Burlington students Evan Budz and Claire Marsh win at the Canada Wide Science Fair

By Gazette Staff

April 8th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

HDSB students, families and educators enjoyed an evening full of celebration and recognition at the 2026 Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair (BASEF) award ceremony held on March 24.

BASEF is a regional fair that serves as an opportunity for students to showcase projects that highlight excellence in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Evan Budz, Grade 10 student from Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School.

With 160 projects submitted by students, 85 were honoured with awards and recognition that resulted in more than $16,000 in cash prizes and prestigious scholarships to top-ranked Canadian universities including McMaster University and the University of Ottawa. Two projects are advancing to the International Science & Engineering Fair and 10 projects are advancing to the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

Canada-Wide Science Fair Awards:

Claire Marsh, Grade 12 student from M.M. Robinson High School.

Evan Budz, Grade 10 student from Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School, for the project, In Situ Microplastic Detection using Holographic Imaging and AI on an Autonomous Bionic Sea Turtle

Claire Marsh, Grade 12 student from M.M. Robinson High School, for the project, Identification of Neurodevelopmental & Mental Health Conditions: An AI Approach to Reducing Barriers

“The Halton District School Board is incredibly proud of all our students who participated in BASEF this year,” says Curtis Ennis, Director of Education for the HDSB. “Their projects demonstrate the innovative and future-ready thinking we lead within our classrooms. The passion for innovation, driven by the desire to create meaningful change in communities through STEM supports many of our commitments in the HDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan.”