A recent article in the New York Times describes the overall decline in high school level science fair projects and the Obama administration's opinion that these fairs are extremely important to our national well-being.  The article thoroughly describes the major reason for the decline, which is cited as the focus on reading and math to the exclusion of other subjects, such as science.

I think that is right on target.  Our education system is so singularly focused that other, equally important subjects are ignored or overlooked.  Students can no longer hope for a well-rounded education because they will clearly be directed away from subjects like history or the arts in favor of the money makers-math and reading.  

Another reason for this decline in scientific thinking comes down to how our students are being taught to think.  Kids are not allowed or encouraged to think creatively.  They must be able to fit their thoughts into the bubble on the answer sheet.  Well, science doesn't work like that.  Science requires more questions than answers and when answers are evident they usually take up more space than an ABC or D bubble on a scantron sheet.  Our students are ill-equipped to participate in a science fair because the kind of inquisitive, creative, open-ended thinking that is required is being stifled by the current standardized-test mentality.  By the time a kids gets to high school, it may be too late to expect them to think this way.  It's no wonder participation is so low, students must not only create the question but perhaps the answer, too.