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DON’T PANIC! THE COMMUNITY OF SCIENCE FAIR WIZARDS ARE HERE TO HELP YOU… TEACHERS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS WORLDWIDE!
 I know when its science fair time because e-ons of emails arrive every day from parents, students and teachers:
Will you send me a science fair project?
What is a good science fair project that my daughter can do for her 7th grade science fair?
Do you know of an easy science fair project?
Do you know where I can find ….
Well, now we have created a Forum for you to share your science fair experience, ask questions and get answers from each other. This is a blog for students, parents and teachers… a place for you to help each other.
Each post is monitored and will be posted after it is read by an adult. So please keep your comments honest, clean, and helpful. This is an educational site. The purpose of the Super Science Fair Projects blog is to help you to create the best science fair project on the planet! It is not a place to visit with your friends or to joke around. Those posts will be deleted.
By subscribing to the Free Science Fair Enthusiasts weekly/monthly newsletter where you will be kept informed of new information posted on this Forum.
We look forward to your input.
Madeline Binder
Global warming is a huge science issue that has dominated the news for the last several years. Global warming is the gradual warming of the Earth’s climate which is caused by greenhouse gases which trap the sun’s radiation. One of the effects of global warming is rising sea temperatures. Scientists worry that rising temperatures will cause cold water marine life to die off, however, while this negative side effect of global warming is occurring, it is not the only problem that the ocean life has to deal with. When looking for a science fair idea look at all the possible impacts, positive and negative that global warming is having on the world’s oceans.
The real killer for the world’s oceans is ocean acidification. Ocean acidification occurs when carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean. This lowers the pH level of the ocean water raising the levels of carbonic acid in the oceans. Higher levels of carbonic acid dissolve calcium masses like coral skeletons and shells. This is why it is so dangerous for the sensitive coral reefs that provide homes for corals, worms and other animals.
While ocean acidification is having a negative impact on some animals, other impacts on the oceans caused by global warming are actually helping some species. In fact, the rising temperatures in the world’s oceans are being attributed to the accelerated growth rate for certain forms of algae, which are a staple of the marine ecosystem. If you are looking for middle school science fair projects, consider looking at how global warming is helping some species thrive. This could be the unique angle that will make your project stand out from the competition.
Need help brainstorming ideas for super science fair projects? Start a conversation below and connect with out kids working on project ideas. Bounce ideas off one another and see what happens.
Posted in ocean science projects | 1 Comment »
This week we are going to be looking at the National Energy Education Development Project Youth Awards Program. While this is not a science competition, per se, it is a way for schools to recognize outstanding students for their science achievements. The focus of this program is classroom science exploration. It is designed to encourage schools and students to explore energy science in the classroom and then apply the lessons learned to the community.
This year’s Youth Awards Program will be held in Arlington, Virginia from June 20 through June 23. The application deadline for this program is May 12, 2008. In addition to submitting your application fee of $525 per student, your application and your release forms, you will also need to secure a nomination from one of your state’s senators.
The registration fee of $525 is going to cover most of the student’s expenses during their trip to the Youth Awards Program. It will cover their lodging, their local transportation, their meals, and their tour of Washington, D.C. This is a great program that helps to recognize superior science students, to reinforce the value of developing science skills and a great chance for kids across the country to network with one another. Participation in this program also looks great on college entrance applications.
Science is an important subject to do well in. If you want to get into a great college or technology school development program, then you can develop your skills by working with middle school science fair projects, high school science fair projects and fuel cell car experiments science kits.
Posted in science fair contest - competitions | No Comments »
This week I want to talk about the science programs and competitions offered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. This foundation offers programs and competitions for elementary school students, middle school students and high school students. Read on to learn about tutoring programs and science competitions.
If you are associated with an elementary school, either a student or a teacher, then you will want to learn more about the NREL Coalition for Learning Opportunities of United Tutors. This science program provide Denver regional schools with tutors who will help selected students to expand their scientific horizons. Tutors will work one-on-one with students in reading, science and math topics. They will also supplement their tutoring sessions with special technology and science projects.
