Hundreds of young minds from across Canada compete in national science fair in Ottawa
Nearly 400 of the brightest young minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have converged in the capital for the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Grade 7 to 12 students from across the country are showcasing their innovative projects. With more than 7,000 student and public visitors expected on Thursday and Friday at Carleton University.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
At an awards ceremony, held at the National Arts Centre, there are big prizes up for grabs.
"We'll be giving out about $1.3 million worth of prizes, awards, and scholarships," says Reni Barlow, Youth Science Canada Executive Director. "It's a great opportunity for students if they undertake doing a project."
The Canada-wide Science Fair features a range of projects aimed at solving real-world problems.
"This device we designed over seven months," says, Saras Agrawal, who developed a device to prevent heart attacks using machine learning to predict cardiac events and detect heart diseases.
Evan Budz's project aims to prevent drowning with an AI-based detection system.
"It uses artificial intelligence to distinguish between swimming and drowning in individuals," he says. "When drowning is detected, it produces a three-phase alarm to alert users."
This science fair defies the traditional image of baking soda volcanoes. Noah Bryan has created a test for safe drinking water, which he says is better than current systems.
"I've developed a rapid water test to assess the full spectrum and diversity of lake water," he says.
The event features categories including aerospace, agriculture, digital technology, health, environment, and energy.
Alyssa Morena, an Ottawa student, showed off her project on nuclear batteries, emphasizing their safety and potential as a reliable power source.
"Not all things nuclear are dangerous," says Morena. "Nuclear batteries can provide a safe, uninterrupted power supply for everyday use."
Practical solutions to everyday problems are also on display, like a 'perfect' school locker, or detecting when artificial intelligence is being used for school essays.
Students display their projects at local schools before competing regionally. From there, they advance to the national science fair, with opportunities to compete internationally.
The event also hosts a STEM expo where students can interact with various organizations and gain valuable experience.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an 'innocent' couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
A photographer snorkeled for hours to take this picture
Shane Gross, a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist, has won the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
Three tobacco giants are proposing to pay close to $25 billion to provinces and territories and more than $4 billion to some 100,000 Quebec smokers and their loved ones as part of a corporate restructuring process triggered by a long-running legal battle.
More Trudeau cabinet ministers not running for re-election, sources say shuffle expected soon
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other, Marie-Claude Bibeau, doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.
Robert Pickton's handwritten book seized after his death in hopes of uncovering new evidence
A handwritten book was seized from B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton's prison cell following his death earlier this year, raising hopes of uncovering new evidence in a series of unprosecuted murders.
Former members of One Direction say they're 'completely devastated' by Liam Payne's death
The former members of English boy band One Direction reacted publicly to the sudden death of their bandmate, Liam Payne, for the first time on Thursday, saying in a joint statement that they're 'completely devastated.'
Israel says it has killed top Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar in Gaza
Israeli forces in Gaza killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year's attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to have run across him unknowingly in a battle, only to discover afterwards that a body in the rubble was Israel's most wanted man.
Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City
The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges Thursday against an Indian government employee in connection with a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.