SCIENCE FAIR THE ANNUAL FEDERATION OF Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) First Nations Science Fair is held each year in March in Saskatoon, Sask., at a centrally located venue within the province. The science fair is open to First Nations students in Grades 7-12 who attend schools on reserve across Saskatchewan. On average, approximately 130 students participate annually, representing eligible schools from the province’s 74 First Nations. The overarching goal of the FSIN First Nations Science Fair is to encourage students to pursue post-secondary education and career pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Objectives and Aims The FSIN First Nations Science Fair is designed to achieve the following objectives: • To develop, encourage and sustain student interest in STEM disciplines. • To validate community-based scientific knowledge by requiring students undertaking traditional knowledge projects to consult and work with community Elders. • To understand the importance of organization, planning and experimentation in research. • To encourage independent and critical thinking skills. • To develop students’ mechanical and practical skills. • To familiarize students with scientific methods through hands- on application. • To emphasize the importance of clearly communicating scientific ideas and findings. • To provide constructive feedback and guidance to both students and science educators. • To serve as a showcase for student scientific talent and to report outcomes to parents and communities, thereby encouraging broader community interest in science. • To promote science fairs, projects and displays as an integral component of on-reserve science education programs in Saskatchewan. Academic Integrity Academic integrity is a fundamental requirement of the FSIN First Nations Science Fair. Students must present work that is the result of their own efforts. Any assistance received from others must be clearly acknowledged, and all written materials that reference the work of others must include appropriate citations and references. 2026 FSIN First Nations Science Fair The 2026 FSIN First Nations Science Fair was held March 17-18, 2026, at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, Sask. Accommodation for students, chaperones, teachers and guest speakers was provided at the Sandman Signature Saskatoon South Hotel. Beginning in September 2025, science fair notices were distributed via email to all on-reserve school principals, science and mathematics catalysts and education directors. These notices included a science fair poster detailing the event date, location, FSIN contact information and the annual United Nations theme. For 2026, the theme was “the International Year of the Woman Farmer.” School administrators were asked to post the notice within their schools and inform students of the upcoming FSIN First Nations Science Fair. Registration and Participation Requirements Eligibility criteria included students in Grades 7-12, with chaperones permitted to be either educators or parents. Registration documentation included: • Student consent and waiver forms; • Grade-level expectations; • Safety checklists; • Presentation guidelines; • Codes of conduct for both the event venue and accommodation site; • Project titles and competition categories (Traditional Science, Life FSIN First Nations Science Fair 32 OUR PRIORITY Issue 1 2025/26
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