Leveraging Big Data and AI to Strengthen Food Security and Promote Sustainable Agriculture: 2025-2026 National High School Big Data Challenge

The National High School Big Data Challenge provides students with a unique opportunity to investigate one of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals using open data, analytics, and AI. Through experiential learning, the program equips students with essential data science, critical thinking, and problem solving skills that are becoming increasingly more important in the digital age. The theme for the 2025-2026 program, “Leveraging Big Data and AI to Strengthen Food Security and Promote Sustainable Agriculture” invites students to explore how open data and AI can deepen our understanding of the systems that underpin equitable food production, distribution, and consumption. Students are encouraged to develop innovative data-driven insights and methodologies that contribute to more resilient agricultural practices and sustainable food systems, in alignment with global efforts to advance food security and environmental stewardship. Their investigations covered a wide array of topics, from the effects of climate change on food production to undernourishment and urbanization on a regional and international level. We are continually inspired by the intellectual curiosity, creativity, and analytical skills demonstrated by this next generation of researchers. Their work not only contributes to sustainable agricultural practices but also exemplifies the spirit of innovation that these programs seek to foster. To showcase and celebrate their achievements, two national conferences were held in February 2026: the Eastern Canada Conference at the University of Toronto (February 11, 2026) and the Western Canada Conference at the University of Calgary (February 20, 2026). On behalf of STEM Fellowship, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all participants. We also thank our industry and academic reviewers and mentors, as well as our dedicated team of STEM Fellowship volunteers whose tireless support made this program possible. We would also like to gratefully acknowledge the invaluable partnership and contributions of RBC, Let’s Talk Science, Cisco Academy, National Research Council Canada, Government of Nunavut, Canadian Science Publishing, and the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking of the University of Calgary.