Science · Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair

Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair

The regional science fair for Grades 7–12 in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, the North Shore and nearby districts. The 2027 fair is April 8–10 at UBC.

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Grades
Grades 7–12
Format
In person at UBC. Students set up a display, talk with judges, and then the public can visit.
Cost
$65 per student last year. An optional t-shirt was $25. 2027 fees not announced yet.
Official site
gvrsf.ca

Key dates

  • Not confirmed yetRegistration opensMid-February 2027 (2026: mid-February)
  • Not confirmed yetRegistration deadlineEarly March 2027 (2026: March 10)
  • ConfirmedFair at UBC (April 8–10)Thu, April 8, 2027
  • Not confirmed yetCanada-Wide Science FairUsually late May or early June (2026: May 23–30, Edmonton)

What it is

GVRSF is a three-day science fair at UBC where students present a project to volunteer judges. It's the step between a school fair and the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

It's open to students in Grades 7–12 at public, private, independent or home schools in Richmond, Vancouver, New Westminster, Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, qathet and Sea to Sky school districts.

There are three divisions: Junior (Grades 7–8), Intermediate (Grades 9–10) and Senior (Grades 11–12). Projects are done by one or two students.

Top projects are chosen for Team GVRSF and go on to the Canada-Wide Science Fair. In 2026 the team competed in Edmonton.

A good fit if: Curious Grade 7–12 students who like asking questions and running their own experiments.

How to register

  1. Students apply online at gvrsf.science-ation.ca. A teacher must approve and sign the registration, so talk to your child's science teacher early.
  2. In 2026, registration opened in mid-February and closed March 10. Space is limited to about 230 projects, and registration closes early if it fills.
  3. Projects with human or animal participants need ethics approval before the fair. Take the ethics quiz on the GVRSF site to see which forms you need.
  4. If you live in Surrey or Delta, your child enters the South Fraser Regional Science Fair instead.

How to prepare

  • Read the student handbook at gvrsf.ca. It explains divisions, project rules and ethics.
  • Start the project in the fall or early winter. Students can't present a project they've shown at a past regional fair unless it's a documented continuation.
  • Many students first present at a school science fair. Ask the school whether it runs one.

For grade-by-grade options see Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12.

Common questions

Can my child enter the Vancouver science fair without a school fair?

Yes. Students register themselves online, but a teacher must approve and sign the registration. Home-school students in the covered districts can also enter.

What grades can enter GVRSF?

Grades 7 to 12, based on the grade on the student's school registration at the start of the year.

How do students get to the Canada-Wide Science Fair from Vancouver?

Top projects at GVRSF are selected for Team GVRSF, which competes at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. The national fair is for Grades 7–12 and only takes regional fair winners.

What comes next

Science

UBC Physics Olympics

A hands-on team physics competition for BC high schools at UBC. The 2027 event is Saturday, February 27. Schools register teams in the fall.

Grades 8–12$80 per team last yearScience

Shad Canada

A month-long summer STEAM and entrepreneurship program for Grade 10 and 11 students. Apply by November 8, 2026 for early decision, or by January 6, 2027.

Grades 10–11Free to apply

Sources

Last checked October 2, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.