4-H Canada and Bayer Launch Third Year of the 4-H Canada Science Fair

Ottawa, ON – October 4, 2017 – 4-H Canada and its Science and Technology Pillar Partner, Bayer, are pleased to announce the recent launch of the third annual 4-H Canada Science Fair – the only non-school science fair in the country. Together, 4-H Canada programming and Bayer’s ongoing support continue to develop responsible, caring and contributing Canadian youth in the field of science and technology.

Participating 4-H members from across Canada are invited to enter their innovative science fair projects through an online portal for the chance to compete in-person against other 4-H’ers between February 28, 2018 and March 4, 2018 in Truro, Nova Scotia. Up to five finalists from the in-person round will move on to compete at the national 2018 Canada-Wide Science Fair.

The 4-H Canada Science Fair is part of 4-H Canada’s ongoing commitment to foster science and technology skills and knowledge in youth. In 2016-2017, thirty 4-H members competed in the 4-H Canada Science Fair and five moved on to the Canada-Wide Science Fair, where three won several bronze medals in their categories.

“It may not seem like much, but it is opportunities like the 4-H Canada Science Fair that change a young adult’s life and allow them to gain the skills required to become successful. I would like to thank everyone for giving me, and all the other youth of yesterday, today and tomorrow the chance to be the leaders we were born to be,” said one participant.

Through a recent survey, 100 per cent of past 4-H Canada Science Fair participants identified that through 4-H they are strengthening and developing new skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). As the only non-school science fair option, three quarters of these participants credit participation in science fairs and interest in STEM to 4-H Canada.

“With Bayer’s support, 4-H is playing an increasingly active role in engaging young Canadian minds in STEM,” said Shannon Benner, CEO of 4-H Canada. “By creating a culture of curiosity, youth are more likely to see themselves as catalysts of change and make connections between the world, the positive contributions they can make and science.”

“As a life science company focused on improving the lives of people around the world, partnering with 4-H Canada to deliver STEM programming was a natural fit within our mandate of ‘Science for a Better Life’,” said Paul Thiel, vice-president product development and regulatory science for Bayer. “We’re proud of our longstanding partnership with 4-H Canada as we work together to develop the future leaders of tomorrow.”

Registration for the 4-H Canada Science Fair closes January 16, 2018. To learn more about the 4-H Canada Science Fair, visit 4-h-canada.ca.

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About 4-H Canada
For over 100 years, 4-H Canada has been one of the most highly respected positive youth development organizations in Canada. 4-H Canada has more than 24,874 members and nearly 7,600 volunteers. Our goal is to help young Canadians “Learn To Do By Doing” in a safe, inclusive and fun environment. We believe in nurturing responsible, caring and contributing leaders who are committed to positively impacting their communities across Canada and around the world. To learn more about 4-H Canada, please visit 4-h-canada.ca and follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.cropscience.bayer.ca.

For more information, contact:

Jay Poulton Marketing and Communications Director 4-H Canada jpoulton@4-h-canada.ca 1-613-759-1013 (ext. 130)

Komie Hossini Communications Business Partner Bayer Inc. komie.hossini@bayer.com 1-403-723-7485