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8 Parts of Science Fair Projects

How to Write Conclusions for Science Projects

Every science fair project can be broken into eight primary sections. When you present your project to a class or the judges of the science fair, you will need to ensure that each of the main eight elements is adequately represented on both your presentation board and your lab reports. Understanding how each of these elements is incorporated into the larger project is critical if you want to ensure science fair success.

Purpose Statement

The purpose statement helps readers understand what you planned to accomplish with your project. Explain the basic reasoning behind the project, why you found the project compelling, and how you think the results of your experiment will be beneficial. A purpose statement is best if left short and sweet; you will have plenty of opportunity to expand on its points in other sections of your project. Try to sum up your experiment in four sentences or less.

The hypothesis is your rough estimation of what you believe would happen in your experiment. The hypothesis must answer a specific question related to your project. For example, if you were trying to determine which bubble gum held its flavor the longest, your hypothesis would look something like “I predict that Bubbly Sue’s Bubble Gum will hold its flavor longer than any other.” Follow your hypothesis with a short sentence explaining why you believe your experiment will turn out that way.

Materials List

The materials list is relatively straightforward. You will simply need to make a list of everything you used to complete your experiment. Be sure to include specific amounts so another individual can repeat your experiment. You should also list any special equipment such as stopwatches, beakers, rulers or utensils used during the experiment. Readers of your experiment should be able to try it on their own using only your explanations and materials list.

Writing a procedure is necessary so you can perform each section of your experiment consistently. Also, much like the materials list, the procedure section helps another person carry out your experiment if desired. Number each step and write down everything you did over the course of the experiment in chronological order. If you tested the flavor of gum, your first step would be preparing several pieces of gum, the second would be chewing one piece and timing it and the third step would be recording how long the flavor lasted. Be as detailed as you can in your procedures.

Project Log

The project log is a detailed recording of exactly what you did while planning and executing your experiment. You should start each day by writing in your project log. First, note the time and date. Next, write a brief description of what you were doing. Continuing with the gum example, a sample project log entry might read, “Jan. 10, 2011, 12 p.m.: Gathered gum samples for project and worked out rough procedure overview for testing each piece.” Everything you do over the course of your experiment should be documented here.

Summary Research Report

The summary report is a multi-page research essay that takes everything you learned during your project and translates it into text form. You will need to address your hypothesis, what led you to come up with it, how you conducted your experiments and the results you saw at the end of the project. This should be formatted like a traditional essay, with an introduction, several body paragraphs packed with details, and a conclusion that ties everything together. You will also need a detailed bibliography.

In the results area of your science fair project, you explain what happened during the experiment. You should include what you thought might happen and what you wanted to prove, as well as what actually happened. Use as much data as you can from your investigations and document your findings with charts or graphs whenever possible. The results section of your project should clearly explain to viewers what you learned during your experiments and how that lined up with your hypothesis.

The conclusion is where you summarize everything you learned from the experiment and compare it to what you expected would happen. Start the conclusion by listing your hypothesis and what that hypothesis was based on. Explain whether the results held up your hypothesis or disproved it, and then extrapolate on these findings to form an idea of where you could take your experiment in the future. You can mention changes you would make if you were to try your project again.

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Transform Your Science Fair Project Presentation: Tips and Tools

Getting ready for a science fair can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You’ve done all the research, run the experiments, and gathered the data. Now comes the crucial part: presenting your project in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.

Here are some tips and tools to help you transform your science fair project presentation and impress your audience.

Understand Your Audience

Before you start putting together your presentation, it’s important to know who your audience is. Are they fellow students, teachers, scientists, or general visitors? Understanding your audience will help you tailor your presentation to their level of knowledge and interest.

For example, you might want to simplify complex scientific terms for younger students or dive deeper into the technical aspects for a more knowledgeable audience.

Create a Clear and Concise Title

Your project title is the first thing people will see, so make sure it’s clear and to the point. A good title should give a hint about your project and pique the interest of your audience. For example, “Investigating the Effects of Different Fertilizers on Plant Growth” is more informative than “Plant Growth Project.”

Organize Your Content

A well-organized presentation helps your audience follow along and understand your project. Divide your presentation into clear sections: Introduction, Hypothesis, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. This structure will ensure that you cover all necessary aspects of your project in a logical order.

Utilize Useful Tools

There are several tools that can help you create a polished and professional presentation. Here are a few recommendations:

• Canva : This online design tool is perfect for creating posters, infographics, and slides. It offers a wide range of templates and easy-to-use features, even if you’re not a design expert.
• Google Slides: This is a great tool for creating presentations. It’s easy to use and allows for collaboration if you’re working in a group.
• Smallpdf : If you have research papers or data in PDF format, you can use Smallpdf’s PDF to Word converter to easily edit and incorporate this information into your presentation. This tool can save you a lot of time and hassle.
• Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets: These tools are excellent for organizing data and creating graphs and charts.

Introduction

Start with a brief introduction that explains the background and significance of your project. Why did you choose this topic? What are you trying to find out? This section sets the stage for the rest of your presentation.

Clearly state your hypothesis. What do you expect to find out through your experiments? Make sure your hypothesis is specific and testable.

Materials and Methods

List all the materials you used and describe the methods you followed. Be detailed enough so that someone else could replicate your experiment. Including visuals like diagrams or photos of your experimental setup can be very helpful here.

Present your results using charts, graphs, and tables. Visual representations make it easier for your audience to understand your data. Make sure to explain what the data shows and highlight any significant findings.

In this section, interpret your results. Did your findings support your hypothesis? Discuss any patterns or trends you observed and consider possible explanations. Don’t be afraid to mention any anomalies or unexpected results – science is all about learning from what you find.

Summarize the key points of your project and suggest possible future research directions. What did you learn from your experiments? How could this knowledge be applied in real-world situations?

Use Visual Aids

Visual aids are an essential part of any science fair presentation. They can help clarify complex points, keep your audience engaged, and make your display more attractive. Here are some tips for using visual aids effectively:

• Posters and Display Boards: Use large, readable fonts and include plenty of images and diagrams. Organize your content logically, with each section clearly labeled.
• Graphs and Charts: These are great for presenting data. Use different colors to distinguish between datasets and make sure to label your axes and include a legend.
• PowerPoint Presentations: If you’re allowed to use a computer, a PowerPoint presentation can be a great way to organize and present your information. Include bullet points, images, and videos to make your slides more engaging.
• Models and Demonstrations: If possible, bring a model or a live demonstration to illustrate your project. This can be a great way to capture your audience’s attention and make your presentation more interactive.

