Research Information System
4th World Conference on Educational Sciences (WCES), Barcelona, Spain, 2 - 05 February 2012, vol.46, pp.3078-3082, (Full Text)
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that might be associated with students' participation in science fair. In total, 514 science fair participants (age range 9-16) from grades 4-8 completed survey named "Tell Us about Your Science Fair Experience" from three different primary schools in an urban area. The results of this study showed that in all grade levels, boys tended to choose to work in physical sciences and girls in the biological and social sciences. The science books, parents, and television programs were ranked as first three sources for project ideas by the all students. In addition, while the students were ranked "fun", "learning new things" and "working with my friends" as first three reward items for participating in science fair, those ranked "some strict rules," "low priority on the school list of achievement and development activities," "lack of coordination between teacher and students" as first three barrier items to science fair. The results of this study may be used as a means of helping students to select the type of event that suits their interest, goals, and learning style. Finally, factors are discussed that might lead to an early divergence of boys' and girls' interest in science within a context that promotes its exploration. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Huseyin Uzunboylu