Accelerating Learning through Science Fairs

Written by Jim Rea, ABC Ontario President

It's science fair season! While not every student (or parent) gets excited about a science fair project, science fairs offer students almost unmatched learning and acceleration opportunities.

Science fair projects open the door to mentorships, even for elementary school students – because university professors love to support kids with original ideas. Science fairs can lead to scholarships, university admission – and even publication in scientific journals before completing high school.

A science fair project is great for students who have a deep curiosity in science research, in engineering and robotics, or in coding. While our high school science curriculum focuses on memorizing content to answer questions, in the real world, science is about asking questions then finding answers. That is perfectly replicated in the hands-on science fair experience.

Throughout March and April, districts across the province will be hosting their regional science fair – with the top projects advancing to compete in Edmonton at the Canada Wide Science Fair. Some of those projects will then go on to represent Canada at international competitions.

While it’s likely too late to enter a project for this year, it is an amazing experience for STEM focused kids to attend the public viewing at their local science fair. They will find inspiration from other students projects that spark project ideas for themselves.

Below you’ll find the list of upcoming regional science fairs. Click on the link below to find out public viewing times (some of which are still TBD).

Hamilton (Bay Area) - Mar 14, 2026
Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair – Infinite Possibilities

London (Thames Valley) – Mar 20 & 21, 2026
Youth Science London/Thames Valley Science & Engineering Fair Youth Science London/Thames Valley Science & Engineering Fair

Timmins – Mar 27, 2026
Fun with Science | Science Timmins | Ontario

Ottawa – Mar 27 & 28, 2026
Home - Ottawa Regional Science Fair

Kingston (Frontenac, Lennox & Addington) – Mar 27, 2026
- Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Science Fair

Niagara – Mar 27 or 28, 2026
NRSEF 2025-2026 | Niagara Regional Science & Engineering Fair

Toronto Mar 27–28, 2026
Toronto Science Fair

Barrie (Simcoe County) – Mar 28, 2026
Simcoe Science and Technology Fair – Official site of the Simcoe County Regional Science and Technology Fair

Cornwall (United Counties) – Mar 28, 2026
United Counties Science Fair – Eastern Ontario regional science fair

Windsor – Mar 28, 2026
WRSTEF

Owen Sound (Bluewater) – Apr 1, 2026
Bluewater Regional Science and Technology Fair

Thunder Bay (Northwestern Ontario) – Apr 7, 2026
NorthWestern Ontario Regional Science Fair – A Youth Science Canada-affiliated regional STEM fair