Steps in Preparing a Science Fair Project
(…and win an award!)
1. Select a Topic
See the Ideas List and What Makes a Good Project?. Remember a Science Fair Project is
a test you do to find an answer to a question, not just showing what you know about
something.
2. Gather Background Information
Gather information about your topic from books, magazines, the Internet, people and
companies.
Keep notes about where you got your info
3. Scientific Method
State the Purpose of your experiment - What are you trying to find out?
Select a variable (something you will change/vary) that will help you find your answer.
State your Hypothesis - your guess about what the answer will be.
Decide on and describe how you will change the thing you selected.
Decide on and describe how you will measure your results.
4. Run Controlled Experiment and Record Data
Do the experiment as described above.
Keep notes in one place. Write down everything you can think of, you might need it later.
5. Graphs and Charts
What happened? Answer that question, then put the results in graphs and charts.
6. Construct an Exhibit or Display
It has to be neat, but it does NOT have to be typed.
Make it fun, but be sure people can understand what you did.
Show that you used the Scientific Method.
7. Write a short Report
Tell the story of your project - tell what you did and exactly how you did it.
Include a page that shows where you gathered background information. It can be 2 pages
or even more. Paper Guidelines to help you out.
8. Practice Presentation to Judges
Practice explaining your project to someone (parent, friend, grandparent, etc.) This will
help you be calm on Science Fair Day. The judges are very nice and will be interested in
what you did and what you learned.
9. Come to the Fair and have fun! See you there!
(This document was written by Yvonne Karsten - Parent and Science Fair Coordinator at
Kennedy Elementary School 1994-1996).
PHYSICS
1. Fire and Burning- what factors affect burning?
2. Fuels and their efficiency in producing energy.
3. Musical instruments- the scientific principles behind them
4. Music vs Noise- difference
5. Pendulums- how can a period of a pendulum be increased?
6. Air Pressure- Water Pressure
7. Gears- compare efficiencies, effect of different lubricants
8. Solar Furnace
10.Lenses- effects of curvature, materials on light beams
11.Can eggs withstand a greater force from one direction than from others?
12.How strong are nylon fishing lines?
13.How strong are plastic wraps?
14.Which homemade airplane design flies best?
15.What factors affect the bounce of a dropped ball?
16.How do compression and tension make things strong?
17.How strong is a toothpick?
18.Which type of lawn sprinkler works best?
19.Which type\size of light bulb produces the most light?
20.How can the strength of light be measured?- the effect on degradable
materials
21.Which materials can be charged with static electricity?
22.Which battery lasts the longest?- How can power be increased?
23.What affects light reflection?- refraction and diffraction of light?
24.Spectrum and colour production- prisms
25.How is sound produced? What affects the pitch of sound?- What affects the
volume of sound? - How would you measure the velocity of sound?
26.Electric Motors- principles and factors effecting their efficiency
27.Electric Circuits- factors affecting voltage,amperage, resistance
28.Magnets and electromagnets- What affects the strength of and electromagnet?
29.Buzzers and bells and alarms.
30.Radios
31.Internal Combustion engines
32.Heat convection- Radiation of heat
33.Insulation-best materials, thickness
34.How is paint affected by temperature changes?- Elasticity of rubber; effect of
glue.
ENGINEERING\PHYSICS
1. Use of solar energy- design and construct solar cookers, solar panels, etc.
2. Designing a strong bridge, an energy efficient home
3. Efficient use of renewable energy resources- E.G. Wood, Wind
4. Determine the accuracy of various thermometers
5. How much heat is required to raise the temperature of various substances by an
equal amount?
6. Principle of energy conservation
7. Comparing active & passive solar energy systems in cost and efficiency.
METEOROLOGY
1.Snow- what happens when it melts; what does it contain; structure of snow
flakes; life in a snowbank
2.Sky Colour- account for differences in colour at different times
3.Wind and Clouds- what are the common wind patterns in your area and why? Is
cloud formation related to height, weather systems and temperature? Study and
record how clouds relate to weather patterns.
4.Water levels- study and record varying levels over the year in a body of water;
account for differences and the results on the surrounding environment.
5.Dew formation- how much is formed on a square meter for a period of time;
account for variations
6.Wind-does wind travel at same speeds and in same directions at different
heights?
7.Frost formation- what must the temperature be to form first; what are the effects
of humidity? What is the make-up of frost and dew?
8.Evaporation- which effects the rate of evaporation most- temperature, humidity,
wind speed or other factors?
9.Rain- can you measure the speed and force of raindrops?-What is the effect on
soil, with and without ground cover? Could you simulate the effect of rain?
10. Heat Retention- does fresh water hold heat longer than salt water? How does
water compare to land and what effect does this have on the weather? What
factors affect the cooling of land?
11.Sunlight- how do different surfaces affect the amount of sunlight reflected and
absorbed? Design a method of measuring how much sunshine is available each
day.
12. Humidity- can you collect the amounts of water in the air at different
temperatures?
13.Temperature- what is the difference between direct sun and in the shade? Is the
difference constant?
