Canadian Innovation Contests
CISC — Canadian Innovation Science Contest
2026 Theme: Scientific Solutions for Social Good. Online science test for grades 3–8. Apr 1–12, 2026.
What is CISC?
Explore scientific principles through real-world problems.
The Canadian Innovation Science Contest is designed to inspire students to question, experiment, and discover. It explores scientific principles and their applications for solving real-world problems.
CISC develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills. The contest is part of the Canadian Innovation Contests family, which runs six disciplines every spring.
2026 contest theme
Scientific Solutions for Social Good.
Students explore how science can address social challenges — from clean water access to food security to public health.
Projects should demonstrate understanding of the scientific method while addressing a community or global issue.
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.
Eligibility & format
Apr 1–12, 2026.
Contest duration: 60 minutes. Eligibility: Grades 3–8.
Three levels: Elementary (Grades 3 & 4), Junior (Grades 5 & 6), Middle (Grades 7 & 8).
Format: online, proctored by teachers. 50 multiple-choice questions plus written-answer problems within 60 minutes.
Awards
Gold, Silver, Bronze, Honors per level.
Gold (top 1%), Silver (top 2–3%), Bronze (top 4–6%), Honors (top 7–10%) per level — customized medal & e-certificate.
Certificate of Participation for all.
Award ceremony in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Registration
Schools and individuals.
Schools can register multiple students. School teachers are responsible for proctoring students; the same grade contest in a school must be conducted on the same day.
Individual registrations are also available — contact info@ckstem.org for details.
Advisor
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.
Ready to register?
Register on the Canadian Innovation Contests hub. Schools can register multiple students; individuals can register directly.