Small-scale Inter-school Science Fairin the Ningo-Prampram District of Ghana:Inspiring Students through Scientific Inquiry

This paper describes the preparation and implementation of an inter-school science fair in the Ningo-Prampram District of Ghana and analyzes its impact using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The fair aimed to foster scientific inquiry through hands-on, project-based learning. Twenty junior high schools (JHSs) were invited, and 22 students from 11 schools (9 public, 2 private) participated. Data were collected through surveys, project evaluations, and observations. Results indicate the fair stimulated students’ interest in STEM, enhanced their scientific understanding, and developed teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. Although average scores were similar between male-male (44.3) and male-female teams (44.2), highly motivated teams achieved higher scores (r=+0.66), while preparation time showed a weak correlation with performance (r=+0.12). Teachers emphasized creativity (58%) as the main criterion for student selection, followed by interest (17%) and scientific understanding (17%). The study concludes that with teacher guidance and a focus on applying science concepts in project design and presentation, small-scale science fairs can be a practical and impactful tool for improving science education in resource-limited settings.