Agenda

1. ISEF Award Winners

2. Improving Science Fair Projects

3. Follow-up Study of the ISEF Finalists                                

Taiwan’s Experience

ISEF Award Winners                                

ISEF Award Winners of Taiwan

1982-2008 (1)

Year Finalists WinnersIntel

Young Scientists

Best of Category Awards

Grand Awards

Special Awards Total

1982-2002 97 67 - 3 48 75 126

2003 SARS, NO PARTICIPATION

2004 20 15 - 11 4 15

2005 11 10 - 1 5 7 13

2006 12 11 - 2 8 9 19

2007 10 6 - 1 5 2 8

2008 10 4 1 1 4 3 9

T=26 160 113 1 8 81 100 190

Since 1997, every year 3 top finalists are selected from more than 1500

finalists to receive the Intel Young Scientists Award. In 2008, Yi-Han Su

from Taiwan received the Young Scientist Award (only 6 overseas finalists

had been awarded since 1997)

ISEF Winners of Taiwan1982 – 2008 (2)

51% (81/160) projects from Taiwan won Grand Awards at ISEF

Statistics showed that 25%~30% projects won Grand Awards at ISEF

Taiwan’s Experience

Improving mproving

Science Fair ProjectsScience Fair Projects                                

Support Systems : Universities & Research Institutions

Provide laboratory equipments &

resources Young Scientists Experimental &

Mentorship Program to educate

high school students doing

science research

Support Systems: Government Initiatives

National Taiwan Science Education Center

Promote Science EducationI. National Primary & High School Science Fair

II. Taiwan International Science Fair

III. Select finalists to ISEF

IV. High School Science Research Program

V. Science Project Workshops for students & teachers

VI. Build Mentors & Finalists Alumni database

I. National Primary & High School Science Fair (NPHSSF)

Established in 1960 School fairs → Regional fairs→ NPHSSF Judging divided into 4 groups:

Grade 4-6 (Elementary schools)

Grade 7-9 (Junior high schools)

Grade 10-12 (Senior high schools) Grade 10-12 (Vocational schools)

Grand awards and special awards given

to winners

II. Taiwan International Science Fair

Established in 2002 Encourage science research, promote academic &

cultural exchange Grade 9-12 students 10 to 18 participating countries Experienced Judges Committee: select outstanding

Taiwan projects for international science fairs, e.g. Intel ISEF, CWSF, ESI, HKJSSE, NZ etc.

Participating countries ofTaiwan International Science Fair

（2002-2009）

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Year

Cou

ntr

ies

CanadaHong KongIranKoreaKuwaitMexicoNamibiaNew ZealandPhilippinesRussiaSingaporeSouth AfricaSaudi ArabiaTaiwanThailandU.A.E.U.S.A.

CanadaHong KongKoreaMalaysiaMexicoNamibiaSingaporeSouth AfricaTaiwanThailandU.S.A.

CanadaHong KongKoreaMalaysiaNamibiaNew ZealandPhilippinesSingaporeSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaTaiwanThailandU.S.A.

CanadaHong KongFranceKoreaKuwaitMalaysiaNamibiaNew ZealandRussiaSingaporeSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaTaiwanThailandU.S.A.Vietnam

Hong KongKoreaKuwaitMexicoNamibiaNew ZealandPhilippinesRussiaSingaporeSouth AfricaTaiwanThailandU.S.A.

Hong KongJapanKoreaMexicoNew ZealandPhilippinesSingaporeSouth AfricaTaiwanU.S.A.Vietnam

CanadaHong KongKuwaitMexicoNamibiaNew ZealandPhilippinesSingaporeRomaniaTaiwanThailandU.S.A.

CanadaHong KongNew ZealandPhilippinesSaudi ArabiaSingaporeSlovakiaSouth AfricaThailandU.S.A.

III. High School Science Research Program

Initiated in 1995 Grade 10 & 11 students 40 projects are selected each year Arrange students to work with mentors

& subsidize research funding Upon completion, students must submit

research projects to Taiwan

International Science Fair

IV. Science Research Workshops

For students & teachers Educate students about science research Lectures on how to prepare projects for

science fairs Share science fair experience

Support Systems: Government Policy

The Ministry of Education implement

University Admission & Scholarship Policy

Guaranteed university admissions for

ISEF Grand award winners &

Recommended university admissions for

non-winners Scholarships for ISEF First grand award

winners to attend prestige overseas

universities

Support Systems: Foundations & Corporations

Intel

KT Lee Foundation for Science & Technology

TDK Taiwan Corporation

GFC Corporation

“We hope to inspire more foundations and corporations to sponsor for science fair”

-Prime Minister Liu-

Prior to ISEFTraining workshop

- Experienced mentors & former finalists instruct students to present science fair projects as well as talk with judges- Practice makes Perfect

Taiwan’s Experience

Talented Young Scientists: A Follow-up Study of the

International Science & Engineering Fair

Finalists from Taiwan

Fung, K.C. (2006). Proceedings of the 9th Asia-Pacific Conference on Giftedness, 419-425.

                               

Research Questions

To what extent does the ISEF identify young scientists of Taiwan?

