Canadian Innovation Contests · 2027
What does it take to make a difference? A good idea is a beginning. Leadership means listening to others, choosing a responsible course of action and bringing people together to see it through. In CIC 2027, students explore these choices through mathematics, science, computing, visual art, creative writing and public speaking.
One annual theme. Six ways to explore it.
Each year, the Canadian Innovation Contests bring six subjects together around a shared theme. In 2026, Empathy encouraged students to understand other people's experiences. In 2027, Leadership asks how we turn understanding into action: how we make decisions, earn trust and take responsibility for the effect we have on others.
A student may recognise leadership in a classmate who includes someone in a game, a team that works through a disagreement, or a community responding to a difficult problem. Across the six contests, students use subject knowledge to explore what makes those actions thoughtful, fair and effective.
Start with the subject your child enjoys, then explore its Leadership theme together. Ask whose needs are involved, what choices are available and how a decision could affect other people. Students can take initiative in everyday life; they do not need a title or a formal leadership role to connect with the theme.
Find your subject
Each contest explores a different side of the same theme. Choose a subject, read its guide and discover the skills, format and preparation ideas behind it.
CIMC
Explore the mathematics behind responsible decisions: compare options, make sense of information and solve problems involving shared resources. CIMC combines practical mental mathematics with problem solving at each student's grade level.
CISC
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.
CICC
Explore how well-designed rules and processes can help a group solve problems. Use patterns, logic and step-by-step reasoning to organise information and test solutions; prior coding experience is optional.
CIAC
Show leadership through an original visual story: the courage to begin, the willingness to listen or the shared effort that brings people together. CIAC is an artwork submission, with time to develop an idea during the March window.
CIWC
Explore leadership through a character's choices, courage and responsibility. CIWC combines reading comprehension with an original creative response completed during a 75-minute online test.
CIPC
Explore what makes leadership trustworthy and effective through persuasive speech and respectful debate. Students submit a recorded speech first; qualifying speakers progress to the live debate final.
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.
Math, Science, Computing and Creative Writing are supervised online sittings within April 1–16. Students complete one paper at the appropriate level. Creative Writing combines reading comprehension and an original response in a 75-minute sitting.
Visual Art entries are submitted during March 1–30. Public Speaking starts with a recorded persuasive speech during March 1–15; qualifying students proceed to a live debate on March 27.
For schools, appoint a coordinator to organise registration, student categories and supervision or submissions. For individual entry, fees, availability or accommodations, contact CKSTEM.
Explore last year’s CIC results · Browse previous themes, guides & resources · CIMC 2026 solution videos
Plan your year
Dates below are for CKSTEM’s Canadian entries. ET means Toronto time; PT means Vancouver time. Use “Other time zones” for your location.
7 calendar entries
| Contest & round | Date & start time | Duration / format | Register by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Art · SubmissionsOpen entry | Mar 1, 2027 – Mar 30, 2027 Submission window | Prepare and submit work within this window | Feb 15, 2027 |
| Public Speaking · SubmissionsOpen entry | Mar 1, 2027 – Mar 15, 2027 Submission window | Prepare and submit work within this window | Feb 15, 2027 |
| Public Speaking · FinalQualification required | Sat, Mar 27, 2027 12 pm–3 pm ET / 9 am–12 pm PT Other time zones | 180 minutes | By invitation |
| Math · Contest windowOpen entry | Apr 1, 2027 – Apr 16, 2027 Choose one supervised sitting | 75 minutes | Mar 15, 2027 |
| Science · Contest windowOpen entry | Apr 1, 2027 – Apr 16, 2027 Choose one supervised sitting | 60 minutes | Mar 15, 2027 |
| Computing · Contest windowOpen entry | Apr 1, 2027 – Apr 16, 2027 Choose one supervised sitting | 60 minutes | Mar 15, 2027 |
| Writing · Contest windowOpen entry | Apr 1, 2027 – Apr 16, 2027 Choose one supervised sitting | 75 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
