The nation's public school systems are justifiably criticized for many reasons, but sometimes they get things right and when they do they deserve to be applauded. Many schools, for instance, do a wonderful job in putting on science fairs that bring out the best in their pupils.

Several weeks ago a Tampa, Fla., seventh-grader, Jasmine Roberts, won top prize at her science fair for conducting an experiment which produced results that shocked the nation - ice from some fast-food restaurants had more bacteria in it than the same restaurants' toilet water.