Science Fair Projects

You might associate science fair projects with exploding test tubes, foul-smelling mould growing experiments or the exuberant threat made by Bobby on the Brady Bunch, that when he was going to finish his “cool” science fair project of a model volcano “Lava’s gonna ooze all over the place!” Not all projects have to deal with messes or explosions, and the great thing about science fair projects is that there is something for every student, even those who don’t think they are interested in science.

Maybe you are already dozing at the very mention of science fair projects. But let’s say you are very concerned about what you eat and are always watching your diet. Why not do a science fair project on how a high protein diet can affect test performance? This is fun because you can include your friends and you can incorporate something that interests you in your science fair project.

There are basically three science fair project types. One involves the construction of a model to demonstrate a scientific phenomenon, such as the Brady volcano or a miniature solar home. These are good science fair projects for those who have a artistic talent or like to build. Another type of project is one that demonstrate a scientific principle, such as showing lung capacity. These science fair projects also involve the construction of models. The third type of science fair projects includes investigations and problem solving. These are the best type for critical thinkers who are interested in testing their own hypotheses. To create an experiment, for instance, on the effect of a high protein diet on test performance, do research into the subject and create a hypothesis based on previous research. You might find that some suggest eating a breakfast high in carbohydrates whereas other experts suggest eating a breakfast high in protein. Once you have made your own hypothesis, you cannot change it, but don’t worry if the experiment disproves your original hypothesis. After all, the purpose of science fair projects is to learn and to have fun, and surprises can be interesting.