When we think of science fairs, we often picture a bunch of retainer-mouthed middle schoolers, each with a giant poster board explaining why oil and water don’t mix or how to fashion a mini-volcano from baking soda and vinegar.
We tend not to picture balls of lightning in a bucket, a teenager who spent two years making a nuclear fusion reactor in his garage or millions of dollars in scholarship money.
Judy Dutton, author of Science Fair Season: Twelve Kids, A Robot Named Scorch…And What it Takes to Win, will be a guest at Thursday’s Intel Northwest Science Expo, a PSU-hosted fundraising and book-signing event that will give parents, educators and local award sponsors an opportunity to learn about this largely untapped resource for educational growth and scholarship benefits.
For Dutton, science fairs are terrific outlets for young minds to solve real-world problems while improving their own futures.
“It’s inspiring,” she said of her experience observing science fairs, including the 2009 International Science Fair in Reno, Nev. “Some of these kids come from bad backgrounds. Thanks to these science fairs, their lives can be completely changed.”
She spoke of a 14-year-old boy who lived in a poorly ventilated trailer with his gravely asthmatic sister until he designed a unique heater that allowed her to breathe safely.
“He just graduated from an elite private school. It’s the classic American dream, all because of hard work and opportunity,” Dutton says. “It’s the best-kept secret. Everyone thinks of the football quarterback winning lots of money for school, but not the scientist.”
Although social stereotypes classify science expos as terminally un-cool, the nerds who attend them often have their revenge: Science fairs aren’t just a way to show off to parents anymore. They can be a door to thousands of dollars in scholarship money, full rides through college, job offers, changed lives and groundbreaking discoveries. For educational mentors and worried parents in this age of debt and doubt, science fairs can be the key to college.
It’s not all about the money, however. With the U.S. school system ranking globally 17th in science and 24th in math, it is important for educators and parents to encourage scientific growth and innovation.
“We’ve got to catch up with the rest of the world in those places,” Dutton said. “President Obama is even holding science fairs at the White House to foster it.”
Significant advances for America in the scientific and mathematic realms could mean worlds to the global community, including the capacity for ecological and economical models to save lives. Education and outreach are the best tools to foster change, Dutton said, and science fairs offer both.
On the individual level, science fairs give children the opportunity to practice complex, inquiry-based research, defend it against a panel of judges and learn to be eloquent, succinct and quick on their feet, according to Dutton.
“This is a skill set that will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” she said.
Dutton will be signing copies of her book at the Science Expo and discussing the importance of science education in local and global communities. She will also offer tips for adults on how to get kids and anyone else involved in science fairs. There will be light refreshments and a silent auction where you can buy funky science-related art from local vendors.
PSU has been involved in the Northwest Science Expo since 2001.
“It shows that PSU has a great outreach program for K-12 schools, which is what we want,” said Expo Director Stephanie Jones.
The fundraiser is in preparation for the Science Expo’s main event in May 2012, tickets for which can be bought atsciencefairseason.eventbrite.com.
If you are looking for a dorky display of ant farms, you might want to pass on this event. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for an informative look at the competitive, lucrative, rewarding world of science fairs, come down at 7 p.m.,Oct. 20 to Smith Memorial Student Union.
Nerds of Portland, unite!