As a second-generation immigrant with a passion for stories, cultures, and human experience, I always saw myself as an avid humanities lover. My heart always leaned toward literature, history, and the messy beauty of human connection. Science? That felt like a world for math geniuses and lab-coat enthusiasts. Yet, that all changed when I started doing science fair five years ago, not just as a thinker, but as someone who discovered a love for psychology, neuroscience, and even machine learning. If you’re a kid (or a parent reading this), I’m here to tell you why science fairs are for everyone, even if you don’t think you’re necessarily “science-brained.”
My Science Fair Journey
Five years ago, I entered my first science fair as a nervous middle schooler. I wasn’t a science kid. I was the exact opposite. I spent my time writing poetry, fiction stories, and I wouldn’t leave the house without a book. My mom encouraged me to try, so I picked a topic that sparked even a little interest, the psychology of mnemonics. That project sparked a curiosity I didn’t know I had. That first project sparked a curiosity that only grew with each fair. Each year, I looked into further research applications of different streams within psychology. Fast forward to 2025, I was analyzing fMRI scans to understand how exactly acculturation, the process of adopting the values of a new culture while still retaining the original culture, shapes brain connectivity. I was even able to build machine learning models to predict cultural stress. A humanities kid coding AI models, that I never thought was possible? I owe that to science fairs.
The pinnacle was competing at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, Canada’s largest youth STEM event, hosted by Youth Science Canada. CWSF was a whirlwind of inspiration, with hundreds of students from grades 7-12 showcasing mind-blowing projects. The energy in the room was electric, with 400 finalists presenting groundbreaking ideas in Fredricton, New Brunswick. I felt part of a vibrant community of curious minds, all united by a drive to explore. This week-long event included lab tours, talks from STEM leaders, and even a long-standing tradition of pin trading, where you trade pins from your regions with other finalists. CWSF wasn’t just a competition; it was a celebration of like-minded individuals, full of creativity and connection.
Why Science Fairs Are for Everyone
You don’t need to love physics or chemistry to shite at a science fair, local or national like CWSF. Here’s why every kid should try one:
- It’s About Your Questions: Science fairs are about asking “why” or “how.” My questions asked over the years, from the psychology of suicide, to the analysis of brain scans, came from my own lived experiences and all my interests. Whether you love music, sports, or stories, you can turn your passion into a project. Love history? Looking into how culture impacts mental health. Love art? Explore how colour influences emotions. CWSF’s diversity of projects, from health to engineering, proves there’s a place for every interest.
- The Research Process is Magic: I fell in love with research. Digging into studies, connecting ideas, and building something new became part of my life. It’s like solving a mystery, whether you’re analyzing brain scans or survey responses. This skill translates to any field, from writing essays to tackling real-world problems. At CWSF, I saw how my humanities-driven storytelling made my data come alive, earning praise from judges.
- You’ll Discover New Passions: Science fairs led me to psychology and neuroscience, then to machine learning. Fields that 10-year-old me would have never dreamt of exploring, but now have become something I do for fun! My project on acculturation revealed just how much integration strengthens brain connectivity, sparking my fascination with the mind. Coding an AI model felt like a dream. You might start with a simple idea and uncover a field that changes your future forever.
- Resilience and Creativity Thrive: Science fairs teach you to pivot through setbacks. I spent hours fixing blurry fMRI scans and buggy code, but each challenge only made me sharper. My humanities passions brought creativity to my projects, blending personal narratives with data. The collaborative environment of science and the amazing people, with peer feedback and expert input, amplified this creativity further.
- A Community of Curious Minds: CWSF, as well as Calgary Youth Science Fair, connected me with hundreds of finalists from across Canada, all sharing a passion for discovery. We were able to trade ideas, cheered each other on and finally formed lifelong friendships. The fair’s STEM Expo and lab tours showed us just how academia and professionals work, making science feel accessible, exciting, and a reality for driven youth.
How Science Fairs Shaped Me
Science fairs, especially CWSF, helped me understand myself. My projects on acculturation mirrored my bicultural experience, showing how integration fosters neural resilience while marginalization raises stress risks. These findings weren’t just data. They validated my life and the lives of millions. Collaborating with experts at CWSF gave me the tools to turn personal questions into rigorous science.
CWSF was a turning point. Presenting to judges, engaging with peers, and exploring world-class showed me the power of STEm to address human challenges. The fair’s vibrant community and nearly $1 million in awards and scholarships highlighted the value of youth innovation. It taught me that curiosity, not a “science brain,” drives impact. I went from a humanities lover to someone dreaming of a science-based career.
My Advice to Kids (and Parents)
If you think science fairs aren’t for you because you’re not “science-y,” think again. Start with a question that excites you. Maybeit’ss about music, culture, or even your favourite game, whatever it is, start a project. Join a local fair, aim for CWSF, and dive into the research process. You’ll mess up, learn, and grow. Parents, encourage your kids to try, even if they lean towards humanities like I did. Science fair’s mix of competition, collaboration, and celebration will show them they belong in STEM.
Science fairs, especially CWSF, were my bridge from stories to science. They showed me that every question can spark change, and that collaborating with experts can turn ideas into a reality. So take the leap. Your idea might just change your life and the world.