Science Fair:
Choosing a Topic
Choosing a Topic
Choosing a topic is one of the most important
parts of the science fair process.
You’re going to be working on this project from
now until February (or until March or May!) so
you should choose something that interests
you.
Choosing a Topic
Ways to think of a topic:
● Research areas of interest and see if there are any
questions or problems in that field that could be
answered
● Think about your own life- do you know of any people
who could be helped by a new device? Use this for an
engineering project!
● Brainstorm with other students or mentors
● Use resources such as sciencebuddies.org
Choosing a Topic
One way to think of a topic is to pick a category you are
interested in first, then research ideas for projects within
that field.
Behavioral and Social
Sciences
Biological Sciences (Botany and
Zoology)
Microbiology
Chemistry and
Biochemistry
Physics
Medicine and Health
Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Mathematics and Computer Science
Behavioral and Social Sciences
The Behavioral and Social Sciences category
attempts to understand and explain the
actions and reactions of humans and
animals.
Examples:
Assessing the Effect of Multitasking on the Time Estimation of
Adolescents
Retention of Knowledge as it is Affected by Occupation
Physics
Physics is the natural science that involves the
study of matter and its motion through space,
including topics such as energy and force.
Examples:
A Study of Currents in the North Channel of the Apostle Islands
How Does Blade Count and Pitch Affect Energy Output?
Engineering
Engineering is the application of knowledge in
order to design, build, and maintain
structures, machines, devices, and systems.
Examples:
Designing and Creating a Modular Concussion Detection System
Harnessing Energy with Hydroelectric Turbines in Man-Made
Water Systems
Mathematics and Computer
Science
Description of mathematics and computer
science?
Examples:
Disease Control Strategies for Limited Response Situations in Dynamic
Contact Networks
The Efficiency of Windows 7 Voice Recognition
Biological Sciences (Botany and
Zoology)
Biology is the natural science concerned with
the study of life and living organisms,
including their structure, function, growth,
evolution, etc.
Examples:
Antibiotic Discovery Through Selective Cultivation of Subtropical
Environmental Samples
The Effect of Plastic Types on the Carbon Dioxide Output of Yeast
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chemistry is the study of the composition,
properties, and behavior of matter.
Biochemistry is the study of chemical
processes within and relating to organisms.
Examples:
The Effect of Alcohol on the Amount of Hydrogen Peroxide by
Catalase
Chemically Assembled Metal Oxide Heterostructures
Medicine and Health
The medicine and health category is concerned
with testing new ideas that relate to the
health of human beings and finding ways to
improve current medicine and health
practices.
Examples:
The Effect of Cognitive Stress and Age on Neuromuscular
Fatigue
A Practical and Accurate Hearing Test for Developing Countries
Environmental Science
Environmental science is the study of the
environment and the solutions to
environmental problems.
Examples:
Increasing the Sustainability of DSHA School
The Effects of Different Genera of Algae on the
Phosphorous and Oxygen Respiration of Quagga Mussels
Questions?