For Students

 

Important Dates

 

February 23: Registration Opens
April 10: Registration Closes
April 17: In-Person Interviews, Fair, and Awards Ceremony

Steps

 

Step 1: Register

Registration for the West Kootenay Regional Science Fair is open February 23 - April 10, 2026. Register using this form. There is a $15 registration fee for the West Kootenay Regional Science Fair that will be paid at the door.

  • Participant Information
    - Full Name
    - E-mail
    - Age & Grade
    - School Name
    - District

    Parent/Guardian Information
    - Full Name
    - E-mail
    - Phone

    Project Information
    - Project Title
    - Are you doing a project with a partner? If yes, your partner's name

    Other Information
    - Ethics information (see Step 2)
    - Confirmation of access to a computer/internet

  • Registration is now open for the 2025 West Kootenay Science and Technology Fair. Register here.

Step 2: Obtain Ethics & Safety Approval

Projects involving humans, animals and hazards have ethics requirements. For example:

  • You may be required to fill out and submit ethics-related forms before you start your project to obtain ethics approval.

  • You may be required to use ethics-related forms during your project (e.g., to obtain informed consent from any people involved).

  • You may be required to fill out and submit ethics-related forms after your project is finished, but before the science fair.

You can download ethics forms below. All ethics-related inquiries and ethics forms and requests can be sent to peter.scott@sd51.bc.ca. You must submit your forms as soon as possible; it takes time to review and consider your project.

  • Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with right and wrong and the development of guidelines that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Scientists who carry out research projects involving humans, animals and hazards spend a lot of time thinking not only about the scientific content of their work, but also about the potential impact on the health, privacy, and dignity of the subjects participating in their studies.

    All projects must meet the Youth Science Canada ethics policies, which also apply to projects at the national Canada-Wide Science Fair. We encourage students and teachers to become familiar with these guidelines – not only to avoid disqualification and disappointment, but also to understand the basic principles of research ethics.

  • Youth Science Canada has developed ethics policies that apply to science fair projects completed by all elementary and high school students in Canada. You must follow these guidelines in order to qualify for participation in the West Kootenay Regional Science Fair and the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

    Complete guidelines regarding the use of humans and animals in student research projects can be found on the Youth Science Canada website. To help you determine whether these guidelines apply to your project and which forms you need to fill out, please review YSC’s policies. To avoid any surprise, review the guidelines before you start working on your project and before you prepare your display for the fair!

    Using animals in your project? Review the guidelines from the Canadian Council on Animal Care.

  • You can download the West Kootenay Science Fair Request for Ethics Approval here or in the Resources & Forms section below.

    All ethics-related inquiries and ethics forms and requests can be sent to peter.scott@sd51.bc.ca. You must submit your forms early.

    A full list of the Youth Science Canada ethics forms can be found here.

Step 3: Present Your Project

Interviews will take place on Friday, April 17 at John A. Hutton Elementary School. The in-person fair will include science activities, public viewing of projects, and an awards celebration. There will be activities on site for youth and adults to participate in.

Step 4: Celebrate!

Now is the time to celebrate what you have accomplished. We will come together in-person on April 17 at John A. Hutton Elementary School to announce our 2026 West Kootenay Regional Science Fair award winners.

Safety Regulations: Prohibited items and hazardous materials
You are not allowed to have any biohazardous, combustible, ingestible, or sharp materials in your possession at the fair.

FAQs

 

If I face financial challenges in completing a STEM project, is there any available support?

You bet! Check out the STEM Project Grant available through the Science Fair Foundation BC. Youth can receive between $50 - $200 towards their STEM project including resources, registration fees, travel fees, and more!

Do I need to make a physical board to display my project? 

Yes, a physical display board is required.

Do I have to be at the fair on April 17 to receive awards? 

Yes, you must be present at the fair and Awards Show on April 17 in order to receive any awards. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for students who live in rural/remote areas of the Kootenays and are unable to travel to the fair. Please contact us at peter.scott@sd51.bc.ca to request an exemption.