Science Project – The Rush For the Perfect Project

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:15:38 +0000

Right now you may feel hurried because of the beginning of the year and your child now came home with the science project assignment due in just a few short weeks.

Everyone wants to do a unique project that no one has ever done or seen before because they feel it will give them an edge on the competition and ultimately a perfect score or grade of an A.

Some important things to remember when dealing with this is simplicity, ease of tasks and believable end product.

The old adage, keep it simple, is really true in this scenario. You do not have to complete an elaborate or complex project for it to be successful. There does not have to be 20 different steps in the science demonstration. What it does need to do is be believable and understood by the student.

The student needs a science project in which they understand what they are trying to prove and when they get the answer they understand why this happened. Do not fall into the trap of making things so complicated. If your child does not understand the project they will have a hard time convincing the judges and the teacher the theories behind the experiment.

Important things to remember:
Pick a project that is simple and does not require something that you must do. The student should be the one completing the project. They can have a little of your help but ultimately they need to do the project Do not make it beyond their level. Make it a challenge for them but not too complex they do not even understand it. Do something they can easily demonstrate at the fair. Let them have the success. The whole point of doing a science project is for kids to learn and discover how things work and why. Support their efforts and do not stress. If you stress about the project it will not be any fun for your child.

Look for a science project that can be completed in a day or a couple of hours. You can even do one that is an overnight project. These keep the child interested and they can have more time to work on a colorful poster and display.

One big thing is do not wait until the last minute to try to prepare the science project. If the idea is a flop you will be scrambling to find a new idea in a rush.

By: Lesa Bolt

Keys to Great Science Fair Projects Using Kids Science Kit

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:38:56 +0000

To get really good science fair projects from pre-packaged kits takes some creativity, but it can be done. Though many kids science kits are designed with specific experiments in mind and may even come with detailed instructions, it’s probably best to approach the kit as a set of tools that will help you in your own unique research. With this approach, a great kids science kit can help you stand out from other science fair projects.

For instance, one student selected a “miniature greenhouse” science kit, which contained seeds, a flat plastic container of soil, and a clear plastic “greenhouse” lid. He made his experiment unique. He did not study how little he could water with the lid compared to without. Instead, he covered the clear plastic with various colors of translucent plastic to test the effects of colored light on the growth rate of his seedlings.

The most important thing to remember when starting your project is to choose a question you are genuinely interested in, or relates to something you are interested in. Hone your question down making it as precise and concise as possible. Continue to seek simplicity in carrying out your experiment. Question yourself at every stage. Is there any way to get the data in fewer steps or a simpler way? Is there a less complicated way to understand things? Is there a more straightforward way to explain the observations?

Another tip, which should be obvious: Do your own work! Don’t let your science partner take over; don’t even let mom or dad take over. This is your project and if they do it instead, you will only be embarrassed come judging day. The experiment, no matter how nicely it turned out will feel like a lie when you try to explain to the judges all about “your” research. Be a real scientist and do the work yourself. Then, when the big day comes, you will be able to take genuine pride in your research. You will speak with a familiarity you’ve earned all about the details of “my project.”

Start early! Even if you have a pre-assembled kids science kit, which can reduce the workload of an experiment, it is still a good idea to start early. To really learn anything usually requires a series of measurements taken over time. Starting early not only shows responsibility, it allows you the time needed to really gather enough data. It allows you to pursue new angles if you learn anything unexpected, or start over if something goes wrong in one of your trials. Good science fair projects can take several weeks or even more, for planning, setup, and performing the experiment. So start early.

In addition to choosing a kids science kit, you will need to find research sources for background information and ideas. The Internet is an excellent starting point, but also visit your local library for more advanced details on your topic. You will need a lab notebook or research journal in which you write down all your observations. Remember, “If it isn’t in the notebook, it didn’t happen.” You will also need a detailed, written plan, including a supply list (this can be the first entry in your notebook).

Good preparation is the key to success. Do your research, gather your supplies, write your plans. And be sure to get people’s permission for everything (even if it’s just a minor bother, such as the fact that your radio will be going several additional hours per day longer than usual, while you test the effects of music on plant growth). With a good question, a simple approach, and thorough preparation, you are off to a great start turning your kids science kit into your first of many successful science fair projects.

By: Joe Kanooga

Science research » Simplicity

Science Project – The Rush For the Perfect Project

Keys to Great Science Fair Projects Using Kids Science Kit