Athletes can aim to win a game — or even the state championship. Actors might try out for the lead in the school play. Budding writers may land their byline in the local newspaper. But what about the kids who explore their world using science? What inspires them not to just think about a question but also to try to answer it, using scientific tools?
Science fairs offer a stage for these students to shine. The biggest such stage for today’s high school students is the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair. This competition is run by Science News’ parent organization, the Society for Science & the Public. Created in 1950 and sponsored by Intel since 1997, this annual competition brings together top student projects from local, regional, state and even national science fairs from all over the world. For one week in May, a dizzying 1,759 science-minded teens from more than 75 countries descended on Phoenix for a chance at big prizes (more than $4 million is awarded to over 400 winners).