Practice Your Presentation

Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to public speaking. Rehearse your presentation multiple times to get comfortable with the material and ensure it flows smoothly.

Start by practicing alone to familiarize yourself with the content. Then, move on to practicing in front of friends or family members. Their feedback can be invaluable, providing insights into how well you’re communicating your points.

Pay attention to your pacing – speak slowly enough to be understood but not so slowly that you lose your audience’s interest. Tone is equally important; vary it to emphasize key points and keep the audience engaged.

Be Prepared for Questions

At the end of your presentation, be prepared to answer questions from judges or audience members. This can be a bit intimidating, but it’s also a great opportunity to show your understanding of the topic.

Try and anticipate potential questions by thinking about the aspects of your project that might spark curiosity or require further explanation. Prepare answers for these questions in advance to feel more confident during the Q&A session.

When responding, listen carefully to each question and take a moment to gather your thoughts before answering. If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to admit it. Honesty is always the best policy. You can respond by saying you’re not sure but would be happy to look into it further.

Final Touches

Before the big day, make sure to do a final check of your presentation materials. Ensure that your posters are neat and free of spelling or grammatical errors. Double-check that all text is clear and legible from a distance. Any mistakes can distract from your content and undermine your credibility.

Test any digital presentations on the equipment you’ll be using to avoid technical difficulties. Make sure your laptop, projector, or any other tech tools are working correctly and that you know how to use them. If possible, have a backup plan in place in case something goes wrong, such as bringing printed copies of your slides.

Bring any necessary supplies, like extra batteries for your laptop or a backup copy of your presentation on a USB drive. Also, have any additional materials you might need for your presentation, such as a clicker for advancing slides, markers for your poster, or notes to refer to during your talk.

Stay Calm and Confident

Finally, stay calm and confident. You’ve put in a lot of hard work and effort into your project, and now is your time to shine. Take a deep breath before you begin, and remind yourself that you’re the expert on your topic. Confidence will not only help you feel better but also make your presentation more persuasive and engaging.

Remember to smile and make eye contact with your audience. This helps to build a connection and shows that you’re enthusiastic about your project. If you make a mistake, don’t panic. Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s how you recover that matters. Correct yourself if needed, and move on smoothly.

The Last Word

With these tips and tools, you’re well on your way to transforming your science fair project presentation into a captivating and professional display. Good luck!

Copyright @smorescience . All rights reserved. Do not copy, cite, publish, or distribute this content without permission.

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• Finish up your experiment, research, and other aspects of your project.
• Get the materials you’ll need for your display board.
• Start to imagine how you’ll organize your information.

• An introduction to your topic or the problem you’ve addressed.
• How the problem impacts the real world (such as how a better understanding of the issue can impact humans).
• Your hypothesis, or what you expected to learn about through your experiment.
• The research you did to learn more about your topic.
• The Materials that you used in your project.
• Each step of your experiment’s procedure.
• The results of your experiment.
• Your conclusion, including what you learned and whether your data supports your hypothesis.

• When writing your speech, try to keep it simple, and avoid using phrases that are more complicated than necessary. Try to tailor the presentation to your audience: will you be presenting to your class, judges, a higher grade than yours, or to an honors class?
• Writing out your presentation can also help you manage your time. For example, if you’re supposed to talk for less than five minutes, shoot for less than two pages.

• For example, if you've made a volcano, make sure you know the exact mix of chemicals that will create the eruption.

Creating Your Display Board

• When you purchase your board, you should also acquire other materials, like a glue stick, construction paper, a pencil, markers, and a ruler.

• Consider using the top left corner for your topic introduction, the section under that for your hypothesis, and the bottom left section to discuss your research.
• Use the top right corner to outline your experiment’s procedure. List your results underneath, and finally, put the section with your conclusion under the results.

• Be sure to use a dark font color that’s easy to see from a distance.
• You can also write everything out by hand. Draft your lettering in pencil before using a pen or marker, and use a ruler to make sure everything is straight.

• Before gluing anything, make sure you plan out each section’s position and are sure everything will fit without looking cluttered. Use rulers to make sure everything is positioned evenly.

• Consider including 1 slide for each section, like 1 for the title of your project, 1 for your hypothesis, and 1 that outlines each main point of your research. If a slide becomes too dense, break it down by concept.
• Limit the text to 1 line and include a visual aid, like an image or a graph, that demonstrates the concept or explains the data. [6] X Research source

Giving a Great Presentation

• Take the time to iron your clothes and tuck your shirt in to avoid looking sloppy.

• It’s a good idea to use the restroom before you have to present your project.

• It can be really hard to resist, but try to avoid saying “um” or “uh” during your presentation.
• Speaking when you have a dry mouth can be difficult, so it’s a good idea to keep a water bottle handy.

• Remember it’s better to be honest if you don't know how to answer a question instead of making something up. Ask the person who asked the question to repeat or rephrase it, or say something like, "That's certainly an area I can explore in more detail in the future."

Community Q&A

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• ↑ https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/teacher-resources/science-fair-projects/#sciencefairpresentation
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KVTLT6QeTE
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHXidlH-dBw
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3hT6Ocf39w
• ↑ https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/judging-tips-to-prepare-science-fair

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Science Projects > Science Fair Projects > Science Fair Guide  

Science Fair Guide

Wouldn’t it be great if someone walked you through science fair season, from planning to a presentation? Your very own, personal science fair guide. While we can’t physically join you, we can give you a free printable science fair guide to take along for every step of the way.

While science fair sometimes ends with relief, it always starts with curiosity:

I wonder why…

What would happen if…?

Such questions form the basis of scientific inquiry, and your kids probably ask them all the time! A science fair project lets kids act on questions and discover answers. As they formulate a question, develop a hypothesis, design an experiment, and analyze the results, kids gain valuable critical thinking skills. When they design a presentation and interact with judges, they grow in confidence and public speaking ability.

You might be thinking, “That sounds great…but where do we start?”

First, download our science fair overview and road map:

One science teacher and homeschool mom said this of our science fair guide:

“Thank you for the science fair guide. It is organized and informative. I appreciate that it gives a general summary and examples. As a teacher, I had more questions from parents concerning their child’s science fair project than from any other topic of the year. I plan to use this guide to help teach my children and others.” – Jill S., Ohio

Once you’ve reviewed the science fair guide, check out popular science projects, ideas, and supplies:

• See HST  Science Fair Ideas by Grade .
• Visit Science Buddies for more science fair resources.
• Shop Science Buddies Kits —exclusively at Home Science Tools.
• Call or email our customer service if you need any assistance.
• Learn how to use the Scientific Method with your project.
• Read six simple Science Fair Tips for students.

