Science Fair
Children & Youth Committee at Rotary Club of Guelph
SCIENCE FAIR
The Waterloo-Wellington Science and Engineering Fair was initiated in 1974 by two university professors - Rotarian Dr. James (Jim) R. Stevens from the Rotary Club of Guelph, and his Waterloo colleague, Dr. Stephen J Little. Very early on, the Rotary Club of Guelph became a gold sponsor of this Science Fair ... and is still a gold sponsor.
Showcasing the Next Generation of Researchers and InnovatorsThe Waterloo-Wellington Science & Engineering Fair is an annual event that brings together the best of young scientific minds in our community to promote excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Around 300 participating students each year gain valuable experience and confidence from the identification, documentation (written and visual) and presentation of their project to 3 different judges at the fair.
During this event, projects are placed into three divisions:
- Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Physical & Mathematical Sciences
These projects are further divided into three categories based on the grades of the participants: Junior (Gr. 7-8), Intermediate (Gr. 9-10) or Senior (Gr. 11-12). Very moderate "awards" are given out, ranging from $30 (bronze prize) to $100 (gold prize).
Winners at the regional fair go on to the Canada-Wide Science Fair and some have been placed on Team Canada at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Being an award winner boosts resumés for university and even future job applications!
Students and projects are judged according to a national standard that includes the scientific method, creativity, organization, research, background knowledge, visual impact and a written summary of the project. Awards and scholarships are given to students who have excelled in these criteria.
The WWSEF is open to all young researchers in grades 7 to 12 in schools from the areas served by the Waterloo Region and Wellington County school boards. In the early days of the Fair, the RCOG held its meetings at the site to enable club members the opportunity of viewing the exhibits. (Reference: Rotary’s 100th Anniversary Book)
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