Available Awards and Scholarships
At the Waterloo-Wellington Science and Engineering Fair, we offer several different awards and scholarships. Please read below to discover what awards we offer, and what special awards and scholarships are offered by our donors and supporters.
Please note that not all awards and scholarships may be given out in a particular year.
When entries meet certain standards, gold, silver, bronze and pewter level prizes may be awarded in each of the 12 category/divisions.
The projects are placed into one of three Divisions - Engineering, Life Science, or Physical & Math Science. Within each of these Divisions, the projects are further divided into one of three Categories, according to the grades of the participants - Junior (grades 7 and 8), Intermediate (grades 9 and 10) or Senior (grades 11, and 12).
Each award consists of a gold, silver or bronze medal plus a cash prize.
| Junior | Intermediate | Senior | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | $70 | $100 | $100 |
| Silver | $40 | $60 | $60 |
| Bronze | $30 | $40 | $40 |
In the case of group projects, individual medals/certificates will be awarded, but the cash prize will be shared.
Pewter medals are also awarded to all deserving projects.
A "Best of Division" plaque is awarded to the entry judged best among division gold level winners in each of the three divisions. The selection of the winner(s) of these awards takes into account the ages and grades of the entrants being compared.
I. Awards of Merit.
Awards of Merit go to the top projects in the fair. The award includes an all expenses paid trip to the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Invitations to apply for membership in Team Canada at the International Science and Engineering Fair are made at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. These awards are sponsored by the University of Guelph, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Rotary Club of Guelph.
II. The Founders' Award of Excellence.
The Founders’ Award of Excellence honours Stephen J. Little and James R. Stevens who created WWSEF in 1974. Stephen led the 1981 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Waterloo, and Jim led the 1994 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Guelph.
One of the winners of the Award of Merit is selected as the top exhibit in the fair. This award is sponsored by The Rotary Club of Guelph.
University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University:
These Universities award a $1000 admission scholarship to all Senior Gold Medal Winners which becomes active upon successful registration at the respective universities.
Shad Canada:
$500 Scholarship awarded to intermediate gold winners.
Stephen J. Little Presentation Award: Stephen J. Little was highly respected, long-time member of the WWSEF organization, former president of the Youth Science Foundation of Canada, and supporter of the CWSF movement. A trophy and gift Card are presented to the student who exhibits the most creativity and effectiveness in the presentation of a project.
Stepping Stone Award: This award is given to up to 6 students who show great promise to be successful in future Fairs because of strong projects.