Science fair v/s Science class

Just saw a science fair show on TV (PBS) where the students make neat projects, but when they were asked if they wanted to do science when they grow up, the perky kids said "oh no...science classes are nothing like this..this is fun." Very interesting observation, and I totally agree. What's the solution, I don't know. The thing is that with science, one just has to stick it out and dabble in it for a few years to really get it. Thats just the way it is, or is it? Certainly there is nothing that I have found that has not come after months and years of frustation and hair-pulling (perhaps the reason for my smoldering hair-loss). Is there any other way? Can someone just walk into a lab and just "get it". Like when you play Wii the first time, you get it. There is no need for repeated exposure (though that can be good).