A finalist at the CWSF 1966 in Windsor, Ontario
This year, the Canada-Wide Science Fair will celebrate its 50th year. For a full half-century, this annual event has celebrated the spirit of scientific curiosity and discovery among Canadian youth. For me, this anniversary is especially exciting, because I will be attending this year’s event as an MC and Program Coordinator — nearly 20 years after I first participated as a student!
So much has happened in the world of science since the first year of the fair in 1962. Imagine what it was like during that very first year:
- Computer scientists used paper punchcards to program computers
- Humans had not yet walked on the moon
- AstroTurf hadn’t been invented yet!
As for the fair itself, it was a very different event than the one young people will experience this year. Nationwide, just 45 students attended the 1962 event held in Ottawa. Compare that to more than 500 students who will attend in 2011!
If you plan to be at the fair this year, get ready for a blast from the past. You’ll have a chance to hear about the history of the CWSF throughout five event-filled decades. You’ll also get to meet some of the people who took part in the fairs all those many years ago—including a special appearance by a contestant from the very first fair in 1962! Many went on to enjoy distinguished careers in science and make significant contributions in their field.
You’ll hear some surprising stories and learn some interesting facts, including:
- How did a CWSF pin wind up in outer space?
- Has a finalist ever won “best in fair” more than once?
- Have any CWSF alumni won a Nobel Prize?
And much more “insider information” about the hidden history of this proving ground for some of Canada’s best young science talent. I look forward to seeing my fellow scientists at this year’s very special 50th anniversary event, and celebrating five decades of exploration and discovery!
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