Science & Innovation

Fresno high schoolers lack enthusiasm for learning science

OPINION AND COMMENTARY

Editorials and other Opinion content offer perspectives on issues important to our community and are independent from the work of our newsroom reporters.

Shiv Mehrotra-Varma is a junior from Clovis North High School with an interest in scientific research, policy, and sustainability. As a native-born Fresnan, he loves to help out in the community.

Shiv Mehrotra-Varma is a junior from Clovis North High School with an interest in scientific research, policy, and sustainability. As a native-born Fresnan, he loves to help out in the community.

Shiv Mehrotra-Varma

I recently had the privilege of representing Fresno County for a week at the International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, in Los Angeles this year. It was an amazing experience, and it made me aware of two things: first, just how large an impact science fairs have had on my love for learning, and second, how lucky I am to have role models who encouraged innovative thinking throughout my childhood — a resource many children don’t have today.

Studies have shown that a lack of resources at home and school is linked with lower academic performance.

In the 2023 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress scores for Fresno County, 93.42% and 99.34% of students did not meet state standards for English and math, respectively.

As someone who took the test, I do not believe these scores accurately measure students’ ability. Very few individuals my age are interested in excelling academically when learning consists only of assignments, homework and tests. Understandably, they do not feel engaged.

Several weeks ago, I visited Riverview Elementary School to share my experiences participating at local and state science fairs. It was amazing to see students so excited about science. Not only were they super bright (smarter than I was at that age!), but they were also eager to apply what they were learning in school to address real-world issues.

So what explains the lack of enthusiasm among my peers? Year after year of grueling classes and punishing grading systems have extinguished this feeling among some of my classmates. From personal experience, I feel that our entire community — and subsequently, our test scores — would directly benefit if students’ love for scientific investigation was nurtured throughout all stages of their education.

Science fairs show promise as a solution to this issue. After I visited Riverview, I started the Moon and Back Foundation to promote a love for learning among youth. This summer, we’re hosting a virtual science fair summer camp, completely free of charge, to help students develop solutions to tackle the problems they see in the world around them.

We plan on collaborative, all-inclusive group meetings where everyone has a chance to share their thoughts and ideas, thereby encouraging an atmosphere that’s not only constructively competitive but synergistic. Mentors will assist and guide students as they navigate their projects, with a final presentation at the end of summer and prizes for top projects.

We’re also working with local coordinators to develop a county science fair specifically for elementary and middle school students. According to a study published in PLoS One, roughly 60% of science fair participants felt the activity increased their interest in a career in science or engineering. Conversely, the study also showed that students who were required to participate showed decreased interest.

Science fairs will only be effective if students want to participate. I hope that we, as a community, will be able to come together to collectively foster a learning environment that allows students to pursue their interests rather than blindly follow a curriculum.

Although I hope to provide younger students the opportunity to pursue scientific endeavors, it is up to them to take the leap and join the effort. I have the utmost faith that they will.

Shiv Mehrotra-Varma is a junior from Clovis North High School with an interest in scientific research, policy, and sustainability. As a native-born Fresnan, he loves to help out in the community.

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