2026–2027 National High School Big Data & AI Challenge

2026–2027 NATIONAL PROGRAM

National High School Big Data & AI Challenge

Research • Competition • Conference • Publication

The National High School Big Data & AI Challenge gives high school and CEGEP students the opportunity to investigate real-world environmental challenges using open data, satellite intelligence and AI.

Choose Your Pathway View Important Dates

Participating students stand out in their university applications with evidence-based research findings, academic literature review, and data analytics investigative skills.

About the program

The National High School Big Data & AI Challenge (HSBDC) is an interdisciplinary experiential-learning program in which high school and CEGEP students use open data, satellite intelligence and artificial intelligence to investigate real-world environmental challenges.

Students work to develop an original research question, analyze scholarly literature and real-world datasets, carry out their own data science and AI investigation, and interpret their findings and propose evidence-based solutions.

HSBDC strengthens problem-solving, computational thinking, data analytics, scientific research and science communication skills while putting participants ahead in competitive university applications.

Choose the Pathway

Both lead to a research portfolio, scholarly conference experience, award eligibility, and publication of project research abstracts in the academic STEM Fellowship Journal as part of conference proceedings.

No prior programming experience is required for either pathway.

The pathway fees have been reduced thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.

*All prices are in Canadian dollars

Scholar Internship Pathway

Registration

Individual registration

Learning Model

Four-month (80+ hours) blended learning with weekly university academic sessions and rigorous data science and research curriculum

Instruction & Support

Weekly university academic sessions, Cisco Academy data science training and certificates and credential digital badges for LinkedIn, scholarly mentorship, agile teamwork + Discord ideas exchange, Google classroom coordination of program deadlines, and recorded webinars

Certification

Cisco Academy Data Science training and certificates and credential digital badges for LinkedIn; Scholarly communication capstone; Agile teamwork

Best fit for

Students seeking university experience, data science training and certification, and supervised scholarly research and communication

Fee

$980

per participant

Choose Scholar Internship

Independent Research Pathway

Registration

Team registration of up to five students

Learning Model

Four-month self-paced student-led research supported by program resources

Instruction & Support

No instruction. Discord ideas exchange, Google classroom coordination of program deadlines and recorded webinars

Certification

N/A

Best fit for

Student teams prepared to organize and manage an independent research project

Fee

$250

per team

Choose Independent Research

2026–2027 Challenge Theme

Preserving Biodiversity and Advancing Land’s Environmental Resilience Using Open Data, Satellite Intelligence and AI

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of invasive species outbreaks and wildfires, threatening communities, ecosystems, biodiversity and critical infrastructure.

Satellite intelligence, open environmental data and AI provide new tools to monitor ecosystem health, detect warning signs, assess risk and support evidence-based decisions.

Winners 2023-2024

Winners 2024-2025

Winners 2025-2026

What Students Say

I increased my confidence

Participating in the HSBDC program was an exciting and valuable experience. I developed my data analysis and problem-solving skills while working on a real-world challenge. The program helped me understand how data and artificial intelligence can be used to address important issues, and it increased my confidence in pursuing a future in STEM.

Vivaan

Grade 12, Joyce Public School

This experience improved my skills

The HSBDC program gave me the opportunity to work with other students, exchange ideas, and learn from experienced mentors. I especially enjoyed turning data into meaningful insights and presenting our solution as a team. This experience improved my communication, collaboration, and technical skills.

Priya

Grade 11, Ancaster Public School

The experience was inspiring!

Before joining the HSBDC program, I had limited experience with data science and AI. Through the challenge, I learned how to analyze information, think critically, and develop creative solutions to real-world problems. The experience was inspiring and showed me that STEM can be both challenging and rewarding.

Thomas

Grade 11, Runnymede Collegiate Institute

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the National High School Big Data & AI Challenge?

Each team submits a research abstract, manuscript, 5-minute YouTube research pitch, and digital poster. Teams also prepare a physical research poster and three-minute/one slide thesis presentation for conference participation.

2. Will student work be published?

Team abstracts are published in the peer-reviewed academic STEM Fellowship Journal as part of the conference proceedings. The full manuscript of the winning team of the scholarly publication award gets published as a separate paper. Those interested in scholarly publication of their full project report are welcomed to submit through the Journal’s standard editorial process.

3. Are awards available?

Yes. Participants are eligible for research-poster, three-minute thesis presentation and manuscript awards. Final prize amounts and award conditions will be published when confirmed.

4. May participants choose their regional conference?

Yes. Participants may choose the national conference they would like to participate in. Unfortunately, multiple conference participation is not budgeted in the participation fees.

5. Is conference attendance required?

Conference attendance is optional. It is required to compete for prizes. Abstract publication in the conference proceedings does not depend on attending the conference event.

6. What are the registration, payment, and cancellation deadlines?

Registration and payment are due by October 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Participants may cancel their registration until October 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

7. Where can I find pathway-specific fees and learning details?

Pathway-specific fees, learning models, support and registration information are provided on the Scholar Internship Pathway and Independent Research Pathway pages.

8. What is the expected weekly time commitment?

Scholar Internship participants should expect to spend around 6 hours per week + 2 hours for the weekly academic session. Independent Research participants plan experiential learning and research on their own.

9. Do I need a high-performance computer to participate?

No. The majority of open access data science and AI tools, including the Cisco Academy modules, can run/ be completed using standard web browsers and cloud-based tools (like Google Colab). A basic laptop or desktop with a reliable internet connection is sufficient.