Project Guides (Page 6)

Materials List

Project Resource

Preparing a Materials List What type of supplies and equipment will you need to complete your science fair project? By making a complete list ahead of time, you can make sure that you have everything on hand when you need it. Some items may take time to obtain, so making a materials list in advance represents good planning! Make the materials list as specific as possible, and be sure you can get everything you need before you start your science fair project. While you are making your shopping… Read more

Mind Mapping

Project Resource

Mind mapping example. Click image for full-size image. Mind mapping refers to a technique that designers and engineers use to express and generate ideas. All that mind mapping really is, however, is a way to get all of the ideas in your head down onto paper. There is no right or wrong way to mind map. It is simply a visual representation of the thoughts in your head, and it often looks like organized chaos. Why Mind Map? Mind mapping helps you to release… Read more

Prototyping

Project Resource

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

Resources for Finding and Accessing Scientific Papers

Project Resource

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

Science Fair Judging

Project Resource

How to Prepare for Your Science by Amber Hess For some science fairs you will actually have a chance to meet and speak with the judges. If you prepare for these interviews, they're a great opportunity to create a positive impression of your work. The Details Preparing for the Science Fair Judging— Practice Makes Perfect! If you can communicate your science fair project well, you maximize your chances of winning. Write up a short "speech" (about 2–5 minutes long) summarizing… Read more

Simplified NEON Data Download Tool

Project Resource

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) collects and makes public ecosystem data from sites around the United States. From this page, students can download simplified versions of selected data for use in classroom and science project explorations. To download data: Select a location by clicking on a marker on the map or by using the drop-down list below the map. Click the Download button. Wait for the file to be generated. This process may take up to 15 seconds. … Read more

Background Research Plan for an Engineering Design Project

Project Resource

The Focus of Your Background Research For an engineering design project, you should do background research in two major areas: Users or customers Existing solutions Users or Customers Research your target user or customer. Everything humans design is ultimately for the use of another human. (Think about it— even products designed for animals or plants are first purchased by another human!) Your choice of target user will sometimes have a big impact on your design… Read more

Brainstorm Multiple Solutions

Project Resource

Why Create Multiple Solutions? When solving a design problem, there are always many possible good solutions. If you focus on just one before looking at the alternatives, it is almost certain that you are overlooking a better solution. Good designers try to generate as many possible solutions as they can before choosing one that they feel is the best. Even "wild and crazy" design ideas that you end up rejecting might have some pieces that can make other designs better. Read more

Finding Information for Your Research Paper

Project Resource

How to Find Information No matter how you do your background research, record your sources and take good notes as you go. Your teacher may be able to offer you some tips. Library Research One of the most valuable resources at the library is not a book, but a person. Public librarians, college librarians and certified school librarians are specially trained to teach information literacy. Librarians are excellent sources for organizing research, for teaching how to search, how to read and use… Read more

How to Build and Use a Subsonic Wind Tunnel

Project Resource

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

Project Guides (151 results)

Explore Our Science Videos