In the two articles, “My (Science) Fair Lady” and “Local Students Reach for the Stars”, there are many similarities. Along with these similarities, there are major differences and disagreements. These similarities and differences reveal the true value of science fairs at the middle school level. In both articles, there is a common subject. The subject both authors are writing about is middle school science fairs. While both articles have this common topic, they are written from two very different perspectives. “My (Science) Fair Lady” is written from the perspective of a participant in a recent middle school science fair. The beginning of their article starts, “What was the best school project I completed for any of my teachers in the …show more content…
The author of “Local Students Reach for the Stars” interviews Ms. Gail Rosen who gives her opinion on why these science fairs are important to all students who participate, not just the students who win first place. The author of “My (Science) Fair Lady” states, “The main purpose of middle school science fairs is to prepare students for high school science fairs.” By saying this the author is implying that there is no need for a lower level science fair other than to prepare students for high school science fairs. At high school science fairs the students who win can win large prizes. Some of these prizes include large sums of money and scholarships. Mrs. Rosen disagrees with the author, she believes that there is a larger prize that is obtained by participating in middle school science fairs. In paragraph eight Mrs. Rosen states, “Winning a science fair competition is a great accomplishment, but learning scientific behavior is the bigger prize.” By competing, students are learning to ask scientific questions and do experiments which is shaping the way they think. Had these students not participated in the science fair they wouldn’t have learned to think or act scientifically. By participating in middle school science fairs the students are getting ready for high school science fairs, but that isn’t the sole purpose of holding these events. The
In this essay, I will explain how kids benefit from everyone getting a trophy. Keep in mind that a trophy can be more than a decorated metal cup; it is any object awarded as a prize. I will address three main points in this essay; it makes those who aren’t as skilled as the others feel included, it raises their self-esteem, and it motivates
When adults, they might expect a higher paycheck for just being at work regardless of the quality of work. Participation trophies are setting up children to fail. “ Life is not fair-get used to it. Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not.” (Diller).
Those reports show that self-esteem levels have risen over the year in younger kids because of the establishment of the participation awards. It makes them feel like they matter when they really do not. Colleges will not look for the athlete with the most participation prizes. They look for the best, and only the best. Participation prizes only cause children to have an improper view on what the real world is going to be like and falsely prepares them for
These contests typically require that students work as a team. Small contests might be a scavenger hunt during break, whereas a whole school field day is a large contest. Every student is encouraged to participate in the contests and the contest are planned to allow for different talents and personalities to excel. We vary the games between academic, artistic and athletic type events. Each year the incoming sixth grade class is sorted along with the new students to the school, while the returning seventh and eighth graders return to their same house and mentor.
However, if rules and regulations are applied to these competitions so that they are more focused on the social and educational aspects, kids could actually benefit from them. Children will get to compete, while the