Topic Research: Research a Topic
While you're choosing a topic, take advantage of all the resources around you. Here are just a few suggestions for finding the perfect project topic.
Look Closely at the World Around You
You can turn everyday experiences into a project topic by using the "exploring" question "I wonder...?" For example, you often see cut flowers in a vase of water. These flowers stay pretty for days. If you express this as an exploring question—"I wonder, why do cut flowers last so long in a vase of water?"—you have a good question about plants. But could this be a project topic? Think about it! Is it only the water in the vase that keeps the flowers fresh? Does it matter how the flower stems are cut? By continuing to ask questions, you zero in on the topic of water movement through plants.
Keep your eyes and ears open, and start asking yourself more exploring questions, such as "I wonder, why does my dad paint our house so often?" "I wonder, do different brands of paint last longer?" "I wonder, could I test different kinds of paint on small pieces of wood?" To know more about these things, you can research and design a whole science fair project about the topic of the durability of different kinds of paint. You will be pleasantly surprised at the number of possible project ideas that will come to mind when you begin to look around and use "exploring" questions.
There are an amazing number of comments stated and questions asked by you and those around you each day that could be used to develop science project topics. Be alert and listen for a statement such as "He's a chip off the old block, a southpaw like his dad." If you are in the searching phase of your science fair project, this statement can become an exploring question, such as "I wonder, what percentage of people are left-handed?" or "I wonder, are there more left-handed boys than girls?" These questions could lead you to developing a project about the topic of genetics (inheriting characteristics from parents).
Choose a Topic from Your Experience
Having a cold is not pleasant, but you could use this "distasteful" experience as a means of selecting a project topic. For example, you may remember that when you had a cold, food did not taste as good. Ask yourself, "I wonder, was this because my nose was stopped up and I couldn't smell the food?" A project about taste and smell could be very successful. After research, you might decide on a problem question such as "How does smell affect taste?" Propose your hypothesis and start designing your project experiment. For more on developing a project, see A Sample Project.
Find a Topic in Science Magazines
Don't expect topic ideas in science magazines to include detailed instructions on how to perform experiments and design displays. What you can look for are facts that interest you and that lead you to ask exploring questions. An article about Antarctic animals might bring to mind these exploring questions: "I wonder, how do penguins stay warm?" "I wonder, do fat penguins stay warmer than skinny penguins?" Wow! Body insulation, another great project topic.
Select a Topic from a Book on Science Fair Projects or Science Experiments
Science fair project books can provide you with many different topics to choose from. Even though science experiment books do not give you as much direction as science fair project books, many can provide you with exploratory "cookbook" experiments that tell you what to do, what the results should be, and why. But it will be up to you to provide all the exploring questions and ideas for further experimentation. A list of different project and experiment books can be found in Books and Web Links.
Something to Consider
You are encouraged not to experiment with vertebrate animals or bacteria. If you wish to include them in your project, ask your teacher about special permission forms required by your local fair organization. Supervision by a professional, such as a veterinarian or physician, is usually required. The project must cause no harm or undue stress to the subject.
From Janice VanCleave's Guide to the Best Science Fair Projects, Janice VanCleave (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997)
