Science Fair
In the English-speaking countries, a school competition is called Science Fair ( English for “research exhibition ”), in which pupils of all grades can present scientific projects of their choice as part of a public exhibition. Participation is voluntary. The projects and exhibits are assessed by a jury; outstanding achievements are awarded prizes.
Science Fairs are held at the local, regional, state , national, and international levels.
history
In the United States were science fairs popular in the 1950s after the development of nuclear weapons and the television had aroused an increased public interest in science and technology. The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) was launched in Washington, DC in 1950 and has been sponsored by Intel since 1997 and is still the world's largest international student science competition.
Research projects
Schoolchildren who want to present a science project at a science fair are free to choose their topic. Since the term “science” in English is primarily understood to mean natural science - and not science in its entirety - most students choose scientific or technical projects. Again and again, however, individual students also B. propose sociological or psychological research projects.
There are three types of scientific and technical projects. Experimental projects ( experimental projects ) is a scientific experiment based. In engineering projects , the challenge is to solve a technical problem. Display projects illustrate, visually or in some other way, an issue that nature itself does not depict so vividly. Popular with primary school students are z. B. Models of the planetary system or the structure of volcanoes .
Due to the widespread use of Science Fairs , a broad niche for relevant literature has emerged in the American book market, ranging from general guides to collections of detailed project proposals.
discussion
In the English-speaking countries, research projects are also developed and carried out by the students in the classroom. Science fairs , however, offer the opportunity to carry out research projects that would go beyond what is possible in class. Another advantage of Science Fairs is that students with a strong interest in science and technology can use this forum, which is much more public than the school itself, to establish connections with sponsors (e.g. university teachers) with whom they would not otherwise be involved Contact would come.
Occasionally, however, criticism is voiced against the institution of the Science Fair . Your opponents criticize the fact that the focus of these events is often so much on competition that many students who are initially interested in science and technology are discouraged.
Important national science fairs
International
Ireland
Canada
United States
- California State Science Fair
- Massachusetts State Science Fair
- New York State Science and Engineering Fair
Cultural meaning
Science fairs play a major role in the lives of American children and adolescents. They have been featured in many films and television series; in the United States, they are an important part of popular culture.
Selection of films that feature Science Fairs :
- The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972)
- What a Genius (1985)
- The Manhattan Project (1986)
- Race the Sun (1986)
- Ransomware (1996)
- October Sky (1999)
- Osmosis Jones (2001)
- Strangers With Candy (2005)
- Meet the Robinsons (2007)
See also
Individual evidence
literature
- Maxine Levaren: Science Fair Projects for Dummies , For Dummies, 2002. ISBN 0-7645-5460-3
Web links
All listed websites are in English: