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Super Science Fair Projects

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:28:00 +0000

Even if kids deny it, winning the science fair is a pretty big honor. It is something a student will get to boast about for years to come. Instilling pride in their school work and sparking a genuine and possible lifelong interest in science is something not many subjects can do through a fair or a competition. Just like in any competition, most children will not want to submit something that will be so-so. Even if it does not win, a science project submitted to the fair has to be world class. It has to be one of the super science fair projects!

Depending on the year level of your child, as well as their branch of science of choice (usually, you have three branches throughout a child’s elementary and middle school life), there are many super science fair projects out there. The first step to getting a super science fair project is to carefully study the rules of the fair. Each fair is different depending on the school or school district. Getting to know the rules, as well as the criteria of what the judges are looking for will help you and your child come up with something worthy of the colored prize ribbons.

Earth Science is the science that studies our world and what it is made of. Think geology, anthropology, carbon dating, and the like. The most famous earth science project out there is probably the baking soda and vinegar volcano which shows how magma can rise from the earth and out over the volcano simulating a volcanic eruption. The project also demonstrates a basic chemical reaction. For a super science fair project that involve earth science though, try coming up with your own system for carbon dating. Study the method behind carbon dating and see if you can probably do the same with a few household tools.

One of the more popular choices for super science fair projects in the lower grades is a project that involves life science. Life science is the study of trees, animals, humans, and all other living things. Something as simple as comparing plant growth will count as a science fair project. In order to win, though, take the project up a notch and try growing plants through a hydroponic or aeroponic system. The most important thing is that your child comes up with a good system that they understand and can present healthy growing plants without the use of soil!

Finally, there is physical science, which is by far the most commonly used concept when it comes to super science fair projects. If you pick physical science as your branch, be ready for the competition! If you have a lesson outline of your child’s physical science lessons, choose a lesson ahead of what they are currently studying, and base the project on that lesson. This will assure you that your child’s project is unique and will throw everyone off by surprise. Being ahead of everyone else in terms of concepts or theory is always a sure winner!

By: Ethan Jeremy

Science Fair Abstracts – How to Write an Abstract

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:02:29 +0000

A science fair abstract is an abbreviated report or a summary in brief of the entire project. It is one of the last job of the science project but is of immense importance. It states the essential and most important things about the project. The science fair abstract in a clear and easy language gives the important outlines of the entire project. The abstract is generally around 250 words in length. It should appear at the beginning while preparing the project report and it should also be placed at the display board of the fair. The science fair abstract, when placed at the display board, gives the spectators the condensed version comprising the main elements of the project.

Science fair abstract helps people determine if they want to read the full report. Much more people will read the abstract as any other part of the work. It’s like an advertisement speaking for the work done. If one wants the jury and audience to be excited about one’s science fair project, then writing an exciting, engaging abstract is always suggested.

Since a science fair abstract is so short, each section is usually only one or two sentences long. Consequently, every word is important to conveying message. If a word is boring or vague, it will provide distraction. If a word is not adding something important it should be omitted But, even with the abstract’s brief length, don’t be afraid to reinforce a key point by stating it in more than one way or referring to it in more than one section.

The science fair abstract should always include the following parts -

* Introduction—This is your project’s purpose statement i.e. why was the project undertaken

* Problem Statement—It lays down the hypothesis of the project

* Procedure—give the description of your variables, your approach towards the investigation

* Results—give specific data and the synopsis of the results obtained

* Conclusion—state clearly the conclusion derived

While writing the abstract for the science project one should follow certain specific guidelines and avoid the following –

* Uncommon scientific terms which most people aren’t aware of

* Abbreviations and short forms

* Charts and tables

* Acknowledgements

Given below is an outline to write a science project abstract:

* Title

* Introduction (genera idea about the project)

* Problem statement and the hypothesis (what is that is to be established) Methodology (process employed, materials used etc.)

* Analysis of data (what indication does the data gives)

* Conclusion (what results were found)

* Application (how is the finding of help)

By: Jordan Matthews

Science Fair Projects For Students

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:12:01 +0000

Of the many science fair projects for students, few really teach a student a new concept. This is because science fair project rules often suggest that students use science concepts and ideas that students have already learned. Doing a project using learned concepts helps students retain the concept and really understand what they have learned through tangible examples. While this is great for reinforcing learned lessons, more science projects should introduce new concepts to students in order to further interest them in science.

In the realm of physical science for example, the science projects for students learning centrifugal and centripetal force may just ask them to compare bucket rotations. Creating a roller coaster, on the other hand, will help teach students about centrifugal force, and you can further the physics lesson with a discussion on simple and complicated machines. Creating machines can really pique a child’s interest in physics, even if it is just a simple motor that can power the tree house!

