High school science fair projects allow students to experience scientific processes first hand by selecting a topic, creating an hypothesis, designing an experiment, recording results and analyzing them, as well as creating presentations showcasing these abilities. Such processes will equip them for careers in many scientific fields in the future.
Encourage your child to select a project they find fascinating; this will make the entire experience more pleasurable for all involved.
Design
High school science fair projects give students a great opportunity to explore STEM fields while building research skills and creating something tangible with their own hands.
Example of Optics and Physics Experiment by eighth Grade Students | Build your own Rube Goldberg machine or laser tunnel! Additionally, students can measure electrolytes found in sports drinks to determine which ones provide the most effective hydrating properties.
Students can use the Science Buds Topic Selection Wizard to find project ideas that match their interests, then follow the scientific method to formulate and test their hypothesis or theory. When they have results, they can present them in the form of a science fair display board and project report – including clear titles at the top center and Problem Statement/Hypothesis on one side and Procedure and Materials on the other.
Experiment
At the high school level, science fair projects often require more complex concepts and experiments. Students should select an engaging topic of their choosing and devise an experiment designed to answer any lingering queries they might have about it before conducting it carefully following scientific methods and taking careful notes throughout.
Students participating in this project analyze the effects of different antibiotics on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. They isolate identical cultures into two separate petri dishes before adding different antibiotics and recording their results.
Students engaged in another exciting chemistry experiment can craft their own peppermint hard candy while learning about moles, molecules and formula weights. Furthermore, this experiment allows them to experiment with density by layering various liquids to form rainbow shapes – another fun element!
Students can experience first-hand the power of friction by testing how fast objects roll on both smooth and rough surfaces, and by exploring potential and kinetic energy by launching balls onto ramps and measuring how far each one rebounds back down the ramp.
Presentation
Presentation is an integral component of high school science fair projects. Students must explain their experiments and results clearly, concisely and answer any questions from judges regarding how their results could apply to real world situations.
Students presenting should stand up straight, use appropriate hand gestures and avoid chewing gum or candy while speaking clearly and loudly. Eye contact should be made with judges throughout their presentation and they should stick to their allotted time limit; now is their opportunity to impress them and win! Science fairs provide teens an ideal opportunity to explore scientific fields they are passionate about while developing the necessary skills – hypotheses formulation, design experiments, data gathering and drawing conclusions are essential components of future success in science as well as other subjects.
Evaluation
High school science fair projects allow students to engage in the scientific method by conducting and evaluating research. Students learn to ask questions, generate hypotheses, collect data and test their hypothesis as well as present results in an understandable format for others to consume.
Teachers use rubrics to assess each portfolio component throughout a student project and give timely, actionable feedback to their students. Furthermore, teachers employ peer review for major milestones such as research papers or poster presentations.
Bell et al conducted a research study with 195 junior high school students and concluded that successfully executed science fair project experiences provide authentic opportunities for scientific inquiry and participation. Furthermore, their results suggested that participating in science fairs makes students more inclined towards careers in science and engineering compared to non-participants; this finding aligns well with results of national and regional student surveys where 60% reported increased interest in these areas after participating in science fairs.