| Science Fair Projects can be really exciting, especially | | | | project that they forget about other factors like prizes |
| now with all the opportunities the internet gives us. | | | | or the fact that they are actually learning new skills. |
| Most kids know how to use a computer for fun and | | | | Science fairs are also a way for students to |
| spend, on an average, five hours a week surfing the | | | | demonstrate motivation, self-learning, critical thinking, |
| net. As parents, we would like to encourage them to | | | | ethics and other important skills and traits. |
| use some of their computer time for schoolwork and | | | | * A science fair project is an experience that can be |
| educational projects. And researching scientific ideas | | | | challenging and self-validating. Many students actually |
| and the scientific method are certainly a good use of | | | | do important research and discover previously |
| their time. But in addition, there are many other great | | | | unknown facts. |
| reasons for encouraging your children to do science | | | | * Many science fairs offer cash prizes, which can be a |
| fair projects. | | | | significant incentive for some people. They also help |
| * A science fair project is an activity that integrates | | | | open the doors of academic opportunity for students. |
| almost every skill or art children have been taught. | | | | Winners at regional fairs receive recognition for their |
| Students must learn how to apply their existing abilities | | | | work, and gain the right to participate at state-level and |
| to new areas, as well as learn many new skills. A | | | | higher-level competitions. |
| science fair project can involve reading, logical thinking, | | | | * Some of those kids (maybe yours someday) qualify |
| writing, grammar and spelling, math, statistics and data | | | | for the international competition at the annual Intel |
| analysis, computer science, and graphic arts, as well as | | | | International Science and Engineering Fair. Here the |
| scientific methodology. If a student participates in a | | | | level of cash prizes is significant. In addition, those |
| formal competition, then they will also practice public | | | | whose projects qualify for international competitions |
| speaking, and learn how to explain and defend their | | | | are judged by the best in the world: top scientists and |
| work in front of a panel of judges. | | | | people from industry. Imagine your child having his or |
| * Participating in science fair projects help develop a | | | | her project judged by a Nobel Laureate. These kinds |
| feeling of confidence and competence among | | | | of things do immeasurable good for the confidence of |
| students, and fosters a spirit of scientific inquiry. | | | | the student and certainly encourage them further in all |
| Projects usually involve scientific questions that the | | | | of their activities. |
| student is interested in, and a specific topic they have | | | | These are just of few of the many different benefits |
| chosen for themselves. Participants must research | | | | of science fair projects. Even if you, as a parent, |
| their question, learn and apply the scientific method to | | | | secretly dread the idea, your help and encouragement |
| create a valid experiment, and think about the meaning | | | | with this endeavor will provide life-long advantages for |
| of their results. Some kids get so immersed in their | | | | your children. |