A student in Grade 10 from Burlington, Ontario, has created a groundbreaking invention known as a bionic turtle with hopes of enhancing the safety and cleanliness of underwater ecosystems. Evan Budz utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to develop this autonomous bionic sea turtle robot for ecological monitoring, which secured the top prize at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS).
In an interview with CBC Radio’s Metro Morning host, David Common, Evan explained that his robot mimics the swimming behavior of a sea turtle to autonomously detect various threats in underwater environments such as coral bleaching and invasive species. The 15-year-old prodigy also clinched the title of Best Project (Innovation) at the 2025 Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) in Fredericton and received the prestigious Ellison Scholars Award, granting him a fully funded trip to Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
EUCYS, a globally renowned event organized by the European Commission, serves as a platform for young scientists aged 14 to 20 from 40 different countries to showcase their scientific talents. The recent edition held in Riga, Latvia, awarded 7,000 pounds (approximately $13,000 CAD) to each of the four first-place winners. Meanwhile, Sara Waqas, a 16-year-old from Calgary, claimed the title of CWSF 2025 Best Project (Discovery) winner and secured the second position at EUCYS for her research on treatment-resistant schizophrenia and the development of a prototype drug aiming to restore normal brain function.
Evan highlighted that the data collected by his robotic turtle will enable organizations to pinpoint potential threats, heighten awareness, and support initiatives to improve the overall health of affected areas. He mentioned that the design of the robot closely resembles that of a real turtle in terms of both appearance and swimming technique, utilizing flippers akin to those of a green sea turtle for propulsion.
Inspired by observing a snapping turtle during a camping trip, Evan emphasized the importance of minimizing environmental disruption in ecological monitoring. By emulating the movements of a turtle, he ensures minimal interference with other organisms during monitoring activities. Evan also tested his invention in his grandparents’ pool, achieving a 96% accuracy rate in detecting replicated coral bleaching, showcasing its reliability and potential to identify threats before they severely impact ecosystems.
Reni Barlow, the executive director at Youth Science Canada, commended the exceptional projects of Evan and Sara, underscoring the capability of Canadian youth to address global challenges. Barlow praised Evan’s EUCYS 2025 success as a world-class innovation reflecting the aptitude of Canadian youth in tackling intricate technical and environmental issues.
Chandra Sharma, president and CEO of Conservation Halton, lauded Evan’s approach to ecosystem monitoring for its non-invasive nature, aligning with the organization’s conservation philosophy. Sharma expressed admiration for Evan’s dedication to marine conservation and innovative practices, anticipating further advancements in his work and the conservation field as a whole.