Observations, Questions and Ideas

Finding an idea for your science fair project - this might be the most important part of your project.

One of the characteristics of a good scientist is an interest in what is going on in their subject. You should do the same only be interested in the world around you. Carry around with you the five wise men – who, what, where, when, why and their friend how. Use them to find an idea for your science fair project.

Every summer we get thousands of flies on one side of our garage. Why? What are they doing there? When do they start to gather? What are they doing there? Where do they come from? How do I get rid of them?

(The answer is probably my fault. During the summer, if I forget to take out the garbage, they lay their eggs in the meat and we find large numbers of maggots in our garbage bin). Is there a science fair project in this observation? How about looking at how long it takes for a maggot to develop in to a fly. Does temperature have an effect?

Using your own observations, questions and ideas will probably help you produce a better project. We all almost always work better and harder at things we enjoy and find interesting. But where to get ideas?

• Sports, games or activities all have a science or technology component. Everything from medical science to the physics of radio waves.
• School is a great source of science fair project ideas and not just science or technology class. How about recreating some of the great scientific and technological advances of history. Look at how public health or the technology of photography.
• News and currents events are another excellent source of ideas. Health, environment, technology and space are all regularly reported on. Check out national and local newspapers, magazines, TV and radio.
• The internet is an amazing source of information. But watch out as a lot of it is complete garbage. Two excellent sites are operated by the BBC and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Both regularly reporting on science and technology.
• Don’t count out family and friends as an amazing source of ideas and information. Often if they don’t know the answer you’ll be surprised who they might know. Ask.
• Previous science fair projects are another interesting source of ideas. If you are just staring try recreating a previous project. Do you get the same results? If not, why? Develop the previous project along new grounds or compare results for different variables,

Still have no idea. Don’t panic just use the science fair project ideas pages to stimulate the grey matter.

Now you have a few ideas for your science fair project it's time to make a choice. Which of these ideas will you choose to be your science fair project.

Choosing your Science Fair Project.