ABSTRACT

I interviewed 16 exceptional students whose research in science and/or in history led them to receive recurrent awards in Massachusetts statewide competitions: the Massachusetts Science Fair and the National History Day. To compete in these events students carried out an original research project in the corresponding discipline. All students in my sample were between 14 and 17 years of age. Six could be described as young history researchers with little to no experience in scientific research. Eight science award winners had little to no experience in historical research. Two students were award winners in both domains.