C. P. Smith School

Family Science Fair Pathfinder

Our school library has many materials that may support your projects.  Stop by and “check out” our collection of science fair project books, non-fiction science resources and more.  Our library also has a science pathfinder of online websites, appropriate for elementary and middle school age students, to help get you started with science project ideas. 

Agricultural Ideas for Science Fair Projects
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideasframe.htm

Bill Nye the Science Guy:
http://www.nyelabs.com/  Click on “Home Demos”

Bug Info
http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmnh/buginfo/scifair.htm

The Franklin Institute Resources for Science Learning
http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/activity/act-summ.html

Mad Scientist Experiments
http://www.madsci.org/experiments/

Magic School Bus Simple Science: 
http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/theme/

PBS Kids dragon fly tv
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair/index.html

Science Buddies
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/areas_of_science.shtml

The Science Club
http://scienceclub.org/proj/kidproja.html

Science Explorer (Get Messy! Get Airborne! Get Loud! Get Shocked!  Try These Activities)
http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/index.html

Science Fair Central from Discovery School.com http://discoveryschool.com/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/parents.html.

South Lake Middle School Science Fair Ideas
http://www.southlakems.org/science_fair_ideas.htm
http://www.rossarts.org/naples/ideas.htm

SCIENCE PROJECT IDEAS

     PLANTS IDEAS

Ø       Will vitamins affect the growth of a plant?

Ø       Do weed killers affect house plants?

Ø       How do the moon phases affect plant germination?

Ø       How fast do roots grow?

Ø       Does the amount of light on plants affect their growth?

Ø       Does the amount of water given plants affect their growth?

Ø       What is the effect of detergent on bean seeds?

Ø       Under what color light do plants grow best?

Ø       In what kind of material (sand, clay, etc.) do seeds grow best?

Ø       What is the effect of chlorinated water on plant growth?

Ø       How does the number of seeds produced by different plants compare?

Ø       Will frozen seed sprout?

Ø       Will plants grow better in soil or water/

Ø       What can be done to increase the decomposing rate of plants?

Ø       Do loving plants give off moisture?

Ø       Do living plants give off oxygen?

Ø       What is the effect of fats and cholesterol on plants/

        ANIMAL IDEAS

Ø       What kind of life can be found in 1 square meter of backyard soil?

Ø       How does a bird embryo grow in an egg?

Ø       Can mice distinguish color?

Ø       How do mealworms respond to light?

Ø       How does an earthworm react to light and darkness?

Ø       Do different kinds of caterpillars eat different amounts of food?

Ø       Do mint plants repel insects?

Ø       What color of flowers attract hummingbirds best?

Ø       What colors attract moths and other insects at night?

Ø       Does temperature affect the flash rate of fireflies?

Ø       At what rate do pets drink water?

Ø       What is the effect of temperature on the activity of (mealworms, crickets, etc.)?

     EARTH SCIENCE

Ø       Does the moon rise every night at the same time and in the same location?

Ø       How accurate are long-range weather forecasts?

Ø       Is rainwater absorbed at the same rate in different kinds of soil?

Ø       From which direction does the wind blow most frequently?

Ø       How warm is it under the snow?

      HUMAN BODY

Ø       Which grows faster, body hair or scalp hair?

Ø       How do fingerprints differ?

Ø       Do all people have the same normal body temperature?

Ø       Are certain dominant traits exhibited in the same family?

Ø       Who has bigger hands, boys or girls?

Ø       How accurately can you tell the temperature of an object by touch?

Ø       Who are generally taller, boys or girls?

Ø       How fast do muscles get tired?

     PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Ø       What is the effect of heat when dissolving sugar? Salt?

Ø       Why is salt put on icy sidewalks?

Ø       What is the acidity of various household products?

Ø       How fast do fabrics burn?

Ø       What kind of materials can put out a fire?

Ø       Do crystals all have the same shape?

Ø       How much of the air is oxygen?

Ø       Can seawater be "desalted" by freezing?

Ø       How is the strength of a magnet affected by glass, cardboard and plastic?

Ø       What is the best shape for a kite?

Ø       How does a pulley help you work?

Ø       How does the use of paint prevent the formation of rust?

Ø       Which holds two materials together better, a screw or a nail?

Ø       Do all objects fall at the same speed?

Ø       How does the weight of a pendulum affect the swing?

Ø       How is the distance a cart rolls affected by the mass in the cart?

Ø       On what kind of surface will a ball roll fastest?

Ø       Which kind of metal conducts heat best?

Ø       Does sound travel best through solid, liquid or gas?

Ø       What materials provide the best insulation?

Ø       What is the effect of temperature on the volume of air?

Ø       How does the length of a vibrating body affect sound?

Ø       How does the design of a paper airplane affect its flight?

         CONSUMER SCIENCE

Ø       Which chewing gum holds its flavor the best?

Ø       Which detergent breaks up oil best?

Ø       How does the absorption rate of various paper towels differ?

Ø       Which detergent makes the most bubbles?

Ø       How does the wattage of a light bulb affect energy use?

Ø       Which brand of glue holds two boards together best?

Ø       Which brand of popcorn pops fastest?

Ø       Which type of battery makes toys run longest?

Ø       Which type of diaper holds the most water?