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Where do I start?

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 8:09 am
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!

Re: Where do I start?

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 11:56 am
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.

Re: Where do I start?

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 7:25 pm
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?

Re: Where do I start?

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 3:04 am
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.