Are there any discernible patterns, such as

family background, educational experience, and career path among Taiwan ISEF winners and non-winners?

What impacts have the ISEF experience had

on these Taiwan ISEF finalists?

Methods

Questionnaire surveys (40-item) ● 91 Taiwan-ISEF finalists from 1982-2002

● 79 finalists were tracked down ● 77 finalists: 54 winners (100%) and 23 non- winners (92%) returned the completed questionnaire Interviews 12 winners and 6 non-winners selected from different gender, age, academic & career groups, were interviewed

Female

Summary of Research Findings

Parents Winners vs. Non-winners

Status Winners

(N=54)

Non-winners

(N=23)

Father: University graduates

68% 65%

Mother: University graduates

55% 52%

Father: Teacher 28% 4%

Mother: Teacher 37% 22%

Educated parents & high percentage of parents are teachers

Employment & Educational Status

Winners vs. Non-winners

Status Winners

(N=54)

Non-winners

(N=23)

Employed 26% 22%

Graduate School: Research Track

11% 13%

Graduate School: Applied Fields

9% 13%

Undergraduate 43% 35%

Senior High School 4% 4%

Military Duty 7% 13%

Total 100% 100%

100% W vs. 86% NW choose science, engineering & medicine as major field of study

Educational Attainments Winners vs. Non-winners

Status Winners

(N=54)

Non-winners

(N=23)Total

PhD 30% 13% 19

MS 13% 26% 13

BS 37% 26% 26

MD 17% 22% 14

JC 0% 9% 2

Senior high School 4% 4% 3

Total 100% 100% 77

79% W vs. 71% NW attended graduate school 55% W vs. 29% NW completed or completing doctoral degree

CareerWinners vs. Non-winners

Status Winners

(N=14)

Non-winners

(N=5)

Assistant Professor 2 0

Research Scientist 1 0

Postdoctoral Fellow 3 0

Engineers/Technician 4 3

Medical Doctor 2 1

Research Assistant 1 0

Other1(math

teacher)1(salesman)

7 out of 14 W selected careers in academia, none for NW

PublicationsWinners vs. Non-winners

Age Group Winners Non-winners

16-225; N=2

(2.5/person)0

23-2810; N=7

(1.4/person)

5; N=3

(1.7/person)

29-38119; N=11

(10.8/person)0

Total 134; N=20

(6.7/person)

5; N=3

(1.7/person)

Scholastic Honors & Achievement

2 winners (1 assistant professor &

1 postdoctoral research fellow) were

named SLOAN Research Fellows

3 winners & 1 non-winner have registered patents

Motivations for conducting research Winners vs. Non-

winners

Motivations Winners

(N=54)

Non-winners

(N=23)

Interest 80% 52%

Curiosity 63% 39%

Encouragement of teachers

35% 52%

Prestige 22% 48%

Parental support 20% 22%

Positive Impact Winners vs. Non-winners (1)

Positive Impact Winners

(N=54)

Non-winners

(N=23)

Realization of potential and confirmation of abilities 74% 65%

Learned scientific methods 72% 52%

Increased ability to conduct research

63% 39%

Positive Impact Winners vs. Non-winners (2)

Positive Impact Winners

(N=54)

Non-winners

(N=23)

Widened horizons & met bright peers

57% 65%

Developed experimental skills

46% 39%

Pursued science career44% 17%

Facilitated university admissions

24% 17%

Negative Impact Winners vs. Non-winners

Negative Impact Winners

(N=54)

Non-winners

(N=23)

Unable to catch up with schoolwork 59% 52%

Burned-out 35% 43%

Too much pressure 33% 35%

Losing friends 15% 17%

Results

All former winners have remained in science, engineering, and medical disciplines, either working as research scientists, physicians, engineers, or PhD/MS/BS candidates with science majors.

Winners out-numbered the percentage of non-winners in attending graduate programs, pursuing doctoral degrees, selecting careers in academia, and publishing research papers.

Taiwan ISEF finalists portray certain personality traits, such as passion for science, curiosity and persistence in tackling challenging problems.

(Refer to original paper for results of Interviews)

Conclusion (1)

1. Taiwan ISEF winners are remarkable than non-winners in terms of

Educational attainments Career path Scholastic honors

2. ISEF identify young scientists of Taiwan successfully

3. Winning at ISEF helps build up more confidence in abilities, especially in pursuing science as careers

Conclusion (2)

4. No loser in science fair competition Managed time for research & developed

discipline Presented research studies to distinguished

scientists and experts Met bright peers, shared ideas & widened

horizons Learned from setbacks and obstacles Research skills acquired could be applied in

future studies or later in careers

Discussion

1. Does the ISEF process simply identify outstanding students who will be successful when engaged in science study, or

2. Is there something about the ISEF process that develops their potential and makes it possible for them to succeed in science?

My tentative answer (based on a limited pool):

Winning at ISEF DID provide winners with

much more confidence in their abilities. It also

assisted them to evaluate their potential

and to set higher goals.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Your feedback is highly appreciated !

Marianna K.C. FungEmail: fung@mail.ntsec.gov.tw