| The right topic is what makes the difference between | | | | is that you pick a topic that you can conduct an |
| good science fair projects and great ones. A good | | | | experiment with and study scientifically. Here are some |
| presentation makes it easy to tell what the data you | | | | areas you might consider topics in: |
| collect shows. Having a good knowledge of what you | | | | Biology |
| saw and how you came to your conclusion is exactly | | | | - Ecology: The study of relationships between plants, |
| what the judges like to see in winning science fair | | | | animals, climate, and other aspects of nature which |
| projects. | | | | make up ecosystems. |
| Get the most from your research by keeping written | | | | - Zoology: The study of animals including anatomy, |
| notes of your project as you do it. Write down | | | | behaviorism, and physiology. |
| everything from brainstorming to experimentation to | | | | - Botany: The study of plants and plant life including |
| raw data. Always make a note of the date it was | | | | anatomy, behaviorism, and physiology. |
| taken down for use in your report. Ready to get | | | | - Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms |
| started? The first thing you'll need to know is what you | | | | Earth science |
| want to study. Science projects can be anything you | | | | - Geology: The study of the Earth, archeology, |
| want them to, so pick something you can really sink | | | | minerals, rocks, seismology, and volcanology all fall |
| your teeth into. Be Focused about what you want to | | | | under this heading. |
| find out. A simple well done project will earn more | | | | - Meteorology: The study of climate, the atmosphere |
| points than a complex but unfinished one. It's okay to | | | | and weather. |
| change topics early on, but make sure you change for | | | | - Oceanography: The study of marine life and the |
| a good reason (like it's too complicated or too broad) | | | | ocean. |
| Good science projects require a long time to plan and | | | | - Paleontology: The study of prehistoric life. |
| complete well. Science fair projects come in three | | | | Physical Science |
| basic types: | | | | - Chemistry: The study of the chemical make-up of |
| 1. Conducting an Investigation in which you state a | | | | objects and how they change and combine. |
| hypothesis and test it in an experiment. | | | | - Physics: The study of energy and motion, including |
| 2. Constructing a Kit or Model in which you state a | | | | electricity, gravity and magnetism. |
| hypothesis and demonstrate that it is either true or | | | | - Electricity: How circuits work. Really anything that |
| false using a replica you design and... | | | | uses electricity to operate. |
| 3. Doing a Demonstration, in which you explain a | | | | - Energy: The capacity to do work |
| scientific principle using visual aids, data, exhibits and | | | | Mathematics |
| activities | | | | - Geometry: The area of mathematics which studies |
| Your science fair might have special guidelines for | | | | relationships between points, lines, and planes. |
| what kind of projects you can do, so be sure to check | | | | Engineering: Use of scientific knowledge in real world |
| on this. Still can't decide what to do? Science is | | | | applications. |
| everywhere! Just be curious and something is sure to | | | | Technology: Computers, communications, navigation, |
| spark an idea that will make a great project. Try to | | | | music (like your iPod) and really anything like that. |
| remember times when something really made you | | | | Technology uses electricity. As you can see, science |
| think. Check it out! There are lots of books and | | | | fair projects come in all different flavors. So get |
| magazines around with loads of cool science projects | | | | creative and come up with a project you can be |
| in them just waiting to be discovered! Try one out or | | | | proud of, then follow the tips here and with a little luck |
| just borrow from an article you spot, all that is required | | | | you just might win, now go get researching! |