What is Science fair: Definition and 117 Discussions

A science fair is a competitive event, hosted by schools worldwide. The distinguishing characteristic of a science fair is that project entries employ the scientific method to test a hypothesis. Science fairs are not exhibits or mere displays of projects. Students present their science project results in the form of a report, display board, and/or models that they have created. Science fairs allow students in elementary, middle and high schools to compete in science and/or technology activities. The goal of a science fair is for students to answer a question based on a hypothesis. Students often work on science fair projects in addition to their school work. Therefore, most science fair entries are usually modified versions of existing experiments. Display boards help communicate the nuances of a project to science fair judges, visitors, and other entrants.Science fairs may also allow for students with intense interest in the sciences to be paired with mentors from nearby colleges and universities, so that the students have access to instruction and equipment that the local schools do not provide.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. F

    ADR for Middle School Science fair project (Magnetic Refrigeration)

    Hi, I'm curious about doing a middle school science fair project showing how magnetism can be used to cool Gadolinium and thus demonstrate the basis of magnetic refrigeration (ADR). From what I've read it looks like the requirements for generating the required magnetic field would make such...
  2. R

    Science Fair Ideas - High School Level Ideas Needed

    Hey guys, our teacher just announced that for our physics final this year we will be participating in our first ever school science fair (ooohhh!) Anyways, I've been searching for an hour or so and can't really come up with any decent ideas with myself. The project has to be "high school"...
  3. A

    Science fair - Formula for friction to thermal energy?

    Homework Statement For science fair, I'm doing a project in which we are trying to calculate the force of a thermometer being moved normally, versus a thermometer being slowed down by a high-friction material. The thermometer will (Potentially) read the amount of thermal energy produced by...
  4. E

    Astro Physics Project Ideas for my National Science Fair

    Hi, I'm 16 years old and I really want to win my national science fair. I'm fascinated by all things space and I have been addicted to astrophysics ever since my Dad showed me a documentry on the discovery channel when I was ten. I was wondering if anyone could put me on the right path...
  5. N

    Google Science Fair, guidance please

    So i came to know about this GOOGLE SCIENCE FAIR couple of weeks ago and I am thinking about participating in it . I want to do a project related to physics . But i have no idea what they expect me to make . I am sure with my level of physics knowledge there is very less possibility that i will...
  6. I

    Help With Science Fair; Calculating Force

    Calculating Force; A Nut Pushing Down on a Screw Hello, I'm new to Physics Forums, and this question is not really about schoolwork/coursework, however because it is somewhat school related, I was afraid to post it anywhere else. Anyway, I am doing a science fair project where I am...
  7. J

    What Are Innovative Physics Science Fair Project Ideas for ISEF?

    Hello everybody ! I'm a 15 years old student in ninth grade.My country will do the selective Physics Science Fair for ISEF.The winners will have opportunity to compare on I-Sweep next year.All best students of my country will participate in this competition.Most of them will be helped very much...
  8. C

    How Do You Find The Surface Tension of Water? 14 years old; Science Fair Project

    I need to find the surface tension of water and how it is effected by different kinds of soap. I am unsure how to find the surface tension of a liquid though. Please and thank you! xoxo Best wishes! NERD OUT. ∞ Homework Statement ... Homework Equations ... The Attempt at a...
  9. M

    Science Fair Project Ideas for Astronomy

    Hey there guys! I haven't been on this forum a while, been busy with school work and assessments, but still catching up on astronomical developments and physical advancements (Higgs Boson around the corner soon?!) Anyways, as the title suggests, I'm definitely entering a local science fair...
  10. S

    Optical Advice on building a science fair telescope

    I am helping my son design and build a refractor telescope for a science fair project (8th grade). He has read some on lens types and focal lengths. We also read that Galileo's most powerful telescope was 33x, and was able to view Saturn's rings and Jupiter's planets. We want to be able to do...
  11. C

    Science Fair - Why perpertual motion won't work.

    Hi, I am thinking of doing my next science fair project on perpetual motion, showing what prevents it from working. I am thinking of getting a 1-2 foot diameter plastic tube, maybe 3 feet long, mounting one electric fan about 1 foot inside one end, and another unpowered fan one foot inside...
  12. M

    Young's Double Slit Experiment science fair

    I plan on trying to recreate a version of Young's double slit experiment for a science fair. All the methods I've found for it recommend using a helium-neon laser. Would a laser pointer or some other cheaper laser work? For the slits my idea is to get a glass microscope slide, paint over it then...
  13. W

    Science Fair Question: Unifying Forces and Winning Science Fairs

    Okay, I plan on going to county science fair after my school science fair this year. I'm in 9th grade, and did a double slit experiment (with light!.) A friend of mine (best friend) has won first place before on a county and state level (same experiment.) And several grand prizes type things. He...
  14. N

    Please Please Someone help Is this science fair project for real ?

    So I have this guy whom I asked help from for my science fair Project , he showed me something like this he had one meter like thing which he called micrometer(Sorry if I am acting dumb ). And there were two wires coming out of it one of which was attached to a Copper plate and other to...
  15. B

    How High Can a Gravity-Fed Water Fountain Shoot?

