Some children prefer to work individually. For these children, events like the science fair provide a perfect competitive and creative outlet. Kids who like science should have no problem thinking of or finding a science project to be passionate about. A science fair gives kids the opportunity to pursue and develop a project in a way that is personally fulfilling, and which lets them compete against other children with similar interests.
Team competitions also exist in the math and science worlds. Math teams compete against each other for prizes on local, regional and state levels. These teams require students to work together and support each other. Teams also train together regularly in order to excel. Students learn the same values of teamwork and cooperation in a math team setting as they do playing on a football or baseball team.
Although not necessarily on the same scale as athletic scholarships, some prizes and scholarships exist for students who excel in math or science competitions. For example, Intel sponsors the International Science and Engineering fair. This science competition is for students who have not yet entered college. In addition to cash prizes, tuition, scholarships and other other prizes valued at more than 2.5 million dollars were available in 2011.
Just as many downsides exist to other extra-curricular activities, some negatives need to be considered in regards to math and science competitions. Burnout is a particular risk and too much competition can turn a kid away from math or science. Also, kids who work far too hard on competitive math or science risk problems in other areas of life such as health and forming relationships, the same way that kids who focus too intensively on sports or other activities do.