HOW TO CHOOSE

YOUR SCIENCE FAIR

TOPIC?BEGIN

Where To Start?

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a science fair topic is to choose something that you are interested in. Whether it be sports, entertainment or a certain subject in school, you will be more successful if your topic has meaning in your own life.

Lets Get Started

Step One: What do you like to do?

First: Create a list of your interests.

Narrow down your list to include only the interests that can be related to science.

Then

Choose one interest off of your list that you really would like to learn more about.

Finally

Go to Step 2

Printable Student Worksheet

Printable Student Worksheet

Step One: Interests Step Two : Questions Step Three: Research Final Check

Step Two: Lets Get Specific!After you have narrowed down you idea to one of your interests it is time to get specific. To do this you should ask yourself the following questions.

What would you like to find out about your idea?

How are you going to find this out?

Who are you going to be doing this with?

Where will you be doing your work?

What materials will you need?

Click here for a printable list of these questions; however, to answer them properly you will need to do some research. Click the research button for help in this process.

Research

Printable Student Research

Worksheet

Step One: Interests Step Two : Questions Step Three: Research Final Check

Step Three: ResearchBe sure to not limit yourself to one source of research. You will find that there are many useful resources. You should take advantage of as many as possible. The links below will help you start:

WebsitesBooks

Magazines and Newspapers

Finished with ResearchCheck Yourself

Step One: Interests Step Two : Questions Step Three: Research Final Check

WebsitesThe following web sites may be useful in your research of your science fair topics.

Science Fair Sample Topic’s:o http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/o http://www.sciencefair-projects.org/o http://www.terimore.com/

General Research Resources o http://www.scifair.org/research/index.shtmlo http://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/ o http://www.wikipedia.org/ (double check the info from this site)

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Other Very Useful Websites

Step One: Interests Step Two : Questions Step Three: Research Final Check

BooksThere are many books that may be helpful in your search for a good science fair project topic. Your local library is a great place to start looking. There are also many eBooks which could be bought and immediately downloaded. The following link will lead you to an extensive list of these books:

Back to

Research Page

Science Fair Books

Step One: Interests Step Two : Questions Step Three: Research Final Check

Magazines and Newspapers

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Some of the strongest support for your project would be if it related to current events. Do not dismiss magazines or your local or national newspapers because you feel they will not help you. They can be some of your most powerful resources full of up to date information. There are also many that have online sites.

List of Online Newspapers

List of Online Science Magazines

Step One: Interests Step Two : Questions Step Three: Research Final Check

100 Extremely Useful Search Engines for ScienceNew: Archimedes InitiativeAbstracts from past Intel International Science and Engineering FairsStatistics HelpScience BuddiesSociety for Amateur ScientistsThe Math Forum @ DrexelUltimate Science Fair Resource Discovery Channel School: Science Fair Central  Internet Public Library: Science Fair Project Resource Guide Successful Science Fair Projects Science Fair Idea Exchange Scientific AmericanAsk-A-GeologistU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceAmerican Chemical SocietyList of relevant internet resourcesAllExperts - A Site for communicating with experts in various fields. Mad Sci Network - An expert site geared toward students.Some Ideas For Science Fair ProjectsBasic Water InformationStudent Science Fair Water Projects

Other Useful Websites

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Student ChecklistOnce you have finished you research and have thoroughly answered the questions you should have a good science fair topic idea. This is just one step in your journey to successfully completing your science fair project. Before you move on to the next step you should go back and check what you have done so far. You can use the student checklist provided below.

Student Checklist

Step One: Interests Step Two : Questions Step Three: Research Final Check