Tips for Doing a Science Project

Advice from middle-school kids who had award-winning projects at the Discovery Channel Young Scientists Challenge.

Picking a Topic
Doing the Project
Getting Results
Displaying the Project
Science Fair Judging

Picking a Topic

• Start EARLY! The more research you do, the better your project will be. —Erica, Grade 8, Russellville, Ark.

• Choose a topic that arouses your interest. If your topic is not interesting, you will have a hard time continuing your project. —Vikas, Grade 8, Reynoldsburg, Ohio

• Find a creative, unique idea by using questions that you have about things you wonder about in your surroundings. —Andrew, Grade 5, Bogart, Ga.

• Look for stories in the news that can be investigated further. —Anthony, Grade 8, Derwood, Md.

• Keep a list of random science questions that pop into your head so you can see if any would make a good project. —Sarah, Grade 8, Salt Lake City, Utah

• Talk to your teacher. —Gregory, Grade 6, Wellington, Fla.

• Mathematics is a science, too. —William, Grade 8, Temple Terrace, Fla.

• Try to make the project fun. —Madelyn, Grade 5, Dewey, Ariz.

• Don't try to pick a title for your project first. Wait until your idea develops. Keep a journal. —Paul, Grade 6, Albuquerque, N.M.

• Make sure your research your topic! Find out what people have already done, then build on questions you have found. —Megan, Grade 6, Vernon, Texas

• Visit other science fairs to get ideas and to find out the basic layout of a project. —Alexis, Grade 8, Central Square, N.Y.

Doing the Project

• Think very hard about forming a hypothesis or possible answer to your question, then plan to test one thing. Be careful about controls. Plan to test your idea many times to collect a lot of data. —David, Grade 8, Largo, Fla.

• Ask lots of questions, especially if you don't understand something. —David, Grade 5, Tucson, Ariz.

• Don't be afraid to ask organizations to donate facilities, materials, time, or expertise. Many people are glad to help. Museums, universities, and national labs are great resources. —R., Grade 8, San Jose, Calif.

• Be sure you have a plan before you start, and don't rush into things. —Allison, Grade 7, Houston, Texas

• Pace yourself. Get organized and try to do a little at a time. —Cooper, Grade 6, Bossier City, La.

• Always remember exactly what you are asking. This way you will stay on the topic and come up with your conclusion to prove or dispute your hypothesis. —Taylor, Grade 6, Allentown, Mich.

• Don't get overwhelmed in the beginning. It may seem like a lot, but simply do everything one step at a time. —Kristy, Grade 8, Jacksonville, Fla.

• Keep good notes and records. —Daniel, Grade 7, Little Rock, Ark.

• Keep an accurate daily log of all observations. Document with photos and data. —Samuel, Grade 7, El Cajon, Calif.

• It's always fun to work with a friend. —Taylor, Grade 5, Nokomis, Fla.

• If you are working with a partner, make sure he or she doesn't feel left out. Evenly share the amount or work needed to be done, so no hard feelings are initiated. —Jeanette, Grade 8, Great Neck, N.Y.

• Improvise with what you have available. You do not need expensive equipment. You can make your own out of everyday things. —Robert, Grade 6, Honolulu, Hawaii

Getting Results

• Do the experiment with an open mind. You may or may not get the result that you expect. Learn to analyze the results using scientific methods. —Sravya, Grade 7, Gainesville, Fla.

• Don't give up when your project doesn't seem to work as you planned because that's your chance to learn and improve your project. —Justin, Grade 8, Bakersfield, Calif.

• Don't worry if your results aren't perfect. —John, Grade 5, Zionsville, Ind.

• Be persistent. If a project isn't working, then figure out alternatives. —Sarah, Grade 8, Salt Lake City, Utah

Displaying the Project

• Think of a good title. You want it to grab attention and reflect what your project is about. —William, Grade 7, Birmingham, Ala.

• Be neat. Use the computer. —Daniel, Grade 7, Little Rock, Ark.

• Make it colorful. —Madelyn, Grade 5, Dewey, Ariz.

• Use images and graphs to illustrate your work and results. —Kyla, Grade 7, Cocoa Beach, Fla.

• Label everything very clearly. —Carlyn, Grade 6, Bayside, Calif.

• Present your data in a concise manner giving only important information. Make sure the project board is legible and simple. —Sravya, Grade 7, Gainesville, Fla.

• Don't make it too crowded. —John, Grade 5, Zionsville, Ind.

• Use text large enough so that it's easy to read. —Taylor, Grade 7, Costa Mesa, Calif.

• Keep an accurate daily log of all observations. Document with photos and data. —Samuel, Grade 7, El Cajon, Calif.

• Make it interesting so that people will actually want to read it. —Lisa, Grade 8, Grand Junction, Colo.

• Make sure your display board is not too tall, making the information on the top difficult to read. —Alison, Grade 8, Excelsior, Minn.

• Draw it out on paper before you do the final board. —Anastasia, Grade 7, Lancaster, Pa.

• Use a paper cutter instead of scissors to get your edges straight. —Megan, Grade 6, American Fork, Utah

Science Fair Judging

• Make sure your display board is well-organized. You can then go from point to point very easily during your presentation. —Yaicha, Grade 8, Shorewood, Minn.

• Research your topic thoroughly. A presentation looks better when you can answer the audience's questions. —Charles, Grade 7, Bryan, Texas

• Practice your speech a lot so you won't get tongue-tied in front of the judges. —Alexis, Grade 8, Central Square, N.Y.

• Ask science fair winners what suggestions they have for a successful project. They know what you are going through, how to put together a project, and what the judges look for. —Dan, Grade 8, Los Lunas, N.M.

• Don't memorize. If you don't know and understand your project, you won't win. —Caleb, Grade 8, Cottonport, La.

• See your project as a way to learn more and have fun! You won't get as much out of the science fair experience if you focus solely on winning and impressing people. —Louise, Grade 7, Athens, Ga.