A science project for students that tackle life science is a good way to begin introducing young children to biology or older children to molecular biology. Instead of a simple project that compares how plants grow, you can introduce your child to the concept of grafting plants together. Creating a two or three citrus fruit plant is not only useful to your household, but it is sure to garner attention and acclaim at a science fair! What’s more is that your child will learn about how plants grow and how they can survive.

Earth science projects for students can teach students about how to preserve the world they live in. Studies on alternative means of growing crops and how to prevent global warming may not be tackled in your child’s science class, but these concepts are just as important for a child to know. What’s more is that these concepts can lead to projects that introduce new and relevant science concepts to your child. This will put your child ahead of their class in terms of lessons, and with a good possibility of winning the science fair.

For this year’s science fair project, try convincing your child to go for a topic they have not studied yet. For as long as the rules do not prohibit it, it will lead to some great science discoveries between you and your child. Children who study and discover with their parents are likely to do much better in school. It is also a great way for you to spend time together!

By: Ethan Jeremy

Volcano Science Fair Projects

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:01:13 +0000

A volcano is an opening, rupture, in a planet’s surface or crust, which allows hot, molten rock, ash, and gases to escape from below the surface. The study of volcanoes is called volcano logy. There are various methods, in which a volcano can form, just as there are several different kinds of Volcanoes. Volcano Science fair projects are not only fun filled but also educational. Students learn about the how the volcanoes work and how heat and pressure can be an explosive combination,

Volcano science fair project helps to compare the active and dormant volcano. Making a model of volcano in a volcano science fair project will explain the role of plate tectonics in volcanoes. The model of volcanoes explain the reactive effects of yeast, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and vinegar, and baking soda, and lemon juice to find out which combination produces the most explosive reaction.

Volcano science fair project kits are also available as collecting the materials for the project may need a tremendous amount of energy and time. Volcano science project kits save time and supplying the necessary materials and instructions to build a volcano. The volcano science fair project kit also includes sample experiments, which will support the project.

Some facts the students will be able to know after doing a volcano science fair project:

- The volcanic activity

- The Data, about current and historic volcanic activity.

- The places of the most dangerous active volcanoes are located

- The different gases, those come out of a volcano.

- The different minerals, which are formed after the volcanic eruption.

- The prediction of volcanic eruptions

- The best monitoring strategies, for predicting volcanoes.

The students will also learn about the kinds of volcanoes, the shield volcano, the strato volcano, the large rhyolite caldera complexes, the monogenetic fields, the flood basalt provinces, and the mid- ocean ridges.

Some great ideas for volcano science fair project:

- Apart from making a model of volcano, there are certain other project ideas to select for volcano science fair project.

- The study of active volcanoes, during eruption.

- The study of volcano observatories, to monitor the world’s volcanoes.

- The effects of volcanoes, in the environment.

- How do volcanoes erupt? A demonstration by air pressure model.

- The demonstration of how lava flows when a volcano erupts?

- How volcanoes can be monitored and volcanoes can be predicted?

- How are mountains formed?

By: Jordan Matthews

Good Science Fair Projects – Plants Reaching For Light (Part Two)

admin — Sun, 23 May 2010 07:50:31 +0000

In our previous science fair project we had a look at chlorophyll and how plants use this chlorophyll, sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to produce glucose (a form of sugar.) What else, that is very important, is produced through photosynthesis? (In the process carbon dioxide is taken from the air, what is released back into the air?) Now we are going to do a good science fair project to demonstrate how plants actually reach for sunlight. We know by now that they cannot survive without light, which we proved in our previous science fair project. Now we are going to do a really fun science fair project. If you want to do a really good science fair project, it might be a good idea to combine these two science fair projects as it gives you a very clear and visual picture of plants growing and needing sunlight.

Today’s science fair project is a good science fair project for someone that is a little handy. We are going to make a maze in a shoe box to demonstrate how the plant searches and reaches for light.

What you will need for this science fair project:

* First you need a shoe box

* You will need a pair of scissors

* Stiff card

* Some sticky tape

* Black paint

* A paint brush

* A pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands

* A runner bean

* A plant pot

* Some good compost

* Water

Now for the fun part: making your maze in your shoe box!

1. To start cut a hole in the one end of the shoe box.

2. Making a maze in your shoe box is very easy, start by cutting eight flaps out of the stiff cards. The flaps must fit securely into your shoe box in the width.

