4. Cross Your “t’s” and Dot Your “i’s”: Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are often overlooked in the science world. While I was a TA in graduate school, I got many complaints from students that it was “unfair” to deduct points for grammatical issues in their science papers. I wholeheartedly disagree! Even if you have a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics, you still need to be able to communicate written thoughts in a proper manner. Grammar errors, in general, will detract from the overall research and will make the end result seem far less polished. “Ya do’nt want there pore grammer to be a detraction from they’re hard wurk [sic, sic, sic, and SICK!]” If your child has problems with grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation, provide him (or get help from someone who can) with editing assistance. However, make sure you explain why their work is incorrect instead of merely fixing it!

5. Beauty is in the Eye of the …Judge/Teacher: Pay attention to the aesthetic details–neatness (I recommend typing if it is allowed), ease of reading, and “curb appeal.” Don’t try to squeeze in an extra page by using a size 7 font. Remember the people evaluating the project may not have eyes as young and healthy as yours. Consider using an attractive fabric as a background if you are doing a display. Pick a color scheme (one to two colors; you don’t want it to look like a hippy bus). If you are displaying graphs and charts, mat or frame them with a contrasting background color (cardstock works nicely and is inexpensive). If you have them, pictures of your project in progress are attention grabbers. Also, if you are able to attach 3-D effects to the display (a measuring spoon next to your procedure, samples of your variables (if they are small and easily attached to a display board), for example. You want to pull in your viewers with as many senses as you can!

6. I said, “Win,” not, “Cheat!”: While I freely admit that I like to win, do not cross the fine line between assisting and taking over! Let the project be your student’s and not yours. If they are in middle school, they are not expected to know complex organic chemistry formulas or scientific terms that most college juniors can’t explain. This is an area that, as a Mom, I struggle with more than I thought I would. Having a child with mild special needs, it is often much easier/faster/smooth and less stressful/aggravating/blood-pressure-elevating if I do an assignment rather than coach him through it. However, there are too many dangers in doing the project for them: (a) If they are asked questions about a paper or procedure, they will be unable to answer (b) There is a risk that the child will get a lesser grade or be overlooked in a science fair if it is suspected that it was a parent’s project and (c) Your child will come to expect you to do every future assignment for them (I shiver at this thought!!).

Again, knowledge and science are rewarding… but winning is nice, too. Happy research and experimenting, and may the best scientist win!

Cecilia

PS If you want to win, but are short on time, go to 24 Hour Science Projects for a complete guide to your (hopefully) winning science project.

It’s not an easy thing to find! Science projects that you find online often don’t meet the requirements of the teacher or the science fair – especially if your child is in middle school. And projects that are fast often aren’t enough to teach your child anything. We have four sons, and our family has waited until the last minute to do a science project more than once. But the good news is that there really are good science experiments that can be done quickly and easily.

Here’s what to do:

1. Find out exactly what type of project your child needs. Some teachers want a demonstration science project that the child can present to the class. Some teachers want a science report. Occasionally, scientific models or nature collections will be allowed. Most teachers, however, want an experiment based science project that follows the scientific method.

2. Ask your child for several ideas. He or she will be the scientist, after all! Do an internet or library search for “science projects on…” You may find exactly what you need this way. Make a list of possible projects. Go ahead and discard projects that are on advanced chemistry.

3. Take a look at the ingredients and equipment. If there are items not readily available or are wickedly expensive, you’ll know that project isn’t for you. There are plenty of experiments that can be done with things in the home, or at the supermarket.

4. Find out how long the project takes. If it takes more than two or three days, you probably want to reconsider. The ideal science project will not take more than a few hours, in case something goes wrong and you have to repeat. And unfortunately, this does happen.

Although an good science project isn’t always easy to find, you and your child can work together to find a project that is good to do, but also educational and fun!

If you need a science project now, get our free Parent’s Guide to a Science Project at 24 Hour Science Projects.com!

Your child may have very specific ideas about what he or she would like to submit to the science fair. Before you let excitement rule, however, you need to find out the specific science project guidelines your child must follow. First of all, what type of science project is required? Unbelievably, there are five kinds:

Investigative projects – Most science fairs require students to do an experiment, and usually, this is an investigative, or investigatory science project.

Demonstration projects – This type of project is usually done in class as opposed to a science fair, with the student demonstrating a scientific principle to the class.

Research project – Basically, a research project is a report on a scientific topic.

Models – Models are a three dimensional representation of an object or a concept in science.

Collections – In this type of project a collection of objects is displayed to give an overview of a topic.

Also be aware of any restrictions the science fair or your school may have. Can you use/display food? What about animals? Will your child have to perform the experiment in front of judges?

A 4th grade science project is a huge undertaking. Take it from us – we have four sons, each of whom was required to enter the science fair in fourth grade. We’ve had failures and successes, tears and smiles. And always, after the 4th grade project, we had the 5th grade project right around the corner!

Now, get a free guide to fourth grade science projects – including how to find experiments with step by step instructions – at http://www.24hourscienceprojects.com. Easy and fast, they’ll help you submit an outstanding – and maybe winning – fourth grade science project.