What do market analysts, forensic crime technicians, and backyard gardeners have in common? They all apply the inquiry process to the research necessary in their careers. Most professions have common skills that are required for success, such as critical and creative thinking involving gaining, applying, and communicating knowledge. Working collaboratively and contributing are common themes in education, science, and technology. These common themes involve habits of mind such as curiosity, open-mindedness balanced with skepticism, a sense of stewardship and care, respect for evidence, and persistence. All these skills and themes are integral parts of doing a science fair project and help to prepare you for a changing technological world.
Working on a science fair project requires using the skills gained in Social Studies, English, Math, Technology, the Arts, and the Sciences, making a science fair project an interdisciplinary activity. Science fair projects provide opportunities to collaborate with many teachers, especially in Math and English, and implement cross-curriculum, or team leadership and cooperation.
A science fair project allows you to pose your own question and answer it. Doing a science fair project involves developing and “owning” the question; researching literature; forming a hypothesis; designing an experiment; gathering and organizing the data; analyzing, graphing, and discussing the data; making a conclusion; writing the literary and research reports, and making an oral and visual presentation. Therefore, you develop and apply skills in literary and laboratory research, statistical analysis, and public speaking, while gaining a sense of empowerment and building self-esteem. Because science fair projects are actually cross-curriculum projects that train you for real-life problem solving, the science fair project integrates all aspects of your education and helps to prepare you for real-world job assignments. Having completed a science fair project, you will have the skills necessary to design future investigations in a variety of different fields. A science fair project may become the impetus for a future career.
Science fair projects are fun and filled with self-discovery. When beginning the process, you may feel overwhelmed at its enormity, however, you will experience tremendous growth and fulfillment as you progress through the steps and are evaluated by peers, teachers, and judges. This experience builds self-confidence and often enables you to present ideas to others in various situations, such as college and job interviews.
CHECK OUT A MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR! VIDEO IS BELOW