1. Choose a topic that is interesting to you.
2. Write a "Big Question" that you can investigate by yourself.
3. Research your topic using books, encyclopedias, magazines, and information from professionals such as doctors, engineers, researchers, teachers, and librarians.
4. Form a hypothesis, or good guess about what the outcome of the experiment will be.
5. Write a step-by-step procedure to test your hypothesis.
6. Make a list of materials that will be needed for your investigation.
7. Make a chart that will help you when collecting and organizing data.
8. Carefully conduct the experiment, being sure to follow the science safety rules. Keep careful written records of the results in a notebook.
9. Draw a conclusion and organize the results of your experiment on easy-to-read charts and graphs.
10. Write a report that includes your "Big Question", hypothesis, step-by-step explanation of your experiment, results, and conclusion.
11. Construct a display, using charts, graphs, photos, illustrations, signs, models, and/or demonstrations of your experiment.
12. Prepare an oral presentaiton to explain your project to others.

Ways Parents Can Help Their Children with Science Projects

1. Although this is your child's project and is to be his or her effort, there is no substitute for your support. Make sure you encourage your child.
2. Listen to and praise your child. Let the child know that you are interested in his or her ideas.
3. Help your child with skills that he or she has not yet been taught or mastered, such as organizing, measuring, calculating, and constructing.
4. Help your child construct and follow a schedule to complete the project on time.
5. Provide a space at home where your child can work without worrying about brothers, sisters, or pets.
6. Help your child acquire the materials needed for the project.
7. Help your child take the necessary safety precautions to insure a safe project.
8. Offer to provide transportation to places such as libraries, museums, nature centers, etc., that can help your child find information about their topic.
9. Contact your child's teacher if there are any questions regarding the science project.
10. Realize that the real prize of a science project is the development of your child's skills, not the blue ribbon or trophy presented by a science fair judge.