Middle schools have a couple of competitions to choose from. The first is the DOE National Middle School Science Bowl. This is an academic tournament that focuses on hydrogen fuel cell cars. The second DOE competition for middle schoolers is the Junior Solar Hydrogen Fuel Cell Competition. This is a classroom based science competition that is designed specifically for junior high students.
High school students, you too can take advantage of NREL competitions. The one designed for you is the DOE High School Science Bowl. This is a science tournament that will run you through both math problems and science problems.
To do well in these competitions it is important that you practice science experiments. Cool science fair projects are great for developing your thinking skills and your project development skills. Return next week for science project ideas and competition information.
Posted in science fair contest - competitions | 2 Comments »
Last week we started a series on science competitions that you and your school can enter. Today I want to continue this discussion by exploring the EV Challenge competition. This competition is focused on transportation technology.
This week’s science competition is the EV Challenge, which has recently been renamed “SMARTT Challenge.” SMARTT stands for “Students Making Advancements in Renewable Transportation Technology.” The name change was done to reflect the new focus of the competition, which is now on renewable transportation technology.
The sponsor of this competition is the Carolina Electric Vehicle Coalition, Inc. The competition is open to both middle schools and high schools, however, the vehicles need to be driven by a high school student. Registration for this competition is open right now, however, you will need to get your registration in by the deadline which is one month after the Fall school semester begins. The first competition will be at the State Fair in October and the final judging event will be in May of 2009.
There are several forms and rule books that you will need to read through before working on your project. However, your project will be judged on the following seven criteria:
trouble shooting
web site development
oral presentation
auto cross
vehicle design
school initiative
When working on your entry don’t forget to utilize all the resources for energy science projects that are at your disposal including energy science fair supplies providers. Return next week for another science projects competition.
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Over the last several months this blog has covered a wide variety of science topics. During the month of April, I want to focus on science programs and competitions that you and your schools can participate in. The first in this series is ExploraVision, which is in its 16th year of operation.
ExploraVision is a scholarship competition that focuses on the development of future technologies. This competition is open to kids from Kindergarten all the way through the 12th grade. The best part about this science competition is that it offers high value scholarships as well as valuable regional awards. For example, the first place prize is a $10,000 U.S. EE Savings Bond and the second place prize is a $5,000 U.S. EE Savings Bond. In addition to these overall prizes, regional prizes will also be awarded to the 24 regional categories. The regional prizes include a notebook computer for the winning school and special gifts for each of the regional winners.
There is no entry fee for this competition. It is a team event, and teams can be made up of 2, 3 or 4 students. Students on the team don’t have to be from the same school and they can also be from a homeschool. The entry deadline for this competition is January of each year, and you retain all the rights to your inventions.
While entries are due until January of next year, it is not too early to start working on your entries. A good way to prepare for this competition is to complete practice energy science fair projects, like an alternative energy power house. Return next week to the Super Science Fair Projects Blog for information on another science competition.
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Last week I touched on the Department of Energy and their multiple science competitions that students can enter. This week I would like to talk about the Canon Envirothon. This is the national event. To participate in the national event your team will need to have already won a state level competition for the same competition circuit.
Before talking about this year’s Canon Envirothon, I need to provide you with information about getting there. First of all you will need to establish your team. Team members can be in the 9th, 10th,11th or 12th grade; and the team needs five student members and one adult team member. State level competition will be help before registration is due for the national level event held in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Information and application packages can be requested from the official Canon Envirothon headquarters by writing to Canon Envirothon, PO Box 855, League City, Texas 77571. This year’s event will be help July 28 through August 3. The topics that will be covered in this year’s event will be based on “recreational impacts on natural resources.” In order to perform well in this science competition your team will need to be able to identify resources quickly, create an interesting presentation and make sure that each student on the team participates equally in the completion of the project and in the oral presentation. This is great practice for science fairs.
