Science competition is an important part of science education. This paper followed up 70 finalists of International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) from 2003—2013. The research team sent questionnaires to the targeted students through e-mails with 70 valid questionnaires obtained finally, the purpose of such move was designed to address the following issues: obtain the information of their future learning and work, and the major which they want to learn during different periods, etc. The results show that most of finalists are male, more projects belong to engineering subjects, computer science subjects and environments subjects, finalists show high enthusiasm in the learning, and 85% of finalists select STEM field as their major, and high school is the best period to encourage students to pursue science as their major. Finally, the paper puts forward some suggestions for cultivating young scientists.

science competition  /  finalist  /  follow-up study