History and Growth

The Internet Science and Technology Fair (ISTF) was conceived because of a decline in the number of students declaring engineering as a major at the University of Central Florida (UCF). It appeared that somewhere in the K-12 educational process, students were not provided with examples of engineering projects and work in other technical fields that would allow them to explore, ponder and consider these areas as career possibilities.

A review of available literature and news reports indicated UCF was not the only school that was experiencing this decline in enrollment. The number of students pursuing degrees in engineering and technology has dwindled and become a national―perhaps even an international―problem. Further research showed there were many reasons why students were not pursuing careers in technical fields. Examples ranged from the concrete―students were taking fewer math and science courses because the courses were too difficult―to more abstract reasons, including the negative connotations associated with scientists and engineers as they are portrayed in cartoon strips and on television.

These findings prompted the incorporation of teaming and a set of technologies (the National Critical Technologies-NCTs) as a reference point. Then Project Guidelines were born of the national science content standards formulated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The final product became the Internet Science and Technology Fair (ISTF), which is held annually and attracts students from grades three through twelve.

The ISTF Program has grown steadily for the past eight years. Of the 250 student teams that began the 2004-2005 program, 216 submitted final projects for judging. Seventy teams made it to the final round of judging with two high school teams, two middle school teams and two elementary teams garnering the top scores.

Participation in the ISTF Program increases each year and this is only the beginning. Teachers find their way to the ISTF website and become interested in learning more about the program. Engineers and scientists also visit the website and consider possible participation through an ISTF Sponsored Project. The ISTF Director continues to make headway insofar as building partnerships with new organizations in order to reach their members who will hopefully involve themselves with the ISTF in some way.

The United States' economic future dictates that the time to get involved is now!