Things a parent may do:
1. Give your child encouragement, support and
guidance (be positive).
2. Make sure your child feels it is his/her project.
3. Realize that the main purpose of a science fair project
is to help the child to use and strengthen the basic skills they
have learned and to develop higher level skills.
4. Realize that he/she will need help in understanding, acquiring
and using the major science process skill (researching, organizing,
measuring, calculating, reporting, demonstrating, experimenting,
collecting, constructing, presenting, etc.). Your child may not
have been taught all these skills. Therefore, it may not be fair
to expect him/her to know how to do them.
5. Realize that your child may be using his/her reading, writing,
arithmetic and social skills for the first time in a creative
way to solve a problem.
6. Realize that your child's teacher works with 20-25 students
and this may prevent him/her from giving a large amount of individual
attention to your child. You and your child's teacher could become
the child's research advisory group.
7. Understand that your child's teacher may need your help with
other children. If you have interest and the time, you might contact
the teacher and volunteer to help the children in your child's
class. You could also volunteer to help or judge at the school
science fair. Check with your child's teacher, the building principal
or the science fair director.
8. Guide your child by helping him/her to develop a time schedule/plan
of what needs to be done. This will help prevent a last minute
job and a completely disrupted household. A 4-8 week plan is best.
9. Help your child plan a mutually agreed upon schedule, which
includes the following steps and dates for each to be completed:
a. finding a topic (You may suggest areas of study.)
b. narrowing down the topic to a specific scientific problem that
is appropriate to the child's ability level.
c. Keeping a journal/logbook of all work done.
d. researching what is already known about this problem by visiting
libraries and/or using the WWW.
e. developing a hypothesis. (What outcome do your expect?)
f. developing a procedure/investigation to test the hypothesis
(if experimental).
g. making observations and collecting appropriate data.
h. interpreting the data and other observations.
i. stating and displaying the results.
j. drawing appropriate conclusions.
k. creating the exhibit, writing the research paper and/or the
abstract.
l. presenting the project.
10. Help your child to design a safe project that is not hazardous
in any way.
11. Transport the child to places such as libraries, nature centers,
universities, etc. that can help the child to find sources of
project information. Make a computer available for word processing,
graphs, etc.
12. Help the child write letters or interview those people who
can help him/her with the project. Make sure the letters are mailed.
13. Help the child develop the necessary technical skills and/or
help the child do the technical work such as building the exhibit
structure, doing photography, carrying out machine shop work,
etc.
14. Find our what the specific science fair project criteria are
for the school/regional science fair.
15. Explain the 3 levels! Types of science fair project to the
child and discuss how each are different.
Level I - Kits, Models and Collections
Level II - Demonstration of a Scientific Principle
Level III - Investigation of a Problem (Experimental)
Realize that a good project can be done at any one of these levels.
16. Explain the various classifications/categories of science
fair projects to your child. For example: Biology, Chemistry,
Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, General Science, Environmental
Science, and Behavioral/Social Science.
17. Be sure that the child states in the paper and/or exhibit
the help he or she has received from you. This will help judges
to make a fairer evaluation on the project.
18. Look over the project to check for good grammar, neatness,
spelling and accuracy. Make suggestions on how it can be corrected.
19. Explain the judging criteria to the child.
20. Realize that some projects require 2-3 or more years to be
developed to their fullest potential. Therefore, explain to the
child how to improve it for next year.
21. Make sure the project is primarily the work of the child.
22. Buy the child the necessary materials to complete the project.
23. Realize that a good project doesn't have to cost a lot of
money.
24. Many times a simple project that is well displayed and explained
is the best.
25. Realize that a project doesn't have to be a new discovery
or a completely original piece of work.
26. Help the child understand that a weekend chore or one or two
posters is not a project.
27. Help the child keep a record (logbook) of all he/she does
and a list of all references used.
28. Help the child understand the purpose of including a bibliography
and references in his/her project display.
29. Find an area in the house where the child can work on the
project and not have to worry about pets or younger brothers and/or
sisters.
30. Explain to the child that he/she should consult with you and
his/her teacher when problems arise. Set aside time for help sessions.
Make them short and constructive. Be an interested and enthusiastic
listener.
31. Help the child to realize that a single person does not do
most scientific research. All people, no matter what level they
are at, need advice, guidance and help. (People doing a thesis
or dissertation usually have a major advisor and a committee to
guide the research).
32. Have your child present his/her science project to you before
he/she takes it to school. This can be good practice.
33. Help the child create a display that is self-explanatory,
free standing and that conforms to the size limitations suggested
by the school.
34. Help the child to understand that science is not a subject
but it is a "way of looking at the world around us.'
35. Help transport the child and his/her science fair project
to and from the school and/or regional science fairs.
36. Do not worry or get upset if your child doesn't win a prize
at the school/regional science fair. The skills that the child
has gained are worth all of the effort. Help the child to begin
to plan for next year.
37. Feel a sense of pride and satisfaction when the project and
science fair are finished. Share
this with your child. You have both earned it.
Originally written in 1987 by Dr. Ed Donovan, BSIS Science Lab Teacher. Revised on 01/16/01.