All About the Fair

The East Kootenay Regional Science Fair is an in-person science fair for students in Grades 6–12. Students present original science, engineering, and innovation projects and discuss their work with judges who have backgrounds in STEM fields. The fair is designed to encourage curiosity, communication, and critical thinking while allowing students to share what they have learned with judges, peers, and the public. The fair offers great prizes, including cash, scholarships, and trips to represent the region at the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

Date, Location, and Schedule

Friday, April 10, 2026

College of the Rockies, Cranbrook

  • 8:30–9:00 am — Student setup

  • 9:00 am — Opening ceremonies

  • 9:15 am–12:00 pm — Judging

  • 12:00–2:00 pm — Lunch break and public viewing of projects

    • Parents are welcome to attend during this time

    • Bridge breaking contest

  • 12:30–1:30 pm — Get to know College of the Rockies

  • 2:00–4:00 pm — Closing ceremonies and awards

Who Can Participate

Students must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be in Grades 5–12

  • Work alone or with a partner

  • Be enrolled in a public, private, independent, or home school in the East Kootenay area

  • Follow all ethics and safety requirements outlined in the Project Guidance page.

Presenting at the Fair

During the judging process, students will present their projects and explain their work to the judges. Judges will ask questions about what the student did, why they chose the project, how the work was carried out, and what was learned.

A typical judging interview includes:

  • About 10 minutes of project explanation

  • About 5 minutes of questions

For two-person projects, both students are expected to participate equally and be able to answer questions about the project.

Display Setup

Each project is assigned a single display space. Displays must be free-standing and fit entirely within the allocated area. Projects that do not meet safety or display requirements may have items removed or may be disqualified. Detailed display dimensions and safety rules are provided in the Project Guidance page.

Questions or Support

If you have questions about the fair, project requirements, or participation, contact: east.kootenay@youthscience.ca