2 minute read
Science Projects
HOW TO H EL P YO U R CH I L D C HO OSE A F U N AN D C HA LL EN GI NG PROJ EC T
D OW N TO A SCI EN CE
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TEXT Courtney Love, Best Reviews
Science projects are more than just a showy presentation on science fair day. Working on these projects can boost your child’s confidence and skills for future studies, experiments and presentations, as well as create a deeper understanding of a topic or the scientific process.
While science fair projects can be fun, they can be a hefty amount of work as well as stressful, and choosing a topic can be one of the most challenging parts.
Here are some tips to help you guide your child to a science project that fits their interest, but also their deadline and your budget.
TYPES OF SCIENCE PROJECT S
Before deciding on a project idea, it’s worth considering which type of science fair project your child would like to do. If they are interested in a particular subject, but short on project ideas, understanding the differences in approach may help guide them along a clearer path.
Science project formats include: Experiment/investigation: Make and test a hypothesis. Demonstration: Re-test a classic experiment. Research: Report findings from particular topics. Model: Create something that demonstrates a concept. Collection: Present extensive knowledge over a chosen topic.
PROJECT PROCESS
Your child’s teacher will dictate the rubric for their science project, but as a general rule of thumb, the steps will involve: Choosing a testable question Designing and conducting an experiment Examining the results
Sharing the experiment and results, which can include a project title, the hypothesis, materials used, the procedure, results, background research and conclusion.
PROJECT MATERIALS
If you’re going full creative from the get-go, you’ll need to know where to find and stock up on the necessities.
If you want to minimize your shopping list, opt for a starter kit that provides the basics for a specific project. For example, instead of making your own volcano, model mold kits are available to buy to get you a head start.
PROJECT IDEAS BASED ON AGE
If you or your child are feeling stuck, consider these project ideas based on what grade your child is in at school. Elementary school A volcano
Salt crystals with their favorite toys A lava lamp Bath bombs A potato battery Middle school Discover the best soil for growing seeds. Examine which bubble gum makes the biggest bubbles. Experiment with variables that make pennies rust at different speeds. Create a balloon lung. Explore how various materials respond to magnets. High school Measure water quality. Make an infinity mirror using LED lights. Experiment with bacteria growth. Explore fingerprint analysis. Discover the impact of weather, and what influences it.
