Science Education via Science and Technology Innovation Competitions: Learning Environment, Learning Processes, and the Effectiveness of Talent Development

Purpose China Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest (CASTIC) has created a better experimental environment for science education than that provided by formal schooling. In order to assess its educational effect, this study examines different talent development models resulting from CASTIC, as well as learning environment and processes it fosters. Design/Approach/Methods This multi-case study sampled teachers and students from different schools that participated in the Shanghai division of CASTIC, and then analyzed the implementation process of CASTIC as well as various models it formed for talent development. Findings This study argues that, by constructing multiple settings for learning involving schools, science clubs, and competitions, CASTIC enables schools to establish diversified talent development models based on process motivation. As structural problems arising from the inadequacy of educational resources for science and technology innovation continue to limit the educational effectiveness of these competitions, a series of curriculum reforms and institutional designs are necessary to fully harness the educational power of science and technology innovation competitions. Originality/Value This study provides an important reference for understanding the talent training mechanism of science competition and exploring its future development.