The New York Times posted an article about the sad state of science fairs across the country. Because of the President wanting to encourage people for science in his state of the union address, some in the article took the opportunity to criticize the President and his Education Administration for the lack of interest in science. It was said that because the Education Administration concentrated put an emphasis on test scores, but like the previous administration it should be noted, there has been a struggle to help students get the help, participation and recognition of science fairs.

I'm a product of science fairs. My high school produced a lot of science fair winners who have continued in the sciences today. If it wasn't for what I did in the local science fair in junior high, I wouldn't have been invited to attend my high school, which was a high school magnet program dedicated to science and math. It was a time, thankfully, my parents listened to me and took the chance of letting me change and go to the new school. It was probably the best decision of my life because I met lifelong friends and it opened doors I never would have had opportunity to open.

Sure, if you want to consider a downside that I would be a certifiable D&D playing, movie buff, comic book collecting geek I'll take it, since those experiences drove me to be the creative person I am today. The same experiences at my high school allowed me to be in contact with friends who motivate me today, even as they are scientists, writers, coders, techies, mothers, all in all responsible and productive citizens.

We all went through science fair.

Now, as to why science fairs suffer, why there aren't the student, parent and teacher participation; as to why it will be tough if not impossible for science fairs to hit the level of a Super Bowl, just look at the way science people are thought of. We are geeks, we are weirdos. When I call myself a D&D player I'm sure some people rolled their eyes, thinking of the nerds they knew in high school that sat for hours at tables playing the game. Just a few days ago the TV show Community made what I considered a mockery of D&D. Now, I'm not mad at them, because being the writing elites they are it's comedy gold to enforce stereotypes people have about the undersexed, geeky person and the few 'cool' people who sometimes have to stick their toes into that realm. All the while, if look at any news broadcast this week there will be talk about the Super Bowl.

I loved in the article the New York Times posted about the sad plight of teachers who had to sacrifice time and money to help out students for their individual science fairs, thinking of it as a burden and almost demanding to be compensated for it. How many articles have been written about student athletes or schools who need help for sports programs and how the community willing will sacrifice for their kids to participate in sports. Sandra Bullock won an Oscar and audiences around the world cried as the story of the big Black guy who never had a bed was taken in by the rich white family who saw his potential as a football player. Would audiences care about a similar story about a scientist? Would something like that even get made?

Just like many people would rather get spoon fed candy news from Fox rather than take the time to see all points of view or consider the nuance of a situation, many have an easy time looking to sports. No matter where you go sports are put upon us as institution, as a rite of passage, as a way of being a man, as a way of getting the girl, as a way of showing pride. Science doesn't get that same treatment. Bill O'Reilly just said a few days ago that the tides were the reason for proof of God. When many in his audience pointed out that science could easily show the moon was responsible for the tides, he went into a fit, calling those people 'pinheads' because, “Who put the moon there?” From his website, a lot of the people responding thought his response was spot on.

I'm bringing in all these examples because while we may want to say we want to encourage science our institutions say something else. We mock science. We mock those that study science. Inner city kids aren't thinking about getting a science scholarship so they can make big money, all the while listening to their iPods. They think about the athletes with the big cars, the big house and the big money. Communities will gather on Friday and Saturday nights to watch high school football, basketball, hockey or other games. Money will be set aside for sports centers but not science centers.

Can we turn this around? People will talk about it, but I can say I don't think anything will really be done. Science isn't sexy. We use scientific discoveries everyday but we don't think about the people it needs to develop those devices. While people sit at home this Sunday to sit in front of their high tech TVs, place their bets on the computer or talk on the phone with friends, no one will think of the scientists who developed the appliances they are using. They will care about the field, about the game, and if asked will give millions to make sure their town can produce more athletes of Super Bowl caliber. They will look at their children with pride imaging them in the Super Bowl, not the science fair.