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A Guide to Science Fair Projects

Looking for Ideas?

by Sheldon Greaves

It's that time again. Time to start thinking about a science project for school or the local science fair. The question is, what are you going to do? You need a good idea.

Actually you don't need an idea. You need a question. Science is the business of seeking answers to questions. Once you realize this, finding a good project becomes easier. Well, sort of.

Looking for questions to ask about nature is a skill. It takes a little practice to get into the habit. In school most of the emphasis is on answering other people's questions, so students don't always get enough practice in forming their own. But it is a skill well worth developing.

Start by focusing on those things that interest you already or are close at hand. Take a walk and look at things; buildings, trees, animals, people. Whenever you look at something, try to ask yourself a question about it. "Why is it built that way?" "What is it doing?" "How does that work?" "Why does something move the way it does?" "How did it get that way?" "What would happen if I did this to it?" Make a list of those questions you come up with that seem particularly interesting.

Another exercise is to go into a bookstore or your local public library and browse the shelves. Go to the science section and look at titles. Write down a list of titles that you find interesting. When you're done, look at your list. Are there any subjects that dominate your list? If so, start looking at those subjects for possible questions to answer.

Your town may be lucky enough to have a science museum nearby. If you have a college or university, check to see if they have science-related programs open to the public. As with the library, go and browse. See what you find interesting. Ask questions, and add those questions to your list.

Do the same if you watch the news. Check out news magazines and especially magazines that deal with science and technology. Finally, do you know anyone who works in science? Maybe a friend of the family or a relative? Don't ask them, "I need a science project. Can you help me?" Instead, ask them about what they do and the kinds of problems they work on. Remember, you're looking for questions. If your conversations result in some interesting questions, add them to your list.

By now, hopefully, you have a list of questions about the world around you. Sit down with your list and go through it. As you come to each question, ask yourself if this is a question you can answer with a doable science project. Skip those questions that are impractical. In other words, they can only be answered if you have access to expensive equipment that you can't build yourself, or would take more time than you have. Whittle your list down to two or three qustions.

Finally, take your list to your teacher or advisor and ask their opinion. Of course, if you find a question that really grabs you and looks feasible, don't delay. Talk to your teacher about it and if they like it, get started!