Lunch money, field trips, school pictures, clothes, shoes, teacher appreciation, snack day, book fair, fundraisers galore…am I the only one that feels as if the school year is an endless drain on my finances? A proverbial syphon on my wallet? I’m always wondering, “What next?” And then it comes home one day in the backpack (which, now that you mention it, is getting ratty and probably needs to be replaced)….the dreaded science project. Great. What’s this going to run me? Twenty dollars? Thirty? Gulp. More?!?!
Years ago (before I was a mom), I worked as a technical consultant for a large chemical company that, among other things, produced chemical test kits. Even though I didn’t have children, I knew exactly when the science project assignments were coming out. I received calls from all over the country asking many of the same things: “Where can I find a cheap, reliable test for lead?” (You can’t.) “How much is a spectrometer?” (More than you want to spend on a science fair project.) “Do you sell any test kits without chemicals?” (I preferred to answer that one with silence.) These calls came from parents of two types: (a) those that were genuinely unaware of the cost, hazard and knowledge of such prefab kits and (b) those that regarded money as no object as long as little Susie or Johnny could get a good grade.
Well, I’ve been called many things in my life (some of which I don’t care to repeat in an open forum). Coupon Lady. Junker (not to be confused with junkie). Penny Pincher. And my favorite—-Queen of Cheap. I decided that there has to be ways to do quality science projects and keep costs to a minimum. So, here are some thoughts on creative ways to produce quality science projects without breaking the bank.
1. Consider the cost BEFORE choosing a project. Make sure you look over the list of required components. Are you going to have to buy almost everything new? Don’t forget to allow some money for producing the final product (if you aren’t crafty and don’t have a supply of cardstock, glue, & accesories, remember that you’ll be buying some stuff to make a project board). If the project you want to do requires five variables that you will have to purchase at $10 each, you might want to move on to a more budget friendly idea. Have your young scientist brainstorm on ideas that can be done using everyday household “stuff.” Personally, I think of a new science project almost every time I do laundry or cook supper (the effect of time on stains, home remedy stain removers, water temperature, boiling points, surface area, etc.)
2. Make it a game to see how little you can spend on the project. Perhaps you can incorporate it into the theme and subtitle accordingly. For example, “Cheap Heats/Building a solar heater without spending a dime” This is particularly great if you are doing an experiment or demonstration on something like recyling. Let the entire assignment be a lesson on budgeting, especially if you have a child in middle school or older! Can you do a project using only resources at home/borrowed/donated? How about five dollars? Ten? Make it fun!!
3. Know or learn where to shop. This can be time consuming, but extremely cost-effecctive. Many, if not all, of your materials can be found at local thrift stores. Depending on your area, you may have a plethora of “junk” sources right in your backyard–Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and many local ministries as well. Also, yard sales are a great resource. The typical rule of thumb for yard sale prices is 1/8 of the original sales price (so it pays to know the value of things). Often, you can get people to donate stuff if they know it is for school. Whether you are shopping at thrift stores or yard sales, don’t be afraid to ASK for deals and/or freebies. Finally, the internet is a great resource for hunting out great deals. Craigs’ List is a neat tool for finding local deals. If a parent or someone you know is on websites such as facebook, you can put out a request…”looking for 2 yards of fabric for science fair project” or “need three different brands of sunscreen…” You’ll be amazed at the response!
Hope this helps you create a great science project without having to sell an organ! Happy deal hunting!
Cecilia
PS: Want an inexpensive way to launch your budget friendly science project? Consider 24 Hour Science Projects. There are some excellent ideas with very easy to find (and inexpensive) components!!
We are on part 2 of our discussion on Winning Science Projects. (Read the post – I’m Not Competitive, I Just Want to Win.) If you are merely interested in getting a passing grade on your assignment and nothing more, you need not read any further. If you are an overachiever and/or the parent of one, read on!
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!
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.
I’m not competitive; I just like to win. Of course, as a (stereo)typical nerd, I’m not exactly the athletic type. In fact, I was third string in church-league softball. So, I turned my competitive spirit towards a more even playing field: science. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe in the value of education in and of itself. I’m all for personal enrichment and will even participate in a group hug or a good round of Kum By Ya. However, I would like to address those of you that want a science project that will do more than just get the requirement out of the way. No matter if your idea of winning is a science fair medal, getting an “A,” or sparking a lifetime interest in science in your child…the following ideas are for a winning project—whether your child is in elementary, middle school, or high school.
1. Go With the Times: Of course, you’re going to get a lot more enthusiasm from your child if the project doesn’t bore him to tears. Consider guiding your young Einstein towards a project that hits on a current trend or theme in the news: environmental (recycling, reusing, producing less waste), economy (projects that compare name brand to generic, recommended versus necessary quantities for cleaning products, alternative–and cheap!–energy sources), health and fitness (vitamin C, coatings on vitamins,etc). By choosing a “hot” project, not only will your child have a greater interest in the research, but you have a better chance of catching the attention of a science fair judge or teacher. Remember, there are only so many homemade tornadoes that someone can look at before their eyes glass over!
2. Play By the Rules: Make sure that you are aware of the restrictions and requirements for the project. You don’t want a student to do all that work to be disqualified or overlooked on a technicality. Be careful with size limits (board displays and paper length). Also, ensure that you are complying with the TYPE of project that the teacher has requested. You don’t want to turn in a demonstration when an experiment was expected. Check and double check that you have all required elements to the project (Purpose, Hypothesis, Procedure, Conclusion, Graphs, References, etc). This step may seem obvious, but you always want to cover the basics so that your project can “shine” on all the extras.
3. Catch Their Eye: A catchy title can go a long way. “The Effects of Hair Products on Hair Strength” is not nearly as engaging as “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.” Consider using a popular song title/lyric or pun to get a smile from your audience.
Well, let’s allow that info to simmer (on the Bunsen Burner, of course) for a while. Stay tuned for the continuation of creating a winning science project!