14.Weather records- Design and build an automatic recording weather device.
Test it over a period of time.
15.Effects of Humidity- what happens to hair during periods of changing
humidity? How does human hair compare to that of other animals? How do other
materials compare in expansion and contraction.
CHEMISTRY
1. Effects of temperature on viscosity of oil, chemical reactions, Brownian
movement, burning of different materials.
2. Everyday activities that illustrate chemical principles
3. Chemical reactions that produce energy or that require energy
4. Testing of consumer products- glues, stain removers, antiseptics, mouthwash,
detergents, paper towels, making salt water potable, removal of pollutants
5. Effects of sunlight on rubber, ink, paper
6. Effects of increased concentrations on the rate of chemical reactions
7. Compare the pH levels in mouths of various animals and humans at different
times in the day
8. Compare the surface tension of various liquids
9. Dealing with chemical spills from industry
10. Analyzing snow and rain for pollutants; samples from different locations
11. Effects of temperature on density of gases
12. Effects of salt and other contaminants on rate of rusting
13.Growing crystals- factors that affect the rate and the size
14. Can you obtain water from ink, vinegar, milk?
15. What effects do different amounts of exercise have on the production of
carbon dioxide in humans?
16. Analyze soil samples for their components, ability to hold moisture, fertility
and pH
17. Does the amount of particle pollution vary with distance from a road, with
location, with height. Determine types of particles found in pollution fallout
18. Catalysts- how they work and why; commercial applicants and problems
19.Fire extinguishers-principles of operation and factors affecting their efficient
use
20. How do acids react with different metals under varying conditions
21. Identify different metals by the color of flame when they burn
22. Can you devise and experiment that will list metals in order of their activity,
from the most potassium to the least active ore gold
23. lectroplating- the principles, how different metals can be used and the
practical applications
BOTANY
1.Germination - how monocots and dicots differ - the effects of heat, light, carbon
dioxide, pH level, etc. on germination rate
2.Photosynthesis - factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis temperature, light
intensity, water, carbondioxide - part of light spectrum used in photosynthesis
3.Leaf - do the numbers and sizes of stomata vary with different plants - what
happens if stomata are covered and why
4.Roots - how much water is used by different plants - what is the effect of
temperature, sunlight, etc., on the use of water (transpiration) - how do different
types of soils affect the ability of roots to anchor plants - what factors encourage
root growth and what is the effect of water, oxygen, soil type, minerals on root
growth
5.Plant growth - determine the effects of various nutrients, amounts of water,
hours of sunlight, strength of weed killer, temperature, pollutants, pH levels on
plant growth and crop yields - can plants live without oxygen, carbon dioxide what percentages of various plants is water
6.Genetic Studies - connections between hair and eye colour, sex and left
handedness, hair colour and strength - family studies on inheritance
7.What conditions are favourable for: -fungus growth- E.G. yeast, mold, mildew
diseases -mushroom production -growing brine shrimp -algae growth -bacteria
growth or control- mutations -rooting cuttings -the survival of Planaria -the
growth of nitrogen fixing bacteria -lichen growth
8.Field Studies -effects of herbicide spraying, acid rain in a lake, auto exhausts on
a roadside, SO2 emissions on plants, under hydro lines -types of bacteria found
around the home, on the body, in soil of different types
9.Reactions of protozoa to changes in the environment
10.The preferred pH level in the soil for various plants
Animal Studies
Do ants like cheese or sugar better?
What foods do mealworms prefer?
Does holding a mirror in front of a fish change what a fish does?
What color of birdseed do birds like best?
Do mint leaves repel ants?
Which travels faster-a snail or a worm?
On which surface can a snail move faster-dirt or cement?
How far does a snail travel in one minute?
How much can a Caterpillar eat in one day?
Comparative Studies
What kind of juice cleans pennies best?
Do watches keep time the same?
How does omitting an ingredient affect the taste of a cookie?
Do suction cups stick equally well to different surfaces?
Which cheese qrows mold the fastest?
Consumer Testing
What brand of raisin cereal has the most raisins?
Which dish soap makes the most bubbles?
Which paper towel is fhe strongest?
With which type of battery do toys run the longest?
Which laundry detergent works the best?
Human Studies
In my class who is taller-boys or girls?
Does anyone in my class have the same fingerprints?
In my class, who has the biggest feet boys or girs?
Which student in class has the greatest lung capacity?
In my class, who has the smallest hands-boys or girls?
How far can a person lean without falling?
Plant Studies
Do roots of a plant always grow downward?
Can plants grow without soil?
Will bananas brown faster on the counter or in the refrigerator?
Does temperature affect the growth of plants?
Can plants grow from the leaves?
Do different kinds of apples have the some number of seeds?
Do bigger seeds produce bigger plants?
Of what is the soil is my schoolyard made?
Does a plant grow bigger if watered with milk or water?
Physical Sciences
Can the design of a paper airplane make it fly farther?
Do wheels reduce friction?
What holds two boards together better a nail or a screw?
Does a ball-roll farther on grass or dirt?
Do all objects fall to the ground at the same speed?
