Project Guides (Page 4)

How to Solder Electronic Components: Electronics Primer

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Overview What is soldering and when should you use it? Soldering is a process in which two or more metal items are joined together by melting and then flowing a filler metal into the joint—the filler metal having a relatively low melting point. Soldering is used to form a permanent connection between electronic components. The metal to be soldered is heated with a soldering iron and then solder is melted into the connection. Only the solder melts, not the parts that are being… Read more

Science Fair Project Abstract

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What's an Abstract? An abstract is an abbreviated version of your science fair project final report. For most science fairs it is limited to a maximum of 250 words (check the rules for your competition). The science fair project abstract appears at the beginning of the report as well as on your display board. Almost all scientists and engineers agree that an abstract should have the following five pieces: Introduction. This is where you describe the purpose for doing your science fair… Read more

How to Format Your Research Paper

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This table describes how to format your research paper using either the MLA or APA guidelines. Be sure to follow any additional instructions that your teacher provides. Swipe left to see more MLA Guidelines APA Guidelines Paper Standard size (8.5 x 11" in the U.S.) Page Margins 1" on all sides (top, bottom, left, right) 1" on all sides (top, bottom, left, right) Font … Read more

Resources for Finding and Accessing Scientific Papers

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Introduction Reading scientific literature is a critical part of conceiving of and executing a successful advanced science project. The How to Read a Scientific Paper guide can help you get the most out of each paper you read—first, of course, you have to actually get your hands on the paper! That's where this guide comes in. Below you'll find tips and resources for both searching for and acquiring free copies of scientific papers to read. Academic Search Engines: Resources for Finding… Read more

Scratch User Guide: Adding Images & Sprites to a Scratch Program

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Introduction One fun feature of Scratch is that you can easily add any images and text that you want to your program. Do you want to draw a new Scratch cartoon character directly on the computer? Or add real photos of you and your friends to a Scratch dance animation you're making? Or maybe create a rainbow-colored set of instructions for your Scratch game? You can do all of these things and much more with just a few clicks of the mouse. This page contains instructions for adding sprites in the… Read more

Writing a Research Paper for Your Science Fair Project

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Overview Year after year, students find that the report called the research paper is the part of the science fair project where they learn the most. So, take it from those who preceded you, the research paper you are preparing to write is super valuable. Read more

All About Agar

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An Introduction to Agar With its distinctive smell, one can easily distinguish agar from the other materials commonly found in a laboratory. Chemically, agar is a polymer made up of subunits of the sugar galactose, and is a component of the cell walls of several species of red algae that are usually harvested in eastern Asia and California. Dissolved in boiling water and cooled, laboratory agar looks gelatinous. Although agar's chief use is as a culture medium for various microorganisms,… Read more

Design Notebook

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The design process takes days, weeks, sometimes even months or years, to complete and involves many different steps and phases along the way. If you recorded all of your work in different places, it would be almost impossible to find important thoughts when you need to refresh your memory. And, it would be difficult to gather all your work to present your final solution. To avoid being disorganized, designers and engineers keep design notebooks, where they record every detail of… Read more

How to Build and Use a Subsonic Wind Tunnel

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Introduction This how-to guide provides detailed instructions for construction and use of a subsonic wind tunnel. The wind tunnel is best used for science fair projects in grades 9–12. Figure A. This is an example of the wind tunnel you can make, based on the design and instructions provided in this how-to guide! Did you know that every single plane, helicopter, and spaceship used in America today has been tested in a wind tunnel? A wind… Read more

Prototyping

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Prototyping A prototype is an operating version of a solution. Often a designer makes a prototype with different materials than the final version, and generally it is not as polished. Prototypes are a key step in the development of a final solution, allowing the designer to test how the solution will work and even show the solution to users for feedback. Occasionally, designers will prototype pieces of the final solution very early in the design process. Sometimes designers will make… Read more

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