Vancouver, BC (August 10, 2026) — Registration is officially open for the eighth annual Youth Innovation Showcase (YIS), a virtual STEM competition hosted by the Science Fair Foundation of BC (SFFBC). Youth across British Columbia and Yukon are invited to put their own spin on science, turning ideas that address a challenge in their life or community into a project worth sharing. Now heading into its eighth year, YIS has become a launchpad for young innovators to test their thinking, sharpen how they communicate it and connect with the people shaping BC's tech sector. SFFBC sees the showcase as proof that the province's next generation of scientists and technologists is already hard at work.

Projects don't need to be polished to enter; an early-stage idea is just as welcome as a finished prototype. Entrants can go it alone or team up with one partner, and are grouped into two age brackets, 12 to 15 and 16 to 19, each competing for its own $5,000 grand prize. To keep the competition fresh, past YIS winners can't resubmit their winning projects. Anyone looking for a starting point can browse last season's finalists and semi-finalists for a sense of what makes the cut.

"Eight years in, and the ideas keep getting sharper," said Sarah Prade, Executive Director of the Science Fair Foundation of BC. "What stood out last season was how many participants had clearly thought through not just the science, but who it was actually for. We're looking forward to seeing where this year's cohort takes it."

Judging this year draws once again on volunteer expertise from across BC's technology community, alongside YIS alumni returning to mentor and evaluate under an updated scoring framework.

Finalists will present at the Awards Show on January 27, 2027, when judges deliver feedback and the two grand prize winners are named. As in the prior cycle, the show is held in late January so students have the full winter break to polish their submissions ahead of interviews.

Additionally, this year, SFFBC is launching its Science Fair Accelerator, a high-performance program for passionate science fair students who want to improve their project and their performance at their regional fair. From background research to experimental design or testing your prototype, this 6-week program will break down your existing project and show you how to apply rigorous scientific principles to earn top marks from judges. Learn more at https://sciencefairs.ca/accelerator/.

Full key dates for the Youth Innovation Showcase are listed below. Registration details are available at https://www.sciencefairs.ca/youth-innovation-showcase/.

Important Dates

• Registration Opens - August 10, 2026
• Registration Deadline - September 28, 2026
• Semi-Finalists Announced - October 26, 2026
• Semi-Finalist Interviews - November 17, 2026
• Finalists Announced - November 30, 2026
• Finalist Interviews - January 12, 2027
• Awards Show - January 27, 2027

About Science Fair Foundation of BC

The Science Fair Foundation of BC (SFFBC) is the largest volunteer science outreach network in the province, dedicated to fostering science and technology education by inspiring curiosity through the Science Fair program. Established in 1997, SFFBC supports Science Fairs across British Columbia and the Yukon by uniting over 1,500 educators, industry professionals, and volunteers as mentors, judges, and hosts. This collaboration empowers students to excel at regional, national, and international competitions, where Team BC has consistently achieved outstanding results. With 13 regional fairs in BC contributing to over 100 held annually across Canada, SFFBC plays a vital role in preparing the next generation for success in a knowledge-based economy.

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