Archive for the ‘Science Projects & Experiments’ Category

How to Choose the Right Type of Science Fair Project

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

Science fair projects can be the most memorable part of your science class, giving you an opportunity to show your abilities and creativity. Many students find that getting started is one of the hardest parts of the project. Before you can plan your project, and even before you pick a topic, you must first understand the different types of science fair projects. Take the time to choose the right type of science fair project, so that your time and effort are not wasted doing the wrong things.

There are three basic types of science fair projects: models, demonstrations, or investigations. When picking among them, there are two things to consider. First, it’s important to check with your teacher to find out what type of project is required. Second, if you get to choose which type of project to do, pick the kind you find most interesting.

The Model Building Method

The model building method is the kind of project which, as the name implies, enables you to construct a model, to scale whenever possible, to illustrate a specific scientific principle. This can often be a real working machine, such as a simple crystal radio set, or a straightforward model, such as one of the solar system. A common model is that of an erupting volcano, where vinegar and baking soda react to create ‘lava’ flowing down the sides of a ‘mountain’. Even though models can be fun, and even exciting, they are usually appropriate only for elementary school, because they do not involve any experimentation or scientific exploration. Some students do create unusual or dramatic models, which can be used demonstrate new ideas.

The Demonstration

The demonstration or descriptive method of research is again fairly self-explanatory. Here, you might display a collection of objects or interesting artifacts (for example, your rock collection) connected with a topic (geology) and describe them in detail on your display board, or in your report or speech. As an alternative, you could use a visual project display board to describe the research you performed. These kinds of projects are simply an illustration or explanation of known scientific principles.

The Scientific Experiment (Investigation)

It is with the third of the possible methods that you can provide what most science fairs for older students are looking for - proper scientific experiments using scientific methods to construct and test a hypothesis and draw conclusions from it. If you are interested in a science career, or would like to move on the regional or national science fair, then you should be looking into this area. And the choice of science fair project topics is limitless. Biology, chemistry and physics projects are common, but if your interest lies elsewhere, consider geology, environment, meteorology, or even sports science. Develop a hypothesis around your interest, and then find a method of testing it. There are many different books and web sites from which you can obtain ideas, but remember, the more individual and unique your project, the better your chances of winning.

Remember, it is important to keep your teacher informed about your progress, and confirm that you know the rules and requirements for your science fair. Then, no matter which type of project you choose to do, you can enjoy the experience, confident that you have chosen well!

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Backyard Science Fun

Sunday, May 10th, 2009

Your yard and neighborhood provide many wonderful opportunities for kids to both play and learn.  In addition to swimming and other outdoor sports, your child can also use your backyard for science projects. If you are interested in helping them achieve this, you may want to familiarize yourself with some popular backyard activities, especially those that have a focus on nature and science.

Exploring the outdoors is not only a fun activity, but it can also provide many educational science experiments.Whether you live in a rural, suburban, or even urban area, there are a surprisingly large number of different plants and animals to be found in you yard.Kids naturally enjoy nature, and you can encourage them with your help. This is particularly true with toddlers and elementary school aged children. Your kids may need your help, so pick things you are also interested in.

One way for children to learn science is by examining the local plants. If you look closely, most backyards have many different kinds of plants and flowers. Although many animals and insects live in your lawn, don’t neglect the other, uncut areas of your yard.

There are many different animal habitats to be found in your yard and your neighborhood. Try to identify as many different kinds as you can. Be patient and quietly observe them for awhile. What do they eat? Can you find where they live? Bird watching is a popular hobby, and even amateur bird watchers often contribute to real science projects. Don’t be surprised if you child decides they would like a new pet bird.

Your backyard is also likely full of many different insects. Children may find observing bugs even more interesting than studying the plants and flowers. It is not only fun to see what kinds of bugs live in your backyard, but it is also exciting to learn about how they survive.

Encourage your child to study the impact of the weather on the environment for the plants and animals in your yard. Backyard conditions change as the weather changes. Study your backyard after a heavy rain, and have your child look for all the changes they can find. Your child can learn a lot by studying the effects of the weather on the animals and plants in your yard.

Providing your child with some basic scientific supplies can reinforce their learning experience. A possible list includes books and nature guides, a magnifying glass, various containers, a butterfly net, etc. If your child is planning on capturing a few insects, a small cage or breathable container may be just what they need. You can buy these supplies at many stores, such as toy stores, department stores, or sometimes even dollar stores. Or search online to find what you need.

Science and nature guide books may be useful for you and your child. Many books and guides have a specific focus on insects, birds, plants, or flowers.The pictures and information found in these resources can help you identify the animals and plants living in your yard. You can find a large choice of science and nature books at local book stores, or at online retailers.

When examining the plants, bugs, and flowers in your backyard, you and your child may want to document what you see.  This can easily be done with a notebook or a camera. Have your child record their exploration and findings by taking pictures.Save the pictures - they could be useful for other projects. You can turn the photos into memories by using them in a scrapbook or collage project.

It doesn’t matter whether the backyard exploration in planned or spontaneous, your child is sure to find something interesting. Teaching kids science in your own backyard is just one of the many adventures that you and your child can share outdoors. And it just may be the start of a life-long interest in science.

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Your Science Fair Project - Picking the Right Kind of Experiment

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

Science fair projects can be the most memorable part of your science class, giving you an opportunity to show your abilities and creativity. Getting started is often one of the most difficult parts of the project. Before you can plan your project, and even before you pick a topic, you must first understand the different types of science fair projects. It’s very important to choose the right type of project, or all of your effort could be wasted.

There are three basic types of science fair projects: models, demonstrations, or investigations. When choosing, there are two considerations. First, you need to choose the type required by the science fair rules, so make sure you check with your teacher. Sometimes you get to choose the type of project. If so, pick one that lets you do what you are best at doing.

The Model Building Method

The model building method is the kind of project which, as the name implies, enables you to construct a model, to scale whenever possible, to illustrate a specific scientific principle. This could be as simple as a model of the solar system, or a real working machine. Many of us have seen the model of an erupting volcano in which the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar causes realistic looking ‘lava’ flows down the sides of a ‘mountain’. These models can be fun to build and quite spectacular - but they are often more suited to elementary school science fairs because of the relative lack of real ’science’ or creativity in most of them. Having said that, though, there can be some spectacular models produced by higher grade level students; especially if the model is actually demonstrating something new.

The Demonstration

The demonstration or descriptive method of research is again fairly self-explanatory. You could display your collection of rocks or other items related to a particular topic (like geology), and describe how they are related in your report, speech or on a display board. As an alternative, you could use a visual project display board to describe the research you performed. When you do this kind of project, you are not doing anything new, but only explaining or illustrating known scientific principles.

The Scientific Experiment (Investigation)

It is with the third of the possible methods that you can provide what most science fairs for older students are looking for - proper scientific experiments using scientific methods to construct and test a hypothesis and draw conclusions from it. If you are interested in a science career, or would like to move on the regional or national science fair, then you should be looking into this area.

The choice of science fair project topics is limitless. Decide where your major interest lies - it might be biology, chemistry or physics but it could also be earth science, environmental science, sports science, meteorology or computer science - and then try to develop your own hypothesis and method of testing it. If you have trouble thinking of an interesting topic, books and web sites can offer helpful ideas. Just make sure it is unique is some way if you want a chance of winning.
Finally, to assure your success, always remain in contact with your teacher about what you are doing, and confirm that you fully understand the science fair rules and guidelines. Then, whichever type of project you decide to undertake, you can enjoy it with confidence!

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