Did you get your free science fair guide yet? Don’t wait! You’ll get a complete overview of what you need to do to create a terrific science fair project! We’ve included topic and project ideas to get you started, plus important experiment steps and tips for arranging your science fair display and presenting it to the judges. The project ideas are divided by elementary, middle school, and high school level.

Download the Science Fair Guide now .

Now check out the awesome science fair kits here , as well as below.

View Chemistry Science Fair ideas and projects (10 projects) [bigpres skus=”SB-CNDYCHR,SB-FERROKT,SB-KTCALOR,SB-OJTITRA,KT-ISEURTO,KT-ISUSUBS,KT-ISELECH,KT-ISKITCH,” overlay=”no” animation=”fade” direction=”top” show_img=”yes” show_name=”yes” show_price=”no” show_arrow=”no” link_to=”product” per_row=”4″ size=”medium” type=”card” show_content=”no” /]

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Science Fair Project Ideas

• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Science fair is an opportunity for students of all ages to ask big questions, conduct meaningful research, and make exciting discoveries. Browse hundreds of science fair project ideas to find the ideal project according to grade level. 

Preschool Science Project Ideas

Preschool is not too early to introduce children to science! Most preschool science ideas aim to interest kids in exploring and asking questions about the world around them.

• Play with silly putty and examine its properties.
• Look at flowers. How many petals does each flower have? What parts do flowers share in common?
• Blow up balloons. What happens when you release an open balloon? What happens when you rub a balloon on your hair?
• Explore color with fingerpaints.
• Blow bubbles and look at how bubbles interact with each other.
• Make a telephone with cups or cans and some string.
• Have preschoolers categorize objects into groups. Discuss similarities and differences between objects.

Grade School Science Project Ideas

Students are introduced to the scientific method in grade school and learn how to propose a hypothesis . Grade school science projects tend to be quick to complete and should be fun for the student and the teacher or parent. Examples of suitable project ideas include:

• Determine whether insects are attracted to lights at night because of their heat or their light.
• Does the type of liquid (e.g., water, milk, cola) affect seed germination?
• Does the power setting of the microwave affect how many unpopped kernels are in popcorn?
• What happens if you pour a liquid other than water through a pitcher-type water filter?
• What type of bubble gum produces the biggest bubbles?

Middle School Science Fair Ideas

Middle school is where kids can truly shine at the science fair! Kids should try to come up with their own project ideas, based on topics that interest them. Parents and teachers may still need to help with posters and presentations, but middle school students should have control of the project. Examples of middle school science fair ideas include:

• Examine food labels. How does the nutritional data for different brands of the same food (e.g., microwave popcorn) compare?
• Is laundry detergent effective if you use less than the recommended amount?
• How permanent are permanent markers? Are there chemicals that will remove the ink?
• Can a saturated solution of salt still dissolve sugar?
• Do green bags really preserve food longer?
• Are goldfish water chemicals really necessary?
• What shape of ice cube melts the slowest?

High School Science Fair Ideas

High school science fair projects can be about more than a grade . Winning a high school science fair can net some nice cash prizes, scholarships, and college/career opportunities. While it's fine for an elementary or middle school project to take hours or a weekend to complete, most high school projects run longer. High school projects typically identify and solve problems, offer new models, or describe inventions. Here are some sample project ideas:

• Which natural mosquito repellents are most effective?
• Which home hair color holds its color through the most washings?
• Do people who play car racing video games have more speeding tickets?
• Which high school sport is associated with the most injuries?
• What percentage of left-handed people use a computer mouse with their left hand?
• What season is worst for allergies and why?

College Science Fair Ideas

Just as a good high school idea can pave the way for cash and college education, a good college project can open the door to graduate school and gainful employment. A college project is a professional-level project that shows you understand how to apply the scientific method to model a phenomenon or answer a significant question. The big focus on these projects is on originality, so while you might build on a project idea, don't just use one someone else has already done. It's fine to use an old project and come up with a new approach or different way of asking the question. Here are some starting points for your research:

• What plants can detoxify gray water flowing from a home?
• How could the timing of a traffic light be changed to improve intersection safety.
• Which home appliances use the most power? How could that energy be conserved?

This content is provided in partnership with National 4-H Council. 4-H science programs provide youth the opportunity to learn about STEM through fun, hands-on activities and projects. Learn more by visiting  their website.

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100+ Science Fair Project Ideas for Grades 2nd-8th

Even though science is meant to be exploratory and exciting, there is something about being judged at a science fair that strikes fear into the heart of students and parents alike.

Suddenly, what you do in science is *graded,* which means you can fail science?

Of course there is no such thing as a failed science experiment, but if your students or children are participating in a science fair this year, you’ll find this list of creative and easy science fair project ideas will help eliminate much of the stress surrounding science fair planning.

Easy and Fun Science Fair Project Ideas that Kids will Adore!

You don’t have to stress about attending the school science fair! These science fair project ideas will be adored by kids from age 7 through age 14.

Keep reading to learn more about science projects and how to ensure students are maximizing their science project potential.

What is a Science Fair Project?

A science fair is a longstanding tradition that many elementary, middle, and high schools have where students conduct scientific research and share their presentations before judging.

A science fair project should include all of the following elements before entering a science fair:

• Background research
• Bibliography and source list
• A question to answer and a hypothesis to test
• Experiment variables
• Data recording and analysis of the experiment
• Conclusion report
• Visual presentation

If your science fair project includes all of these elements, you are well on your way toward a winning science fair project idea!

What Do Kids Learn Doing Science Fairs?

Kids who do science projects report greater confidence and understanding of all scientific concepts, both in what they explored and the scientific process in general.

Learning to analyze and explore data helps children approach other tasks in a logical, straightforward process which helps improve study skills and communication skills.

One of the greatest values that science fair projects bring is the ability to identify problems and work toward a solution. That is an invaluable skill that kids can use throughout life.

Of course, kids learn the basics of whatever scientific concept they are learning, plus the scientific method, which involved:

• Analyzing and Recording Data

But more than that, kids also learn other valuable skills like:

• Presenting an idea
• Creating a presentation
• Organizing data
• Analyzing data
• Patience and orderliness
• Working with others
• Precision and care
• Adapting to changes
• Communication skills

These skills are important far beyond the classroom!

What You Need for a Science Fair

You’ll want to have these supplies on hand before doing your science fair project. Shop the included Amazon storefronts to make things easier and don’t forget to download the free science fair planning checklist before getting started!

