Canada's Top Youth Scientists Awarded $1.3 Million at the 2025 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Fredericton
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FREDERICTON, New Brunswick — From groundbreaking schizophrenia treatment research to innovative sea turtle robots, Canada's top young scientists showcased world-class research and innovation this week at the 63rd Canada-Wide Science Fair. At an awards ceremony this evening at the University of New Brunswick, 219 finalists were recognized with nearly $1.3 million in scholarships and awards at the country's premier youth science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) event. The fair's Best Project Award in Discovery went to Sara Waqas from Calgary for her project, 'Neurobiologically Informed Targeted Schizophrenia Treatment: A Multi-Omic, fMRI Approach', while the Best Project in Innovation went to Evan Budz from Burlington, Ontario, for his project 'Development of an Autonomous Bionic Sea Turtle Robot for Ecological Monitoring using AI'.
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'Tonight's winners are a powerful example of the impact youth can make through STEM,' said Reni Barlow, Executive Director at Youth Science Canada, organizers of the Canada-Wide Science Fair 2025.
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'This week, we've witnessed the power of youth curiosity in action,' said Reni Barlow, Executive Director at Youth Science Canada, organizers of the event. 'Every student who undertakes a STEM project deserves to be celebrated for their dedication and creativity. Tonight's winners are a powerful example of the impact youth can make through STEM.'
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Top winners, selected by over 200 judges, include:
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Best Project Awards
Best Project: Discovery
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Sara Waqas from Calgary, Alberta, for
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Neurobiologically Informed Targeted Schizophrenia Treatment: A Multi-Omic, fMRI Approach
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Link to project
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Best Project: Innovation
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Evan Budz from Burlington, Ontario, for
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Development of an Autonomous Bionic Sea Turtle Robot for Ecological Monitoring using AI
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Link to project
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Platinum Awards – Discovery
Best Junior (Grade 7/8)
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Claire Sehn from Peterborough, Ontario, for
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Link to project
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Best Senior (Grade 11/12/Cégep)
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Hejin Wang from Saint John, New Brunswick, for
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Link to project
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Platinum Awards – Innovation
Best Junior (Grade 7/8)
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Trisha Haldar from Windsor, Ontario, for
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Visual Drug Interaction Checker
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Link to project
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Best Senior (Grade 11/12/Cégep)
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Chloe Rae Filion and Sophie Rose Filion from Fenwick, Ontario, for
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The Home Smog Alarm: How clean is your home's air?
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Link to project
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The 2025 Canada-Wide Science Fair featured 390 student finalists, from Grade 7 through Cégep, showcasing 339 projects. The event drew more than 5,000 visitors and more than 30,000 online viewers. The Canada-Wide Science Fair and STEM Expo continue in person at the University of New Brunswick tomorrow, Friday, June 6, until 2:30 p.m. ADT, with projects remaining online for public viewing afterward.
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The 64 th edition of the Canada-Wide Science Fair will be held at the Edmonton EXPO Centre and the University of Alberta from May 23 to 30, 2026.
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Members of the public are invited to meet the best project and platinum award winners on Friday, June 6, at 8:30 a.m. ADT in the Richard J. Currie Center at the University of New Brunswick. The panel discussion will also be broadcast live.
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Media members are encouraged to participate.
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Winners will be available for media interviews throughout the week of June 9, 2025, by contacting Mary Moniz at mary@torchiacom.com.
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Contacts
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For more information:
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Mary Moniz
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Torchia Communications
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www.torchiacom.com
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647-278-0152
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mary@torchiacom.com
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