For decades, the United States has been considered the world's scientific and technological leader. Recently, America's formidable standing has come under attack. Stagnant budgets for science education in America's public schools have been correlated to decreased test scores in science and math[1]. Stagnant budgets at the National Institutes for Health have eroded the morale of many of America's scientists in the field. Science teachers at many schools complain they are forced to teach to standardized tests at the expense of carving time for substantial research projects.

Despite these challenges, millions of middle and high school-aged students are engaged in science research every year, competing at regional, state and international science competitions. Their experiences have often been overlooked in the national discourse. While these youngsters offer fresh ideas and enthusiasm, their voices are largely unheard.

Mainstream media play a complicit role: by under-representing the experiences of young scientists and playing to stereotypes of science as cold, impersonal and inaccessible to the public, most media have been unable to fully reflect the excitement, innovation and diversity that the next generation of scientists brings to our world

WHIZ KIDS hopes to modify the stereotypes of young inventors and researchers as one-dimensional, rote and humorless. By telling the personal stories of a diverse group of young scientists, our film hopes to inspire and encourage many others to engage in science research and form deep collaborations that the scientific process offers, be it in the lab, the field, in the classroom or online.

[1] Barrett, C. (2008) Flagging economy needs science investments. The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
[2] Lemonick, M. D. (2006, Feb. 5). Are we losing our edge? Time. 16(7), 22-23.
[3] National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine of The National Academies. (2005). Rising above the gathering storm: Energizing and employing America for a brighter economic future. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.