Beyond the textbook: where students become tomorrow's innovators

Shift by Alberta Innovates

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What happens when you challenge Alberta's young minds to design earthquake-proof structures and precision farming equipment? Magic. For over 40 years, APEGA's Science Olympics has been transforming how students experience STEM education – moving beyond textbooks to tackle real-world problems with ingenuity and teamwork, and Alberta Innovates is a proud sponsor!
Mohamed El Daly, a civil engineer whose passion for education spans 25 years across three continents, takes us behind the scenes of this provincial-wide competition that's reaching thousands of students annually. "Students get an opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom or in a textbook and put it into an application," he explains, revealing how these challenges directly connect to Alberta's curriculum while mirroring problems that professional engineers tackle daily.
The Science Olympics stands apart from typical competitions through its innovative approach to scoring. Rather than pitting teams against each other, students compete against a transparent rubric where everyone can achieve gold if they meet the criteria. This profound shift teaches young innovators that success doesn't require others to fail – a lesson that resonates throughout STEM careers. The impact goes beyond technical skills, as participants are evaluated on teamwork, communication, creative thinking, and resilience when facing setbacks.
Perhaps most powerful are the stories of transformation, like former participants who return years later as engineering students to volunteer at the very event that sparked their career journey. "I didn't realize STEM is for me... but apparently it is," Mohamed recounts hearing from students who discover their potential through these challenges. With events throughout the year across major Alberta centers and opportunities for parents, teachers and STEM enthusiasts to get involved, the Science Olympics continues building the confidence of tomorrow's problem-solvers.
Want to witness this inspiration firsthand or volunteer? Visit apega.ca or email [email protected] to learn how you can support Alberta's next generation of innovators.

Shift by Alberta Innovates focuses on the people, businesses and organizations that are contributing to Alberta's strong tech ecosystem.

Chapters

1. Introduction to APEGA's Science Olympics (00:00:00)

2. Mohamed's STEM Journey and Passion (00:01:18)

3. How the Science Olympics Works (00:04:46)

4. Developing Critical Problem-Solving Skills (00:10:17)

5. Registration and Event Logistics (00:15:11)

6. Long-Term Impact on Students (00:20:34)

7. Getting Involved and Finding Information (00:25:00)