Kells Students Shine Bright at the 2025 Hydro-Québec Science Fair

At Kells Academy, innovation, creativity, and scientific excellence are more than just values—they are a way of life. This February, our students lit up the virtual stage with 28 captivating projects at the annual Kells Virtual Science Fair 2025, demonstrating a remarkable blend of problem-solving, curiosity, and real-world application. It was an inspiring display of talent, with each project showcasing the hard work and brilliance of our young scientists.

Expert Judging Panel

The level of competition at the Kells Science Fair was so high that our panel of judges—comprising a professional engineer, a Harvard PhD student, a McGill University professor and chemistry lab director, an electrical engineering PhD, a high school science teacher, and a McGill graduate student in chemistry—had an incredibly tough time selecting the finalists. Their feedback highlighted not only the technical excellence but also the ingenuity and societal impact of each project.

Out of these 28 projects, nine exceptional entries advanced to the Hydro-Québec Regional Science Fair held at Pierrefonds Community High School in late March. Competing against students from across the region, Kells students emerged as standouts, earning prestigious awards from renowned institutions. From eco-friendly solutions to cutting-edge AI, their projects are redefining what it means to be a student innovator in 2025.

Spotlight on Our Science Superstars

1. Yara Abou Kheir: Cleaning Oil Spills with Mushrooms

Yara's environmentally conscious project explored how certain types of mushrooms can break down oil contaminants in water. This bio-remediation technique, known as mycoremediation, has the potential to offer a sustainable and cost-effective way to address oil spills globally. Her work earned her Great Distinction and the coveted Faculty of Science Award from McGill University, placing her at the forefront of eco-friendly innovation.

2. Jacob Chen & Frank Fan: Building a Turbojet Engine

Jacob and Frank pushed the boundaries of high school engineering by building a working turbojet engine. Their design impressed judges not only for its complexity but for its potential industrial applications. One judge, a professional at Pratt and Whitney, remarked that their work resembled ongoing prototype development within the aerospace industry. They earned Great Distinction and the McGill Department of Civil Engineering Award for their impressive prototype.

3. Sthefany He Chen: A Device for the Visually Impaired

Inspired by her volunteer work with the Friendship Circle, Sthefany developed a wearable obstacle detection system for visually impaired individuals. Designed and coded entirely by her, the device helps detect nearby obstacles using sensors and alerts the wearer via vibrations. The judges were deeply moved by the project's humanitarian focus and awarded her Great Distinction for this life-enhancing invention.

4. Thomas Ma: High-Speed Connectivity & Personalized AI

Thomas Ma’s work tackled two of today’s most pressing technological challenges: internet access and artificial intelligence. First, he built a custom high-speed internet router capable of outperforming some commercial models—a solution intended for underserved rural communities. Then, in a second feat of innovation, Thomas designed and trained his own AI-powered voice assistant using samples of his own voice. He spent hours recording readings from A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks to personalize his AI model. His groundbreaking efforts earned him Great Distinction and the Gina Cody School of Engineering Award for Outstanding Achievement in Computer Science and Software Engineering.

Empowering Future Innovators

Each of our Science Fair participants demonstrated an unwavering commitment to experimentation and discovery, and their projects reflected the values of perseverance, purpose, and passion that Kells nurtures in every student.

What makes this year's success even more significant is the real-world applicability of many of the projects. From environmental protection and aerospace innovation to assistive technology and data connectivity, our students are not only dreaming big—they are building solutions for a better world.

Why Kells Students Are Standing Out in STEM

With a strong emphasis on STEM education, Kells Academy provides students with the tools and opportunities they need to excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The success at the Hydro-Québec Science Fair is just one example of how we encourage our students to think critically, solve real-world problems, and pursue their passions fearlessly.

Key Elements of Our STEM Success:

Hands-on learning: Students are encouraged to learn by doing, using both virtual and physical labs.
Mentorship: Students have access to expert guidance from industry professionals and academic leaders. Recent examples include the expert evaluations from our Virtual Science Fair Judging panel and a visit from the lead developer of the University of Waterloo’s famous “Problem of the Month” project.
Experiential learning: Students attend STEM field trips throughout the year. Most recently, our Grade 10 and 11 Science students visited the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science at Concordia University.
Innovation-focused curriculum: Kells Academy has always had an innovative approach to curriculum design. These days, our teachers are exploring how to integrate AI, robotics, coding, and engineering into everyday lessons and Flex programming.
Supportive community: Collaboration, teamwork, and a growth mindset are key aspects of the Kells educational approach, nourishing the spirit of scientific inquiry.

Pictured: Kells alumnus and current Concordia student, Austin Unru, showed our students around Concordia’s state-of-the-art Computer Science and Engineering facilities.

Trending Now: Youth-Led Innovation & Science for Good

In an age where students are increasingly stepping into roles as changemakers, the projects from Kells students align perfectly with trending themes like "Green Tech," "Youth Innovation," "Inclusive Design," and "AI for Good." These aren’t just buzzwords—they represent a powerful movement where young minds are taking the initiative to reshape the world through science and technology.

Grade 10 Thomas Ma is a prime example of this drive; he has put his STEM skills to good use at the International Education Help Organization (IEHO). This student-run organization helps students around the world overcome educational barriers by offering services like translation assistance and after-school tutoring. Thomas has not only dedicated an astonishing 90 community service hours to this impactful cause, but he has also played a key role in improving their technological infrastructure. He designed and launched the organization’s official website and continues to streamline their communication tools and provide crucial technical support. His dedication to both the mission and the technology behind it is truly inspiring!

Pictured: Thomas Ma shows off the website he designed for IEHO.

Looking Ahead

The bar has been set high for future science fairs at Kells Academy. With the incredible performance of our students at the 2025 Hydro-Québec Science Fair, we look forward to even more ambitious, meaningful, and innovative projects in the years to come.

To our amazing students: Your passion for discovery and your ability to think beyond the textbook are what make Kells a beacon for academic and scientific excellence. We are so proud of everything you’ve achieved!

To the community: Stay tuned as we continue to support, celebrate, and elevate the next generation of STEM leaders.

Pictured: Ms. Ghanem and our Kells Scientists represented the school with pride at the Hydro-Quebec Science Fair.