Sanofi Biogenius Canada
Student health and biotech research competition with national finals
Why It Matters
One of Canada's best-known science competitions focused on health sciences, life sciences and biotechnology. National winners receive recognition that life sciences programs notice.
How to Start
Sanofi Biogenius is now run with Youth Science Canada. You enter an original health, life sciences or biotech project at your regional STEM fair, and selected projects go on to compete at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. It has Junior (G7-8), Intermediate (G9-10) and Senior (G11-12) divisions. Working with a university or hospital lab mentor makes an entry much stronger.
Commitment
- High commitment: several hours a week, often with evenings, weekends or travel.
- Best starting grade: G10
- Start your project in G10 or G11 - research takes time and you want at least one year to develop it.
Programs It Supports
- Biotechnology
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
Majors it supports
- Biology – mid to high 80s at most schools
- Biochemistry – high 80s
- Pharmacy (PharmD) – high 80s for prerequisites; GPA + interview for PharmD admission
Similar extracurriculars
- Science Olympics – University-hosted team science competitions for high schoolers
- Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) – The top student research competition in Canada
- Robotics Club - VEX or FIRST – Build and compete with real robots
- Environmental Club – Lead sustainability efforts at your school
- Biology / Chemistry Lab Club – Go deeper into science beyond the classroom
- BioTalent Challenge (now Sanofi Biogenius) – The former name of Canada's national student biotech competition
- Lab Assistant / Science Prep Room Volunteer – Help science teachers prep labs and organize equipment
- Astronomy & Stargazing Club – Host night-time telescope viewings and planetarium trips
- Anatomy / Dissection Club – Go beyond the curriculum with advanced biological dissections