The Ottawa Regional Science Fair (ORSF) is a volunteer organization which encourages students in the Ottawa-Carleton Region, from grades 7 to 12, to research, develop, and present projects in the fields of science and engineering. Students from both public and private schools in the Region are invited to enter projects in any science related topic
Each year, approximately 300 projects are entered and judged in the junior, intermediate, senior, and special awards categories. Participation in the Fair also ensures the students’ eligibility to compete for a position on the team representing the Ottawa-Carleton Region at the subsequent national competition, the Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF). For over 50 years, many participants have gone on to successful careers in science and technology. The calibre of entries each year is nothing short of amazing! In recent years, participants have applied for, and received, patents for inventions they have presented at the Fair.
Since its inception in 1961, the Ottawa Regional Science Fair has been conducting its fund-raising at the local level. Included in this challenging task is raising enough funds to send a Regional team to the CWSF each year. Traditionally, our students have been very successful at the national level. What started in a school gymnasium over 50 years ago has now grown into a significant annual event that showcases the considerable academic talents of our region’s youth.
You can access the virtual fair through the link on our website.
During registration, participants will identify the “challenge” best addressed by their project.
Discovery – Create new fundamental knowledge based on your curiosity by asking a question and using the techniques of scientific inquiry to develop an answer.
Energy – Improve our use of current energy sources, enable the transition to alternative energy sources, or reduce our energy footprint.
Environment – Reduce our impact on, improve our understanding of, and ensure the quality of water, air, soil, and the diversity of living things.
Health – Increase our understanding of the human body, or apply science and technology to improve health, control disease, or support an aging population.
Information – Enhance communication and our use of information using digital and networking technologies, or applications of new media.
Innovation – Combine scientific principles with your creativity to develop a new material, structure, device, or system to solve a problem or improve an existing solution.
Resources – Develop better ways to use our natural resources that provide sustainable sources of food, products, or prosperity.
The judges marking rubric is the based on the Canada-Wide Science Fair marking form, however Project Reports are optional and recommended as they contribute to the overall thoroughness, scientific method and impression but will not be explicitly marked like they are for CWSF (where they are pre-submitted for marking).
- Judging for this year’s ORSF will take place virtually using Zoom.
- Each participant will receive a scheduled timeslot with a team of judges. They will recieve the link to join the Zoom session.
- Participants will meet with a team of three judges in a live meeting.
- Each participant will join the meeting link at their assigned time. Please wait for your judges to join if they are not there when you first log-in.
- During their session, participants will present their projects to the judges and answer any questions that the judges ask.
As part of the registration process you have the option to nominate yourself to be considered for up to seven special awards. If you do not nominate yourself, your project will not be considered for any special awards. Follow the instructions during the registration process, if you do not register for special awards you cannot ask to be judged for them at the event.
There will be two judges per project and judging will be conducted virtually. You will be contacted for a session with the judges. Judging will take place between Monday, March 29th and Wednesday, April 7th.
The registration process begins with web-based entry but requires the forms to be printed, signed, and sent to ORSF. These forms should be sent by email to registration@orsf.ca. The deadline is that forms must be received by the “registration closes” date, listed under “important dates“.
Check the website within one week of sending your signed registration form to ensure that you are listed on the “Confirmed Participants” page. If your project is not posted on that date please contact the ORSF as soon as possible by email at registration@orsf.ca.
You don’t need a school code to register. Even for teachers, this is completely optional. A school code simply allows the school contact name, email and phone number entered on the ORSF system to be changed. If a schools wants to modify this info and require the password, send an email to one of the committee members. |
Yes. Screenshots of projects, or recordings of live virtual events will be made. A Media Release section is part of the registration process.
The virtual format of this year’s fair offers a lot of flexibility for you to participate. The only time that you are required to attend an event is during your scheduled time with the judges. Missing this meeting could result in your project being disqualified from winning a divisional or special award.
Winners will be called out during the virtual awards ceremony. If you are unable to join the awards ceremony, you miss out on the opportunity to celebrate your achievement with the crowd, but you will not lose your award.
CWSF 2021 will be a virtual event. The 11 best students selected as grand prize winners at the ORSF will be invited to the CWSF event in May.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Platinum
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Special Mentions
The Graham Family Foundation