Judy Dutton

I'm already thinking about all the people I know that need to read this book. Science Fair Season strikes a wonderful balance between the stories of the 11 competitors it follows, each with a different set of challenges to overcome and support to get there, and the research and science of their projects.It's the story of a science fair, but not one like what you would see at your local elementary school every year. This contest is nationwide, and has exhibits from teens that take their show more science very, very seriously. They produce patentable work and research breakthroughs that get the attention of adults working full time in their field.Each of these kids has a story. In some cases, it is a story of true genius that needs to be directed in a productive direction, before it explodes (that was a little too literally true in the case of the young man obsessed with building his own nuclear reactor).Others are kids who have shone in some other area, never dreaming that science would call to them (One girl had a well established acting career that she thought would be her future!).Some are just average kids, up until the moment they found a question that caught their interest, and an adult willing to help them look into it.And a few are kids with the deck stacked against them-- a girl with a diagnosis of a terrifying disease, kids from a school at a "juvenile correction facility", kids from an Indian reservation with a terrifyingly high poverty rate.Science Fair Season takes the science seriously, and it takes these competitors seriously. It is a book which is extremely readable by anyone with an interest in the next generation of scientists, as well as anyone that likes a good story of determination and effort, and where it can get anyone that really, really tries. show less

Science Fair Season follows the stories of eleven different teens as they work their way up through the Science Fair circuit, culminating in the 2009 International Science and Engineering Fair. We learn how they came to their projects, the amount of effort, brains, and time it takes to qualify, and the college funds that are there for the taking--to the top 1% or so of entrants. One girl has been diagnosed with a terrifying disease and develops her project around that. Another took on show more DuPont, whose factory was polluting the groundwater in her West Virginia town, by analyzing the pollutants, and coming up with a quick and easy way to test for them.
The students we meet are all varying degrees of brilliant. Some come from wealthy families, others are pulling themselves up. The world of science fairs are fascinating--this is high-powered and prestigious stuff, accessible only to the nerdiest of the science nerds. A fascinating look at a side of school and science that many of us have never seen. show less

It's a fun read that profiles students from all corners of life who are participating in international science fairs, but the book's scope and its writing style felt lacking-- think Alexandra Robbins for nerds. Cute and inspiring, not much more.

Follows the story of several talented budding scientists as they make their way up through the science fair circuit, culminating at the 2009 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Dutton's engaging narrative style makes this a quick read and a delightful insight into the quirks and passions of young minds. Highly recommended. (40)