What kind of things do magnets attract?
How can you measure the strength of a magnet?
How much salt does it take to float an egg?
Does water with salt boil faster than plain water?
Does on ice cube melt faster in air or water?
Can you tell what something is just by touching it?
Can you tell where sound comes from when you are blindfolded?
Can things be identified by just their smell?
Does the length of a vibrating object affect sound?
Water
Does a bath take less water than a shower?
Does warm water freeze faster than cool water?
How long will it take a drop of food dye to color a glass of still water?
Which materials absorb the most water?
What materials dissolve in water?
Which dissolves better in water - salt or baking soda?
Level 2
Animal Studies
Does an earthworm react to light and darkness?
Does surrounding color affect an insect's eating habits?
Do different kinds of caterpillars eat different amounts of food?
How do mealworms react to various surface?
Do mealworms prefer light of dark environments?
Comparative Studies
Which lubricants make it most difficult to pick a screwdriver?
Consumer Testing
Which brand Of popcorn pops the most kernels?
Which brand of popcorn pops the fastest?
Which brand of diaper holds the most water?
What type of cleaner removes ink stains best?
Which brand of soap makes the most suds?
Which plastic trash bag is the strongest?
Which house plant fertilizer works best?
Does temperature affect the results of a soft drink challenge?
Which brand of disposable diaper absorbs the most liquid?
Human Studies
Can you tell time without a watch or clock?
Is using two eyes to judge distance more accurate than using one eye?
Do boys or girls have a higher resting heart rate?
Do taller people run faster than shorter people?
Who can balance better on the balls of their feet-boys or girls?
Does exercise affect heart rate?
Plant Studies
Do different types of soil hold different amounts of water?
Will adding bleach to the water of a plant reduce fungus growth?
Does sugar prolong the life of cut flowers?
How much of an orange is water?
Does the color of light affect plant growth?
Do plants grow bigger in soil or water?
How much weight can a growing plant lift?
Does it matter in which direction seeds are planted?
Do living plants give off moisture?
What plant foods contain starch?
Physical Science
Which liquid has the highest viscosity?
Will more air inside a basketball make it bounce higher?
Do all colors fade at the same rate?
Does a baseball go farther when hit by a wood or metal bat?
What kind of glue holds two boards together better?
Does the width of a rubber band affect how far it will stretch?
Can you use a strand of human hair to measure air moisture?
How far can a water balloon be tossed to someone before it breaks?
Does the shape of a kite affect its flight?
Using a lever, can one student lift another larger student?
What gets warmer faster-sand or soil?
In which way does the wind blow most frequently?
Will a ball bounce higher if it is dropped at a greater distance from the floor?
Do sugar crystals grow faster in tap water or distilled water?
What common liquids are acid, base or neutral?
What determines how fast a piece of candy dissolves?
Will a rubber band stretch the some distance every time that the same amount of weight
is attached to it?
Water
Does baking soda lower the temperature of water?
Does the color of water affect its evaporation?
Can you separate salt from water by freezing?
Will water with salt evaporate faster than water without salt?
What type of soil filters water best?
Level 3
Animal Studies
How do different environments affect the regeneration of planaria?
How do day-old domestic chicks behave?
What are the humidity preferences Of a flour beetle?
How does earthworm population relate with soil type?
Consumer Testing
Which video tape maintains the best picture for the greatest amount of use?
Which home smoke detector is most sensitive?
Which engine oil reduces friction the most?
Which home insulation works best?
Which self-adhesive floor tile resists wear the most?
Comparative Studies
What factors affect the growth of bread mold?
What type of oil has the greatest density?
How is the rate of melting snow affected by color?
Which type of sunglass lens blocks the most light?
Which materials keep ice cubes from melting for the longest time?
Which amount of air space is the best insulator for storm windows?
Human Studies
Does the human tongue have definite areas for certain tastes?
Do children's heart rates increase as they get older?
Does heart rate increase with increasing sound volume?
Can you see better if you limit the light that gets to your eye?
How accurately do people judge temperature?
How does coffee affect blood pressure?
Plant Studies
Does a green plant add oxygen to its environment?
What percentage of cornseeds in a package will germinate?
How much of an apple is water?
Does a plant need some darkness to grow?
What are the effects of chlorine on plant growth?
How does centrifugal force affect the germination of corn seeds?
How does light direction affect plant growth?
How does light direction affect plant growth?
Physical Sciences
Which type of line carries sound waves best?
Which metal conducts heat best?
Can same-type balloons withstand the same amount of pressure?
Does the viscosity of a liquid affect its boiling point?
What materials provide the best insulation?
What keeps things colder - plastic wrap or aluminum foil?
Do liquids cool as they evaporate?
Does the size of a light bulb affect its energy use?
For how long a distance can speech be transmitted through a tube?
Does the color of a material affect its absorption of heat?
Does sound travel best through solids, liquids or gases?
Is the amount of erosion affected by the slope of land?
How much heat is absorbed by a closed automobile?
Water
Can the sun's energy be used to clean water?
What types of bacteria are found in tap water?