3. Now paint your shoe box and the eight flaps all over with black paint. Do you know why we are doing that? Think about the light reflecting…yes, the black paint is to stop the light entering through the hole from reflecting inside the shoe box!

4. Now you can make a maze by sticking the eight flaps of card inside the shoe box with sticky tape. Cut slots into your flaps at a different place in each flap to form a maze (if you are not sure how to do this, ask for the help of an adult who knows what a maze looks like.)

5. Plant a runner bean in a small plant pot with compost.

6. Water the soil each day to keep it moist but, do not make it too wet. Keep it in a warm place until the bean has a shoot. Remember to keep the soil moist, depending on the temperature; it may not be necessary to water the bean everyday.

7. When your plant has a shoot place it at the bottom of your maze.

8. Close the lid and place the maze in a sunny spot.

9. Remove the lid once a day to see if your plant needs water.

10. Now you can observe what is happening.

11. If you did it right, the plant will grow and find its way through your maze to steadily move towards the light.

12. Eventually your plant will poke through the hole at the top of your shoe box.

13. For display purposes it is a good idea to take a photo of your plant growing zig-zag through your maze and out the hole at the top.

This is a good science fair project for someone interested in gardening. It is also a good science fair project for someone that loves crafts as this can double as a craft because of the maze you have to make. Good science fair projects can never be done too fast, so give yourself enough time.

By: Magrietha Du Plessis

Top Science Fair Tips

admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 10:59:50 +0000

If you’re reading this it is most likely that it is science fair project time and you are looking for the very best, Top Science Tips on the planet!

First tip: Do not wait until the very last second to decide what project you would like to do.

2nd Tip: If you are racking your brain about a science fair project subject matter or just do not really love doing science projects, that’s O.K, because there are presently science kits that are designed just for science fairs.

There are quite a few types of kits to pick from. Quite a few are specified towards students that wish to do a project but don’t think they can create it on their own, and others provide you with the flexibility to design your very own experiments by using the kit. It’s one of the greatest ways to have a good fair project and fulfill your teacher’s specifications.

What are you interested in? Do you want to know about Robotics? One idea could be the robotic arm trainer which is the absolute for creating a science fair projects. This kit teaches primary robotic sensing principles, testing your motor skills, while you form and control the Arm. Wonderful for high school science fair projects. Yet another option is the brand new Kranius Brain. It is so much fun!

It doesn’t matter if a person is 9 or a college student, renewable energy is a big topic of our planet. The PicoTurbine Windmill experiments Kit offers students twenty completely free energy science projects and for professors, schools and organizations, there are renewable energy educational science fair projects for the classroom.

An additional consideration for the earth ecology is energy and how to build new resources. Would you want to produce and dabble with a model alternative energy Power House? Apply the power of the wind and sun with seventy experiments in potential energy, ecology, conductivity, and biology. Render, warm, and desalinate a water supply and preserve your own food.

Or how about fuel? With the price of gasoline climbing, engineers are seriously trying to develop fuel cell cars. This is one of the most meaningful technologies of the modern day. Maybe you’re the individual to create automobiles that actually runs on water!

For most any science fair project, science kits will be the ideal choice. From rockets to chemistry science projects you’ll likely discover an amazing choice for most any science fair.

3rd Tip: Instantaneously downloadable science fair ebooks are outstanding because they walk you through a science fair project. Some even give you the actual science fair projects. Right away you have the ability to download your

4th Tip: It won’t matter if you use a kit or want to create your own project, here’s one of the most critical science fair tips that I can offer you… You’ll still need to do all the six steps of the scientific method.

By: Madeline Binder

Tornado Science Fair Projects

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:51:57 +0000

Creating a tornado science fair project has been quite popular at science fairs. Of course, it isn’t possible to create a life-sized tornado for obvious reasons! However, miniaturized versions may be created using simple models like the one about to be demonstrated. It is to be remembered that proportions matter a lot, while creating the models. Therefore, these exact proportions need to be followed. The following is possibly the simplest tornado science fair project that can be made with daily household materials. This experiment demonstrates the formation of the eye of the tornado – the central zone of calmness known as the vortex – within ordinary bottles.

The tornado science fair project requires simple ingredients:
- Two large bottles – the larger the better. Soft drink bottles made of plastic are recommended.
- Water colored using food coloring. The lighter the color is, better the demonstration will be. Glitter dust or confetti result in a dazzling display.
- A drill.
- Duct tape and silicon caulking.
- A steadily spinning surface, an old record player if possible.

