A successful science fair project does not have to be expensive or time-consuming. However, it does require some planning. Some projects (for example, growing plants) require weeks to get results, or you may need to try your experiment more than once. 

Project Guidelines: Students may work individually, in pairs, or in small groups. All of the work on science fair projects will be done at home, outside of school time. Students should get parent approval for your project. The idea is for students to have a meaningful learning experience, so please choose a project that fits with student age-level and abilities. 

Safety Note: The following are NOT ALLOWED to be displayed at the Science Fair (you may show photographs): open flames; flammable chemicals; live animals; preserved animals or their body parts; microbial cultures or fungi; food; needles or other sharp or dangerous objects; drugs; radioactive, toxic, poisonous, corrosive or reactive materials; or open top batteries. 

Do you need an idea? Here are some ideas and questions to get you started. Also check out our school library or your neighborhood public library for science fair “how to” books. 

• Collection (grades K-2): A collection is a gathering together and presentation of similar things. Science collections show materials in an organized way, with labels. For example, you could: collect bird feathers and identify the birds they came from; photograph and label different cloud formations; research different types of animal habitat and list plants and animals that live in each or display a shell collection including labels of where and what animal each shell is from. The collection doesn’t have to be from nature; for example, you could gather and display recyclable materials made from a certain mineral, compound, or technology. 

• Model (grades K-4): A model or a demonstration is a “show and tell” display about a natural system or technology. You may build a model or a simulation or show the real object. Your demonstration must include an explanation of how the system works. For example, you could: build a model of an atom; create a display that explains how a microscope magnifies an object; diagram how a weather system, such as a tornado, works; or construct a spider web out of string. 

• Invention (grades K-5): An invention is a new way to do something that fixes a problem or is a new useful, fun or interesting idea. Think of something that needs to be fixed or improved or a new idea, then think of a way to fix it, do it or make it. For your display, you should build it or describe it, showing how it would work, and describe what it is made of, what it would do, and why. 

• Experiment (grades K-5): An experiment or an investigation is a way to answer a question by using the scientific method. Science investigations involve posing a question, predicting the outcome, testing the question, making observations, and presenting the results. A good, testable scientific question can usually be stated in the form: “How does _________affect _________?” Some topics you might consider are: physical properties (such as hardness, temperature, size, texture, etc.), motion of objects (think of flying, rolling, dropping, etc.), wave behavior (sound, water, light), energy (heat, light, chemical, food), earth materials (questions about rocks, soil, water, air), or living organisms (characteristics of plants and animals). 

Free display boards! PTA has purchased cardboard tri-fold display boards for students to use. Once your science fair project is underway please email info@brooksidepta.org and we will arrange for a display board to be delivered to the student’s classroom to take home. 

Please include student name, grade and teacher on the front of all display boards/projects. If extra display materials are included with the display board please label with student name.