1. What is EnviroExpo?
   EnviroExpo was created by VIA Rail in collaboration with YSC Canada to enable youth in grades 7-12 and CÉGEP to get involved in the environmental challenges we face in Canada and around the world.  To do this, you are encouraged to develop projects which integrate art into science, and address an environmental issue.  Projects are judged on the regional and national level, and cash prizes and scholarships are awarded to winners.  For more information, keep exploring this website.  We recommend you start here.
2. Why do I have to add art to my science project?
   EnviroExpo was designed to challenge the way we think about science projects and project-based science, and that is why we want students to add art to their science projects.  Science does not have to only be about numbers and research.  Start thinking about your science project creatively, and you might be surprised at where you end up and how much better your science becomes.To answer the question, you must add art to your science project to challenge both yourself and the traditional way science is done.
3. How do I add art to my project?
   You have total freedom when it comes to how and where you add art to your project.  Just make sure that the artistic elements you add to your project enhance the communication of your science.  You can draw, paint, design a website, make a movie or sing a song.  The options are endless.  For more information, visit the sample projects section of this website, or click here.

Regional Fair Questions

1. What is the EnviroExpo Special Award?
   The EnviroExpo Special Award is a new award which will be distributed at many regional science fairs across Canada.  Full eligibility and judging criteria are available on this site in the regional fair section.  You can also ask your teacher or contact YSC at www.youthscience.ca for more information.
2. How do I find out if my Regional Fair has the EnviroExpo Special Award?
   To find out if your regional fair offers the EnviroExpo Special Award, check out the participating fairs page on this site in January 2009.  You can also ask you science teacher or contact YSC at www.youthscience.ca.
3. How do I find out if my project idea is eligible for the EnviroExpo Special Award?
   Carefully read the eligibility page of the regional science fair section of this website to see if your project would qualify for the EnviroExpo Special Award.   If you are still not sure, check with your teacher or local fair official.  You can also send us your questions at askus@viaenviroexpo.ca.
4. How do I enter my regional science fair?
   To find out how to enter your regional science fair, check with your school science teacher, or go to the YSC website at www.youthscience.ca and click ono the “find your fair” icon.  Once you have found the region in which you live, you will be able to contact your local fair official and they can help you register.
5. What if my Regional Fair doesn’t offer the EnviroExpo Special Award?
   If you followed the criteria for the EnviroExpo Special Award you will probably still qualify for a number of different awards at your regional science fair.  You could also still qualify to attend the Canada-Wide Science Fair, where you would be able to enter the Environmental Innovation division.
6. What do I win with the EnviroExpo Special Award and do I automatically qualify for the Environmental Innovation division?
   The prize for the EnviroExpo Special Award is different for each regional fair, but is most often a certificate and $100 cash prize.  To confirm the prize for the EnviroExpo Special Award at your regional fair, contact your fair officials here or at www.youthscience.ca. Projects which win the EnviroExpo Special Award are not automatically eligible for the Environmental Innovation division.  Only projects selected to compete at the Canada-Wide Science Fair are eligible to enter the EI Division.
7. If my project doesn’t win an EnviroExpo Special Award can I still go to the Canada-Wide Science Fair?
   Yes – but only if you are selected by your regional fair to compete at the Canada-Wide Science Fair.  For full details on how projects are selected to compete at the CWSF, contact your regional fair officials or YSC at www.youthscience.ca.
8. Who is judging the EnviroExpo Special Award?
   The EnviroExpo Special Award will be judged by a panel of judges chosen by regional fair officials.  The panel will judge for science and art based on the criteria detailed in the judging page of the regional fair section of the website.
9. How do I know who has won the EnviroExpo Special Award from across the country?
   EnviroExpo Special Award winners from 2009 will be featured on this website in April.  Check out the Image Gallery section on the website homepage.

Canada-Wide Science Fair Questions:

1. I’m going to the Canada-Wide Science Fair, how do I find out if my project is eligible for the Environmental Innovation division?
   To find out if your project is eligible for the Environmental Innovation division, carefully read the eligibility criteria in the CWSF section of this website.  You can also check with your teacher, with CWSF officials or on the YSC website at www.youthscience.ca. If you still have questions, please send us an email to askus@viaenviroexpo.ca.
2. I think my project is eligible for the Environmental Innovation Division but needs a few adjustments.  Can I make them?
   Of course!
3. How do I nominate myself for the Environmental Innovation division at CWSF?
   If you have been selected to compete at CWSF, when registering you will be asked to indicate which main division, interdisciplinary division and which special awards you would like to enter.  Environmental Innovation is one of the interdisciplinary divisions you can select to enter.  But it is important to note that your project can be entered into only one interdisciplinary division.
4. If I enter the Environmental Innovation division at CWSF, am I still eligible in my scientific division?  Could I win both?
   Yes!  You are eligible to win any division that your project qualifies for, and you can DEFINITELY win in more than one division; many of our 2008 winners did just that!
5. What do I win if I win the Environmental Innovation division?
   The top gold medal winning projects in each age category (junior, intermediate and senior) in the Environmental Innovation division will win, a $10,000 scholarship to a post secondary institution of their choice.  Cash prizes also include: Honorable Mention – $100, Bronze Medal – $300, Silver – $700 and Gold – $1500.
6. If my project is going to CWSF and I feel it is eligible for the science part of the Environmental Innovation division but does not have any art, can I add the art part now?
   Yes, absolutely.  Check out the sample projects page to find out more about how to integrate art into your science project.
7. Who is judging the Environmental Innovation division?
   The Environmental Innovation division will be judged by a special panel of judges including science judges from CWSF in the particular field of science in which the project is entered.   Full judging criteria is available on this site in the CWSF judging section.
8. If I am going to CWSF, can I enter more than one interdisciplinary division?
   No, you can only enter one interdisciplinary division at the CWSF so you must choose carefully which division you want to enter.  Consult with your science teacher, local fair officials or the CWSF organizers for more details.
9. Why did VIA create the EnviroExpo?
   We created the EnviroExpo to give Canadian youth a chance to develop their unique ideas on how to address the environmental challenges we face here in Canada and around the world.  We believe that it is vital that our youth have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and their innovation and for the whole nation to celebrate their achievements.
10. What is VIA’s record on the environment?
    VIA takes its responsibility to the environment very seriously.  Improving on environmental performance and environmental sustainability is a major focus at VIA, something the company works at every day, with systems and programs in place to act in a responsible manner and to continuously improve the way VIA operates.  For example, VIA has cut fuel consumption by 25% (and as a result, reduced emissions significantly as well) over the past 15 years, even as the number of passengers has grown.
11. Is VIA just doing this so people will travel on the train more?
    VIA is doing this for the youth of Canada and to encourage all Canadians to get involved in the important issues on the environment.  If you end up taking the train in the future, all the better!  But it is not why VIA is committed to this cause.