The apparatus can be set up quite easily. The first step of tornado science fair project is to make half-inch wide holes at the center of the caps. These caps may then be joined together using the silicon caulking, keeping the holes connected. The bottles may be filled with the colored water now. The second step of the tornado science fair project is to attach each end of this double cap to each bottle. Finally, the two caps may be firmly fastened using the duct tape. The entire apparatus takes a shape and form similar to that of an hourglass.

Now, the entire apparatus of the tornado science fair project may be placed upside down, the bottle with the water being at the top, on the spinning surface. It will be observed that as the water slowly drains out to the lower bottle, a vortex is formed in the midst of the spinning water. This vortex is similar to the structure of the vortex formed inside a tornado.

Precautions to be taken during this tornado science fair project are few, but important. The joints must be made perfectly airtight, so that there is no leakage of water and air bubbles don’t enter the bottles. Moreover, the spinning surface must have a steady motion. Otherwise, the entire rhythm of the tornado would be disrupted. The steps are few; however, are important in a tornado science fair project.

The project, as it stands, is a very simple, elegant, and elementary science fair project that judges see all of the time. What you must do in order to stand out is to make this project a little bit different than everyone else’s science fair project. The fact is, with a project like this, you won’t get a really stunning A+ grade simply because this project didn’t involve too much individual thinking. However, by taking this model as a start and exploring some related concept or by looking at some specific aspect of the model, you can really earn a fantastic grade, and maybe even win the science fair with this simple tornado science fair project.

By: Jordan Matthews

Building Your Own Still – The Perfect Science Fair Project

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:18:16 +0000

If you are one who is searching for that perfect undertaking that will surely win the year’s award for the best science fair project then don’t look any further beyond constructing the simple still. For those who do not have any idea as to what a still is, it is an apparatus that is meant to distill, or separate, liquid mixtures by boiling since different liquids have different boiling points.

Before starting with the construction, it is important to note that building a still may lead one to run-ins with the law which makes it important for one to be knowledgeable of the regulations in one’s area and to devote the project entirely for scientific and educational purposes.

To start the construction process of the still: the following materials are needed: a 4-gallon size copper boiler, a copper sheeting that is 18″ in diameter, a copper pipe that is 36″ long and 2″ in diameter, a 24-inch copper tubing that is 1″ in diameter, lead-free solder, glass thermometer, milk can made out of stainless steel, two reducing coupler that have the following dimensions: 1″ x 1-1/2″ and the other 1-1/2″ x 2″, an elbow joint that has a 1″ diameter, a 3″ nipple, 1″ x 2-1/2″ nipple, a large copper tub, 1-1/2″ copper elbow pipe, copper coils, standard spigot faucet, any container that can be easily sealed, a siphon, an airlock, a rubber stopper, flour and water (a silicon kit can be used as an alternative), a connecting ring, yeast, a large amount of cold water, and the mixture to be fermented.

For the tools, one would need a holder gun, a drill, a saw, and a heat source.

To assemble the boiler, one would have to saw the copper boiler in half and lay on its open end the copper sheeting. Cut a piece from the sheeting that is 1 centimeter larger in diameter than the copper boiler’s open end. Solder then the sheeting to the open end of the copper boiler. After this, place the boiler flat side down and drill a 2″ hole on the boiler’s top. Solder a connecting ring directly on top of this hole.

To construct the still’s column, bore a hole on the top of the elbow connector that will be big enough for it to be soldered to the 3″-sized nipple. Soldering is also done to the 2″ pipe to fasten it to the ring on top of the boiler. The elbow connector is in turn soldered to top of the pipe with the help of the 1 x 1-1/2″ reducing coupler. Solder then the nipple in place after which the thermometer is inserted there and secured into place with the use of the silicon kit or flour and water. The elbow pipe is then soldered to the other coupler. The 1″ elbow joint is then fastened with the end of the pipe in a way that makes the elbow point downward. This end is then soldered with the smaller nipple. The nipple is then soldered to the coiled copper tubing and the spigot is soldered into the drilled hole present on the side of the metal container. The heat source is then placed below the boiler.

Put the yeast and the fermented mixture in the container, which will be drilled with a hole just enough for a rubber stopper to make it sealed air-tight.

You are now ready to use the still. Constructing it may be a bit laborious but with the proper materials and a thorough adherence to the right steps of building it, the still is just the thing for that science fair competition.

By: John Grant

Fourth Grade Science Fair Projects

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 22:57:53 +0000

Fourth grade students are very energetic and their span of attention or concentration is very small. Above that, they want to observe, infer, predict and classify anything taught on science. Learning by doing is a good concept and it registers in their young minds and they can never go wrong in their examinations. For this, a lot of schools conduct fourth grade science fair. Here, all the fourth grade science fair projects will be displayed.

