Science Fair Project
Science fairs have been an educational tradition since 1921, when E.W. Scripps created the nonprofit organization Science Service. Scripps created the organization to increase the public’s knowledge of scientific achievements. In 1941, Science Service created Science Clubs of America which then created The Science Talent Search in 1942, which was a science contest for high school seniors. Now, almost 70 years later, science fair projects are being created by students of all ages in schools and clubs around the entire nation!
Students who participate in science fairs often have an interest in science beforehand. These students are interested in how knowledge is gained through experimentation and observation, and thanks to science fairs, are given the chance to experiment and test this interest in the form of science fair projects. Generally speaking, science fair projects are simple demonstrations of scientific principles such as gravity, density, chemical reactions, and many others. For students interested in or preparing for a science fair, listed below are 4 things to consider that may help a student’s project stand out among other science fair projects:
1. Choose a topic that you Enjoy
The most important thing to remember when choosing a science fair project is to choose a topic that you have personal interest in. Doing a science fair project on a topic that you are interested in will help you enjoy the research and preparation of the project, something that would otherwise be tedious and boring. During your research, you may even come across new information and learn more about the topic!
2. Ask yourself questions
To help you find an application or science fair project out of your topic, ask yourself as many questions as you can come up with. The more questions you ask, the better you will understand what others may think when they see your project. For example, if you are choosing to do a project on electricity, you may ask yourself “how does a battery charge?” or “how does electricity run through a circuit?”. Answering these questions will help you develop your science fair project.
3. Match your interests to your topic
If you still do not have a topic, or are trying to find an application for your topic. Consider what you like to do on your free time. Do you like to play basketball? Consider doing a science fair project about the perfect trajectory of a successful basketball shot. Are you interested in model airplanes? Consider doing a project on aerodynamics.
4. Make it interesting!
The best way to stand out from a crowd at a science fair is to create project that people consider interesting. Even if your topic is bland or common, creating a demonstration or application that draws the attention of people walking by is a surefire way to make sure your science fair project stands out, and is not just forgotten. Embrace the presentation and make it your own, whether that involves adding decorations or dressing up and playing a character