have nominated for these awards in the online registration system. The list includes all available Special Awards. A project may be nominated for up to three Special Awards. Only those awards for which a project is eligible will appear in the Special Awards area of the CWSF online registration system.

Special Awards judges spend approximately 10 minutes with each project. Judges expect to hear a brief (5 minute) summary of the project and why it deserves the award, followed by time for questions.

Self-nomination is a commitment to accept the award as offered. If you plan to nominate your project for a travel or summer experience award, be sure you do so only after careful consideration and with parent/guardian approval.

Please note: Certain Special Awards involve travel and a commitment to be away from home for an extended period of time, to travel to another country and/or to live in unfamiliar surroundings. All travel involves an element of risk. Foreign Affairs Canada provides advice to international travellers through their website.

View Special Awards

Challenge Awards

Challenge Awards recognize the top project in each of the 7 Canada-Wide Youth Science Challenges in each grade category. The seven Canada-Wide Youth Science Challenges – Discovery, Energy, Environment, Health, Information, Innovation and Resources – focus on issues that are important to Canadian youth, the future of their country and their world. They are meant to inspire students to exercise their curiosity and creativity by answering a question or solving a problem by doing a science project.

At the CWSF, 3 awards are presented - junior, intermediate and senior - for the best project that addresses each challenge.

During registration, finalists identify the challenge best addressed by their project. Interviews for these awards are unscheduled, and students may or may not see a judge for one of these awards.

View Challenge Awards.

Excellence Awards

Excellence Awards (CWSF medals) recognize science and technology excellence. The judging is a relative process, with medals awarded based on the ranking of consensus scores for each project within a grade category. A total of 70 medals is available in each grade category - junior, intermediate, and senior:

• 10 Gold Medals
• 20 Silver Medals 
• 30 Bronze Medals

All medals are normally awarded as judged; however, the awarding of a gold medal requires that the following minimum standard be attained:

• The project demonstrates Level 3 or 4 of Scientific Thought (see Judge’s Marking Sheet).
• Analysis and conclusions are appropriate and based on the data;
• The project demonstrates some knowledge of the relevant background and theory; and
• The project contains no glaring or significant errors.

Each judging team is assigned a specific group of projects in the same grade category. Normally, four different judges evaluate each project. Judging is a three-step process:

First, judges read the Project Reports in advance and, on the evening before judging, view the projects without the finalists being present.

On judging day, each of the four judges meets with the finalist(s) for about 20-minutes. Judges expect to spend approximately 10 minutes hearing a presentation about the project, followed by 10 minutes for questions.

After the finalists have left the exhibit area for the day, each judging team meets to discuss each project and assign a consensus score based on the project level and relative merit of each project. After these scores are compiled, representatives of each judging team within a grade category meet to review the ranked scores and determine the Excellence (medal) and Challenge Award recipients. This step involves considerable discussion among the judges and may require additional viewing of projects without the finalists present. Sponsor representatives may work with the category teams at this time to select the recipients of Special Awards.

Scholarships

Several universities provide scholarships to medal winners at the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

View scholarships.

Grand Awards

The Grand Awards include two Platinum Awards and the Best Project Award, which are presented to the top three projects at the CWSF - best junior, intermediate, and senior. All gold medalists are automatically considered for the Grand Awards.

Each of the two Platinum Awards includes $1,000 cash, a crystal presentation award and a trip to the 2018 European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Dublin, Ireland.

The Best Project Award includes $2,500 cash, a crystal presentation award and a trip to the 2018 European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) in Dublin, Ireland, making it one of the most valuable and prestigious awards for youth in Canada.

A special panel of Youth Science Canada appointed judges selects the Grand Award recipients.

Every project at the CWSF uses the same display unit - an aluminum frame with two white vertical panels, a triangular table, and a header sign pre-printed with the project title and finalist name(s). Use of the CWSF display unit is mandatory - do not bring a backboard of any kind.

The dimensions of the CWSF display unit (accurate to 1cm) are shown below. The diagram further down illustrates how standard paper pages fit on a display panel when arranged in a grid. Click each image to download a PDF file suitable for printing.

Display Requirements

The following information provides a summary of the display requirements. Finalists, delegates, parents, and Regional Coordinators are urged to review the CWSF Project Displays policy in detail when preparing CWSF display materials and before signing the CWSF Permission and Release Form. Some items accepted for display at a Regional Science Fair may not be permitted at the CWSF.

Before being approved for competition at the CWSF, each project must pass an inspection to ensure that the material on display complies with the CWSF Project Displays policy.

Once the project has been approved, no display materials may be added.

Presentation Materials

Presentation materials must be attached to the white display panels above the table, and may overlap from one panel to the other. Materials may not be attached to the display unit frame, including the header sign.

Adhesives for affixing presentation materials to the display panels will be supplied; no other adhesives may be used. At the end of the CWSF, display panels must be returned to their original condition, with all project materials and adhesives removed.

Although we will have sufficient tape for all participants, you may wish to bring your own supply of 3M Scotch 110 Heavy Duty Mounting Tape, as pictured, which is available in 1.9m rolls at Staples and Home Depot.

Presentation information including text, graphics, photographs and other data on the display panels must be printed on bond paper (laser, inkjet, or standard copier), or photographic paper. Laminated paper is permissible, but discouraged due to the environmental impact.

Construction paper, Bristol board and papers listed above may be used to outline or border presentation information or to add small decorative elements to the display panels.

