A World of Wonder: Student Innovation at 2026 Winnipeg Schools' Science Fair

From life-saving research to soup-fed plants, this year’s Winnipeg Schools’ Science Fair proved that curiosity doesn’t just spark ideas—it launches deep learning.

Held at Tec Voc High School, the 56th annual event transformed the Hornet Dome gymnasium into a buzzing hub of innovation, where 150 Grade 7 to 12 students from 24 schools tackled mature topics like disease, electricity generation, and reusable plastics—all challenges that could one day change the world.  

Big Questions, Brilliant Minds

Samuel Guan and James Ouyang from Grant Park High School investigated how alginate hydrogel could improve outcomes for people living with chronic wound infections. Meanwhile, Aditi Agnihotri from École secondaire Sisler High School explored neural pathway treatments for human rabies. Both of these were ambitious topics that highlighted just how deep student inquiry can go.

While the student projects themselves were impressive, science fairs are about more than the results.

“It’s about empowering students to wonder, think critically, ask meaningful questions, and see themselves as problem-solvers in their communities,” said Dorothy Goddard, STEAM Divisional Support Teacher at Winnipeg School Division and lead organizer of the event.

Rooted in Curiosity

Not all science projects are based in a lab setting.

At Sargent Park School, Jasmine Dawson and Riam Vlagan got their green thumbs dirty, cultivating a vibrant sunflower display to test how soil additives such as coffee grounds and eggshells affect plant growth.

Taking a more unconventional route, Tec Voc students Avianna Richards and Tatyana El-Hadidi presented Soup-er Plants, a delightfully quirky study on whether Campbell’s soup could help plants thrive. The idea? El-Hadidi felt guilty pouring leftover soup down the drain and wondered if her plant friends might enjoy it instead. No surprise: chicken noodle helped the plants grow the best.

Putting AI to the Test

One trend that stood out this year was artificial intelligence.

Arthur McDonald from École River Heights School asked whether age affects a person’s ability to detect AI-generated video, an increasingly relevant question in today’s fake-news world. His schoolmate Mary-Elle Clark explored whether machine learning systems can process information faster than the human brain.

The takeaway? This young generation isn’t just using technology; they’re also questioning and testing it.

Food Science in ActionIn the food sciences category, projects explored everything from the chemistry of cheese-making to biodegradable films that could detect food spoilage. One particularly meaningful inquiry came from Angela Beach of Tec Voc who examined traditional Indigenous food preservation methods, comparing drying, smoking, and salting to determine which was most effective.

It was a powerful reminder that science encompasses both innovation and tradition, and that both offer valuable lessons.

Simple Can Be GeniusFor all the complex ideas on display, some of the most memorable projects came from simple, joyful questions.

Maki Torrean Jr. and Jeremy Tan from École Lansdowne School set out to answer a question many pet owners have wondered: Do dogs have a favourite colour? Their colour-coded treat experiment revealed a clear winner: Blue.

Nearby, Emma Royz and Mihn Tran explored how colour affects taste perception, testing classmates with a trio of cleverly disguised cupcakes. Science doesn’t always need to be serious to be seriously impactful.

Projects That Stay With You

Every visitor to the Winnipeg Schools’ Science Fair finds a project that sticks with them—whether it’s the passion of a student, a striking display, or a topic that hits close to home.

One standout was Sargent Park School’s Aria Santos, who investigated the environmental impact of the cruise industry. After learning that large ships frequently harm marine life, such as whales, sharks, and dolphins, Santos designed a ship sensor system that could help animals detect ships via their echolocation.

Complete with paper mâché whales and a wave-inspired display, the project was as visually compelling as it was thought-provoking.

More Than a Science Fair

Each year, the event kicks off with an inspiring message from an invited guest. This year, Dr. Mindy Buss, a family physician who clinically and academically focuses on uplifting Indigenous voices, knowledge, and practices in healthcare, urged the young researches in the room to, "Keep inquiring. Keep asking questions. Keep learning. Science is observation, and that's where Indigenous Knowledge comes from. It's that observation of the land," she said. 

