Non-competitive science and technology challenges

Developing the Green Dollhouse Challenge for EnergyTeachers.org has led me to reexamine the meaning of competition and non-competition in science fairs and technology competitions.

Outreach

I am proposing a presentation for STEM stakeholders. Here's a sample description of a 10-20 minute talk:

Our organization has piloted a non-competitive technology challenge for the past two years, and we are just beginning to learn how it is different from STEM competitions. Our challenge was developed by two science teachers and professional developers with experience organizing and training educators for technology competitions. Briefly, we will review some of the rare research about the impact of competition in science fairs, compare specific technology competitions to our challenge, examine the meaning of standards of achievement, and discuss issues stakeholders may encounter developing a rewarding STEM experience for all.

References

Yasar, Senay and Dale Baker, The Impact of Involvement in a Science Fair on Seventh Grade Students. 2003. Meeting paper presented at NARST. http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED478905&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED478905

Up to the time of their paper, Yasar and Baker say there is little research on the effects of science fairs on the general population because research is done on students at regional and national fairs who have already aced local fairs, thus are likely to have positively skewed views on participation in science. The authors also found that control and test students' aptitude in science and attitude about the nature of science worsened during a year whether or not they participated in science fairs—This brings into question their instruments, but the paper remains useful for its references and questions.