Kidsource: Science Fair Handbook

Provides information on choosing and planning a science fair project, finding and using resources, applying scientific principles, and delivering the final project

Grade 5-8-Students will find a wealth of information here about selecting, preparing, and presenting a science-fair project. Considerable space is devoted to choosing a project based on one's interests, stating a hypothesis, narrowing the scope of the topic, and conducting an experiment. The author encourages originality and creativity, but also provides practical advice, discussing controls and variables, equipment needed, safety precautions, and measuring devices, and emphasizing accurate record keeping. She suggests ways to search library resources, interview experts, and frame questions; provides tips for the presentation and construction of the exhibit; and offers a sample interview with science-fair judges. Examples of projects from many disciplines (e.g., astronomy, botany, chemistry, physics, and sociology) are included along with the names and addresses of professional societies, related Web sites, and lists for further reading. Lively, accurate, and thorough information is presented in an attractive format.
Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.