With mentorship programming, dozens of partnering community judges, and awards to be won, the Winnipeg Schools' Science Fair is a place where student curiosity is celebrated, and confidence is built.

Congratulations to all participating students. Everyone was awarded a science fair medal based on their presentation and scores, while a select few were honoured at the evening award ceremony, receiving special recognition from various event sponsors: 

Canada-Wide Science Fair Finalists

Samuel Guan and James Ouyang
Engineering An Alginate Hydrogel For Biofilm Disruption In Chronic Wound Infections

Aditi Agnihotri
Treating Clinical Human Rabies By Targeting The Nicotinic Acetylcholine And Transferrin Receptor Pathways

Tamara Mijovic
L’Effet Du Ph Sur L’Intensité De La Couleur De L’Extrait De Colorant De Betterave

The Award of Excellence in STEAM (sponsored by Winnipeg School Division): 

Junior: Caleb Barawed
From Bottles To 3D Models

Intermediate: Zoey Santiago and Ravleen Kaur
Glycerin Speeds Plastic Perish

Senior: Ryley Brazeau 
How Math Shapes Art

The Indigenous Knowledge Award (sponsored by Winnipeg School Division):

Angel Beach
Traditional Meat Preservation 

R.N McAlpine Award (Sponsored by Garth McApline)

Navaeh Longbottom and Angel-Faye McGinnis
The Wonders Of The Robotic Arm

The Energy and YOU Award (Sponsored by Manitoba Hydro)

Nicolas Klassen Garcia and Bruce Fraser-Kruck
Comment Généré Du Courant Alternatif Et Comment Le Transformer En Courant Continu?

Nameera Khan
Generating Hydroelectric Power

Liam De Vera and Jacob Paredes
Turbine Blades

The Science Innovator Award (Sponsored by University of Manitoba)

Willow Spracklin
Fire Escape

Samuel Guan and James Ouyang
Engineering An Alginate Hydrogel For Biofilm Disruption In Chronic Wound Infections

Aditi Agnihotri
Treating Clinical Human Rabies By Targeting The Nicotinic Acetylcholine And Transferrin Receptor Pathways

Mathematics and Statistics Innovative Application Award (Sponsored by University of Winnipeg)

Paul Fletcher and Gavin McRobbie
La Taille Du Groupe Et L'Utilisation Du Téléphone

Loch Ehlers
The Monty Hall Problem

Tzofi Drimer
The Oxygen Factor: Methane In Decomposition

Experimental Design Award (Sponsored by Canadian Mennonite University)

Jack Ralph
Drone Aerodynamics 

The Physics Innovator Prize (Sponsored by University of Winnipeg)

Rollin Sawatzky and Matt Nguyen
Do you even lift?

Jack Ralph
Dron Aerodynamics

Mara Rivers
Light Speed Served Hot

Seed, Plants and Agriculture Innovator Award (Sponsored by Brett Young Seeds)

Ella Radstrom and Rowan Mutch
Est-Ce Que Les Graines Se Souviennent D’Où Ils Viennent? By 

Juliette Martin and Miriya Milani
Rooted In Pollution: Investigating The Impact Of Microplastic Soil Contamination On Plant Growth And Physiological Stress 

Jasmine Dawson and Riam Ylagan
Plants

Tatyana El-Hadidi and Avianna Richards
Soup-Er Plants 

Kawalec Health Sciences Award (Sponsored by Phillips Kawalec)

Samuel Guan and James Ouyang
Engineering An Alginate Hydrogel For Biofilm Disruption In Chronic Wound Infections

Community Changemaker Award (Sponsored by SHAD Canada)

Jordan Maric and Elijah Pope
Reality Check!

Darian Cruz and Jarcean Bernardino
The Purify-Off: Finding The Best Way To Clean Water

Sifa Mwenyipanzi
Body's Crescent Moons