Last year, CKSTEM introduced three new contests in the areas of Visual Arts, Creative Writing, and Photography. We believe that these contests allow for students' holistic development and success in today’s world.

CIPC, the Photography Contest, is designed to allow students to capture how innovations influence our lives and humanity. We also want our young photographers to show the impact of innovations on society. This will enable them to analyze, communicate and reinterpret the ideas and expressions.

The theme for the 2024 Photography contest is “Use of Robotics and Technology in Farming.” We encourage our young photographers to understand farming and agriculture better to capture how robotics and technology are used to improve food production. 

You may find opportunities in your neighbourhood, e.g. greenhouses, to understand the modernization of farming. You may discuss with farmers or other experts to understand crop production problems. Once you know the issues, you can tell a powerful story through your photographs.

• Education in the arts enables them to create ideas and images that reflect, communicate, and change their views of the world.
• The expectations in this contest align well with the arts curriculum.  It involves using technologies and conceptual and aesthetic conceptions to record, enhance, communicate and reinterpret ideas.
• This contest focuses on the basic principles of photography. For young artists, it helps increase their understanding of the art of photography and various techniques used within, such as camera angles, lighting, etc.
• The evaluation rubric used in the contest provides further details on how the student’s work is evaluated and graded.

Contest Eligibility: Open to students in Grades 5-12

Contest Levels: Three levels based on the student’s current school grade

• Junior Level: Grades 5 & 6
• Middle Level: Grades 7 & 8
• Senior Level: Grades 9 - 12

Contest Date:

• Submission open: April 13 - 27, 2024

Contest Format: The contest is online, and students will be asked to submit their artwork.

Originality: We are looking for original ideas in these contests. We will conduct checks for plagiarism. So, please be sure to trust yourself and be authentic. We want to see the world through your eyes. You may surprise the world through your insight. Please create something you will be proud of, regardless of the outcome of this contest.  

• Student Awards
• 1-2 Gold Award(s) for each category based on minimum cut-off and number of participants. The award includes a customized medal & e-certificate.
• 1-3 Silver Awards for each grade based on minimum cut-off and number of participants. The award includes a customized medal & e-certificate.
• 3-5 Bronze Awards for each grade based on minimum cut-off and number of participants. The award includes a customized medal & e-certificate.
• Honors Award (up to the top 10% of students in each participating school based on minimum cut-off): The award includes a customized medal & e-certificates.
• Certificate of participation (everyone who attempted the contest)​

* Because of resource constraints, only personalized e-certificates will be sent to students outside Canada. We intend to provide everyone with the opportunity to participate and gain experience.

• If you are a school staff interested in participating, contact us at info@ckstem.org. We will get you started within a week.
• If you are an individual participant, you can enroll here. You must create the first if you don't have an account at our contest portal already. You can find instructions to create your account account at https://www.competitivekids.org/blog/registration.

You can download the Canadian Innovation Contests (CIC) brochure from here.