Science projects are systematic investigations that help students learn about nature and natural laws. Most of the great discoveries of our age came from systematic investigations conducted by scientists. Students working on a project should use methods of discovery employed by scientists. For a discussion of these methods, see Science (How scientists work) .
A student may base his or her project on a single field of science, such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, or physics. Or the project may involve several fields. For example, a student may use biology, chemistry, and physics to complete a project on environmental pollution.
To gain the most benefit from their projects, most students prepare a report and an exhibit that summarize the project and what was learned by doing it. Many schools and communities give students the opportunity to exhibit their projects at an event called a science fair.
Kinds of science projects
are as varied as the fields of science. Within each field, projects fall into four categories: (1) building a model, (2) preparing and presenting a demonstration, (3) collecting or classifying items, and (4) performing an experiment.
Building a model
can help the student understand complex machines or natural systems. For example, one student might study the parts of an internal-combustion engine and how they relate by building a model. Another student might construct a model of Jupiter and its satellites to study the orbits of the satellites.
Another kind of model shows how scientific equipment works. An example is a hygrometer (humidity measuring device) made from two thermometers and a milk carton.
Preparing and conducting a demonstration
helps the student study a scientific principle or law. For example, the student might demonstrate why objects appear to lose weight when they are placed under water.
Collecting or classifying items
helps increase the student’s awareness of nature. The student might collect and classify the various kinds of plants and animals found in a field or vacant lot.
Performing an experiment
may be the most difficult, yet the most educational, type of science project. The student sets up and performs an experiment to confirm or discover certain effects of natural laws. For example, the student might investigate how light of various colors affects the growth of plants. The student would grow plants under different colored lights and measure their growth.
Planning and doing a science project.
The first step in a project is to develop the idea for it. Many students develop ideas from their own interest in such fields as ecology, electronics, or medical research. Suggestions for projects appear in books and magazines devoted to science.
After selecting an idea, the student may need to do some background reading in textbooks and reference books. This reading helps the student decide how to go about the project. The student should concentrate on basic ideas to avoid becoming confused by too much detail and overly complicated equipment. Teachers may have suggestions about how to proceed with the project and where to find equipment.
Preparing an exhibit.
An exhibit, along with a report, helps explain the science project. Most science fair exhibits feature a poster with a brief explanation of the project printed on it. The poster may also display diagrams and charts. The student can set up equipment used for experiments to show how tests were performed. Some advanced students use slides or audio or video recordings to make their exhibits more interesting.
