6 Reasons Why Science Fairs Matter

Are you a student in the United States of America (U.S.), or, perhaps, the parent or grandparent of one? If so, you will probably be interested to know how U.S. students stack up against their peers worldwide. Recent studies indicate that U.S. students rank in the middle of the pack when it comes to achievement in math and science. These rankings are based on empirical data.

Every three years, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PSA) measures math, science and reading ability and other critical skills amongst 15-year-olds in a wide range of socio-economic strata in developed and developing nations. The most recent PSA result (from 2015) placed the U.S. as 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th in science. (see: “U.S. students’ academic achievement still lags that of their peers in many other countries,” by: Drew Desilver, Pew Research Center, February 15, 2017 — https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science/ ).

In this brief article we will not talk so much about the philosophical and political aspects of a good, solid education as it affects the individual student and American society as a whole. Rather, we will look at the reason why science fairs matter.

Active learning

These science fairs offer a unique method by which students can learn and absorb scientific principles and knowledge. In preparing a science fair project, the student is immersed in what education experts call “active learning or inquiry” (aka “hands on learning”). This is a very effective instructional method, especially in regards to science learning. Yet, the National Research Council has found that this method is lacking in the American classroom, and is likely a key factor on why American students are lagging in science knowledge.

Getting away from the empirical data on scholastic performance for a moment, let’s look at some of the broader benefits of science fairs and science fair competition. Science fairs play an important role in primary and secondary education environments as they provide a motivator for students to become excited about and involved in the study of the natural sciences. Boring text books. The droning of lectures in the classroom. Indecipherable charts and figures on the whiteboard. Is it any wonder that the mind of the American student slips away into non-interest and, correspondingly, non-comprehension?

Communication skills

Science fair students, especially those who move their way through the process of competitions and selections, will learn the value of communication skills. This goes for not only communication between team members in the science fair, but also communication of their concepts and ideas to the audience and the judges.

Perseverance, focus and goal setting

The science fair project will typically have a longer duration than most other academic assignments. It will involve the student in a preparation phase, analyzing what they want to study and how to go about this. Next would be an assimilation phase, gathering the materials and, potentially, the teammates to move forward on the project. Trial and error, and re-trial and re-error will test the student’s sense of perseverance. As the science fair date approaches, it becomes all about the goal. How does she bring together all the hours and days of hard work for that one final presentation.

Human values beyond science

Trials and errors, the experimentation and competition will force the student to cross boundaries beyond pure science. Rivalries amongst team mates may occur, and, surely, between teams in the science fair competition. How, the student will be forced to grapple with, does one do what is right, fair and true versus what will ‘win the day.’

All of the basics — reading, writing and ‘rithmatic

In the course of preparing and working on the science fair, the student will be forced to use (and hone) all their academic skills, from reading and writing to mathematical calculations and scientific analyses, and awards for exemplary performance.

(source: “The Value of a Science Fair Project,” by: Science Buddies — https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/the-value-of-a-science-fair-project ).