One most important goal of recent science education in China is to cultivate scientific and technological youth talent and running academic competitions is an approach to achieve that goal. However, there is yet little knowledge about the effectiveness of such academic competitions conducted in China as well as what the factors relevant are. This research conducted an investigation into 644 senior high school students with participation experiences of academic competitions. The result of both descriptive and relevant analyses indicates that academic competitions held in China are working well in cultivating and selecting youth talent with high performance of scientific literacy. Several relevant factors are specified in favoring the effectiveness of academic competitions on different levels, which include ways in preparation for the competition, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, winning awards and long duration of engagement. The author suggests that the effectiveness of academic competitions be consolidated and strengthened and further research be conducted as well.

academic competitions  /  youth  /  scientific and technological talent  /  informal science education