Getting Started

Choosing a topic

The firs thing you'll need to do is choose a topic for your science fair project. Choose a topic you are interested in or curious about.  To start off, make a list of possible ideas as a brainstorm.  These do not need to be complicated.

Here are a list of areas of science for your to explore:

Plants                         

Computers                

Machines     

Animals                    

 

Electricity and Energy   

Chemistry

Space                         

Health                       

Food                           

Medicine                  

Weather

Environment          

 

Sports

Inventions

Climate

Developing your project idea

Once you have your idea decide how you would like to investigate it.

Three ways of looking at your topic (image that your topic is snow):

1. Experiment: Undertake an investigation to test a scientific hypothesis by the experimental method. At least one independent variable is manipulated; other  variables are controlled.

(An experiment might look at snow compaction and how it affects plant life underneath.)

2. Innovation or Technology:  Develop and evaluate new devices, models, theorems, physical theories, techniques, or methods in technology, engineering, computing, natural science, or social science.

(An Innovation might look at how to make snow making equipment better.)

3. Study:  Analysis of, and possibly collections of, data using accepted methodologies from the natural, social, biological, or health sciences.  Includes studies involving human subjects, biology field studies, data mining, observation and pattern recognition in physical and/or socio-behavioural data.

(A study might be to look at how conservation authorities use snow pack information to determine flooding potential.)

Science Project Guides

Video Tutorials:

There are three types of Science Fair projects. Once you've decided on a topic - decide if yours is an 'Experiment', a 'Study' or an 'Innovation'. This video offers information and tips on developing your project and includes interviews with students at the Canada Wide Science Fair.

The more trials you do when conducting an experiment the more confidence you will have in your results. This video covers why you should keep a detailed log book for your Science Fair project to keep a record of your trials and results. 

When the big day comes and you're being judged on your project - presentation is everything! This video provides some great tips and interviews with students at the Canada Wide Science Fair. Rehearse - Rehearse - Rehearse. 

Now that you know more about Science Fairs - we hope you will get involved and enjoy the Science Fair Experience. With a little planning, an interesting topic, and an understanding of the rules - Science Fairs can be fun. 

Can parents help with a student’s project?

It is our belief that children learn from all adults, whether they are teachers, parents or community members.  Here are some tips as to how parents can help their child with their project.

  1. Please remember that the most important ingredients in any project are the amount of work that the student accomplishes, how much knowledge he or she acquires and how much initiative is displayed.
  2. Realize your child will need help in understanding, acquiring and using the major science process skills: researching, organizing, measuring, calculating, reporting, demonstrating, experimenting, collecting, constructing and presenting.  Your child may not have been taught these skills.  Therefore, it may not be fair to expect him or her to know how to do them.
  3. Give encouragement, support and guidance to your child.
  4.  Make sure your child feels it is his or her project.  The project should primarily be the work of  the child.
  5. Realize the teacher works with 20 – 30 students and this may make it difficult to give a large amount of individual attention to your child.
  6. Help your child design a safe project that is not hazardous in any way.
  7. Help your child plan and organize their time to prevent a last minute project and disrupted household.  A  4 to 8 week plan that uses a check-off sheet is best.
  8. Guide your child through the information available on the internet.  Help them find good valid sites with correct information.
  9. Help your child contact people in your community or write letters to people who can provide extra information for the project.
  10. Look over the project to check for good grammar, neatness, spelling and accuracy.  Make suggestions on how to improve their work and guide them through the process.
  11. Buy or help find the materials needed to complete the project.  Realize that a good project does not need to cost a lot of money.
  12. Find an area in the house where the child can work on the project and not have to worry about pets, brothers and sisters.