    My son is wanting to build a gravity fed water fountain that shoots 20 feet up in the air for his science fair project only problem is neither one of us knows where to start or what to use to build this. Was hoping someone would help...
  16. W

    What Science Fair Project Combines Light, Electricity, or Magnetism?

    So, I'm doing a Science fair this year, and I need some help coming up with a new topic. I was origionally going to do something that transfers files using MySQL and Visual Basic, but decided it was kind of stupid. I'm in 9th grade, at the top of my class, and I need a good project. It also...
  17. O

    I'm looking to build a small particle accelerator for a science fair

    Oddly enough, it's for a science fair :) Anyway, I joined the Science Club at my high school earlier today and I learned that we'll be entering our a science fair, winners of which will go to regionals. I read Michio Kaku's (forgive any misspellings) book Hyperspace and it somewhat motivated...
  18. O

    Exploring Quantum Mechanics for a Winning Science Fair Project?

    First off, I didnt know where to put this so I just stuck in where I though it seemed to go best (i didnt really want to put it in the homework section). Here's my problem: My teacher is making us (my 8th grade class) do individual science fair projects and compete them at the regional...
  19. C

    I with a Schrodinger's cat Science fair experiment?

    I am in my freshman year, and I am doing a Schrodinger's cat science fair experiment for AP physics. I know that I might use flipping a coin inside a box, or exploding a raw egg in a microwave instead of killing cats. Anyhow, I was wondering if someone could assist in making this an experiment...
  20. I

    Create an Ion Thruster: 10th Grade Engineering Project

    Hello Physics Forums, I am a tenth grade student looking into a possible engineering/science project. I wanted to know if an ion thruster could be built, how hard would it be if at all possible. I could work with the university of Arizona and they might lend me a lab and equipment. (such as...
  21. B

    Tension definition for science fair anyone

    Homework Statement My daughter is doing a science fair project on friction velocity and tension. She is having a hard time defining tension in a way that everyone will understand, can anyone help us with a definition that will be suitable for a science fair? We did see the posting on...
  22. L

    Brainstorming Science Fair Projects!

    Dear Physics Forums! I am in need of ideas. I plan on entering my town's science fair for the first time soon. I have no idea what I want my project to be though. I specialize in Physics (math), Quantum physics, particle physics, and Electronics (Engineering) I wish for you guys' input on...
  23. M

    Wind Turbine Science Fair Project - Generator Coil Problem

    Homework Statement My son and I have built a wind turbine following the plans on: Build your own Wind Turbine Designed by Dave Mussell http://www.re-energy.ca/docs/wind-turbine-cp.pdf" . These plans were inspired by the Picoturbine: link to manufacturer and link to PDF. We used 30 AWG...
  24. K

    What are some award-winning, easy, and cheap science fair project ideas?

    Can anyone give suggest me a science project which is award winning,easy & cheap.
  25. L

    Quick Science Fair Question - Testing Enzyme Reaction Rates

    Hi! I was hoping someone could answer a quick question I had about science fair... I had talked to my teacher about doing a project where I test the reaction rate of enzymes in turkey giblets (see which chunk of the turkey has fastest/lowest reaction rates) but we didn't go into a lot of detail...
  26. F

    What Do Judges Look for in Algae-Based Fuel Projects?

    Need HELP! with science fair project! My science fair project is about converting algae into an alternative fuel source. What I am wondering is if you were a judge, what information would you be curious about knowing?
  27. H

    Solve Science Fair Experiment: Calculating G-Forces

    First, I would like to say that I am doing a science fair experiment testing the effectiveness of different polymers in absorbing hits. I have decided that I am looking to exert about 25 g-forces on each polymer. Average football hits are in the 50 g- force range, and taking everything into...
  28. N

    Constructing a Railgun: My Cousin's Science Fair Project

    My cousin is thinking about entering a science fair. Originally, we were going to build a small RC robot from scratch. Then he heard about rail guns on tv. You can guess which won. I have a light university background in physics (graduated in 09), but electronics and electromagnetism were not...
  29. B

    High School Science Fair Railgun

    Hello, I posted a thread over a month ago asking some basic questions on railguns for my high school science fair project. Since then, I've built a working railgun that fires both cyndrilical and square projectiles. Unfortunately those projectiles consist of compressed aluminum foil, so it...
  30. A

    What Are Some Tips for Preparing for a Science Fair Project in One Week?

    Homework Statement The Science fair is only a week away, and i haven't really started my project. It is which factor affects the strength of an electromagnet the most. The factors I am using so far are number of coils, diameter of core, thickness of wire, and voltage of power source. I...
  31. V

    Why Do Magnets Attract Certain Metals?

    science fair project help please! i'm doing a science fair project on magnets and metals and why they attract. I've already tried googling for a good description of why magnets and metals attract, but none of the answers that popped up were good enough. they do not explain very well the process...
  32. T

    Science Fair, pressure to break a bone

    Homework Statement Okay, basically I had a bone in ballistic gels, and I dropped a hexagon (6 sided) weight with the measurements of 1 and 1/2 inches per side from 1 feet, 1 1/2 feet and 2 feet on the ballistic gel enclosed bone. Basically I will need a formula to calculate the psi that he...
  33. M

    Science Fair Project: Diffusing Water Through a Magnet

    Two containers are connected, divided by a selectively permeable membrane. The continer on the left contains pure water. The container on the right contains water and a negatively charged solute. The container on the right is angeled vertically so that when the water diffuses across the membrane...
  34. A

    What Are Some Quick Science Fair Ideas Related to Math and Astronomy?

