Winning Science Fair Projects

Winning science fair projects are usually creative, thoughtful and based upon a simple idea. There are many different factors that a judge will look at when deciding on who has a winning science fair project.

The first category the judges look at is creativity. They want to see that the student has demonstrated a curiosity in the subject. They will also look at the design and development of the project to see the student's aptitude for the project. Lastly in the creativity category, they will look to see that the student has shown creativity in the display of their project.

The next category the judges will look at it the scientific thought that was put into the project. They will look to see that the subject or topic can be scientifically investigated. They will also look to see that the problem is stated clearly. They will check to see that the method of investigation fits the problem. This means that they will want to make sure that the procedure will prove or disprove the hypothesis. They will also look to see if the data collected supports the results.

The next category to be taken into consideration is thoroughness. They will check to see if careful planning has been put into the project. The judges want to know that the projects took a lot of effort and that time was put into the project. They want to make sure that the projects aren't just thrown together. They will also look to see that the student understands the topic and the process of the project. They will check to see that the information is accurate and that the student's notes are complete. They will check that the whole "story" of the project is there and that enough data has been completed.

The judges will look for clarity next. They will check to see that the project is self-explanatory and that the average person would be able to understand it. If they can't understand it, and if the judges can't understand it, there's a good chance that the student doesn't even understand it. They will check for accuracy on all lettering, displays, and diagrams. They will mark the visual aids and check to see that they are relevant to the project. Visual aids can sometimes be cluttering and distracting and they want to make sure this is not the case with any project.

These categories are what most judges look for in winning science fair projects. Though some schools may include different categories, or eliminate other categories, these are the basic ones that most judges will include. Try to keep these in mind when you are thinking about your winning science fair project and they will help you ascertain what will impress the judges and help direct you in creating your project.

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