Reviewing science news and current scientific journals can be a great way to prepare for this science competition. To give students the best chance possible to win, they need to be up-to-date with science issues. To help them out, you can cover these issues in class lectures and in classroom science demonstrations.
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Last week we talked about the Toy Challenge, a science competition for middle school students in grades 5 through 8. Today I’d like to talk about how you can use science competitions to develop your students’ interest in science. To start with you will need to familiarize yourself with the Department of Energy’s website.
The Department of Energy is a great site to use to find legitimate science competitions for school aged kids. Some of the general energy contests include: National Science Bowl for High School and Middle School Students, Rube Goldberg Machine Contest, National Junior Solar Sprint, and the Solar Decathlon. If you are looking for energy and conservation competitions for your students then also consider these programs: American Solar Challenge, Energy Challenge, Explora Vision, Future Track and Energize Our Future Bowl.
Each of the above contests is designed for students from middle school to college. The key to using these competitions to encourage kids to get involved in science is to match the right competition with the right group of students. Also you need to understand that many of the competitions that require teams, also require a faculty mentor to guide the team to success. Because of this requirement, you will want to plan ahead for student participation and get school approval.
Build fuel cell car kits and other science experiment kits, can be a great source of inspiration for science competition projects. Energy science units can also be used to inspire great competition science entries.
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I would just like to tell this website to just keep up the good work. Not many websites have good information like this. I was basically looking for a site that told me what an abstract was for my science project I was doing and when i stumbled on your site I saw that not only you had the definition but also a very good example. I really appreciate it.
See how to write a science fair projects abstract here…
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Someone sent me this sight because they probably thought that I needed to read on How to Create a Complaint Free World.
It’s published by a church in the Midwest and the idea is to not complain for 21 days. They also have purple bracelets that you wear and every time you complain, you switch the bracelet to the other wrist until you reach your goal.
We have an epidemic of whining and complaining in our culture. There are so many folks who refuse to take responsibility for themselves, and instead they blame the world and everyone in it for their troubles. Complaining makes us a member of that sorry fraternity.
I think of myself as a very positive person, but this was surprisingly difficult. I discovered that I complain to those around me who I trust and love. Now why would I ever put that on them!
Also in a class I am taking, one suggestion the instructor had was to not defend yourself for a week. I have been working on that and it is amazing how many people in my life have expected me to justify my decisions and what roll I have played in having to defend myself. This has been a very freeing experience.
I am sitting here smiling because I realize that the less I complain and justify myself to others the more time I have to accomplish my goals or just have fun! Since this is a science fair site….hmmm… I wonder …maybe you won’t have to enter crunch time to get your project done!
Let’s hear from you and how complaining or justifying yourself to others has made a difference in your life? Madeline
Posted in Gab-Gab-Gab | 2 Comments »
Lately I have been focusing my blogs on science news that kids may find interesting and that teachers can use to create science demonstrations and science fair projects. However, I’d like to turn your attentions to science competitions that your students can enter. As a kid I loved to enter these contests. I found that they not only helped to direct my science skill development, but they were also a lot of fun. Also, as a side effect of entering a lot of skill contests, I accumulated a lot of cool science prizes and scholarship money. Which I am still benefiting from.
One fun science competition that your students can enter is the Toy Challenge. This year’s Toy Challenge is already under way, but sign up for the 2009 program will begin in the fall. I am telling you about this contest now because, as a teacher or mentor, you may need time to get school approval for putting together a team.
I like this particular contest because it requires each team to be comprised of at least 50 percent girls. A lot of contests focus on male entries, and this one tries to at least encourage girls to get involved in science competitions. Each team needs to be made up of between 3 and 6 students who are in the 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade. Each team will also need a mentor and coach. The coach will be responsible for handling the team’s administrative duties like registering the team for the competition and leading weekly meetings.
Getting kids involved in science is why you probably got involved in education. Science competitions, like the one mentioned above, is a great way to inspire students to create awesome science experiments. It is also a great way for kids to explore their own scientific skills which they can use to further their middle school science education.
Posted in middle school science competitions | No Comments »
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