    I need science fair ideas... and quick! I love math and the universe so this was the first place I came looking for ideas, but my mind is blank. So I eventually came back... and I still need ideas! I must have at least three to present tomorrow. We only had the weekend, so don't blame me!
  35. T

    Medical Is Animal Experimentation for Science Fair Projects Ethical and Effective?

    So I have been straining my mind for a science fair idea since august and have just now came up with a good idea. I was planning on studying the effects of addiction in mice. My idea is to get 9 mice and place them into 3 different cages and assign them each different numbers, A1 B1 C1, ect. I...
  36. G

    Build a Solar Panel with TIO2 for Your Science Fair Project

    I am interested in making solar panel with TIO2 dye-sensitized solar cells for science fair. Can anyone help me?
  37. T

    Velocity of air thru a tube - 4th grade science fair project

    Hi...can anyone help out explain the relationship of diameter to velocity of air flow thru a tube for the following science experiment. A photo is attached. The question they are trying to answer thru the attached experiment is: Does the diameter of the tube affect how high a ping pong ball...
  38. B

    A good store to buy science fair materials?

    Hello everyone. Does anyone know of a good hobby/educational store that sells stuff you can use in physics fair demonstrations? Specifically, I am looking to buy a gyroscope. Although it's a popular toy, they've been hard to find (and due to budget and time constraints I'd rather not order one...
  39. J

    How Did a 14-Year-Old Win a Science Fair with a Quantum Physics Project?

    Hello again! you may or may not remeber me. I'm 14 and a did a science fair project on Quantum Physics. I just thought I'd let everyone know that I did very well and got first in my category. I am now on my way to the provincial science fair! I found everyone very helpful on the forum even...
  40. Math Jeans

    Science Fair Project Ideas for 9th Graders

    Hello. My sister is going to participating in the science fair, and apparently my mom would like me to get a great concept for her to use (she wants to go to an elite university and she needs this on the resume). It is only for 9th graders, so I figure that PF can think of better ideas than...
  41. JasonJo

    Honest opinions of the Intel Science Fair

    I am absolutely enraged after looking at this years Intel Science Fair. I would like to start a legitimate discussion about this. Here is my main issue with the science fair; THE PROFESSORS. I know there are a few professor on this board and I would love to hear your opinions about my argument...
  42. B

    Medical Proving ageing effects on brain through synthesia trends: A High-School Science Fair

    Hello all, I am doing a high-school grade science fair on the effects of aging on synesthesia. Well, at least that's what it tests, but in reality, it's the other way around, almost. Synesthesia, while, indeed, being a genetic condition, is a condition of the brain. Therefore, if the brain is...
  43. X

    Time & Angle: My Science Fair Project

    I am doing my Science Fair project on Inclined Planes. My experiment mainly revolves around the ANGLE of the inclined plane determining the TIME it takes a ball to roll down the plane. I was wondering it I kept all of the other variables the same (length of the plane, weight of the ball) and...
  44. C

    What is the true randomness of random numbers?

    Ok, so I'm creating a science fair project, called "A Study on the Generation of Random Numbers" My basic project outline is as follows: The most difficult part for me will be that "standard of randomness". I am currently unaware of something like this, but that is most likely due to my...
  45. S

    Exploring the Physics of Bullet Velocity and Impact in a Science Fair Project

    anyone have any ideas how I could design a science fair project around bullet physics? I was leaning toward muzzle velocity and bullet speed. also the power the different calibre's of bullets have on impact but I am not sure how to design the experiment or measure results any help would be...
  46. Q

    Ideas for science fair project

    I was wondering if anyone new of anyway to test relativity in an easy experiment, or an easy experiement forthe photoelectric effect.
  47. O

    Question to aid my science fair research

    I am doing a science fair project in which I am trying to find the relationship between skid distance and cone length. In class we used paper cones which were lined up at the bottom of a ramp (as seen in the attached image) and a marble was released. The marble then, after rolling, entered the...
  48. D

    Idea for Science Fair that deals with Tuning Forks

    Any ideas how to use tuning forks in a science fair *high school science fair*
  49. B

    Biology Science Fair: Seeking Research & Chemical Guidance

    I am doing a biology science fair. Here is my plan: I am going to ask my pharmacist for HCG containing pills, and put them into 5 different cups - one which will remain as a constant I can compare the others to. To the other four, I will add different chemicals, then test them for HCG using...
  50. G

    Science Fair Help for 12th Grade Physics Project

    Hi, I'm a 12th grade student and I need some help with my physics science fair project. My partner and I had previously chosen to select fuel cells as our topic because it has to be experimental. We've also chosen this because the project has to fit the fair's theme which is about helping the...
Back
Top