Road To Success

This page is for you—the student who is going to participate in SLVSEF. Each month we’ll post a few links with tips and tricks to make sure your trip on the road to science fair success is as smooth as possible. So buckle up and check this page often for updates.

Where To Start

Where to Start...at the beginning of course. Here are a few hand-picked links that will help you get started with your project. We’ll update this page throughout the year so check back often.

Need help choosing a topic? Science Buddies to the rescue! Try their online science fair topic recommender wizard gizmo.

Got your topic? Great, now choose the perfect project—again with Science Buddies help! Go Science Buddies! Browse the massive project ideas directory and choose well!

A gaggle, a flock, a rookery, a lot of projects organized by category from All Science Fair Projects. Check it out here.

Need to collect data, make sense of it? Crunch the numbers? Of course you do! You’re a scientist! Here's a neat site that teaches the basics of such awesomeness: nces.ED.gov.

What Now

So by now, you should have a good start on your project (if not see the "Where To Start" links below and git ’er done!)

Now it’s time to take the next steps which are form a hypothesis and learn more about the scientific method. Here are a few links to get you started:

The Scientific Method (cue glorious science music now)

Download a handout of the scientific method (PDF)

Form a hypothesis

What makes a good science fair project? (great overview)

A Few Tips

So by now you’ve (hopefully) started down the road to Science Fair Success! To make your journey a little easier, here are a few tips for December:

Tip 1: Seniors—Don’t get disqualified before you even start! Some projects need to be cleared by the SRC Committee before you begin experimenting! Check the sciencebuddies site for more info.

Tip 2: Keep a Notebook. I know, it’s tough to be disciplined and keep thorough notes, but it’s one of those things that great scientists do. Here’s a PDF on how to keep good notes. Read it, then get your pens out and start writing!

Tip 3: Get Help! Here’s a site where you can ask an expert your science fair related questions. Check it out.

Tip 4: Working on an engineering-related project? Great! Go to this page to learn all about The Engineering Process and how to apply it to your work. Learn more here.

Project Board Design

Hello Science Fairithians! Time is growing short (check the countdown clock over there)... Yikes! Time to get thinking about your project display boards. Here are a few links to get you on the right path.

Project Display Board Basic Design
Getting Creative: Alternative Board Designs
Can You Read It? Do’s and dont’s when choosing your fonts & layout
Inspiration! See other display boards from last years fair.

Tips on Being Judged

How time flies! Soon you’ll be setting up your beautiful project boards (see January’s links) and submitting your hard work to be judged. Here are some very useful tips to survive (and even enjoy) the judging process.

Tips on Being Judged at a Science Fair
Tips on Being Judged at a Science Fair (PDF Download)
Some good advice from a past science fair judge
If you’ve won your school or district Science Fair, Register for SLVSEF!
Want to know more about what judges look for in a good project? Check out the SLVSEF Judging Rubric and Scoresheet.

What’s Next

All your hard work has paid off and you have won your school or district fair. Nice going! So where do you take your project next? Glad you asked:

Get judging tips for national science competitions at sciencebuddies.org judging tips.

Intel ISEF is open to the top senior division projects from regional and state fairs. Check out the ISEF 2012 web page. Get a slice of that $4M pie! Tasty!

5th-8th grade students can enter the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge at youngscientistchallenge.com

Broadcom MASTERS™: A brand new competition for middle school students sponsored by the Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science. The Broadcom MASTERS™ (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) competition that rewards independent research, scientific inquiry, hands-on learning, and teamwork. Learn more at their website.