Jan

Your Science Fair Project – Picking the Right Kind of Experiment

By Susan

Science fair projects can be the most memorable part of your science class, giving you an opportunity to show your abilities and creativity. But for many students, one of the most difficult steps is just getting started. As a first step, make sure you understand the different types of science fair projects. Choosing the right kind of project is important; otherwise you may be wasting your time.

Three basic kinds of science fair projects are available: models, demonstrations, and investigations. When choosing, there are two considerations. Before you do anything else, find out from the teacher what type of project the science fair rules require. If you are able to pick a type of project, go with the one you are most comfortable with.

The Model Building Method

The model building method is the kind of project which, as the name implies, enables you to construct a model, to scale whenever possible, to illustrate a specific scientific principle. This can often be a real working machine, such as a simple crystal radio set, or a straightforward model, such as one of the solar system. A common model is that of an erupting volcano, where vinegar and baking soda react to create ‘lava’ flowing down the sides of a ‘mountain’. Building models is a lot of fun, but don’t expect it to win your high school science fair. Models are most often used in elementary school fairs. Some students do create unusual or dramatic models, which can be used demonstrate new ideas.

The Demonstration

The demonstration or descriptive method of research is again fairly self-explanatory. Here, you might display a collection of objects or interesting artifacts (for example, your rock collection) connected with a topic (geology) and describe them in detail on your display board, or in your report or speech. Alternatively, you might produce a poster or visual display about a topic on which you have carried out extensive research -climate change is understandably very popular at the present time. These kinds of projects are simply an illustration or explanation of known scientific principles.

The Scientific Experiment (Investigation)

It is with the third of the possible methods that you can provide what most science fairs for older students are looking for – proper scientific experiments using scientific methods to construct and test a hypothesis and draw conclusions from it. If you want to go on to state or national science fairs, or are interested in a career in science, then this is an area to look into. And the choice of science fair project topics is limitless. Biology, chemistry and physics projects are common, but if your interest lies elsewhere, consider geology, environment, meteorology, or even sports science. Develop a hypothesis around your interest, and then find a method of testing it. Books and web sites can be valuable sources for project ideas, but the more novel and distinctive your project, the more interested the judges will be.

And finally, you should remember to talk to your teacher. Make sure you understand the rules and guidelines completely, to assure your success. Then, whatever science projects you undertake, you can enjoy them with confidence!