Sometimes the fair sets their path in the sciences early and you'll see them continue with it through post-secondary," said science fair operations manager Jill Emery.
The annual Spark Photo Festival in Peterborough, Northumberland, and Kawartha Lakes showcases the work of local photographers, and aims to make their art more accessible.
'We are here to encourage them to keep going, to try new things, to hear each other, to hear a different repertoire and just to get a fresh perspective,' judge Martha Gregory said.
"A lot of people don't know that an artist-run centre has been in the community for 50 years, so we are making some noise about it," said Artspace artistic director Leslie Menagh.