Hillhouse Gold Medal Teacher Kevin's Core Science Fair Course

Jun 02, 2026

What is a Science Fair?

A Science Fair competition is an academic competition for students focused on scientific research. It provides students with the opportunity to independently complete a scientific research project. Students can autonomously choose a research topic and title based on their interests, conduct research independently, personally perform experiments, collect and analyze data, and ultimately present their research findings.

Science Fair competitions require multiple rounds of selection

  • Students need to participate in school-level competitions. Only outstanding research projects that excel in these school competitions have the opportunity to advance to regional science fairs.

  • The Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair (GVRSF) is one of the largest student science research competitions in the Greater Vancouver area. Excellent Science Fair projects from various schools are showcased and judged here.

  • Students who perform exceptionally well also have the chance to represent BC at the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF).

  • Finally, representative projects are selected at the Canadian national level to participate in the international Science Fair, the ISEF International Science and Engineering Fair.

The value of Science Fair competitions

Many top universities highly value high-level Science Fair experience because it demonstrates a student's true research ability, independent thinking skills, and long-term project management capabilities. For many students, the Science Fair is not just a competition, but an important first step into the world of scientific research.

Hillhouse Gold Medal Teacher Kevin Teaches Core Science Fair Course

Course Positioning: A systematic introductory course for students new to scientific research and Science Fair.

Lesson.1: What exactly is scientific research?

·Observation → Question →Hypothesis: A progressive approach

·The difference between Correlation and Causation

·What is a Fair Test?

·Introduction to Variables——Independent Variable/Dependent Variable/Controlled Variables

Lesson.2: How to design truly effective experiments

Hypothesis writing

·In-depth training on Variables & Controls

·Introduction to Sample Size

·How to reduce experimental error

·Data recording methods

·Standardizing experimental procedures

Lesson.3: Data Analysis

Data analysis and chart creation:

Bar Graph/Line Graph/Scatter Plot

·Data Collection & Scientific

 Analysis

·How to record experimental data

·Common data errors

·Table design

·Mean and basic statistical concepts

·How to draw conclusions from data

·Analyzing data that "looks reasonable but is actually wrong"

Lesson.4: How to turn a project into ahigh-quality Science Fair project

Howto improve project originality

·Introduction to Error Analysis

·Experimental Limitations

·Real-world Applications

——How to make the project more relevant to the real world

Lesson.5: Learn to express yourself like a researcher

——Research Poster and Presentation

·Science Fair Poster structure

·How to write: Title/Abstract/Procedure/Results/Conclusion

·Presentation skills

·Introduction to Judge Interview

·How to answer judges' questions

Lesson.6: Mini Science Fair Showcase

·Analyzing past winning projects

——Summarizing characteristics of winning projects

·How to continue developing into a formal

Regional Project


Course Time: Sundays from 4-6 PM, starting May 31st


Scan the QR code to inquire about course details

Basic Science Fair Process

  1. Choose a research topic: First, students need to find a problem they are interested in or a challenge they want to solve, and determine the research theme.

       2. Complete research and experiments:

    • Formulate research questions

    • Consult literature and resources

    • Design experiments or build prototypes

    • Collect data

    • Analyze results

    • Draw conclusions

  1. After completing the research, students need to organize their findings and prepare presentation materials:

    • Science Fair display board

    • Research poster

    • Slide presentation

  1. At the Science Fair, students need to present their projects to judges, teachers, parents, or other students, and answer questions.

    • Why did you choose this topic?

    • What difficulties did you encounter during the experiment?

    • What does the data show?

    • If you were to repeat the experiment, how would you improve it?

      Summary: Basic steps of a Science Fair project

      Problem identification → Experiment design → Data collection → Results analysis → Presentation of findings

      Throughout this process, students not only learn scientific knowledge but, more importantly, develop skills such as independent thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, and public speaking. This is where Science Fair truly adds value to a student's growth.

      List of winning topics:

      Senior:

      The effect of heat treatment on the antioxidant activity of turmeric?

      Can warm-up exercises improve throwing distance?

      AI-powered sailboat systems: protecting marine ecosystems?

      Derma-Heal: A natural, pH-indicating, antimicrobial, and convenient wound care solution?

      A personalized diabetes management and prediction system based on the fusion of physical models and machine learning?

      Junior:

      Do chemicals in flame retardants affect seed germination? Which specific components are the main causes of inhibited germination or poor growth?

      Investigating how short-form video content affects teenagers' short-term memory?

