PEI to host the Canada-Wide Science Fair in 2012

The 2012 Canada-Wide Science Fair will be held in Prince Edward Island for the first time in its history, thanks in part to funding provided by the federal and provincial governments.

'Our Government understands the importance of supporting today's youth in their pursuits in bioscience, information technology, alternative energy and environmental advancements,' said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. 'This is why we continue to support the Canada-Wide Science Fair, so that today's experiment can be tomorrow's breakthrough.'

The Canada-Wide Science Fair will take place May 12 to19, 2012 at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). This science fair gathers over 500 of the top young scientists in grades 7 to 12 selected from more than 100 regional fairs across the nation. These young minds will be competing for almost $1 million in cash prizes with projects tackling challenges in discovery, energy, environment, health, information, innovation and resources.

'The Canada-Wide Science Fair showcases the ideas of some of our brightest young minds,' said Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Alan McIsaac, on behalf of Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning Allen Roach. 'We welcome this opportunity for students and educators to share in their success and be inspired by them.'

The Government of Canada, through ACOA, has invested $100,000 to support the science fair. The Government of Prince Edward Island, through Innovation PEI, has invested an additional $100,000 in this initiative.

'UPEI is pleased to host the Canada-Wide Science Fair next Spring, and looks forward to welcoming Canada's brightest young scientific minds to our campus,' said UPEI Vice-President Academic Jim Randall. 'We congratulate the local organizing committee for their efforts in securing this event and allowing us the opportunity to partner with them on this important venture that supports youth exploring science.'

'We're pleased that for the first time in the Canada-Wide Science Fair's 51-year history, student finalists, volunteers, and professional scientists and engineers from across the country will gather on Prince Edward Island,' said Reni Barlow, Executive Director, Youth Science Canada. 'This is more than a competition for prizes and scholarships. CWSF finalists do real science and engineering to target important issues and develop research, innovation, and entrepreneurship skills that are vital for Canada's future.'