Resources for Science Fair Projects

BY: Cate Loveday

Compiled by: Cate Loveday

Introduction• This subject guide is intended to help in assisting

Junior High Students (5th-8th Grade) to locate the resources they need to complete a science fair project.

• These resources can all be found at the Helen Plum Memorial Library in Lombard, Illinois.

Using the Helen Plum Library Online Catalog

• The best place to start your search is the Helen Plum Library Catalog

• Books on science fair projects may be located by using the following keyword searches: – Experiments – Science Experiments – Science Projects

Remember Juvenile and Youth books have a J or a Y in the front of the call number.

Books• What’s The Big Idea: Amazing Science Questions

for the Curious Kid    Vicki Cobb(2010) Call # : Y REF 500 COB

The four main topics-energy, motion, matter, and life-are presented as "big ideas" and explained through a series of two- to four-page chapters that open with a kid-friendly question designed to provide insight into some of the great scientific breakthroughs or to reveal background information. – School Library Journal

Books• Experiment Central: Understanding Scientific

Principles Through Projects Vol 1-6 M. Rae Nelson and Kristine Krapp, Editors (2010) Call # : Y REF 507.8 EXP

Demonstrates scientific concepts through experiments, including step-by-step instructions, lists of materials, troubleshooter's guide, and interpretation and explanation of the results.Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Books

• The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia Clive Gifford, Editor (2011) Call #: Y REF 503 KIN

An illustrated science encyclopedia arranged in such categories as "Planet Earth," "Living Things," "Chemistry and the Elements," "Materials and Technology," "Space and Time," and "Conservation and the Environment.“Index in back of the book.

BooksChemistry! Best Science Projects Series• Chemistry Science Fair Projects

Robert Gardner (2004)Call # Y507.8 GARStudents are encouraged to build

upon the 29 experiments presented and to develop their own inquiries. Ideas for further experimentation and a thorough discussion of safety rules and advice are included. The experiments become more complex as the book progresses. Some of them require materials available only from a school laboratory or a science supply company. – School Library Journal

Other Books in Series

Click the cover to be taken to the Helen Plum Library Catalog

BooksJanice VanCleave’s First Place Science Fair Projects• Step-by-Step Science Experiments in Astronomy Janice VanCleave (2013) Call # Y520.78 VAN

The book includes 22 simple but interesting experiments. Van Cleave states the basic goal of the experiments, followed by a list of necessary materials, most of which can be found around the house or purchases at low cost. Step-by-step instructions are clearly detailed and accompanied with diagrams when needed.

Other Books In the SeriesClick the cover to be taken to the Helen Plum Library Catalog

BooksEdge Books – Kitchen Science• Science Experiments That Surprise and Delight:

Fun Projects For Curious Kid Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt (2011) Call # J 507.8 BEL

Each project can be completed with simple household items, and most include six easy steps, or less. The brief "Why it works" box at the end of each activity explains the science. Anyone looking for a straightforward, fun, and easy science experiment will want these titles close by. -School Library Journal

Other Books In the SeriesClick the cover to be taken to the Helen Plum Library Catalog

DVDScience of Disney – Imagineering Series• Friction Disney Educational Productions (2010) Call # DVD-J 531.4 SCIDisney Imagineers show how the

different types of friction come into play in the world around us using examples and demonstrations from Disney parks, the Imagineering lab, and Disney Cruise ships. There's also a "try it yourself" experiment and an interactive activity to reinforce key concepts. –School Library Journal

More DVDs In the Series

Plus many more

Click the cover to be taken to the Helen Plum Library Catalog

DVDBill Nye The Science Guy • Motion Disney Educational Productions (2008) Call # DVD-J 531.112 BIL

Did you know that nothing can move or stop by itself? In Motion, Bill Nye shows how everything needs a push or pull, a force, to make it move or stop. As always Bill Nye takes a complex science subject and makes it student accessible with lots of humor.

Online

Discovery Education – Science Fair Centralhttp://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/?pID=fair

Walks you through the steps of getting started, completing your project and putting together a presentation. Also includes parent resources.

Online

Education.com – Science Fair Project Ideas (Middle School) http://www.education.com/science-fair/middle-school/

You can filter science project ideas by grade and subject. Can include a keyword search. Includes photographs and diagrams.

Browsing the Library CollectionBrowsing by call number is also a great way to get ideas! When you come to the library try looking under these call numbers:• 507 Science Experiments • 500s, 600s, 700s using the keyword experiments• 608 Inventions

Don’t know where that is? Ask a Librarian, we’ll be happy to help you find what you need!

Need Assistance

• Check out our Other Online Resources

• Call Youth Services at (630) 627- 0316

• E-mail us

Bibliography• Bell-Rehwoldt, S. (2011). Science experiments that surprise and delight: fun

projects for curious kids. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.• Cobb, V. (2010). What’s the big idea?: amazing science questions for the curious

kid. New York: Skyhorse Pub.• Discovery Education Science Fair Central offers ideas for science fair projects

and experiments for kids. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2013, from http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/?pID=fair

• Disney Educational Productions. (2008). Motion. Disney Educational Productions.• Disney Educational Productions. (2010). Friction. Disney Educational

Productions.• Experiment central: understanding scientific principles through projects. (2010)

(2nd ed.). Detroit: U-X-L.• Gardner, R. (2004). Chemistry science fair projects using french fries, gumdrops,

soap, and other organic stuff. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers.• Science Fair Project Ideas - Over 2,000 Free Science Projects | Education.com.

(n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2013, from http://www.education.com/science-fair/middle-school/

• The Kingfisher science encyclopedia. (2006). Boston, MA: Kingfisher.• VanCleave, J. P., & VanCleave, J. P. (2013). Step-by-step science experiments in

astronomy. New York: Rosen Pub.