Greensburg Junior High School

Selecting a Topic

Finding a topic for science fair is perhaps the most difficult part. First, you want to avoid doing something too simple; however, you also want to avoid a project that would require a rocket scientist to complete. You want to avoid projects that have been overdone at every science fair, but you also want to avoid doing a project for which you can find no information. Finding a topic that satisfies your curiosity and that is original is difficult. Another factor at Greensburg Junior High School is that the topic must be related to your current science or health curriculum. However, the most important factor is that the topic must be one that interests you.

Some of the best places to look for projects are in your math, science, and computer classes especially something you are studying. Check out the textbooks for those classes to see if they contain any ideas or additional sources of information. Do not limit yourself to only those subjects. Health and history classes also might have additional resources. For example, history classes might point you toward projects with fossils, ancient ship design, or dating ancient artifacts. If these also relate to topics in your science class, they will work.

Another place to look for ideas is in your home. If your mother or father is a carpenter, then a project on different types of wood might work. You would have an expert resource person right in your home. Hobbies or family interests make excellent projects if they relate to your science curriculum.

Advertisements can become sources for student projects. Claims are often made stating this product is better than another. Consumer and product testing are often found in science fairs.

Finally, the news may help you select a topic. Now, you must understand that you will not be able to find a cure for cancer within your project. However, there are areas for which you can find projects. If you lived in a large city plagued with smog, a project relating to the effects of smog on living things could do well. Be aware of your environment and receptive to the ideas it offers.

Many students need ideas for topics. These can be found in libraries and websites in great quantities. Do not ask your teacher to do this work for you. Do your own research. Your teacher does understand that you might need some ideas to jog your mind in choosing a topic. The list below is not intended for you to use in this year's fair. It is intended to give you a basis for selecting your own topic.

Life Science

•  Does Smell Affect Memory?

•  Can a Dog Reduce Stress in 3 rd Graders?

•  Effect of Pretreating Corn Seeds Before Germinating

Earth and Space Science

•  To Rain or Not to Rain

•  Spying on Satellites

•  The Veil of Darkness

 

Physical Science

•  Water, Water Everywhere-Which Is the Safest to Drink?

•  Which Juice Contains the Most Vitamin C?

•  Solar Power

You should ask your teacher what projects are NOT permitted. In fact, all project topics must receive your teacher's permission in order to be entered in the fair. In your orientation meeting, you were told that no volcanoes or solar system model projects would be permitted. So, check your ideas with your science teacher.