Preparing for Experimentation

Step 1 - Exploring & Choosing A Topic

1. Start by listing topics you are interested in. 
2. For each topic area, list questions that you think might be interesting to answer. 
1. Try to make the question as specific as possible.
2. The best science fair projects require an experiment.  Projects that show how something works do not make good projects.  Showing how an electromagnet works is not as good as seeing how changing the number of coils wrapped around the core affects the strength of an electromagnet.
3. Models (of the solar system, a volcano, etc.) are not experiments, and therefore do not make good projects.
4. If you need ideas here are some websites to check for some ideas.  Be sure to make the topic your own, not just what someone else has done.

2.      http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/  click on "Browse"

1. Research questions may take one of the following forms:
1. What is the effect of _____________ on ____________?  (Ex:  What is the effect of detergent on germination of seeds?)
2. How (or to what extent) does _________ affect _____________?  (Ex:  How does the color of material affect the absorption of heat?)
3. Which (what) ____________ (verb) ________?  (Ex:  Which detergent makes the most bubbles?)
2. Research what is known and what has been done on these topics. 
3. In light of your research revise your list of questions.  If a question has been researched before try to come up with a new and different approach, alter what you test or under what conditions you will test it.
4. Finally choose a question that can be answered by doing an experiment.  Consider these questions before selecting the question:

a.       Will it be interesting and safe?

b.      Can I get the necessary equipment or materials to do it?

c.       Will I have enough time to complete it?