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 (1) YearFinalistsWinners Intel Young Scientists Best of Category Awards Grand Awards Special Awards Total SARS, NO PARTICIPATION T= 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 Taiwan 1982 – 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 mproving Improving Science 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 Education I. 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 (Senior high schools) Grade (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.

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 ISEF Training 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,

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 ● 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 StatusWinners (N=54) Non-winners (N=23) Father: University graduates 68%65% Mother: University graduates 55%52% Father: Teacher28%4% Mother: Teacher37%22% Educated parents & high percentage of parents are teachers

Employment & Educational Status Winners vs. Non-winners Status Winners (N=54) Non-winners (N=23) Employed26%22% Graduate School: Research Track 11%13% Graduate School: Applied Fields 9%13% Undergraduate43%35% Senior High School4% Military Duty7%13% Total100% 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 PhD30%13%19 MS13%26%13 BS37%26%26 MD17%22%14 JC0%9%2 Senior high School4% 3 Total100% 77 79% W vs. 71% NW attended graduate school 55% W vs. 29% NW completed or completing doctoral degree

Career Winners vs. Non-winners Status Winners (N=14) Non-winners (N=5) Assistant Professor20 Research Scientist10 Postdoctoral Fellow30 Engineers/Technician43 Medical Doctor21 Research Assistant10 Other1(math teacher)1(salesman) 7 out of 14 W selected careers in academia, none for NW

Publications Winners vs. Non-winners Age GroupWinnersNon-winners ; N=2 (2.5/person) ; N=7 (1.4/person) 5; N=3 (1.7/person) ; N=11 (10.8/person) 0 Total134; 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 MotivationsWinners (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 ImpactWinners (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 ImpactWinners (N=54) Non-winners (N=23) Widened horizons & met bright peers 57%65% Developed experimental skills 46%39% Pursued science career 44%17% Facilitated university admissions 24%17%

Negative Impact Winners vs. Non-winners Negative ImpactWinners (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! Your feedback is highly appreciated ! Marianna K.C. Fung