Science Fair Project Planning

When you’re planning your project, you want to keep everything organized. Click the image below to get my free science fair project checklist so you can start organizing your project from the start.

You may also want to check out this list of science fair project research supplies.

Supplies for a Science Fair Project

There are so many supplies for science fair projects that are individual to each project, but if you want a general list of possible supplies and inspiration for your project, check out my selection of science fair experiment supplies on Amazon.

Supplies for a Science Fair Presentation

Your science fair presentation is important! It should look presentable and eye-catching. Check out this list of my favorite science fair presentation supplies.

Print a lot of papers? Get $10 your HP Instant Ink order when you use this link.

The Ultimate List of Easy Science Fair Project Ideas

These science fair project ideas are easy for kids of all ages and will provide a lot of value and interest at the school science fair.

We have science fair projects included by topic and by grade level so you can pick the right sort of projects for your class or child.

Science Fair Topics

Sometimes kids want to start with a topic and choose a science fair project from there! Here is a collection of fun science projects that include a variety of topics from colors to mold.

Here are some fun science projects for kids at home that would make a good addition to any science fair.

Of course every kid should try some of these classic science fair projects .

Now some schools are having STEM fairs in addition to or instead of science fairs, so these slime STEM fair projects would be perfect.

These slime science projects will capture the attention of any slime lover.

Try these science fair projects with LEGOs with kids who can’t get enough of LEGO.

Fun and tasty candy science fair projects will help even science haters enjoy the science fair.

Want more color in your science fair? Try these science experiments with food coloring !

Learn about the heart with these heart science projects .

Some kids can’t sit still, and these science fair projects for active kids are for them!

What kid wouldn’t have tons of fun doing marshmallow science fair projects ?

Children will love the variety of choices in this list of crystal science fair projects .

More Science Fair Experiment Ideas

You will love these other science experiment ideas!

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Science Fair Projects by Grade

Age-appropriate activities are a must for keeping children interested in science fairs. Take a look at the resources I’ve collected below that show science fair projects that are suitable for elementary kids and middle school kids!

If you are part of an elementary science fair, these elementary science fair project ideas will blow away the competition!

If you want to get seasonal, check out these Easter science projects for middle school.

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• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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Is This a Less Stressful Way To Do a Science Fair Board Project?

A new site offers ready-made templates to take some of the stress out of science fairs.

If you teach science, I am willing to bet you and your students have participated in your fair share of science fairs (see what I did there?). In my experience, these large scale projects can be stressful for students. They must decide upon a topic and investigate it, plan their experiment based on the scientific process, and execute their plan. All of that is arduous in and of itself, and that’s before putting all data together in an aesthetically pleasing way. This is where a handy website called My Science Boards comes in clutch to help students create better, easier science fair board projects. As a result, students and teachers (and likely parents, too) can enjoy the fact that the design part is a breeze.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

One less step to think about? Yes, please!

My Science Boards is a site that allows users to design and create easy science fair board projects for a tri-fold presentation board. Because students can digitally create a design exactly the way they want it, the final (and often frustrating) part of putting together a science fair presentation is made instantly easier.

The site offers three plans ranging from $19.99 to $34.99 (tri-fold boards not included), which allows the user to customize as much or as little as desired. My Science Boards offers black and white and full color text, layout selections, clipart, and backgrounds. The templates are very user-friendly and intuitive, removing the struggle of figuring out how to use a new site when all you really want to do is make your science fair board look nice.

Furthermore, you can preview and save your design as you go. After that, when you’re ready to purchase, add your design to the cart and My Science Boards will print your creation with the perfect proportions and ship it to your door. Finally, all that’s left to do is mount the designs to your tri-fold board, and voila! Ready to wow the crowd at the science fair.

8th Grade Example: Compare Electrolytes in Sports Drinks

Here is an example of an 8th grade science fair project  I made using the My Science Board Basic Layout. The text was easy to add and manipulate. Also, I liked that I could add and edit headings for each section. Here you can see the space provided for each heading along with the steps of the experiment itself.

Helpful Features: Middle align text, make text bigger or smaller, and pre-formatted boxes move with text.

7th Grade Example: Marvel at a Density Rainbow

For this one, still using the Basic Layout, I decided I wanted a larger picture and fewer boxes/headings. So, that’s exactly what I did. Also, I was able to delete boxes I didn’t need and enlarge ones I wanted to be more prominent. Notice the fancier text and lovely color for the headings.

Helpful Features: Easy to change font colors, colorful headings, and more formatting options.

Real-Life Example: “Happy Peas” Indeed

Take a look at this tidy and organized science experiment! Check out the properly aligned text, clear and bold headings, eye-catching background, and bright photos. All the hard work put into planning and conducting the experiment doesn’t have to extend to creating a visual display!

Helpful Features: Colorful background and full color photos.

Is it worth it?

Without a doubt, conducting a scientific experiment is tough enough without the stress of making everything look nice. My Science Boards allows you to type, print, and glue your way to a fast, organized, and aesthetically pleasing science fair presentation. It doesn’t have to be expensive; choose the layout that fits your needs. Above all, the science fair doesn’t have to be stressful anymore!

How can My Science Boards help your next science event go more smoothly? Share in the comments below!

Want more articles and tips from me subscribe to the middle & high school math newsletter here ., looking for science fair and lab ideas check out “40 best science experiments high school labs and science fairs” ..

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25 Science Projects Ideas From Easy to Hard

By Alex Yang

Graduate student at Southern Methodist University

14 minute read

Science fairs can be invaluable experiences that help you explore a specific topic and also teach you the principles of scientific discovery. Science experiments also offer opportunities for you to showcase your creativity and can be a great springboard to further academic or career pursuits in STEM. An added bonus is that you usually have a finished product that you can proudly showcase to others and put on your resume.

However, it’s easy to get stuck on what science fair project to do as there are so many ideas to choose from. In this article we’ll go over 25 science fair project ideas that can hopefully provide some inspiration and also don’t require fancy or expensive materials. Want even more inspiration, explore our Project Ideas Generator and find the project idea perfect for you.

1. How Different Types of Light Affect Vitamin C Content in Fruits

This easy science fair project involves studying how different light sources affect the vitamin C content of fruits. You can expose samples of different fruits to varied light conditions, including natural sunlight, LED, and fluorescent light. Then, using some potassium iodide and a sheet of watercolor paper, you can measure the vitamin C content of the fruits. Here’s an article and video to help you with the vitamin C test .

