OT: Science Fair Ideas

[dreamer17555]

My DD6 and I are having a hard time thinking up a science fair project for her to do. Should it be something she knows about already or something I should help her learn or what? Any suggestions would be amazing.

-Becca-

 

[sueh]

My dd is 7 and this will be her first year doing the science fair.
The school provided them with ideas so maybe talk to her teacher for suggestions.

 

[mylilnikita]

My DD9 still hasn't done a science fair project, but of course now that I have brought it up, she will probably get one soon.

 

[Camno's Mama]

I would do something related to the environment. Maybe test regular cleaners against simple stuff like vinegar or something...if you can figure out a portable surface to use as the test.

Or something food related...where you use the same ingredients in different quanities to see what it makes...like baked goods.

I even saw one experiment on Supersize Me...that movie about the guy that eats McDonald's everday for 30 days. They got McDonald's fries, hambuger, and some other things. And then they got the same kinds of foods from a local diner. They put them in containers and left them out. The "regular" food rotted right away, but it took much longer for the McDonald's food to do it.

Or grow three different lima beans. One with sun and water, one with just sun, and one with just water. See which one grows best.

I don't think it matters if you do something he/she knows or doesn't know. They're getting to know the subject material in a different way by doing the experiment. At that age, it's really to teach them now to do it and to make science exciting! Good luck...that'll be so fun!

 

[browneyedmom]

Check out Science Buddies. There are some fun ideas for all age groups. I would keep it fun and simple. I think they have some cute ones using colored candies.

 

[Momvic5]

I say keep it simple. My son had to do a science project when he was five. I decided it had to be something he could do easily and understand too. At that time, he loved playing with magnets, so he and I decided his project would be on magnets. It was very simple. What sticks to a magnet? We chose different things from around the house such as coins, paper clips, pencils, bottle caps, marbles, paper, popsicle sticks, etc to test with magnets. He had to guess which items would stick. Then he tested them, and finally he had his conclusions. It was very simple. I helped him put his words together and organize it, but he hand wrote all of the needed info and helped glue the scientific info and items to his display board. At the end, he was very proud of his work and knew it well.

At the science fair, he won 1st place. Let me say, there were some very elaborate projects, but he won because his was age appropriate, he could explain it well, and it was his work. So I say, find something your child is interested in and keep it simple.

 

[abarnold]

My son grew crystals and did really well. normally to grow crystals it was on Charcoal but we used different variables- such as wood, sponge and plastic and stated which one grew better. we also did each on a different color- he placed second.

http://www.mrsstewart.com/pages/scginstructions.htm

 

[murcor]

My dd & ds are both in grade 2 and they each have done a science fair project for the past 3 years. They have done:

1) mixing primary colors
2) rusting (put a nail in water, salt water & oil) charted the progress
3) Floating Egg (added salt to water, as it dissolved the egg would rise)
4) Melting snow (quantity of snow vs quantity of water after melted)
5) Float & Sink

Simple ideas to spark the interest in Science

 

[tchrrx]

When I was in school, I won first prize with my project. I tested the theory that plants do grow better when they are talked to. I put one plant in a room by itself. Another plant, I put in a different room (or maybe a different area of the room, I don't remember). Anyhow, each day I would sing and talk to one to see if it really would grow faster.

 

[DisneyBrat]

My son did a science project on Battery life Alkaline vs Heavy Duty. You can show how a battery is made plus do a scienctific exeriment on how long a flashlight burns with both types. He scored 3rd place first went to the guy with a plasma cutter LOL Good Luck!!!

 

[twopirates&aprincess]

My son just entered his first science fair and his project was pretty simple. It was explaining how the shape and design of paper airplanes will effect how far they fly. All it really requires is making a bunch of different paper airplanes and testing them out.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

In 5th grade my daughter did a science fair project on Alka Seltzer, i.e., how it dissolved in different liquids, fill pill vs. quartered pill vs. crushed pill, etc. Anyway, you can check it out on Alka Seltzer site. (I do have to say, it was a little expensive though -- we need to buy Alka Seltzer and a stop watch).

This year we did one on the Stroop Effect, also easily searchable on google.

 

[mrstomrice]

You could try to egg in a cup of soda trick...hard boil 2 eggs. Place 1 in a cup of cola and the other in a plaine cup of water. The soda softens the shell. Relate it to the effect of soda on teeth.

 

[Princessbaby]

My DS8 just did his on how clouds form. We got it off the one of the science idea websites. If I can remember it I will post the name of the website. It was simple to do and he had fun with it.