Award Winning Science Fair Projects (+giveaway)

Posted by Amy Bayliss | 0 comments

Each year, there are many homeschool co-ops and one day academies that host science fairs. This can be scary or fun depending on the approach you take while guiding your child through the process. We prefer to take the fun way.

I’ve heard parents say over and over that their children simply aren’t fond of science. I beg to differ. Science encompasses so much that simply “not being fond of it” would mean that the child isn’t fond of anything. We certainly know that nothing could be further from the truth. It is all about how you teach science to the child. Participating in a science fair is a good place to start.

(Note: If you are a parent who uses reality discipline to guide your child and you have chosen to give the child the choice of participating or not, may I suggest that if the child chooses not to participate in the actual science fair that you still require the child to put together a project. This is an extremely beneficial activity to increase your child’s interest in all things science.)

Let’s take a look at the most used categories in science fairs:

1. Anatomy
2. Astronomy
3. Biology
4. Botany
5. Chemistry
6. Geology
7. Mathematics
8. Microbiology
9. Natural History
10. Physics
11. Physiology
12. Zoology

Does your child know that building a K’nex bridge uses mathematics and could very well be the basis for a science project? Does your little girl know that her favorite necklace contains rocks that could be explored in further detail in a geology project? Does your little boy know that you can power a small tin-foil boat using only water and soap? Seems that would make chemistry look a bit different to a child, wouldn’t it?

The best science projects are the result of a process to answer a question as to “why” something is as it is such as:

Do plants always grow towards sunlight?
Does everything that goes up really come back down?
Does something make a sound if no one is present to hear it?

The options are endless for topics to choose from.

Some recommended books that give you ideas are:

Championship Science Fair Projects: 100 Sure-to-Win Experiments
More Award-Winning Science Fair Projects and
The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series)

Once a question or topic has been chosen it is time to prepare the presentation. You should now conduct an experiment to answer the question and research any information relative to the experiment. Understanding the background information will help your child to form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a mere assumption or guess as to what the outcome of the experiment will be. The main purpose of the experiment is to prove or disprove the hypothesis.

The child should take notes during the experiment to record his or her observations and keep a list of all materials that were needed. These will later be used to write a report or prepare an oral presentation of the project. It would also be beneficial to take photos which can later be used on the presentation board. Other ways to document your findings include video, charts, graphs or sketches.

While conducting the experiment be sure to practice good safety measures. Wear goggles, gloves and work in a ventilated area if necessary. If any form of life is used during the experiment, be sure to treat it with the utmost respect and care.

When putting the final presentation together, keep in mind the following design of a completed project:

Additional notes:

• If your child is doing a written report, be sure to proof it for spelling and grammatical errors.
• If your child is doing an oral report, be sure to encourage them to practice in front of the family before the big day.
• If your child’s project requires assembly then know that it is okay to help them as long as the thinking work is done by the child and not by you.
• If prizes are awarded and your child does not win then that’s okay. It is good for children to learn that they cannot win everything in life. They will not always be hired for every position they apply for. The best thing to do is use each experience (or experiment) as an opportunity to learn. Help them treasure that.

Congratulations Angie (mommyp4) on winning this giveaway!

Today we are giving you a chance to win a Mad Science Egg Drop kit.

This kit dares you to drop an egg without breaking it! Use creativity, knowledge, and the included pieces to design and build a protective structure for your egg. Now drop it! Did it survive the freefall and landing? Over 30 reusable pieces (including a practice egg) are included for unlimited design possibilities! Hone engineering and problem solving skills while learning about gravity, terminal velocity and more.

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment before Friday the 23rd at 10:00pm EST!!

Married to her best friend and “main squeeze”, Amy Bayliss is a 4th year homeschooling mom to three boys. She enjoys writing about the eclectic teachings that bring a glimmer of curiosity to the eyes of her sons. In addition to being the co-owner of Heart of the Matter, she writes for Internet Cafe Devotions. Be sure to visit her blog, In Pursuit of Proverbs 31 and her family’s homeschool blog: Integrity Academy