Canadian Innovation Contests · Leadership 2027
Canadian Innovation Science Contest
Explore how scientific evidence guides responsible action on issues such as water, energy and health. CISC asks students to apply scientific knowledge and reasoning in a timed online test.
2027 theme · Leadership
Leading with Science
When a community faces a problem, how do we decide which claims to trust and which actions to take? Leading with Science explores the role of evidence in responsible leadership. Through scientific questions and situations, students consider how ideas can be tested, how solutions affect people and the environment, and why a leader must be willing to rethink a decision when the evidence changes.
What the contest develops
Apply scientific concepts, observations and evidence to explain phenomena and reason through real-world problems.
Find the right level
Eligibility and entry levels
Grades 3–8
Enter the category for your current school grade. Contact CKSTEM if your grade falls outside the published levels or you need help choosing a category. The contest instructions will confirm placement and any accommodations before entry.
What students do
Contest format
60-minute supervised online test
The published format is 50 multiple-choice problems and one written-answer problem in 60 minutes. There are three levels: Grades 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8. Students apply scientific concepts, analyse situations and communicate their reasoning.
Supervision and equipment
School entries use teacher supervision. Ask CKSTEM about the current format, equipment and individual arrangements before registration.
For school entries, teachers supervise the sitting. Students writing the same grade’s contest in a school should complete it on the same day within the contest window.
Curriculum connection
Nurturing curiosity and the scientific method.
CISC nurtures curiosity and develops experimentation and innovation skills aligned with the Canadian science curriculum.
The contest emphasizes observation, questioning, experimentation, and analysis — three key areas: understanding scientific concepts, applying the scientific method, and communicating findings effectively.
Help your child prepare
Explore the theme, practise the skills
Connect school science to everyday decisions. Ask what evidence supports a claim, what else could explain an observation and what a fair comparison would involve.
Preparation idea
Preparation idea: a school wants to reduce wasted water. Discuss what observations or measurements would reveal the main cause, then compare possible responses and how their effects could be checked. This is a practice discussion, not a project to submit for CISC.
For teachers
Use classroom observations and investigations to connect evidence with decisions. Help students explain their reasoning and supervise the online test; the contest remains a timed sitting, not a science-project submission.
The themes below describe the 2027 creative direction. Exact questions, grade-specific prompts, speech topics, artwork requirements and judging rubrics will be provided in the contest instructions. The preparation examples are ideas to explore, not official contest tasks.
Previous contest guide & practice resources (2026) · Explore CKSTEM’s learning resources
Achievement and participation
Awards and results
CIC awards and participation certificates recognise achievement. The 2027 syllabus and award details will be announced separately.
The published CIC award framework includes Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honors recognition by contest level, with a participation certificate for each participant. Medal delivery and any Greater Toronto Area award-ceremony arrangements are communicated separately; CKSTEM does not cover international award shipping.
| Recognition | Placing |
|---|---|
| Gold | Top 1% |
| Silver | Top 2–3% |
| Bronze | Top 4–6% |
| Honors | Top 7–10% |
For families and school coordinators
Registration and fees
2027 registration details and any individual-entry fees to be announced. Schools can contact CKSTEM to coordinate a group.
School entry
A coordinator can register a group, confirm categories and organise the supervised sitting or submission process. Contact CKSTEM with the participating grades and approximate student count.
Individual entry
Ask CKSTEM for the current individual registration route, fee and supervision instructions before entry.
Email info@ckstem.org or send a contest enquiry. Dates and registration deadlines are listed below.
Contest advisory board
Navya Tekwani, CISC Advisory Board.
Navya Tekwani is a dedicated and experienced science educator who is passionate about helping students connect scientific concepts to the real world. She encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, with the goal of inspiring students to see science not just as a subject, but as a tool for innovation, creative thinking, and meaningful solutions to global challenges. Navya serves on the CISC Advisory Board.
Plan your year
CISC · Science dates & deadlines
Dates below are for CKSTEM’s Canadian entries. ET means Toronto time; PT means Vancouver time. Use “Other time zones” for your location.
1 calendar entries
| Contest & round | Date & start time | Duration / format | Register by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science · Contest windowOpen entry | Apr 1, 2027 – Apr 16, 2027 Choose one supervised sitting | 60 minutes | Mar 15, 2027 |
No contests match both filters. Choose another format or reset the filters.
For a fixed-date contest, registration closes three weeks before the sitting. For a submission or sitting window, registration closes two weeks before it begins, except Math, Science, Computing and Writing: their confirmed deadline is March 15, 2027. Finals require qualification and a separate invitation or registration.
Download contest calendar (CSV) · Academic calendar and class schedule