Preservice Elementary Teachers' Attitudes Toward Their Past Experience With Science Fairs

Source abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences preservice elementary teachers have had with science fairs, to examine the attitudes resulting from their participation in science fairs as students, and to assess the importance of these past histories for their future students. Preservice teachers were asked what they liked, disliked, and what they considered to be the benefits of science fairs. While most felt that science fairs are beneficial activities for students, those who rated science fairs as most worthwhile had never participated in a science fair as either an elementary or a secondary student. Based on the results of the study, several recommendation were made to improve science fair experiences both for teachers and for students.