Science fair topic idea
The hardest part of the science fair is coming up with a topic idea. There are some general things to keep in mind when creating a topic for a High School Science fair that will make this process easier:
Start with something you enjoy, are active in, or just curious about.
Develop an experiment around the sport you play
Play an instrument... do an experiment with/around it
Enjoy painting, drawing, or art. Experiment with new materials or methods
Are you in a CTAE pathway class? develop an experiment around a specific skill/task
Look at the topic category list to get an idea of the areas that topics can fall within.
Look through high school textbooks or scientific magazines/journals (any science, math, engineering, agriculture, and many pathway classes) to see what spikes your interest.
Find a problem in your (or a family member's) life and develop a solution. See teen/child inventors below.
The topic/project must be challenging (answer not already known) and a true experimental project or prototype development and testing. This is NOT just a research paper.
If you can "Google" the answer to your idea, then the topic will NOT be accepted.
High School level topics do NOT include product comparisons (for example, which brand works better).
High school-level topics can create a use for current technology that it was not originally intended for.
Search OLD INTEL abstracts
AVOID taking a project idea off the internet and presenting it as is (see #5 and 6 above}
Must NOT be on the topics to avoid list.
Things to consider when developing a topic
Must be a testable experiment
Example: What temperature of water will grow plants the best in the dark? Can NOT be tested, MOST plants need light for photosynthesis
Can’t test growing (or killing) bacteria at home. This MUST be done in a supervised lab
Any experiment that involves people, EVERY person tested MUST sign a consent for testing form.
If <18 their parent MUST sign the form prior to doing the test (this includes surveys)
You can NOT do product comparison, but you could develop your own product and test it against a store-bought product.
Example of not approved topics and why
what beverage evaporate the fastest? [low level]
what color candle burns fastest? [low level]
do ants prefer sugar vs. artificial sweeteners [low level]
can lemon/oranges/other fruit light an LED bulb [low level and known]
how does talking on cell phone influence reaction time [known: slows time]
which metal is better at conducing electricity [low level & known]
Which liquid corrodes a rock/nail/(other object) the fastest? [know: more acidic = faster]
what food provides most energy [known: calorie content on labels]
what brand of paper towel will work the best [product comparison]
what brand of contact solution kills bacteria the best? [low level & product comparison]
Have an idea but not sure if its known!!
Google part of your question/idea
If you find the answer to your question, the topic will NOT be approved
If you find a procedure online for that exact project, then the topic will NOT likey be approved
NOTE: You can apply the idea to something new for a different experiment
If you find a kit you can order online to test your experiment, it is NOT likely to be approved
MOST kits test phenomena that is already known and would NOT be approved
See teen/child inventor information for additional ideas:
More information found at
https://sites.google.com/henry.k12.ga.us/hrsef/home
https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/international-rules/