This study applied four frameworks from academic literature in the areas of leadership, change process, 21st-century skills, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) project-based learning (PBL) to understand the various factors providing for success and participation of a school in the national science fair initiative (Programa Nacional de Ferias de Ciencia y Tecnologia [PRONAFECYT]) in Costa Rica. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of leadership in the success of and participation in PRONAFECYT at a primary school in Costa Rica, known as Escuela Universitaria. The study also reviewed instructional practices and necessary skills for preparing global workers of the future. This study was conducted in Costa Rica in cooperation with the Ministry for Public Education. Participants included government officials, business partners, site administrators, teachers, and primary students. Observations in Grade 1--6 classrooms, along with surveys of 125 students in Grades 4-6, displayed the student perspective, while surveys and interviews with the other participants provided the school picture, as well as the community perspective. Findings from this study indicated that site administrators were crucial to building human capital in the teachers, recognizing them for their efforts, and empowering them to become leaders in their own right. It was evident that PRONAFECYT required improvement of soft skills and changed instructional practices in the classrooms by focusing on inquiry through PBL and building a culture of exploration. This study begins to identify practices to strengthen the participation in and success of PRONAFECYT at the primary level in Costa Rica and to contribute to better science fair success in other developing countries. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]