Difficulty: Easy

Topic: Chemistry

Materials Needed: Fruits, light sources, ​​3% aque­ous so­lu­tion of io­dine in potas­si­um io­dide, a sheet of wa­ter­col­or pa­per, a cot­ton ball, a dis­pos­able plas­tic cup.

2. The Effects of Exercise on Heart Rate

This project investigates how different types of exercise impact heart rate. By measuring heart rate before, during, and after activities such as running, cycling, and jumping jacks, you can analyze how the heart and body respond to exercise and which movements push your heart rate the most. You can then do further research into the health sciences behind why certain exercises lead to a higher heart rate than others.

Topic: Kinesiology

Materials Needed: Stopwatch, heart rate monitor, or pulse oximeter if you have one (if not, you can just count your heartbeats)

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3. The Aerodynamics of Paper Airplanes

Learn about aerodynamic principles by observing the flight of paper airplanes. By constructing paper airplanes with different designs, including variations in wing shape, size, and folding techniques, you can analyze their flight performance and see what design flies the farthest or is airborne for the longest. After testing, you can explore further by presenting why the top design did well based on the science concept of aerodynamics, and how you would make the design even better.

Topics: Aerodynamics, Physics

Materials Needed: Paper, ruler, tape, stopwatch.

4. How Sleep Impacts Academic Performance

You can use yourself or your friends as test subjects for this experiment, where you analyze the correlation between sleep duration and academic performance. You can collect sleep data through your phone or a smart watch, and then have all test subjects take a test the next morning, and to repeat that for several days potentially. What’s important for this kind of project idea is that there are many other factors that could potentially impact test performance besides sleep, so in your experimental design you’ll have to use critical thinking to control other variables without jeopardizing the scientific method.

Difficulty: Medium

Topics: Psychology, neuroscience

Materials Needed: Phone or smartwatch, tests that you can give to subjects

5. How Urban Green Spaces Impact Mental Well-being

Conduct surveys or interviews in a city near you to assess the perceived benefits of urban green spaces (parks, gardens, etc.) on residents' mental health and well-being. Try to gain an understanding for why these spaces matter and how residents view them. How do parks and gardens impact the day to day life of city dwellers?

Topics: Psychology, urban planning

Materials Needed: Phone to record interviews

6. Design Your Own Hydroponic System

Construct a homemade hydroponic system using recycled materials and test its effectiveness. Hydroponics is soilless gardening that can be done either indoors or outdoors. Once you’ve made your hydroponic system you can then compare the growth rates and yields of the plants with traditional soil-based cultivation methods. Here’s an article on how to build a simple hydroponic , but we encourage you to also do your own earth science research while building!

Difficulty: Hard

Topics: Biology

Materials Needed: Recycled materials, twine, soda bottle, other inexpensive materials

7. Mindfulness to Reduce Smartphone Addiction

Investigate whether mindfulness exercises such as meditation can help reduce smartphone addiction. You can choose to focus on a particular mindfulness exercise and/or participant demographic. You can then lead these mindfulness exercises for participants and also measure participants' smartphone usage over a certain period of time. There are a ton of different choices you can make in terms of testing your hypothesis, so feel free to be creative with it!

Topics: Psychology

Materials Needed: Smartphones

8. Memory Enhancement Techniques

Compare the effectiveness of various memory enhancement techniques. You can start by researching popular techniques such as mnemonics, spaced repetition, and mind mapping so that you develop an understanding of how these techniques work. Then you can begin experimenting by gathering a group of subjects and creating a memory test. Remember to control other variables that could impact your data and carefully think through your experimental design to ensure it follows the scientific method.

Materials Needed: None

9. Build a Model Roller Coaster

If you’re a big fan of amusement parks this could be a great idea for you. Design and construct a model roller coaster using different materials like cardboard, foam tubes, and marbles. You can experiment with factors like height and angles to see what creates the most velocity for the coaster. Be sure to document how specific changes in factors affect the outcome of the roller coaster ride!

Topics: Physics

Materials Needed: Cardboard, foam tubes, marbles

10. Build a Model Suspension Bridge

Start out by sketching your bridge design on paper and looking up images of real suspension bridges for inspiration. From there you can begin to use your popsicle sticks and glue to construct the bridge. If you’re a bit stuck on how to prepare and construct the bridge, check out this Youtube video on how to build a suspension bridge . Once you’re done building your bridge you can then begin to test its stability and how it holds under pressure!

Materials Needed: Popsicle sticks or craft sticks (for the bridge deck and towers), string or thin wire (for the suspension cables), glue (such as wood glue or hot glue) scissors or craft knife, ruler or measuring tape, cardboard or sturdy base for the bridge foundation (optional)

11. Build a Wind Turbine to Generate Electricity

Through this engineering project you’ll gain hands-on experience with learning about renewable energy. You’ll start out by designing the turbine blades and frame, then install the generator and wire the generator. Once you’ve built your wind turbine you’ll want to test it in an environment with sufficient wind speed and observe how much electricity you’re able to generate! You can also experiment with the shape of the frame and blades to see if that changes the electrical output.

Topics: Physics, engineering, renewable energy

Materials Needed: PVC pipes or wooden dowels (for the turbine blades), DC motor or small generator, magnets, copper wire, bearings or bushings, PVC fittings or other materials for constructing the turbine, wire connectors, multimeter (for measuring voltage and current)

12. Analyzing Different Water Purification Methods

What would be the safest way to purify water if you were out in the wild? Evaluate the effectiveness of different water purification methods (filtration, boiling, chemical treatment, etc.) and discover which method performs the best. To test the initial quality of the water samples, use pH strips to find the initial pH of the water. Then perform the water purification method and measure the pH after to see if there’s a considerable change.

Topics: Chemistry

Materials Needed: Water source, containers to hold water, filtration materials like coffee filters, boiling apparatus, pH test strips

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Interested in Environmental Science? We'll match you with an expert mentor who will help you explore your next project.

13. How Soil Moisture Affects Plant Growth

Experiment with soil moisture levels to see how it affects the growth and development of plants. An easy way to do this would be to buy a lot of the same plant and grow them all at the same time but vary the soil moisture for each plant. You can decide the increments for how much you want to vary the soil by and from there measure plant growth to see if you can find a correlation. This is also a great idea to apply statistical analysis of your data.