If you are preparing a large-format poster, Staples will print a 24 x 36 inch page for about $30. A local municipal office, engineering or architecture firm, land surveyor, or university might be able to print a large poster at lower cost.

Finalists are encouraged to bring a USB drive with the files for their presentation materials saved as PDF files.

Display Materials

Papers presented on the table must be secured in a binder, Duo-tang, presentation folder, plastic sleeve or other appropriate enclosure.

Other display materials must comply with the CWSF Project Displays policy, which includes detailed rules for: fire safety; electrical safety; structural and mechanical safety; chemical safety; biohazards; human subjects; animals & animal parts; firearms; and hazardous materials and equipment.

Computers, tablets, and other electronic devices that comply with electrical safety requirements may be used as display materials. Finalists should remove all valuables from their display when the exhibit hall is closed.

A project may be granted additional space to display an innovation that exceeds the capacity of the display unit table. This request must be made by the Regional Coordinator to the CWSF Fair Director. The final authority for approval rests with the Executive Director.

Display Equipment and Damage

Although every effort will be made to prevent damage to exhibits, Youth Science Canada, the Host Committee or other sponsoring organizations or cooperating groups accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any exhibit or part thereof.

The Principles of Mentoring

When participating in a mentoring relationship, Youth Science Canada asks that all mentors and mentees review these guidelines, in order to develop a rewarding, beneficial relationship for all who are involved.

Youth Science Canada is dedicated to nurturing the scientific impulse, creativity, and dedication amongst Canadian youth - encouraging them to develop scientific and technical knowledge and skills through project-based science. We are inspired by the potential of Canada’s youth to improve the world through science and we make programs and resources to help realize that potential. We recognize that mentorship from those established in the Canadian scientific community can provide an enriching relationship for youth engaged in project-based science, adding to knowledge and experience.

A mentor is a teacher, guide, or advisor who works with an individual who is developing their scientific knowledge and expertise, providing support, insight, and resources from their own scientific background and experience. Mentors encourage and empower youth involved in project-based science to help them succeed and discover their own abilities and passions in a supportive, non-judgemental manner. Mentors provide an environment in which youth may learn and grow, whether that be in a laboratory setting, or virtual communication.

Mentors benefit from their participation by raising their academic and community profile and developing a relationship with a member of Canada’s youth.

It is the student’s role, and not the mentor’s, to conceive the project’s specific topic. All data taking must be the student’s own, unless the student does not represent it as his or her own and credits the actual data taker properly. Similarly, analysis of the data, the write-up of the project, and any public presentation of thereof are also exclusively the student’s responsibility. A student undertaking a mentored project has the responsibility to disclose that her/his project was mentored and by whom.

Responsibilities of Mentors and Mentees:

• Treat your mentor or mentee with respect at all times;
• Commit sufficient time and effort towards your mentorship. Set clear expectations for each other;
• Always communicate in a truthful manner;
• Do not accept/offer any kind of payment for your mentoring relationship
• Maintain the confidentiality of the mentoring relationship
• Read and respect Youth Science Canada's Academic Integrity Policy.

Responsibility of Mentors:

• Support and encourage the goals of your mentee - be enthusiastic and share your love of science;
• Encourage your mentee to maintain high scientific and ethical standards;
• Provide advice, guidance, and access to facilities or equipment not otherwise available to your mentee where possible;
• Ensure that your mentee is an active participant;
• Avoid the intent or appearance of unethical or compromising practice in communications, actions, and relationships;
• Maintain the confidentiality of all ideas, products, and materials that a mentee has, or may develop. Do not use any ideas, products, or materials from your mentee in order to further your academic, business, or financial career;
• Acknowledge any conflicts of interest relative to competitions involving the project to your mentee;
• Do not make inquiries regarding the decisions made by judges in competitions in which the project is entered;
• Refer your mentee to Youth Science Canada for issues or questions that you feel unqualified to answer;
• Always maintain a professional relationship with your mentee.
• For the protection of the mentor and the student, all meetings should be held in the presence of others during business hours, at the student’s school in the presence of a teacher or staff member, or at another location with a parent or guardian present.

Responsibility of Mentees:

• Clearly communicate your goals and needs for your project to your mentor;
• Maintain the confidentiality of the mentoring relationship;
• Communicate regularly and openly with your mentor;
• Complete any tasks you have agreed to do with your mentor in a timely manner; Maintain the confidentiality of all ideas, products, and materials that your mentor has, or may develop.
• Hold all sensitive scientific information provided through the relationship with your mentor in strict confidence.
• Always maintain a professional relationship with your mentor.

Levels of Mentorship

Youth Science Canada defines the following levels of mentorship:

0. Student does not receive any mentoring.
1. Student exchanges a few emails or phone calls, and/or meets with the mentor once or twice to discuss the student’s ideas.
2. Student occasionally contacts the mentor by email or phone, and/or meets occasionally with the mentor who provided some advice or materials.
3. Student has regular contact with the mentor by email or phone, and/or meets regularly with the mentor who provides advice, materials, assistance with design/testing, or data analysis.
4. Student has regular face-to-face contact with the mentor and regular access to advice, materials, space, equipment, design/testing, or other personnel in a specialized facility.
5. Student works closely with the mentor over an extended period of time to develop the project idea, plan and conduct the research/development, and analyze the results or test the innovation.

Finalists will be asked to enter the level of mentorship received when they register for the Canada-Wide Science Fair.