Get Ready for a Winning Science Project (2 page)
Read Get Ready for a Winning Science Project Online
Authors: Sandra Buczynski
â¢Â   Find a book on science fair topics.
Once you have a general idea of the areas of science that interest you, visit
www.sciencebuddies.org
. This site has a feature called “Topic Selection Wizard,” which lets you answer questions about your interests. Then it matches you with possible science fair topics.
What topic did science Buddies recommend for you? Do you agree with this recommendation?
It is a good idea to avoid some kinds of science project topics. Here are a few examples:
â¢Â   CONSUMER PRODUCT TESTING: Which paper towel is best?
â¢Â   SIMPLE PREFERENCE OR TASTE COMPARISONS: Which tastes better, plain or flavored yogurt?
â¢Â   TOPICS YOU ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO: What is the effect of light on plants?
â¢Â   TOPICS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO MEASURE: How does light affect moods?
â¢Â   TOPICS THAT ARE NOT SCIENTIFIC: Extrasensory perception (ESP)
â¢Â   TOPICS THAT ARE NOT SAFE: mixing dangerous chemicals
Have a journal handy as you explore different ideas. It doesn't have to be a paper journal. You can keep notes on a computer. Inventors, engineers, and scientists all keep written records of their work. Be sure to record the science project ideas that you like the most. You can keep notes on all of the steps you take in getting ready for your science project. This is also a good place to record observations, organize gathered information, and keep track of all of your
references
. You will need all of this information when you write your background research report.
Find Your Focus
Simply taking a look around can help you find a topic.
Science project topics do not have to be complicated to be good. Look over your notes for topics. How can some of those ideas be fine-tuned to better fit your interests?
Observation
is a great way to focus your science interest. It is one of the most important jobs of a scientist. Observing means using your five senses (touch, sight, smell, hearing, and taste). Observations can jump-start curiosity and give you information about a
phenomenon
.
Go outside, look around, and ask some questions!
I wonder
how
electric cars
work?
I wonder
where
recycling
goes next?
I wonder
when
fireflies
wake up?
I wonder
what
makes a
gecko stick to the wall
?
I wonder
what will happen
if I mix
yeast and honey
?
It's your turn. What do you wonder about? In your science journal, respond to these prompts:
I was really surprised when ____________________.
I see a pattern in ______________________________.
How are a ____________ and a ____________ related?
(For example: flower and fruit?)
What is the function of ___________________________?
What might cause ____________________ to happen?
Still having trouble narrowing the focus of your topic? Try these suggestions:
â¢Â   Brainstorm out loud with friends, librarians, your teacher, or parents.
â¢Â   Scan news sites, such as Science News for Kids (
www.sciencenewsforkids.org/
) or Time for Kids (
www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids
).
â¢Â   Browse the reference shelves of the library. Look in encyclopedias. Scan the table of contents in science books to find what has already been done on your topic.
â¢Â   Consider your hobbies or what you like to do in your spare time.
â¢Â   Think about how to solve practical problems.
Do you have some topic ideas? Great! Now you need to make sure that this is the topic for you. So ask yourself some questions:
1.   Does the topic interest me enough to spark my thinking?
2.   Is the topic testable in the time period that I have?
3.   Will i be able to find the information I need to research my topic?
4.   Will i be able to get the tools needed to do the project?
What Is Your Problem?
A good science project starts with an interesting and challenging research question.
Scientists spend a lot of time thinking about their research questions. You must do the same thing. Remember, you need to have a question to guide your experiment or invention process. It will define what you are going to investigate.
A good research question cannot simply be answered with a yes or a no. That is just too easy for a
scientist! Scientists usually ask questions that start with how, what, when, where, or which. These questions are clearly written and can be answered with
data
.
Make sure that your research question is clear. It should not be too simple, either.
â¢Â   UNCLEAR: how can snow stay frozen?
â¢Â   CLEAR: Which type of material makes the best container to keep snow from melting?
â¢Â   TOO SIMPLE: What color is an earthworm?
â¢Â   RESEARCHABLE: how does an earthworm react to light and darkness?
Different kinds of questions can get you thinking in different ways. For example, a measurement question often leads to an answer that is a single number. For this type of question, you might consider what tools would be needed to measure results. You might need a thermometer (for temperature), a meter stick (for distance), a cylinder (for volume), a watch (for time), or a scale (for weight). Measurement questions begin with “how.”
A comparison question looks at similarities and differences in results. They let you see how two things are related.
List words related to your topic and then fill in the question blanks with the words!
| Type of question | Possible question starters. (You can think of others!) | Examples |
| Measurement | How many __________? | How often do |
| questions | How long is __________? | fireflies blink? |
| Â | How often does __________? | Â |
| Â | How hot is __________? | Â |
| Â | How much does __________? | Â |
| Â | How strong is __________? | Â |
| Comparison | How are __________ and | Which insulating |
| questions? | Â Â Â Â Â __________ different? | material is the |
| Â | Which __________ is the most | most effective? |
| Â | Â Â Â Â Â effective? | Â |
| Â | how much (longer, heavier, | Â |
| Â | Â Â Â Â Â hotter, etc.) is | Â |
| Â | Â Â Â Â Â than __________? | Â |
