Beyond the ribbon, a science fair project builds "real-world" skills that are hard to teach in a regular classroom:
Critical Thinking: Learning how to ask a question and find a systematic way to answer it.
Communication: Practicing how to explain complex ideas to judges and peers.
Confidence: There is a unique sense of pride in "owning" a project from start to finish.
College/Career Prep: High-level projects can lead to scholarships and look fantastic on college applications.
Besides... it's FUN! (And, did we mention the prizes?!?)
In elementary school in Douglas County, no, a science fair project is not required. However, if your student is in advanced science in middle school, not only will a science fair project be required, it will also count for a big part of their final science grade. Doing an elementary science fair project is a great way to learn the process (as a student and a parent) without the added pressure you'll both face in middle school.
No, your child will not receive a grade in any class for their science fair project. At this age, it is more about learning the process and exploring their interests.
Yes, websites like Science Buddies are incredible resources! However, there is a distinction between using an online resource as a guide and copying a project exactly:
For Beginners: Following a project's steps exactly is a great way to learn the scientific method and get familiar with the whole science fair process.
For Competitive Fairs: If your student wants to win or move on to regional levels, judges look for originality. Encourage your student to take a project idea they find online and add a "twist"—change one variable, test a different material, or apply the idea to a local problem. See our "How To" page for a great video about making a project original.
Cost: It doesn't have to be expensive! Many of the best projects use household items (vinegar, plants, old toys). Most of the "cost" is usually just the tri-fold display board.
Time: Science projects are marathons, not sprints. A standard elementary level science fair can be done in a weekend or over a week-long break. Plan on the whole process taking 4 to 6 weeks from brainstorming to the final board. The actual "experiment" might only take a weekend, but the research and writing take time. Plan ahead! You cannot help your student complete a quality science fair project the weekend before it is due.
We are here to help! Use the Science Fair Remind class to ask us questions as they come to mind. We will typically respond by the end of the next school day.
Think of yourself as a Coach, not the player.
Do help with: Safety (especially with tools or chemicals), transportation to get supplies, and proofreading.
Don't do: The actual experiment, the data collection, or the drawing on the poster board. Judges can usually tell when a project was done by an adult, and they value a student's honest (even if slightly messy) work over a parent's perfection.
Even when your student's project "doesn't work", it is still science! In the professional scientific world, "failed" experiments happen every day and provide incredibly valuable data.
If the plants died or the battery didn't light up, your student should:
Document exactly what happened. Remember to take pictures.
Explain why they think it didn't work in their conclusion.
Suggest what they would do differently next time. Judges often love these projects because they show true critical thinking and honesty.
A "good" scientific method style project is testable and measurable.
Bad Idea: "How do volcanoes work?" (This is just a model, not an experiment).
Good Idea: "Does the temperature of vinegar affect the height of a baking soda volcano's eruption?" (This has a clear variable you can measure with a ruler).
Any engineering style project can be "good". Just make sure your student is attempting to solve a real-world problem with a solution that does not yet already exist.
Depending on your student's interests, they might choose a "Science" project (experiment) or an "Engineering" project (invention). BOTH are equally worthwhile and can score very well in a fair.
To learn more about how projects are judged, see the judging rubrics on our Resources page.