June 15th, 2026

Waterloo Collegiate Institute (WCI) student, Erzsebet, represented her school and the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) at the 2026 Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWFS) in May with her project focused on creating new bioplastics. Her project received the Bronze Excellence Award at the fair. 

Erzsebet shared her reflections on the experience.

My project, Battle of the Bioplastics, explored sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems we face today, yet only 9% of plastic ever gets recycled. Plastics serve countless purposes, from food packaging to medical materials, making it critical that any sustainable alternative can meet these diverse demands. 

My project compared four starch-based bioplastics: corn, tapioca, potato, and rice. It tested for tensile strength, water resistance, and biodegradability. Results revealed striking differences across all three properties, suggesting that different starches could be strategically selected for specific applications, bringing us closer to practical, natural alternatives to conventional plastic.

The trip itself was an incredible experience. Beyond presenting my project at the Expo Centre, I loved the community aspect of CWSF; especially the tradition of pin trading, which helped me connect with so many students from across Canada who share my passion for environmental science.

When we weren’t at the fair, we had the chance to explore the city, from learning about health and aerospace at the TELUS World of Science to enjoying the historic atmosphere (and ice cream!) at Fort Edmonton Park.

Overall, representing WCI at a national level was a fantastic experience that taught me a lot about scientific communication and the power of student collaboration.

#StudentVoice Series

This article is written by a WRDSB student. Student journalists embody WRDSB’s commitment to creating space for students to tell their stories. They are ambassadors for their peers as they share their personal experiences and stories about their schools and communities in their unique voices.