The children explain their fourth grade science fair projects, while the others watch these projects and learn. Teaching them in a play way method is very effective. Here are few fourth grade science fair projects for this age group.

Salt increases the density of water. Add four to five tablespoons of salt in a glass of water stir it nicely and float an egg. Also add little more luke-warm fresh water and check, the egg will float in-between the salt and the water. Try using sugar or flour in the water the egg will sink.

Which water is good for plants can be made as a project by selecting a pot with some seeds; one pot can be watered with tap water, the other pot to be watered with only rain water. Check the growth for seven weeks; the rain water watered pot is better.

Will plants grow with a liquid other than water can be done in an effective project by selecting four pots, Water the first pot with water, second one with vinegar, third one with orange juice and fourth one with milk. The result is the one with water grows the maximum, the one with vinegar dies as it is an acid, the one with orange juice and milk also grows but nowhere near as much as the pure source.

A fourth grade science fair project to test which environment is best for plants. Take three pots, one with sand, one with soil, and one with gravel and put few seeds in each pot, wet them at regular intervals and make a graph, the seeds in the soil grew the maximum.

Classification of mammals — Mammals are found every where. Polar bears in cold areas, camels in hot areas, moles live under the ground, bats live in caves and flies in the air and dolphins live in oceans. Fur and fat help them to protect themselves in cold regions and they sweat and pant to release their extra heat. A fourth grade science fair project can be made by cutting and pasting picture of mammals and their place of rest.

Sunflower house project: On the ground draw a square and plant sunflower seeds leaving enough space between two seeds all in the perimeter of the square, but don’t forget to leave a little space in the front side for the door. Once the sunflower plants grow one inch, plant bean seeds around each sunflower plant. As they grow the beans will climb up the sunflower stalks and create a wonderful playhouse for the children. In this way they learn the characteristics of creepers, flower plants, trees, shrubs etc.

Excellent features of sunflowers are we can get oil, easy to grow and a good bird feeder, Make a sun and a flower and label its uses.

Life cycle of a butterfly – egg, caterpillar, cocoon and then a beautiful butterfly can be made live in your garden.

A Bird house can be made in wood, to encourage birds to come and live. Observe the birds and their habits.

Instincts can be taught in a project form by showing baby birds open their mouth for food, baby turtles know to go to the sea when their eggs hatch.

Children at this age group should be given simpler fourth grade science fair projects to keep them occupied. Once they are occupied and disciplined, teachers job become easier to make them learn and enjoy schooling.

By: Jordan Matthews

Science Fair Project – 9 Must Know Tasks To An A Plus

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 17:32:42 +0000

It is that time of the year and your teacher hands out a piece of paper to take home that states the next class assignment is a science fair project and is due in a few weeks.

You may have already picked out a project to do but if not try all the following steps:

1. Originality Is Key!

Your teachers or whoever judges the science fair projects will look for new ideas that are being presented to them. They do not want to see the old stale information from last year. You could definitely think of something that could fix a problem you have in your house or with a product.

2. Prepare

Now that you have the idea it is important to do the project good and you will not do it well if you do not prepare first.

3. Project You

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. The kids come home and hand their parents the paper and expect their mom or dad to give them an idea, get the materials, set up the experiment and do the project. They tell their child what happened and give them the experiment to take to school. No way! This is why you are doing a science project to learn something about science and what better way than to do the experiment yourself.

4. What Are You Doing?

If you have a good idea does your project have clear cut steps to prove your theory? If not you may just be treading water. Keep it simple and understandable and make sure it solves a question or solution.

6. Do You Know It?

When you present the experiment and its outcome to your teacher are you knowledgeable? If they ask a question can you tell them the answer without being goofy? You need to know the information about your project. Your teacher will be impressed and you will actually learn something if you truly know everything about your science experiment. Make sure to do a project that you will be able to understand. If it is really complicated and you still do not understand the concept when you are done then maybe it is too old for you. You need to understand the science level you are trying to accomplish.

7. Answer The Question

Did you answer the question you determined in your hypothesis? If you have shown a science project make sure it works and proves the hypothesis or disproves it.

8. Documentation and Evidence

Give all informational support about the answer you generated in the experiment. You have to prove what you are saying and doing is correct so have back up information to show them.

9. Do Something You Like and Put Yourself Into It

You need to pick a topic that you like and put enough time into the project. If you quickly jot down the science information it will show so pick something you like and will spend time doing and researching to prove a point. Your teacher will see your hard work.

Hope your next science fair project is successful when you follow these steps.

By: Lesa Bolt