Students compete for top prize at York Region science fair
Media and public invited to attend this Saturday April 11, hosted at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ’s Markham campus for first time
April 10, 2026, TORONTO – While Artemis II is expected to arrive back on Earth today, youth from York Region will be setting up their science projects that might be adopted in the future, including a smart compression suit for astronauts, duckweed growth and nutrient recycling in space, developing a machine-learning model to discover active asteroids and more.
More than 115 projects will be showcased by more than a hundred and sixty students grades 7 -12 as they compete this Saturday at the at ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ’s Markham Campus. The students from 37 schools across York region will compete for a spot at the competition, which will be held in Edmonton, Alberta this year in late May.
While ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ and YRSTF have partnered for the fair for more than a decade, with it typically being held at York’s Keele campus, 2026 marks the first year that the fair will be held at York’s Markham campus, newly opened in 2024.
Fifty judges will review their science fair submissions. YRSTF is an affiliate of Youth Science Canada, and the winners will be among 500 students from across the country vying for the title of Canada’s best science fair project and may go on to represent Canada internationally.
Co-chair of the YRSTF@York partnership, Faculty of Health Professor Rebecca Pillai Riddell, and YRSTF Youth Science Canada Regional Coordinator for York Region Nathalie Rudner as well as participating students, will be available for interviews.
Projects in past years have included eco-friendly paper packaging made of sprouts, sound-powered batteries to monitor air quality, autonomous robots to assist seniors and using neural networks to detect disease early.
Students from previous competitions have gone on to show their work at prestigious competitions such as the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ’s Connected Minds, a leading neuroscience research collaboration looking towards creating a healthy and just society, is the fair’s major sponsor this year, as well as York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board alongside many community businesses and individuals.
Media are invited to attend from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. during the judging portion of the fair, as well as the public viewing that takes place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
WHAT: York Region Science and Technology Fair
WHO: Grades 7 to 12 students from 37 York Region schools
WHEN: Saturday April 11. Media invited for a sneak-peek of the projects on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and public viewing from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Viewing hours located at 2nd floor of ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ’s . The Awards Ceremony will follow at 5 p.m. in the atrium.
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¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. York's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.
Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca
