Three students from the Kamloops-Thompson School District recently made their mark on the national stage at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, earning silver and bronze medals for their innovative and award-winning science projects.

Joel deFouw from Valleyview Secondary School competed with his project called "EvoNash: Accelerating Convergence to Nash Equilibrium" and received a Silver Medal in the Junior Category. 

When asked to describe his project, Joel shared, “My project is about testing the effectiveness of evolutionary algorithms in training AI. I've been interested in AI for a long time. I also like biology, so I thought of how I could implement them both into one project.”

Sreenand Shajil Kumar and Rahoz Mohammed from Sa-Hali Secondary School competed with their project "Early Warning of Water Quality Risk Using Real Time Sensor Data" and received a Bronze Medal in the Junior Category.

Sreenand and Rahoz described their project as “a water monitoring tool that basically cuts the need from having to mail water to a laboratory to get it tested. With our project, you can do it immediately on site. We tested samples and the results were pretty accurate.”

These students’ journeys to showcasing their projects on the national stage began in their schools and at the Cariboo-Mainline Regional Science Fair in April.

The Cariboo-Mainline Regional Science Fair is an annual science fair that brings together students from several neighbouring school districts, including the Kamloops-Thompson School District, at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to showcase their science projects. Students who attend the regional fair represent the top 10 percent of projects at the school and classroom level.

After earning their chance to attend the Canada-Wide Science Fair, Sreenand Shajil Kumar and Rahoz Mohammed shared they felt “proud” and “a little scared,” while Joel deFouw added, “I also made it to nationals last year. It was awesome. I'm excited to go again. I'm just happy that my hard work paid off.”

The Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) was held in Edmonton, Alberta, from May 23 to May 30, 2026. CWSF is Canada’s largest annual youth STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) event, bringing together top young innovators from across the country for over 60 years. This national event provides a unique opportunity for students to share their research and innovative projects, build connections with like-minded peers, compete for awards and scholarships, and celebrate their passion for STEM.

Throughout the week-long national fair, SD73 students didn’t just compete with their science projects, they also participated in opening ceremonies, lab experiences at the University of Alberta, a tour of Edmonton including TELUS World of Science, Fort Edmonton, and West Edmonton Mall, a STEM expo, and awards ceremonies. 

Reflecting on their experience at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, the students shared:

"The Canada-Wide Science Fair was an amazing experience. I learned a lot about socializing with many people similar to me and even found people who share my interests. They did an extraordinary job accommodating and entertaining us. Winning a medal feels mind-blowing, like you've reached the top of the world, hearing your name get called up on the national stage." —Sreenand Sajil Kumar

"Going to the Canada-Wide Science Fair was an amazing experience. I had a great time meeting students from across Canada, seeing all the different projects, and learning about topics I had never thought much about before. It taught me more about advanced topics and how to make my project better. Winning a medal was one of the best moments for me. It felt great to have all the time and effort I put into my project pay off. I’m really proud of what I accomplished, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. " — Rahoz Mohammed

When asked what they would share with students considering participating in a science fair, Sreenand Shajil Kumar and Rahoz Mohammed shared that the experience is less intimidating than it might seem, and that judges are supportive and encouraging. Joel deFouw added, “I think it's really fun, and it's a great opportunity to meet new people.”

In the District Strategic Plan, the Intellectual Development priority aims to provide opportunities for students to develop the ability to analyze critically while learning reason and to think independently. Participation in school-based, regional, and national STEM fairs is one way students can develop these skills while learning to discover, experiment, and innovate.

Story provided by Chelsea Isenor, Director of Communications and Board Administration