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A History of Science Fairs

Back in October, 1828, The American Institute of the City of New York, "incorporated for the purpose of encouraging and promoting domestic industry in this State and the United States in Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures and the Arts", held its first industrial fair. The exhibition was held in New York at a time when the 416 "watchmen" that comprised the city's "Finest" were busy keeping the streets clear of stray cows, horses and pigs. Travel to the other 27 states that made up the Union was by boat and stagecoach, as the locomotive was as yet unknown.

At that first fair, the iron plow had its first public showing, and the exhibits included, among others, a black veil "made by a girl of eight years of age". So, to stretch a point, perhaps this is where the idea of a fair for students had its start.

The science fair as we know it, a collection of exhibits designed by school students of pre-college age, had its origin in 1928 when the American Institute, satisfied that the original purpose of the organization had been accomplished, turned from industrial fairs and sponsored the first Children's Fair, It was so successful that it was scheduled as an annual event, and science clubs, informally organized as a result of this activity, were officially encouraged.

When, in 1941, the American Institute found that it could no longer support the non-profit clubs, publications and a Student Science Laboratory, the science club movement at the national level was transferred to Science Service of Washington, D.C, a non-profit institution for the popularization of science.

Instrumental in organizing and expanding Science Clubs of America were Dr. Harlow Shapley, Joseph H. Kraus, Watson Davis and Miss Margaret Patterson. Together with G. Edward Pendray of Westinghouse, the first Science Talent Search was launched in 1942, and in 1950, a plan was set up to hold a national science fair as another activity of Science Service. All of these activities had to be self-liquidating and dependent upon public-spirited organizations and individuals.

Today, a number of organizations present awards to students doing outstanding work in science. In addition to the National Science Fair-International "Wish Awards" and the Westinghouse scholarships, awards are presented by the American Chemical Society, American Dental Association, American Heart Association, American Institute of Biological Sciences, American Medical Association, American Pharmaceutical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, National Committee for Careers in Medical Technology, Optical Society of America, Society of American Bacteriologists, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and the Association of the United States Army, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and the U. S. Navy.

The first National Science Fair was held in Philadelphia with 13 regional fairs participating. In 1964, finalists from 208 affiliated fairs held in this country and abroad participated in the National Science Fair-International in Seattle, Wash. Their projects represented the best work of almost a million students.

If you have an idea for a project it is worthwhile trying to enter it into a Science Fair.

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