AWA at the 2026 Calgary Youth Science Fair
April 14, 2026
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Text and photos by Sara Heerema and CYSF
The Calgary Youth Science Fair (CYSF) began in 1962 and, since then, has showcased projects from more than 800 Calgary students from grades 5 to 12 each year. The Alberta Wilderness Association has sponsored an award at this event for multiple years, and it is always exciting to see which projects are considered for the award.
Walking through hundreds of posterboards set up in neat rows at the University of Calgary Oval, it was obvious just how much passion, time, and dedication had gone into the work. There was an amazing diversity of topics that these young researchers had spent between 3 months and 4 years working on. I noticed that this year included many more projects focused on the role of AI in science than in the past. Many of the projects focused on complex scientific topics like cancer and health research, robotics, and the environment.
Some of the projects I was drawn to included: Temperature Effects on Golden Eagle Migration, How Heart Rate Affects Cognitive Functions, Good Bacteria Gone Rogue, The Science Behind Popping Boba, Making Friends with Fungi, and Do Plants Grow Differently Around Music?. Schulich School of Engineering was there for another year, giving out 3D printed dinosaurs, showcasing their racing team, and providing opportunities for kids to learn about a future in STEM.
This year’s recipient of the Alberta Wilderness Association Award was Christina Varghese, a grade 6 student. Her project, “Saving Our Waters, One Filter at a Time”, showcased how daily and natural materials could be used to clean micro and nano plastics from water. Check out her project here: CYSF
Congratulations, Christina! We can’t wait to see what your project will be next year!
