Every student in a science class (grades 5 through 12) will be asked to create a project for this year’s Science Fair. It will provide part of their science course grade for the first semester’s grading periods. The fair will be near the end of the semester so that each student will have time to do an excellent job.
In order that each student can do a project most closely related to their interests and abilities, several categories of projects are available:
- Investigative Study: This is the "typical" science fair project in which the steps of the scientific method are followed to complete a scienfici investigation. This category is the only one that is likely to produce a project that will be able to compete well at a regional fair.
- Archetypic Study: An archetype is a design used by God in more than one of His living creations. The living cell is one of the most basic archetypes, because all creatures are composed of them. This type of project would involve the selection of an archetype and a study of its similarities and differences in three or more species.
- Historic Study: This might involve a study of a famous scientist (or one who’s not so famous). It could also consist of the historic development of a scientific idea.
- Artistic Study: The display portion of this type of project would be an original work of art, the largest dimension not to be less than two feet. The subject matter will be related to science in some way, and the written portion a thorough exploriation of the nature and significance of the work.
A search with Google for "science fair ideas" will turn up tons of links, mostly for investigative studies. Recommended for an early visit is Science Fair Central for a handbook on preparing a project. Students should consult with Dr. Lester frequently to be sure they are moving in the right direction with their project.
Here’s a website for projects about plants: Botany Science Projects. They include an ad for quickie projects that are not appropriate (I copied a list of them for future reference!).
More information will be added to this page, and you are encouraged to check it periodically.