Totally off Topic---Science Fair

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around participants sharing ideas and experiences related to science fair projects for elementary school students. Participants discuss various project themes, particularly those that are simple and engaging for young learners.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal, Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions considering a project on how different light conditions affect plant growth or whether music influences plant growth.
  • Another participant shares a successful project involving colors that conduct heat, using metal coffee cans painted in different colors.
  • One participant describes a project that involved soaking teeth in various beverages to observe the effects over time, suggesting it for older students.
  • Another participant recounts their children's past projects, including a volcano and birdhouses, and mentions their daughter's current interest in a solar system project.
  • One participant expresses concerns about projects involving dirt or animals due to legal requirements and shares their son's project on testing wood hardness.
  • Another participant reflects on their own experience with a plant growth project, noting it was more challenging than anticipated.
  • One participant confirms their daughter has decided to pursue a project on how music affects plant growth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the ease of certain project ideas, with some participants suggesting that seemingly simple projects may be more complex than they appear.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and project ideas, reflecting a range of approaches to science fairs and the challenges involved in selecting appropriate projects for young students.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants and parents looking for inspiration or ideas for science fair projects for elementary school children may find the shared experiences and suggestions helpful.

lacychef
lacychef
Messages
5,691
Usually I don't ask such random questions of you guys....but my brain is fried from taking care of my sick dd all week.
My 3rd grader wants to do the science fair & we're trying to come up with a good/easy project. I'm thinking maybe something to do with plants; like different rooms' light affecting growth, or maybe if music affects growth....any other suggestions??? It's gotta be easy (they're just learning about science starting this year afterall) & not very time consuming.....:confused:
 
Mine won regional science fairs...Colors that conduct heat! Need 5 empty metal coffee cans, spray them different colors (Red, Brown, Black, White, Blue) Use a pool thermometer to test the temperature each hour for 6-8 hours...The results might be surprising :)
 
Another regional winner (for when your daughter is older) involved TEETH!!! Soaking them in different beverages over the period of two weeks and the results were also shocking.

(Coffee, pepsi, coke, water, milk, tea) Change the liquids each day :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
ughubug said:
Another regional winner (for when your daughter is older) involved TEETH!!! Soaking them in different beverages over the period of two weeks and the results were also shocking.

(Coffee, pepsi, coke, water, milk, tea) Change the liquids each day :)
Click to expand...
oooh, I bet that might make you change your drinking habits!
 
Science fair projectsWell last year my son made a volcano and my daughter made bird houses and observed birds in our neighborhood.

This year my daughter wants to do a solar system and my son is going to make a homemade magnet with some copper wiring and a battery.

I found this for you, it's simple and gets your child to answer some questions while changing the plants surroundings. Plus other websites with other ideas. They look neat!

http://photoscience.la.asu.edu/photosyn/education/sciencefair.html

http://www.infowest.com/life/projplants.htm

Botany science projects & experiments - learn about plants

My daughter would have done something with plants too if she wouldn't have done the solar system.

Debbie :D
 
ughubug said:
Mine won regional science fairs...Colors that conduct heat! Need 5 empty metal coffee cans, spray them different colors (Red, Brown, Black, White, Blue) Use a pool thermometer to test the temperature each hour for 6-8 hours...The results might be surprising :)
Click to expand...


Do you have any more information on this - My DD has one to do too - I love this idea - and how do you put it on the poster board - thanks
 
PamperedDor said:
Do you have any more information on this - My DD has one to do too - I love this idea - and how do you put it on the poster board - thanks
Click to expand...


Use the Cans and thermometer as the display. Fill the board with your title, hypothesis, process, results, conclusion, and pictures of the testing site.

I used the 5 different colors of cans against the backing of each of the 5 steps for visual appearance.

I LOVED SCIENCE FAIR TIME...Mom...HATED science fair time :blushing:
 
Awesome - thanks for your help - How long did you test the water for btw -
 
I think it was 8 hours, tested it every hour
 
Beware of projects that involve dirt (plants) or animals. We had to sign TONS of legal-ish papers for our science projects. They didn't want dirt used in a way that you could change it or cause a chemical reaction (pouring a liquid other than water in it)...bunch of bio-terrorism stuff!

My son (7th grade) did a fun one that smaller kids could do with supervision. He wanted to see which wood was the hardest. Using a nail gun (I said supervised!!) he shot nails into 4 types of wood using different pressures. He loved it and it turned out really nice.
 
Well, I don't know about rules on bioterrorism, and maybe I'm just too old (but at 27, I doubt it, though the times have changed....)BUT my advice is that the light/music/plant, though it seems easy, totally isn't! I did that one in 6th grade. Of course part of my problem was my yet to be discovered black thumb, that kills all plants equally quickly :DIn 7th grade I tested the effects of junk food vs healthy balanced diet on white mice. How did that get approved??? Anyway, also not an easy project. (plus, three of my "all female" mice turned out to be male - the dominant one killed the weaker two, and impregnated all of the females. yikes!)I did the model solar system in 4th grade, and it was a lot of fun, but if you have to have an actual experiment, vs just a science project, it's not a great one. Not too many hypotheses to make :-)So I'm not too helpful in ideas that are good, just warnings about projects that are more challenging than they seem.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
thanks for the tips!
She has decided to do "how music affects plant growth"....so we will see!
 
Great
lacychef said:
thanks for the tips!
She has decided to do "how music affects plant growth"....so we will see!
Click to expand...

Great let us know how it turns out.

Debbie :D
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a science fair?

A science fair is an event where students present their scientific projects and experiments to judges and the public. It provides an opportunity for students to showcase their understanding of scientific concepts and methodologies, often culminating in awards or recognition for outstanding projects.

How do I choose a science fair project?

Choosing a science fair project involves selecting a topic that interests you and is feasible within your resources and time constraints. Consider exploring areas in biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science. It's helpful to ask questions, conduct preliminary research, and think about experiments you can perform to test your hypotheses.

What are the key components of a science fair project?

A typical science fair project includes several key components: a clear hypothesis, a detailed methodology, data collection and analysis, results, and a conclusion. Additionally, a well-organized display board summarizing your project and findings is essential for presenting to judges and attendees.

How do I prepare for the science fair presentation?

To prepare for your science fair presentation, practice explaining your project clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss your hypothesis, methods, results, and conclusions. Anticipate questions from judges and prepare thoughtful responses. Visual aids, such as your display board, can help illustrate your points effectively.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in a science fair project?

Common mistakes to avoid include choosing overly complex projects that are difficult to complete, failing to follow the scientific method, neglecting to document your process, and not practicing your presentation. Additionally, ensure your project is original and adheres to the guidelines set by the science fair organizers.

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