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Updated: 12:46 PM Feb 25, 2010
School Science Fairs Being Phased Out
In Cabell County, W.Va., the science fair as many know it is becoming an endangered species. It's a matter of balancing a pursuit of knowledge with a changing world of funding and politics.
Posted: 8:45 PM Feb 24, 2010Reporter: Carrie Cline Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com |
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30 Comments 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Growing plants by using different fertilizers, creating a volcano using vinegar and baking soda or determining which soda has more fizz -- they're all popular science fair projects that inspired a love in young students for the subject.
In Cabell County, W.Va., however, the science fair as many know it is becoming an endangered species. It's a matter of balancing a pursuit of knowledge with a changing world of funding and politics.
Georgia Arrington is only in the second grade. But, the school science fair has already sparked an excitement for science.
"I love it so much," Georgia said. "I want to be a scientist now."
Lindsey Blatt is also a science buff at the ripe old age of 8.
"You learn so much just being here and looking at the other projects," she said.
Teacher Erin Novotny said, "Science fairs are fabulous because a student can pick a topic that interests them and then research it and measure it."
In Cabell County, St. Joseph Catholic School is one of the only schools this year to hold a schoolwide science fair. Cabell Midland High School did host a science fair for their 9th Grade Academy. Our Lady of Fatima held one for their middle school grades. Cabell County Schools traditionally alternate between science fairs and social studies fairs from year to year, and this was the year for social studies. When the district returns to science next year, the fair as many know it will be gone.
"Participation across the state has diminished," said Lenora Richardson, science and social studies curriculum supervisor for Cabell County Schools. "Some families can’t afford the materials for the projects, and many parents get more involved than the children."
So, the district will pursue a new idea called project-based learning. It's part of 21st century learning experience.
"Students will work collaboratively to take on a real world problem and come up with practical ways to solve them," Richardson said.
Megan Rice is a biology major at Marshall University. She attributes her pursuit of science as a career to her winning project in the sixth grade science fair.
"Just learning from the textbook can be boring, but when you get your hands on it and really see how it works, it’s so exciting," Rice said.
Dr. Marcia Harrison is a biology professor at Marshall and says there’s no doubt that students who participate in science fairs at the grade school and high school levels are better off.
"They seem more engaged," she said.
In West Virginia, there is a state science fair for high school students, but nothing on the state level for grades kindergarten through eighth grade.
Latest Comments
I'm really upset about this. I loved science fairs.
To those concerned about what schools were and were not mentioned in the story, I understand you feel left out, but just the 9th grade or just the middle school grades is not the ENTIRE school! I think the point is kids should be working on science fair projects as early as kindergarten developing that love and those skills for science as early as possible.
One aspect of the report which was not made clear is that the science investigative experience is not being phased out but is evolving to meet the demands of the 21st century. Also, another point which was not in the shown clips was the discussion on how the county public schools chose to do the social studies fair again this year. The private schools, such as St. Joseph were invited to participate. However, they chose not to do so. Next year, the rotation will be science. The idea of evolving the science fair to include more 21st century learning and technology is in the DISCUSSION and PLANNING stages, not set in stone. By going to classroom projects which will integrate science hands-on lab activities, reading, writing, math and social studies, the students will see that subjects are not compartmentalized but merge together in real life. Classroom collaborations will include more students participating in a relevant, real world learning experience.
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