Materials Needed: Plants, soil, water

14. The Impact of Light Pollution on Nocturnal Insect Populations

In this project you can first explore the concept of light pollution and what its effects are. From there you can research nocturnal insects and learn about their behaviors. The second part of the project involves conducting an experiment to see how nocturnal insect populations vary based on artificial light intensity. You can go to several different locations that have different artificial light intensities to see whether certain locations have a greater abundance of insects or a greater diversity. Keep in mind the tricky part of this experiment is how to collect the insects - there are various methods such as light traps or sticky traps that you can try.

Topics: Biology, zoology

15. Build a Solar Oven

Construct a solar oven using reflective materials such as aluminum foil. You can explore this article that explains step by step how to build the oven, but the basic idea is that you want to line the inner flap with aluminum foil so that the sun's rays reflect off of it and also create a small opening so that sunlight can come through. You can try heating up food in the middle of the day when the sun is directly overhead to see what happens!

Topics: Chemistry, Food Science

Materials Needed: Reflective material like aluminum foil, insulation (foam board, newspapers), heat-absorbing container, thermometer, food items for cooking.

16. How Temperature Affects Battery Performance

Explore how temperature affects the voltage output and lifespan of batteries. Select a variety of different batteries and expose them to different temperature conditions. You can also vary the length of time that the batteries are left in a given temperature. After, use a voltage meter to measure the output of the batteries. How does temperature impact the voltage output?

Topics: Electrochemistry, energy storage

Materials Needed: Multiple types of batteries, thermometer or temperature sensor, voltage meter or multimeter.

17. Testing the Strength of Different Types of Paper

Compare the strength of various types of paper (printer paper, construction paper, tissue paper). To do this you can either measure the force required to tear each type of paper ( tensile strength ) or just observe how difficult it is to tear. Record observations and also analyze the different materials used in each type of paper to hypothesize why the paper might be difficult or easy to tear.

Materials Needed: Different types of paper, ruler or measuring tape, weights or force gauge, clamps or clips.

18. Pendulums

In this easy science fair project, construct your own basic pendulum with string and a weight, and see how the length of a pendulum affects its period (the time it takes to complete one full swing). You can also conduct trials where pendulums of varying lengths are released from the same angle, or vary the angle from which the pendulum is released.

Materials Needed: Pendulum apparatus (can be as simple as a string and weight), stopwatch or timer, protractor for measuring angles.

19. DIY Catapults

In this project you’ll explore the principles of projectile motion and trajectory. Build a simple catapult or trebuchet and investigate how launch angle and projectile mass affect the trajectory of a launched object. If you want to take the project a step further and add a history component to it, explore a few various catapults that were used in ancient or medieval times and observe the differences in their launch angles and typical projectile masses. Were these catapults effective?

Materials Needed: Catapult or trebuchet construction materials (wood, rubber bands, etc.), objects that the catapult can launch, measuring tape or ruler.

20. Friction

Explore the concept of friction by pulling objects across different surfaces and measuring the frictional force. You can investigate how different surface textures impact how easy it is to pull the object across the surface. To take the science fair experiment to the next level you can share your findings about one real world application where the concept of friction is very important (think things like sports or transportation).

Materials Needed: Objects of different weights, various surfaces (e.g., wood, metal, sandpaper), force sensor or spring scale, ruler

21. Studying the Effects of Music on Stress Reduction

We all have our playlists or songs that help us relax, but how can we actually confirm that music actually plays a role in reducing stress? In this project you can conduct experiments where participants listen to different types of music (e.g., classical, jazz, nature sounds) and their physiological stress responses (e.g., heart rate, cortisol levels) are measured before and after listening to the music. Before conducting the experiment see if you can do some preliminary research on the topic and what other experiments have been done.

Materials Needed: A device to play, physiological monitoring equipment, stress assessment scales.

22. Ocean Acidification and Coral Bleaching

Study how ocean acidification, driven by increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, impacts coral reef ecosystems. You can also look into coral bleaching and learn how it’s also related to ocean acidification. This science activity can be a bit more focused on research rather than actual experimentation, but if you’d like to develop a model to demonstrate ocean acidification and see how carbon dioxide affects water we encourage you to do that as well.

Topic: Chemistry, marine biology

Materials Needed: Cups, water, acid base indicator, baking soda, vinegar

23. Studying the Effects of Deforestation on Local Climate Patterns

Learn how deforestation affects regional climate conditions such as temperature, precipitation, and humidity. Specifically, you can analyze satellite imagery to assess changes in land cover in deforested areas over time. To get you started, check out this article on how scientists have been tracking deforestation in the Amazon for decades .

Topic: Climate, environmental science

Materials Needed: Satellite imagery or aerial photographs

24. Investigating Sinkholes

Sinkholes may seem like a chaotic once in a lifetime phenomenon but there are actually geological processes involved in the formation of sinkholes. Explore these processes and their potential hazards to human settlements. To learn further you can research specific areas that are known to have a lot of sinkholes and try to understand why this occurs from a geological perspective.

Topic: Geology

25. How Color Affects Mood and Emotion Description

Explore whether different colors influence people's mood and emotional state. You can design experiments where participants are exposed to different colors through images or objects and their mood responses are measured with self-reported scales or surveys. Analyze data and see if you can find any patterns. The more subjects you have in your experiment the better!

Topic: Psychology

Materials Needed: Images or objects that show mainly one color

How to Showcase Your Science Fair Project

Once you’ve completed your science fair project you can obviously present it at your local or school science fair, but we highly encourage you to also enter your project and findings for a bigger competition. There are so many great regional and national competitions where you can submit your work, and we’ve compiled the ultimate guide below based on science topic. Keep in mind that many of these competitions have very specific submission guidelines, so you might have to adjust the format of your project slightly to fit the rules

Top 8 Neuroscience Competitions for High School and Middle School Students

Top 9 Physics Competitions for High School Students

The 10 Best Chemistry Competitions for High School Students

10 Best Engineering Competitions for High School Students

Top Psychology Competitions For High School and Middle School Students

Still Stuck On What Idea to Choose?

Work with a Polygence research program mentor who can help you brainstorm the right idea for you. From there they can help you with executing your project and making sure you’re on track to finish by your deadline. If you’re interested, apply for our flagship mentorship program !

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30+ Science Fair Projects That Will Wow The Crowd

February 20, 2022 by Ana Dziengel Leave a Comment

Are your children signing up for the science fair this year? Have you begun the arduous task of looking for  science fair projects  that might pique your child’s interest? Or do you have a child who already has ten ideas they have been dying to try?

The science fair is a great school tradition and a memorable experience for many children (I still remember the life size plaster penguin I made in 5th grade), and if your school doesn’t conduct one, consider starting it!

