Selecting a Topic

Most 3rd to 6th grade science fair projects are "cookbook" projects that they or their parents found on some website or in a library book. That's OK! They are learning to put a relatively complex project together and cookbooks make it easier. Cookbooks can be starting points. Do a variation on a cookbook project by answering a slightly different question, or by doing a follow-on experiment (yes, 2 experiments in one project!) to nail down why you got the 1st experiment's results. You can combine 2 or more related cookbook projects for a stronger one.

For 7th grade and up, original projects earn more points - especially if the student thought of it themself! What do they like to do? Chances are it involves something that can be measured, categorized or simulated by a computer algorithm or mathematical conjecture. Can it be improved or could some kind of innovative tool help (that's engineering)? Surveys can be scientific too - do other people like your favorite activity - how do they do it differently? Even with a rough idea, background research will help nail it down. Today, we have better or new materials and methods that can make some investigations easier or possible. A clever approach and/or home-lab made measuring devices show understanding and know-how. Don't forget the data resources on the web. For example, this summer, NASA let the public pick astronomic telescope targets and sent them the raw data!