Well Done Science Projects
Every teacher has seen the vinegar volcano, the ant farm and the tornado in the two liter bottles. Well done science projects require creativity, ingenuity and original subject matter. These experiments stand out from the crowd and receive better scores because of it. From topic selection to display design, well done science projects require thoroughness, thought and advance planning.
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Choose the Subject
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The foundation to all well done science projects is the subject matter. Even the best baking soda and vinegar volcano is still a baking soda and vinegar volcano. The biggest challenge facing science project creators is often the choice of what project to create. Ideas are readily available by reviewing prior science curricula, new scientific or technological developments in the news, and online ideas. Life itself can be an inspiration as creators ask questions and develop hypotheses about the world around them.
Before proceeding with any ideas, evaluate them for originality. Is this something you have seen at a science fair before? Is it common? Is it very easy? Is it an experiment that was already conducted in class recently? Was it suggested in the textbook or other reading materials? If the answer is yes, it is probably better to come up with a different idea.
Science project creators should always choose as subject that they are interested in and understand well. In order to present the project and material well, it must be built upon a foundation of existing knowledge. A student's interest will motivate success and be evident during the presentation.
Follow the Scientific Method
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The steps of the scientific method provide the base for all well done science projects. To be viable as a scientific experiment, it must be done according to procedure. The steps of the scientific method require the experimenter to first ask a question, and then research before posing a hypothesis. The experiment must attempt to test the hypothesis. The experiment must produce data that can be analyzed. The experimenter must analyze that data, draw a conclusion and present the results.
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Feature Visual
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Well done science projects have a feature visual aid that is interesting and relevant, such as a live demonstration of the experiment or the end product of the experiment. This visual communicates the concepts and ideas of the experiment infinitely better than charts and graphs can. If the presentation features the end product of the experiment (such as an experiment on plant growth), include pictures of the progress on the display board.
Display Board
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The feature visual cannot explain everything by itself. Cardboard tri-folds make ideal display boards, but check if the science fair sponsors or classroom guidelines regulate the size.
Choose a main title for the project that is interesting but straightforward. Type the title on the computer and print in black ink on white paper so that it is easy to read. Cut the title out and glue it to the center of a colored construction paper background. Glue the background to the top center of the display board.
Type up and print the procedures and method of the experiment, including the original question and hypothesis. Also type up and print the data, conclusions, and any vocabulary terms relevant to the experiment. These sections should be typed in a standard font, such as Arial or Times New Roman. The title should be slightly larger than the rest of the text. Glue this paper to a construction paper background, and then glue it to one panel of the tri-fold board.
Create any possible charts or graphs from the data in a program such as Excel and print. Glue them to construction paper and glue the construction paper to the display. Also feature any pictures of the process this same way. In lieu of pictures, clip art or sketches are acceptable. However, it is very important not to overcrowd the board.
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References
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