Get your lab coats, it’s time for the Science Fair. When the science fair is announced some kids know just what topic they want to explore while others are at a loss at where to begin. It can be difficult to choose a project because science is such a broad field sometimes the choices are overwhelming. Below are a few basic organization and resource tips to get you on your way to a prize-winning project. Science fair projects can be gooey, stinky and amazing but they don’t have to be scary.
Start asking questions. All science fair projects start with a question. “Why does the sky…” or “How does mold…” Finding the question you want your science fair project to answer will be the first step. Begin by looking around you, in your home or outdoors, start posing simple questions about the things you see. “How could I grow that flower bigger or How does the toast pop our of the toaster?” Kids will catch on soon and the question mill will be in full swing. Searching online to narrow the field is also a good idea. Here are a few good free sites to find some topic ideas:
http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/
Research to answer that question. Gather basic information about the subject in question. Include history, application of the theory or process, and of course the how-it-works information. Don’t over look your library system; they are full of science books and project ideas to go with your topic. You also may want to tap into places that support your topic such as a zoo if its animals you’re researching or the planetarium to answer some solar system questions.
Ok, you are half way there. You have narrowed the field and chosen a question you want your project to answer and the supporting research on that topic is done. Now you have to put it into project form. I like to break projects into two parts: the working part (information, lab sites, models, working machines) and the display part (how it is organized to be viewed) they are both equally important.
They working portion of the project. You are left trying to find a way to visually demonstrate your topic. I recommend networking for help. In every zoo, library, museum, nature center is someone who organizes youth programs, and chances are those people have a stock pile of fun projects/programs they have used in the past and are willing to share with you. I used to work as a youth librarian and I know we had volumes of project ideas organized by theme sitting in the back room from years past just waiting for someone to ask to use them.
Start asking family and friends what they know about your topic. Seeking out people who work in a similar profession may be helpful, one year my son researched Lasers and an engineer at my husband’s office knew a great deal about the subject as he had worked with them, he was more than willing to share knowledge and ideas and even had some cool display stuff. I find most adults are eager to help and maybe relive a little of their science fair days.
There is also the Internet that is full of project ideas. Searching a few keywords can bring pages of ideas your way. Many sites, like Dr. Shawn’s super science fair resourses offer science kits and experiment manuals.
The display portion of your project. Neatness counts here. Typically science fair projects have some sort of poster board or tri-fold backdrop that is useful in displaying the written information about your project (and yes you should have written information, even if your ultra cool volcano speaks for itself). Your display should tell the science fair attendee’s how your project works, what steps you took in answering your topic question, history of this topic and other pertinent information. I like to snag an unsuspecting person (one who has no knowledge of your project ahead of time) and have them pre-view your project and make sure it answers all their questions. Make it bright, use pictures and graphics and make if fun.
The science fair will soon arrive and hopefully you have produced and informative and interesting project. Have fun and be proud of your hard work.
