About Science Fairs

Here's your opportunity to explore the unknown, to satisfy your curiosity, and to enjoy a fascinating hobby

In 1962, more than 947,000 students entered science fairs connected with the National Science Fair-International.

As any educator will report, however, professional scientists graduated each year from colleges and universities total only a small fraction of the huge number mentioned above. Many of them were, of course, past entrants in science fairs.

What happened to the rest of the science fairers? Nothing amazing, although, as a group, their achievements have been far above average and often spectacular. In addition to those who have chosen a career in science, they have become doctors, lawyers, housewives, salesmen, and any of the other "ors," "ers," "ives," and "men" you can think of.

Having an interest in science, whether or not you intend to make it your career, is perfectly natural. Words like semiconductor, guidance system, mutation, and megaton are creeping into our daily vocabulary. It is impossible to ignore the world in which we live. The scientific and technical achievements of the past century have taken too important a place in our lives.

Why should you enter a science fair if you do not intend to become a scientist? Because a science fair offers you a chance to learn by doing, to satisfy your curiosity, to explore the unknown, and to participate in a really fascinating hobby. The amazing growth of science fairing in the roughly three decades since the first organized fair was held points up the exploding interest in science as a hobby among students like yourself.
Photos by Robert E. Fischer

Photos by Hubert E. Fischer

What is a science fair? Joseph H. Kraus, Coordinator of the National Science Fair-International calls it "a collection of exhibits designed by students of precollege age. Each exhibit is developed to show a biological, chemical, physical or technical principle, a laboratory or other procedure, an industrial development, or an orderly collection of anything which may be fitted into the broad concept of any branch of pure or applied science."

In its simplest form, a science fair can be organized around an informal gathering of students who share common interests or hobbies. An exhibit might be included to give everyone a chance to display his pet project. Possibly, the exhibit will be opened to the public.

Most science fairs are, however, more formal events where competition plays a part. In addition to showing off their work, exhibitors like to know how their efforts stack up with other projects. So, most local science fairs invite educators and scientists to judge the exhibits. Projects displaying the highest level of scientific ability, originality, and presentation are given awards.

The best projects at local or school-wide fairs go on to larger, regional fairs. Many regional exhibitions or city-wide fairs have thousands of individual projects on display. Each year, millions of interested people visit science fairs to view the work of the exhibitors.

Left: Scene at the impressive awards banquet held at the 12th National Science Fair-International. A bit of good-spirited partisanship rears its head (left, below). These were the winners of the New York City fair.

Right: Winners of 21st Westinghouse Science Talent Search pose on steps of Nation's Capitol during five-day finals in Washington. The Science Talent Search is another aspect of "science fairing," can lead to a college scholarship. To qualify, each entrant must pass written aptitude test and write report on a science project (not necessarily designed for display) of his own. Finalists are invited to visit the Science Talent Institute in Washington where final judging takes place. Needless to say. many science fair winners have qualified for Talent Search scholarships.

At regional fairs affiliated with National Science Fair-International, winners who are in their last three years of public, private or parochial school, are eligible to compete on a national level. Each affiliated fair is entitled to send two science fairers to the National Science Fair-International held each year in a different city.

What Came First?

It is difficult to decide what came first, science projects or science fairs. Although many students experimented or otherwise dabbled in science as a hobby long before the first science fair, hardly anyone built descriptive displays to present their work. Not until science fairing came into its own did young scientists have an opportunity to share experiences with others and demonstrate their efforts and abilities.

Exhibiting your work at a science fair is a rewarding experience. Most past science fairers are walking "testimonial spouters," and never tire of reporting the details of their "day at the science fair." Since prizes are in short supply and the vast majority of exhibitors do not receive tangible recognition of their work, there must be other, nontangible benefits to fair participation.

There are many! Past entrants have reported gaining assurance and self-confidence in their abilities after planning and executing an original project. They have praised the invaluable experience of learning to use experimental techniques, working actively in some field of science, and of searching for solutions to the many problems they have faced.

Contact with other science fairers and with professional scientists can help you evaluate your plans for the future. Science might seem an attractive career possibility. Working on a project that is related to a significant scientific problem can help you decide. On the other side of the coin, building a science fair project might ignite a hidden scientific talent you didn't know you had. You will never know until you try!

Recognition of your efforts, even if you don't win an award, can carry with it many surprising benefits. Exhibiting your work at a fair demonstrates your willingness to take on an unassigned task and carry it through to completion. You have shown out-of-the-ordinary abilities and skills.

Photos by Robert E. Fischer
 
College admissions officers look at science fair participation as an excellent indicator of your potential. Someone who has gone out of his way to explore a scientific field, and who has invested time and effort to work in the field, has shown himself to be more than an average student.

Friendly competition at science fairs among exhibitors is a good stimulus. The more you put into your project, the more you benefit. To design and build a project requires that you develop originality, imagination, clear thinking, and powers of observation. You must learn a raft of new skills necessary to work in your chosen scientific field. Win or lose, you have gained much.

An "award"? Weightless flight (an "unforgettable experience" according to Robert E. Fischer shown in left photo) actually was part of an Air Force award given to selected entrants in 12th NSF-I. Flight took place during an expense paid trip to Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. Air Force award is typical of many given by governmental and private agencies in addition to the "wish awards" (gifts of scientific materials) awarded by the NSF-I. Below: Winners strap on parachutes in preparation for weightless flight.

Using This Book

You were probably interested in science fairing before you picked up this book. Possibly, you already have an idea for a project, and are "raring" to go. Whether or not you have selected a project, you probably have a number of questions about entering a science fair. "How should I choose my topic? What is the best way to design a presentation?"

In any case, this book is meant for you. Use it as a guide; not as an instruction sheet. The material presented is very general, and can be applied to every size, shape, and category of project. You will have to pick out the points that apply to you.

You won't find any details for building "sure-fire, prize-winning projects." Finding a good topic is part of your job.

Descriptions of a number of prize-winning projects, written by their builders, have been included to give you a firsthand idea of the qualities a good project must have. ·

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