| The criteria for a good science project are often | | | | be able to find the simplest way to demonstrate it and |
| debated by many teachers, parents, children, and | | | | with the simplest or easily accessible materials. This |
| science fair judges from all over. Everyone has their | | | | almost always goes hand in hand with how easy it is |
| opinion on what makes a good science project, and | | | | to work the project. This is especially true if a machine |
| while most people have good and reasonable opinions, | | | | was built or if part of the project relies on some kind |
| the fact remains that there are specific criteria for | | | | of machine. The easier it is to work, the more likely it |
| projects that you can't get around, especially if this | | | | will score points with the fair judges. |
| project is to be an entry in the science fair. | | | | Relevance is another criteria for a good science fair |
| Most science fairs have some pretty standard criteria. | | | | project. The project has to be relevant to what is |
| The first one often highlights originality. Many good | | | | learned in that grade level (this is very important), and |
| science project entries are good, but are carbon | | | | having social relevance will score a lot of points. A |
| copies of projects already done. If you intend to enter | | | | demonstration of greenhouse gases by producing |
| your project into the science fair, make sure that it has | | | | "global warming" in a jar, for example is a very |
| an element that is completely your own. You can copy | | | | relevant project that will catch the attention of judges |
| science projects off the Internet or from past projects, | | | | and teachers because it shows that the student |
| but adding something that wasn't there before or | | | | scientists is well informed with what is happening in the |
| tweaking the project with something that you though | | | | current world of science. |
| up is a sure way to success with this criteria. If you're | | | | Finally, and believe it or not, neatness is always a |
| unsure about whether what you thought of is original, | | | | criteria. Some schools are kind enough to remind their |
| do some research to see if someone has done the | | | | students to be neat, while others make it a kind of |
| same. | | | | "hidden" criteria. A good science project is often very |
| The next criteria is workability, which often goes hand | | | | neat in appearance and in demonstration. This shows |
| in hand with simplicity. A lot of students think that a | | | | the the project was both well thought of and well |
| good science project will be complicated, but the reality | | | | worked on, and so neatness scores either real points |
| is that some of the best projects are simple. This is | | | | or subliminal points, making it something you should |
| because when a concept is well understood, you will | | | | have! |