I agree regarding influence of parents.  I&#x27;ve seen projects that seemed to depend on access to lab equipment from a parent&#x27;s lab.<p>Another problem is the competition concept itself, which is myopically focused on the lone genius concept.  A lot of real science has to do with noticing others&#x27; work and collaborating with them effectively in a complementary way.<p>Support for Maker fairs may actually make sense for a change.<p>Here&#x27;s a good historical summary which I read on HN: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.theatlantic.com&#x2F;education&#x2F;archive&#x2F;2015&#x2F;03&#x2F;why-science-fairs-arent-so-fair&#x2F;387547&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.theatlantic.com&#x2F;education&#x2F;archive&#x2F;2015&#x2F;03&#x2F;why-sci...</a><p>HN comments:  <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=9207686" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=9207686</a>