This year if you are on the lookout for science fair projects I challenge you to think beyond the vinegar volcano (we have “Volcano Alley” at our school because there are so many volcano projects every year). I know, vinegar volcanoes are like a rite of childhood passage, but there are so many other amazing science ideas out there! I have compiled a list of 30+ science fair projects for kids based on their grade level below. Before we get started I wanted to share some tips for getting the most out of the science fair.

This post contains affiliate links.

Science Fair Tips

• Don’t do the project for your child! This is my number one tip. Many parents have a tendency to jump in and make children’s work “more presentable” or to assist their child so much in the project that it’s hard to know who actually did it. Listen I get it, science is fun and you want your child to have a wonderful presentation…but that’s not really what the science fair is about. It’s about your child learning how to do scientific research and present their findings in their own way. Think of yourself as a helpful guide NOT an assistant, and definitely not the boss.
• Choose something age  appropriate  When your child is choosing the science fair idea they want to try, make sure it’s age appropriate. Sure we’d all love to make a working robot but there’s nothing more frustrating than trying a project that may be too advanced for the skills of your child. And that’s when a lot of parents resort to doing the project instead. Not a good solution. So make sure your child is capable of completing the steps them self.
• Make a list of three ideas Have your child select three science fair project ideas and then go over the choices with them. Make sure they understand the steps involved in each project and wether or not they feel comfortable in executing those steps on their own with your guidance.
• Follow your child’s interests Encourage your children to explore some ideas based on interests they already have. Here’s a list of science books with projects based on things your child already loves!
• STEAM it up! STEAM projects rock the science fair!!! A great way to get kids to become more familiar with STEAM concepts it to pick science projects that crossover into art, math, engineering and more!  Two STEAM books to consider are  STEAM Kids Play and Learn (my book!) and   STEAM Kids ebook.  Both books will get you started with some great ideas!
• Read our Science Fair Mini Guide I created this mini guide to walk kids  through all the steps for completing their science fair project. You can check out the full guide here: 

Speak like a scientist! Science Vocabulary to use in your presentation

We’re almost ready to get to the projects! Before we begin, let’s review some science terms. In fact, using these terms in your science fair presentation will be sure to impress your friends and adults!

• When you watch, see, or notice something you are making an observation
• When you ask who, what, when, where, why, or how, you are forming a question  
• When you read a book or an article about your observation, you are doing research
• When you make a guess based on your observation, question, and research, you are forming a hypothesis
• When you test your hypothesis, you are conducting an experiment
• When you change one factor in your experiment at a time while keeping everything else the same, you are changing a variable
• When you take notes in your journal and write down what you see happening in your experiment, you are logging data  
• When you examine, or look at, your data, you are analyzing it
• When you are able answer your question, you are coming to a conclusion

30+ Science Fair Projects for Kids 

Now let’s get on with the science fair projects! I have organized the projects by age/grade level. Click the titles to be taken to the project instructions, unless the instructions follow below.

If you’d rather have the science fair projects list organized by subject you can download our hyperlinked PDF by subscribing to our email list here .

Kindergarten-1st Grade Science Fair Projects

1.  lemon volcano.

Skip the vinegar volcano and try lemon juice! Kids will learn about the chemical reaction between citric acid and baking soda.

2. DIY Bouncy Balls

Learn about polymers while making a DIY toy!  This variation on slime uses a few simple ingredients. <span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>

3. Shiny Pennies

A classic experiment that kids love is Shiny Pennies . Collect dirty tarnished pennies and have kids soak them for a minimum of 5 minutes in different acidic liquids. We used vinegar, salsa, lime juice, and lemon juice.  After soaking, remove them from the solution and rinse in soapy water then compare which ones are shiniest. Take notes on which acid worked best to shine the pennies. Variation: Don’t rinse all the pennies after removing them from the different liquids. Can you see a difference in the rinsed vs. non-rinsed pennies? Leave them overnight and see if any of the copper oxidizes (turns green) on the non-rinsed pennies.

pictured above: Regrowing vegetable scraps, DIY Stethoscope, Simple Circuit

4.  Regrow Vegetable Scraps

Did you know you can start an entire garden from vegetable scraps? It works indoors too!

5.  DIY Stethoscope

Make your own stethoscope from a few hardware store parts.

6.  Simple Circuit

For all tech centered kids: Learn how to make a very simple circuit from easy to find items.

pictured above: Chromatography Butterflies, Rainbow Rubber Eggs, Exploring Density with Salt

7. Chromatography 3 Ways

Chromatography is the process of separating mixtures, in this case we will be separating ink into different colors.

• How to do the Classic Chromatography Project The simplest kids chromatography project using paper towels
• Chromatography Art Turn chromatography strips into a woven paper art project!
• Chromatography Butterflies Learn how to separate colors and create a sweet science based craft!

8. Exploring Density with Salt

Why don’t oil and water mix? Find out with this density experiment inspired by Lava Lamps!

9. Rainbow Rubber Eggs

Rubber eggs are another classic science project that kids love. And it’s so easy! I mean does dropping an egg in vinegar and coming back in a few days sound do-able?

2nd-4th grade Science Fair Projects

10. magic rollback can.

You just can’t get rid of this physics project! This project explores the difference between potential and kinetic energy. <span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>

pictured above: Bleeding Blossoms, Teleidoscopes, Density Tower

11. Absorption 2 Ways

• Bleeding Blossoms Explore capillary action and absorption in this science meets art project.
• Magical Water Blossoms Make beautiful blossoming paper flowers with the help of absorption. This project has a simple wow moment that everyone enjoys watching.

12.  Teleidoscopes

A teleidoscope is a kaliedoscpe without an end. This means you can use it to view anything and everything. Look through one of these and you will be amazed!

13. Density Towers 2 Ways:

Yes, you can layer liquids on top of each other without them mixing! This is a classic project and kids can customize the liquids they choose to layer.

• Simple Layered Liquids Learn how to make a simple density tower out of kitchen ingredients and then turn it into a lava lamp!
• Glowing Density Tower This density tower has a bonus science surprise: it glows under UV light!

14.  Magnet Magic

Make a simple hanging magnet structure and explore the magic of magnetism.

pictured above: Chromatography Art, Dry Erase Figure, Overnight Crystals

15. Make a Lemon Battery and a Lime Light

Did you know that a chemical reaction can generate electricity?

16.  Electric Playdough

AKA Squishy Circuits, this project will demonstrate that salt and water conduct electricity!

