Finding the Best Science Fair Project for You
By Maxine Levaren
Science fair projects can range from the simplest experiment to a complex
project that involves experimentation, observation, and advanced mathematical
calculations.
Identifying the different types of projects
You can choose from several different types of projects:

In an experiment, you conduct a test to prove that a certain assumption is
true.
In an engineering project, you do one of the following:

• Design and build a new device that performs a specific function.
• Test and analyze the performance and capabilities of an existing device.
With a research project, you gather data, either by doing research or

conducting surveys, and then mathematically analyze that data.
The first step in the process is to choose a project – no easy task when you consider the
sheer volume of options out there. Will your child be exploring genomics? Mammalian
biology? Applied mechanics? Before you get ahead of yourself, take a step back. Discuss
with your child what interests her the most. Is it animals and plants? Or machines and
computers? Once you have a sense of the direction that your child wants to go in, Lanese
recommends asking these questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Is the project interesting enough to work on for the next couple of months?
Are there at least three sources of written information on the subject?
Is the experiment safe to perform?
Are all of the materials needed for the experiment readily available or can they be
obtained to the complete the experiment?
5. Is there enough time to complete the project by the due date?
Useful websites:
Project ideas: ( warning- It is up to you to determine if the project idea meets the Turkey
Foot project requirements. Warning number two: you can spend hours browsing these
sites.)
About.com
http://chemistry.about.com/od/sciencefairprojects/a/scipromiddle.htm
This site allows students to search by category such as life science or chemistry, and also
selects for middle school
http://www.education.com/science-fair/middle-school/
http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html
Nice site with a variety of ideas ranked by difficulty and grade level range”
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml
If you need more than just words, the visuals with these project ideas may help.
http://www.terimore.com/
Topic selection wizard asks you questions about your interests to help narrow down the
ideas.
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/recommender_register.php
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------General science fair website
http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/
Excellent location on the sciencebuddies website which has worksheets for each step of
the way.
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/teacher_resources.shtml#scheduleworksheet
a nice and helpful site for many aspects of the project”
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/
More sites: I went down this list as far as science buddies:
http://www.webcrawler.com/webcrawler300/ws/results/Web/science+fair+project+idea/1
/417/TopNavigation/Relevance/iq=true/zoom=off/_iceUrlFlag=7?_IceUrl=true&gclid=C
MjV0p-xmaYCFce7KgodGT__pA
Background research help:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_background_research_plan.shtml
How to prepare for the judge:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/knowing-how-to-impress-the-science-fairjudges.html
do’s and don’ts of creating the display board
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/knowing-how-to-impress-the-science-fairjudges.html