The science ladder for BC students, Grade 1 to Grade 12
Science starts with hands-on clubs and camps, then moves to team challenges and science fairs. The fair path is the clearest one: a project can go to a regional fair, and students chosen there are put forward to the Canada-Wide Science Fair. In high school there are also subject exams in biology, chemistry and physics. Parents can register for clubs, camps and the Brain Bee directly. Fairs and exams go through a teacher, so talk to the school early.
- Grades 1–4
Hands-on science for fun
Parents register directly for Geering Up Saturday clubs at UBC (Grades 1–12) and for camps at Geering Up and Science World. Camp spots can sell out fast. Bursaries are available at Geering Up. FIRST LEGO League is another option if your child can join a team.
Geering Up ClubsGeering Up summer campsScience World campsFIRST LEGO League
- Grades 5–6
Clubs, camps and a first team
Keep going with clubs and camps. In Grade 6, the Let's Talk Science Challenge opens. It is a free team quiz and engineering challenge, and a teacher, parent or homeschool group can register the team. FIRST LEGO League teams are a good fit too.
Geering Up ClubsGeering Up summer campsScience World campsFIRST LEGO LeagueLet's Talk Science Challenge
- Grades 7–8
A first science fair project
Regional science fairs open in Grade 7. In Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, Coquitlam and the North Shore, students enter the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair. In Surrey and Delta, they enter the South Fraser Regional Science Fair. Students apply online, and a teacher must approve and sign, so start talking to the science teacher in the fall. Let's Talk Science, LEGO League (to Grade 8) and FIRST Tech Challenge (from Grade 7) are team options.
Let's Talk Science ChallengeGVRSFSouth Fraser Science FairFIRST LEGO LeagueFIRST Tech Challenge
- Grades 9–10
Regional fair, and the first subject contests
Keep entering the regional fair. Students chosen there are put forward to the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Subject contests start here. The Vancouver Brain Bee is open to Grade 9 and up, and students sign up themselves. The Canadian Biology Olympiad (Grade 9 and up) and the Canadian Chemistry Contest (Grade 10 and up) are written at school, and a teacher registers the school. UBC Physics Olympics is a team event for Grades 8–12, registered by a teacher, and it fills up by December. In Grade 10 students can also apply to SHAD or, if entering Grade 10 or 11, Science World's Future Science Leaders.
GVRSFSouth Fraser Science FairCWSFBrain BeeCBOPhysics OlympicsCanadian Chemistry ContestFuture Science LeadersShad
- Grades 11–12
National exams and the Canada-Wide Science Fair
The Canadian Association of Physicists prize exam starts in Grade 11. The top students go to a training camp at UBC for the International Physics Olympiad team. The Canadian Biology Olympiad is the first step toward Canada's International Biology Olympiad team. The Vancouver Brain Bee winner goes on to the national Brain Bee. All of these except the Brain Bee are registered by the school, and students can't register themselves. The Canada-Wide Science Fair is reached only by being chosen at a regional fair.
GVRSFSouth Fraser Science FairCWSFCAP Physics Prize ExamCBOCanadian Chemistry ContestBrain BeePhysics OlympicsShadFuture Science Leaders
Pick what your child enjoys. Nobody needs every step.
Never find out too late
Put every deadline for your child's grade and city in your own calendar, with a reminder a week before. No email, no account: the dates update themselves and move up a grade each September.