28 May 2004

Summer is science fair season

Forrest M. Mims III

In the United States, many thousands of students do well organized science projects and present their findings at numerous science competitions like this one. Click image to enlarge.

Let's face it, fellow citizen scientists. Student scientists do far more in the way of formal, organized science projects than most of us who are adult citizen scientists. For proof, just visit any regional or state science fair.

Science fairs are usually held in the winter and spring. But science fair season is now.

My three children each did science fair projects throughout their school years. We found that their best projects were those in which the major research and experimentation was done during the summer months. While they always ended up finalizing their projects after school started, they generally completed their key research during summer, when there was no homework to interfere.

So if you are a student, plan ahead. Begin your science project now, and you will have much more time than if you try to do a last minute project after school starts. You will also have a much better chance of making an original finding by allowing more time for your research.

If you advise students as a teacher, mentor or parent, consider sharing this suggestion with students you advise. They will thank you in the end.

Students are always looking for good science project ideas. The web has many good science project sites, beginning with www.scifair.org. And be sure to consider Citizen Scientist Challenge 2 on contrails in this issue of The Citizen Scientist.