Curiosity and Creativity Shine at Banff Elementary Science Fair Comeback

Excitement filled the gym at Banff Elementary School (BES) on April 2 as students proudly showcased their projects at the school’s first Science Fair in five years. More than 35 enthusiastic students from Grades 4 to 6 presented 27 creative projects to parents, teachers, and community members, marking a memorable comeback for this beloved event.

Grade 6 teacher Dean Conniff, who spearheaded the return of the Science Fair, saw the revival as timely and meaningful. “With the new curriculum emphasizing the scientific method, it felt like the perfect year to bring back the fair and reinforce these important concepts,” Conniff said. “Students are naturally curious, and this event encourages them to explore topics they're passionate about, develop critical thinking skills, and experience firsthand what it’s like to think like real scientists.”

The students poured remarkable effort into their projects, spending the past three to four months researching, experimenting, and analyzing results. Conniff provided balanced support, noting, “We offered clear instructions and handbooks to help parents guide without overly assisting their children, along with weekly classroom sessions dedicated to the Science Fair.”

Prior to the public viewing, senior science students from Banff Community High School visited to evaluate projects, offering valuable feedback to the younger students.

Community support greatly contributed to the fair’s success, including a generous donation of $1,100 from the Banff Canmore Foundation to provide certificates, trophies, and prizes.

The overall winner was Grade 6 student Felix, whose impressive project, "Neoearth," examined the habitability of exoplanets—planets outside our solar system—based on gravity, atmosphere, and other factors similar to Earth. Felix relied primarily on data from NASA, demonstrating exceptional analytical and scientific reasoning.

Award winners of BES’ 2025 Science Fair were:

Grade 6

1st place and overall winner – Felix

2nd place – Mistaya

3rd place – Urduja

Grade 5

1st place – Odette (with Grade 4 student Poppy)

2nd place – Aubree and Luna

Grade 4

1st place – Willow and Siena

2nd place – Pender and Alexandria

3rd place – Izabella

Runner-up – Cara

Conniff was thrilled with the outcome, expressing his hopes for the fair’s future: “It’s wonderful seeing the students’ excitement and curiosity. I'd love to see it keep going and expanding each year.”