Science Project

**emily_hope** · 08-22-2007, 10:20 PM

Oh how I despise Science Fair Projects. DD16 has to do one this year in Honors Chemistry. Does anyone have any good ideas? Seems like everything has been done. TIA!

**rosebron** · 08-22-2007, 10:32 PM

Do not DISPAIR - a scientist is here!

For these types of projects, your DD does not have to discover something new. Rather, she has to go about proving or disproving something in that she might have an interest in. Ask her to think of one thing in class that she was not sure about.

For example, my DD9 wanted to know what foods contained sugars because family members are diabetic. So, she chose a few foods that we eat often, did some simple tests (scientifically, of course) and found her answers. In other words, she was always TOLD what foods contained sugars but she had no proof.

Science fair projects allow students to examine, prove or disprove, not necessarily invent.

By the way, I coordinate regional science fairs for a living as well and believe, when it was my daughters turn, we almost tore our hair out!!!

**Geoff** · 08-23-2007, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by rosebron

.

By the way, I coordinate regional science fairs for a living as well and believe, when it was my daughters turn, we almost tore our hair out!!!

I agree that looking for some innovative discovery in=s not the best take. Looking at a familiar topic from a fresh perspective is always a good place to start .. and tying it in to an issue of personal or family interest will make it a winner.

Now, rose ... I've got to talk to YOU! Sounds like you're up on these things. I've been asked to do a science fair for my fifth graders this year, and I'm not sure where to go with this. In past years the emphasis has been on a product-testing kind of model ... like who has the strongest paper towels ...

Any suggestions or resources you can reccomend?

**nodmicks** · 08-23-2007, 10:05 PM

My son did a project last year testing 5-6 non toxic/edible copper cleaners versus regular toxic copper cleaner on an antique copper boiler. Nothing super hard but unique and he got a great grade and gag award for having the most "old" ladies oh and ah over it.