17. Simple Sound Science

Explore the science of sound with these 4 experiments, then use your knowledge to make your own DIY instrument!

pictured above: Magnetic Sensory Bottle, Magical Plastic Bag, Cartesian Divers

18.  Magnetic Field Sensory Bottle

This will surely be a hit at the Science Fair! Watch metal particles dance and move under the influence of powerful magnets!

19.  Magical Plastic Bag Experiment

It’s not magic, it’s polymers! This easy science fair project uses a minimum of materials but demonstrates how everyday polymers work.

20.  Cartesian Divers

A classic science experiment exploring buoyancy. Make “diver” swim up and down in a bottle using science.

21. Water Drop Microscope

Did you know you can make simple microscope from a plastic bottle and water? This project teaches kids to turn trash into a science tool!

22. Spinning Tops

Learn about centrifugal force and friction with one of these three spinning tops ideas!

• Spin Art Tops
• Spin-finite Tops
• Perler Bead Tops

23. Kinetic Sculpture

Make you own moving sculpture while learning about cams and gears!

<span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>

Science Fair Projects for 5th Grade and up

pictured above: Crystal landscapes, Tiny Dancers, Coffee Can Camera Obscura

24. Crystals 3 Ways:

• Overnight Crystals Grow Epsom salt crystals overnight in your refrigerator.
• Crystal Wind Catchers Borax crystals are SUPER easy to grow! Turn them into a lovely dangling wind catcher.
• Crystal Landscapes A more advanced crystal growing experiment using bluing and salt but WOW, these are gorgeous!

25.  Tiny Dancers

These are actually a very simple motor! Kids will learn about electromagnetism by building this motor that can “dance.”

26.  Coffee Can Camera Obscura

Make a simple camera obscura out of an old coffee can.

pictured above: Heat Sensitive Slime, Levitating Pen

27. Heat Sensitive Slime

Click your slime chemistry up a notch by adding in thermochromic paint!

28.  Levitating Pen

Make a pen appear to levitate using a magnet!

29.  Newton’s Cradle

Featured on Dude Perfect! I made one of these for the science fair back in the 1980’s…This science “toy” is mesmerizing for kids and adults alike!

pictured above: Electromagnetic Train, Fake Lung, Articulated Hand

30.  Electromagnetic Train

Incredible display of electricity and magnetism!

31.  Fake Lung

For kids interested in life science and biology, make a model of how our lungs work for the science fair.

32.  Articulated Hand

Another one for biology oriented kids, explore how our joints move by creating an articulated hand.

33. Salty Circuits

In this simple circuit project, kids will create an electrical circuit using salt to conduct electricity and power a light emitting diode (LED).

Are you ready for the science fair?

Whether your child has never participated in the science fair or is an old pro, I hope the science fair projects here will inspire them to have fun, explore science, and get creative the same time.

And if you still need MORE ideas I also have a giant list of chemistry projects for kids that would make amazing science fair starter projects!

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Science fair display boards and reports by Science Made Simple

Presenting your science project results.

This is it - the big day is finally here! Everyone will be looking at your science fair display board, reading your report, and listening to your presentation. How do you show off your work in the best possible way?

Everything you've done must be summarized here. This is your chance to show the world what you've learned from your experiment. Your science fair display and report are the ways the judges will remember your project when they make their decision. While it's very important that your scientific work was accurate, that's not everything....

Science Fair Display Boards

So how should you present your project?

Let's look at the basics. Your display should consist of a back board, sometimes sold specifically as a science fair display board ( Get it Here ), a project report, graphs and charts, and some representation of your experiment.

Of course it would be great if you could also bring your experiment into the fair, but if it's too big, or if it was strictly observational, consider bringing in photographs or a part of the experimental apparatus. Some people even bring in a small television or laptop and show a video presentation of their project.

Whatever methods you choose, your presentation has to represent your project in such a way that it holds the interest of the judges--so be creative, but keep it simple.

The size and shape of science fair display boards can vary, so be sure to check the rules. Common maximum sizes are 48 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 108 inches from the floor. Generally speaking, no matter the size, a traditional display board is divided into three sections: the main center section, and two "wings" which are folded toward the front. They can be made from scratch from heavy cardboard or wood, or can be ordered inexpensively over the internet.

Now, think about the things you'll want to attach to the science fair display board. Some competitions, and most teachers, have rules or guidelines for what should be included. These might include cut-out lines of text which detail your original question (which will be your project topic), your hypothesis, results, conclusions, and other information including charts and graphs.

The title of your project should always go on the center panel at the top of your display board. It must be large enough so that people can see it from about three feet away. The other pieces of text can be smaller, and should be placed in a logical order. In other words, let the judges read your hypothesis before they read your conclusions.

Several years ago, it was common to use stenciled or cut-out letters. Now that most students have access to computers and printers, it is more common for these lines of text to be printed in large letters. There is no rule about this, but be aware that looks do matter. A word printed on a laser printer looks a lot better than one drawn and colored with a marker.

It's very important that your science fair display board will be something the judges will remember in a good way, and not just because it used bright colors and big letters. You want it to be well-organized and uncluttered so the judges aren't distracted. Make it look professional, and the judges will treat your project professionally.

Science Fair Report & Presentation

Your teacher may require an in-class report and presentation of your science project. Or it could just be for the judges at the competition. Either way, you will probably have to give an oral presentation discussing your experiment and results. There may or may not be a time limit, but it's always helpful to keep your presentation short and to-the-point. Be sure that your report touches on all of the elements of your project, including but not limited to the points of the Scientific Method.

Be sure to practice, preferably in front of an audience. Giving an oral presentation and talking to the judges, who may be teachers or professionals you've never met before, is often the hardest part for many students. Practice will give you the confidence you need to sound like an authority in your area of research, and that's something that the judges like to hear.

Points are awarded for your ability to discuss the project clearly, explaining each stage of your research and every step of your experiment. The judges will ask you questions, so practice will really help. Have someone you know ask you questions about your project. It might make you think about things that you haven't considered before.

Important Tips

NEVER make up answers to difficult questions. Instead of admitting that you don't know, tell the judges that you didn't discover the answer to that question during your research, and then present other, relevant information.

It may not seem right, but your appearance may affect how the judges view you. A professional appearance will reflect well on you and your project. You are not only trying to look professional yourself, but also to make your project look like the result of thoughtful, mature, and professional scientific research.

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Science Fairs

• Intro to Science Fair PRojects
• Project Ideas
• Types of Projects
• Pick a Topic
• Scientific Method
• Design Your Experiment
• Present Project - Display Board
• What Judges Want
• Parent Info

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