Where do I start?

Ask questions about projects relating to: aerodynamics or hydrodynamics, astronomy, chemistry, electricity, electronics, physics, or engineering

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louderthanlions
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2014 7:38 pm
Occupation: Student:9th grade
Project Question: Any subject
Project Due Date: February 11, 2014
Project Status: I am just starting

Where do I start?

Post by louderthanlions »

Hi I'm Kym, I'm a ninth grader and I have never done a project for a science fair. I am having trouble finding a good topic to do it on. I actually like learning about Rockets and Engineering , although I'm okay with any topic. Please help, I have no idea what to do!
theborg
Moderator
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:26 pm
Occupation: Space Test Analyst
Project Question: "To explain all nature is too difficult a task for any one man. 'Tis much better to do a little with certainty and leave the rest for others that come after you, than to explain all things by conjecture without making sure of anything." - Sir Isaac Newton
Project Due Date: N/A
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Where do I start?

Post by theborg »

louderthanlions,

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your question. The key to picking a good topic is one that you have an interest in learning something new about or have a question about it that can be explored through the scientific process. To help you with some ideas, science buddies has nice project ideas that can be explored here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... deas.shtml

You can use one of the suggestions or look to them for inspiration for a new project.

Post back with any more questions.
Hope this helps.

theborg
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Science Buddies science fair guide:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_guide_index.shtml

Science Buddies project ideas:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml
louderthanlions
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2014 7:38 pm
Occupation: Student:9th grade
Project Question: Any subject
Project Due Date: February 11, 2014
Project Status: I am just starting

Re: Where do I start?

Post by louderthanlions »

Thanks for answering my post it helped me get quite a few ideas. :-) I found the project I Like to Move It: Motorizing a Robot Hand * I found that project fun to do it on for the science fair. I was looking in the summary if it had the steps and I couldn't find the steps to build the robot. Where would I find the steps and the materials for it?
theborg
Moderator
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:26 pm
Occupation: Space Test Analyst
Project Question: "To explain all nature is too difficult a task for any one man. 'Tis much better to do a little with certainty and leave the rest for others that come after you, than to explain all things by conjecture without making sure of anything." - Sir Isaac Newton
Project Due Date: N/A
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Where do I start?

Post by theborg »

Glad you were able to findicate something that interests you. The project you picked out is one the forum calls an abbreviated project. That means it doesn't have detailed directions. This one is two projects because it assumes you already have a robot hand. You can find a project to build such a hand here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p001.shtml

Now a few points for your consideration;
1) this is a very ambitious set of projects. I see you may have enough time until the project due date, but be sure you can devote enough time each week to work on it.
2) the cost can be a limiting factor. Be sure to discuss with your parents that it's ok to purchase and work on the electronic components you'll need.
3) working with electronic components can be difficult and even hazardous. Be sure you have an adult willing to help.
If you have the time, funds, and help to do the project then...
4) very important, this is an engineering project more suitable to the engineering design process than the scientific method. Check with your teachers to ensure this project meets the guidelines for a project entry.

If not, but you still want to do it, you'll have to figure some hypothesis that can be explored with the scientific method using the robot hand.

Keep the questions coming.
Hope this helps.

theborg
----------
Science Buddies science fair guide:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_guide_index.shtml

Science Buddies project ideas:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml
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