How to Help Your Child with a Science Fair Project

If you have a child who is in grades 3-12, chances are you will have a science fair or two to deal with. Science fair projects can be fun and exciting, but often require some parental input. Here are some ways you can assist your child with his science project without ending up doing the project yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Find out the science fair specifics, either from your child or from your child's teacher. Understand how the judges will grade the projects, if conducting an experiment is required, how the project is to be displayed and when the project is due. The more understanding you and your child have about the particulars of the fair the easier it will be to put together a good science project.
2. Find a project together. There are a variety of resources for finding science fair projects, from surfing the internet to going to the library and reading science project books. To make your search easier, try to narrow the project down to a particular area of science, such as biology or chemistry.
3. Make sure the project is doable. Consider your time, financial and academic capabilities. Don't choose a project that requires hundreds of dollars in materials (unless you can afford to spend that much) or takes months to complete.
4. Choose a project that is meaningful to your child. You might enjoy dissecting fireflies to see why they glow, but opening up a bug might repulse your child. This is his project, let him take the lead in perusing projects that interest him.
5. Shop for materials together. Let your child pick out the items needed for the project. While it might be easier to take the list of materials with you when your running an errand, make sure your child is involved in every step of the process.
6. Supervise your child, don't do the project for her. Ignore the temptation to straighten up the letters of her title or to correct her grammar and misspellings. Encourage her to do those things herself, along with all aspects of the project. This is her science fair entry, not yours.
7. Back off when necessary. Your child may not want your assistance at all while he is doing his project, and that's okay. Just let him know that you're available if he needs you.
8. Attend the science fair, if possible. Show your support for her hard work by being there when the judges make their decisions.