Introduction
 A
recent poll funded by the National Science Foundation found that
fewer than half of those interviewed knew that the Earth takes one
year to orbit the Sun. This kind of science "illiteracy"
is indicative of a science education system in need of repair.
In America, only one in five high school science teachers has even
a minor in the subject area they teach. Most science classes rely
on textbook learning and routine lab experiments. But there are
places where a new kind of "project-based" science teaching
is taking hold and producing dramatic results. Young Scientists
with John Merrow follows the fortunes of twenty dedicated
high school students who, as part of their high school science program,
are competing in the "Super Bowl" of science fairs, the
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Far from the days
of fizzy volcanoes and encyclopedia wielding parents, this science
fair requires students to undertake complex independent research
projects – under the guidance of a working scientist –
and to defend their findings in a series of regional competitions.
The competitions are rigorous and demanding. Only a handful of students
will advance to the worldwide finals where more than $3 million
in cash prizes and scholarships will be awarded for the top science
projects.
 "Kid
are born scientists," asserts Leon Lederman, winner of a Nobel
prize for his work in physics. "A scientist is someone who
asks questions … and these kids ask all kinds of the right
questions."
Rio May del Rosario, for example, wants to know what causes premature
suturing in brain cells. Mandeep Virdi is trying to combine two
cancer fighting agents to produce a new agent with fewer side effects.
Samuel John is doing research on biologically safe methods of exterminating
carpenter ants. We followed these three, and 17 other young scientists,
for one year, learning about their research, meeting their mentors,
and watching them advance through the grueling stages of the competition.
As we got to know them and saw how they were motivated by curiosity,
their passion for science and the thrill of competition, we wondered:
Would any of them make it all the way to Louisville and the finals?
This inspiring 1-hour documentary tackles the problem of scientific
"illiteracy" by showing a powerful way of engaging students
in real science.
Background
In 2002 we produced four
segments for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS called "Young
Scientists." The four programs focus on high school students
training to compete in a number of competitions sponsored by Siemens,
Dupont, Toshiba, Nasa and Intel.
The largest of these is the Intel International Science and Engineering
Fair (Intel ISEF) which calls itself, with some justification, "the
Olympics, the World Cup and the World Series of pre-college science
competitions."
Held in a different city, annually– in May, 2002 in Louisville
Ky– the Intel ISEF brings together over 1,300 students from
48 states and 39 nations to compete for scholarships and tuition
grants totaling over $3 million, along with internships, scientific
field trips and the grand prize: a trip to attend the Nobel Prize
Ceremonies in Stockholm.
 We
followed the progress of twenty highly motivated students and their
teachers at two New York City area schools- Townsend Harris High School
in Flushing and Plainview-OldBethpage JFK High School in Plainview-
as they created what they hoped would be award-winning projects. These
students are dedicated to their fields of interest which are as diverse
as cancer research and carpenter ants along with physics, chemistry
and biology projects. They are terrific kids whose energy and intelligence
will restore your faith in public education and our youth (if you've
been harboring doubts).
And now we've produced a 1-hour program, Young Scientists
with John Merrow, with more extensive footage of the entire
process from research lab to exhibit floor.
Scientific Literacy
 Young
Scientists with John Merrow
also makes clear that we need to do more for science education generally.
In this country there's a critical shortage of qualified people to
fill the two million new jobs in science and engineering that will
be created by the end of the decade. Shrinking demographics play some
part in the shortage but the greater danger is demonstrated by the
harsh fact that more students are earning degrees in recreational
fields (parks, leisure, physical fitness) than in electrical engineering.
The US is losing talented young people from an industry critical to
our global competitiveness and national defense. Can the shortage
of scientists and engineers be reversed? Can a small number of high
school science students beat the trend? |
