By Kayla Fay
Middle school science fair projects. Most students in middle school are required to submit a science project to the science fair. For kids like you who have been used to the more lenient standards of elementary school, the more complicated guidelines can be a shock. Here's a guide to helping middle schoolers to have success as you head to the fair.
1. Do the project and do it yourself. This should go without saying, but I get emails all the time asking for something that is already completed. Teachers can tell if you copy and paste information directly from the internet or from a book, or if your dad did the work. I've had teachers contact me and ask if kids have plagiarized. I'm happy when I can say 'no'!
2. Choose the right kind of project. Most of the time, an investigatory project is required. That's a fancy way of saying that you have to do an experiment that follows the scientific method. Demonstrations, collections, and models are usually not accepted. If they are, you have a lot more options. (Hint - judges do like experiments.)
3. Be interested in your work. Think about what you enjoy doing, watching on television, surfing on the internet. See if you can come up with a project that involves something you like. You already have a background knowledge of the subject. Plus, if you like what you're doing, you'll learn more. And if you're learning, your project will show that you are interested. Judges love that!
4. Make sure you include all required elements. Experiment logs, charts, graphs, supply lists and even photographs are often part of the judging at the fair. Do you need an abstract - a research paper? Make sure that you follow the directions exactly.
5. Have an attractive display. You're competing against lots of other scientists - just like scientists who are grown up. Part of science is being able to share and display your work effectively. When you create your science board, use bright colors, attractive fonts, interesting props, and clear pictures. Be neat. See if there is something you can do that it interactive. Come up with a catchy title so you'll stand out from the crowd.
Sixth grade, seventh grade, and eight grade - three great chances for you to learn more about science and more about making a presentation with your middle school science fair project.
Middle school science fair projects. Most students in middle school are required to submit a science project to the science fair. For kids like you who have been used to the more lenient standards of elementary school, the more complicated guidelines can be a shock. Here's a guide to helping middle schoolers to have success as you head to the fair.
1. Do the project and do it yourself. This should go without saying, but I get emails all the time asking for something that is already completed. Teachers can tell if you copy and paste information directly from the internet or from a book, or if your dad did the work. I've had teachers contact me and ask if kids have plagiarized. I'm happy when I can say 'no'!
2. Choose the right kind of project. Most of the time, an investigatory project is required. That's a fancy way of saying that you have to do an experiment that follows the scientific method. Demonstrations, collections, and models are usually not accepted. If they are, you have a lot more options. (Hint - judges do like experiments.)
3. Be interested in your work. Think about what you enjoy doing, watching on television, surfing on the internet. See if you can come up with a project that involves something you like. You already have a background knowledge of the subject. Plus, if you like what you're doing, you'll learn more. And if you're learning, your project will show that you are interested. Judges love that!
4. Make sure you include all required elements. Experiment logs, charts, graphs, supply lists and even photographs are often part of the judging at the fair. Do you need an abstract - a research paper? Make sure that you follow the directions exactly.
5. Have an attractive display. You're competing against lots of other scientists - just like scientists who are grown up. Part of science is being able to share and display your work effectively. When you create your science board, use bright colors, attractive fonts, interesting props, and clear pictures. Be neat. See if there is something you can do that it interactive. Come up with a catchy title so you'll stand out from the crowd.
Sixth grade, seventh grade, and eight grade - three great chances for you to learn more about science and more about making a presentation with your middle school science fair project.
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