Rethinking High-School Science Fairs
11 days ago
- #Science Education
- #Educational Reform
- #Science Fairs
- Science fairs have shifted from fostering independent research to glorified internships, losing their original purpose.
- Early science fairs focused on student-driven projects and curiosity, unlike today's competitive, high-stakes events.
- The author's personal experience highlights the disconnect between modern science fairs and genuine scientific inquiry.
- Historical context shows science fairs were initially about observation and curiosity, not competition or military readiness.
- Proposed new divisions for science fairs aim to refocus on curiosity, replication, and critical thinking over competition.