· Make a detailed plan for your experiment and share it with a teacher or mentor. Good experiments have two main parts referred to as a controlled test and an experimental test. The control test is a basic test that proves what you think you already know. The experimental test tests your hypothesis and is exactly like the control test but with exactly one thing different. Having a control test and an experimental test allow you to show that if the results changed, it had to be because of the one thing being different.
· A hypothesis should be a prediction in an “if, then” format. It should be something that you can definitely test whether it is supported or not.
· Your hypothesis is not a question. In fact, your hypothesis is actually your answer. The answer that you're going to test and either prove or disprove. Keep this statement simple.
· Split up your scientific project into little slices. Make it visible by defining what you would like to accomplish in a given period of time. This will help you stay on track.
· Even if you don’t have proper laboratory facilities in your school, try to think of new ways around it. Construct your own equipment if you have to.
· When planning your project "Keep project schedules realistic and plan for many challenges and obstacles...it's time to get some serious problem solving hats on!"
· Be sure you have enough time to carry out everything you plan to do. You do not want to have to rush and finish right before the submission deadline. You should also make sure that you have a rough idea of what your experiment will require and what you will be doing, before you even begin researching.
· To decide on your question "read science journals, newspapers and magazines. (i.e. Nat Geo, Reader’s Digest and Scientific American) You never know what may spark off an idea!"
· Don't be afraid to contact nearby teachers or university mentors to ask for lab resources or advice. Often, they are really impressed with the work a high school-er is doing, and would be happy to offer materials and suggestions.
· To come up with a question, first consider what area of science you are the most interested in or a current, world-wide challenge. Then, think of a question you would ask someone in that field. It’s helpful to interview people who work in the field. This may help narrow down your project focus, and could potentially lead to a research opportunity or mentor relationship.
· There must be millions of things you want to change in the world around you. You might want to solve one of the problems you face everyday, you might want to help the people around you. Go ahead and take the challenge up.
· The best questions are usually the ones that you ask yourself randomly. Your question should be inspiring, something that you would like to know the answer to.
· Don't think of problems just for the sake of the science fair; think of a problem that truly affects you and something you would enjoy working on. I have seen many great science fair students struggle with this idea of coming up with problems that they aren't really passionate about just for a project, and I think the entire project just means so much more when students have enjoyed their work and they have a personal, individual interest in their research or their inventions. Plus, you will never get sick of presenting work you're really enthusiastic about. And that enthusiasm definitely comes through.
· Make sure the project is in a field you love and are seriously passionate about. Think about...what do you dream about?
· Regarding picking your project, "Get the idea from something you are interested in. If you do not really have a passion for your topic, the project will not be much fun. It also helps to know a little about your topic beforehand, so that you are not researching something completely alien to you."
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