      The effect of calcium carbonate bioplastics on soil acidity and plant growth

      How does temperature affect crystal growth?

      Science Fair Competition Process

      Currently, Canadian students,to enter ISEF, must first participate in a YSC-recognized Regional Science Fair and advance to the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF).

      Subsequently, a national judging panel will select Team Canada-ISEF candidates from the top projects across the country,and ultimately choose students to represent Canada in the international competition.


      In Vancouver, School Science Fairs are usually held from January to February each year. Many schools start having students choose topics in the fall and officially hold exhibitions and evaluations after the winter break.

      Competition Process Timeline

      September – December

      Topic selection, Research, Experiments

      January – February

      School Science Fair (School Level)

      March – April

      District / Regional Science Fair

      (Regional Level)

      May

      Canada-Wide Science Fair (National Competition)

      May

      Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF International Competition)

      Vancouver Area

      Science Fair Competition Process

      In Vancouver, Science Fairs are usually divided into

      three stages:

      1. School Science Fair

      (School Level)

      「January – February each year」

      Students first participate in their school's internal Science Fair. Schools will selectoutstanding projects to advance to the next stage.

      2. Regional Science Fair

      (Regional Level)

      After being selected by their schools, students can participate in the regional Science Fair.The Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair is usually held inmid-April atUBC.

      Outstanding projects have the opportunity to win awards and advance to higher-level competitions.

      3.National / International

      Science Fair (National / International Level)

      Outstanding projects that win at the Regional level have the opportunity to advance to national or even international Science Fairs.

      For example:
      • May Canada-Wide Science Fair

      (Canada's National Science Fair)
      • May Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair

      (ISEF International Science and Engineering Fair)

      Benefits of Science Fair Competitions

      Every May, approximately 400 of the brightest young scientists from across Canada gather for the

      Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF)

      These students, who have excelled in their respective provincial and regional Science Fairs,represent the highest level of student scientific research in Canada.


      In addition to the competition itself, CWSF also offers:

      Workshops on scientific research

      · Networking Opportunities

        for exchange and collaboration

      · Public Showcase

        events

      Students not only have the chance to compete for over1.3 million Canadian dollars in scholarships and awards, but also toconnect with outstanding students and mentors from across the country.


      Many participants consider CWSF to be one of the most influential and inspiring experiences of their student lives.Data shows that92% of CWSF participantsdeveloped a stronger interest inSTEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields after the competition.


      Hillhouse students won multiple gold awards at the Science Fair

      Hillhouse Science Fair

      Core Curriculum

      Course Positioning: A systematic introductory course for students new to scientific research and Science Fair.

      Lesson.1:

      What exactly is scientific research?

      ·From Observation → Question →

          Hypothesis

      ·The difference between Correlation and Causation

      ·What is a Fair Test?

      ·Introduction to Variables——Independent Variable/Dependent Variable/Controlled Variables

      Lesson.2:

      How to design truly effective experiments

      ·Hypothesis writing

      ·In-depth training on Variables & Controls

      ·Introduction to Sample Size

      ·How to reduce experimental error

      ·Data recording methods

      ·Standardizing experimental procedures

      Lesson.3: Data Analysis

      ·Data analysis and chart creation:

      Bar Graph/Line Graph/Scatter Plot

      ·Data Collection & Scientific

       Analysis

      ·How to record experimental data

      ·Common data errors

      ·Table design

      ·Mean and basic statistical concepts

      ·How to draw conclusions from data

      ·Analyzing data that "looks reasonable but is actually wrong"

      Lesson.4: How to turn a project into a

      high-quality Science Fair project

      ·Howto improve project originality

      ·Introduction to Error Analysis

      ·Experimental Limitations

      ·Real-world Applications

      ——How to make the project more relevant to the real world

      Lesson.5: Learn to express yourself like a researcher

      ——Research Poster and Presentation

      ·Scientific Communication Skills

      ·Science Fair Poster structure

      ·How to write: Title/Abstract/Procedure/Results/Conclusion

      ·Presentation skills

      ·Introduction to Judge Interview

      ·How to answer judges' questions

      Lesson.6: Mini Science Fair Showcase

      ·Analyzing past winning projects

      ——Summarize the characteristics of winning projects

      ·How to continue developing into a formal

      Regional Project


      Class Time: Starting Sunday, May 31st, every Sunday 4-6 pm

      Scan the QR code for consultation

      For more information, please click the links below:

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      Introduction to Hillhouse Teacher Kevin