1. Science Fair: Choosing a Topic

2. Choosing a topic is one of the most important parts of the science fair process. You’re going to be working on this project from now until February (or until March or May!) so you should choose something that interests you.

3. Choosing a Topic Ways to think of a topic: ●Research areas of interest and see if there are any questions or problems in that field that could be answered ●Think about your own life- do you know of any people who could be helped by a new device? Use this for an engineering project! ●Brainstorm with other students or mentors ●Use resources such as sciencebuddies.org

4. Choosing a Topic One way to think of a topic is to pick a category you are interested in first, then research ideas for projects within that field. Behavioral and Social Sciences Microbiology Physics Engineering Mathematics and Computer Science Biological Sciences (Botany and Zoology) Chemistry and Biochemistry Medicine and Health Environmental Sciences

5. Behavioral and Social Sciences The Behavioral and Social Sciences category attempts to understand and explain the actions and reactions of humans and animals. Examples: Assessing the Effect of Multitasking on the Time Estimation of Adolescents Retention of Knowledge as it is Affected by Occupation

6. Physics Physics is the natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through space, including topics such as energy and force. Examples: A Study of Currents in the North Channel of the Apostle Islands How Does Blade Count and Pitch Affect Energy Output?

7. Engineering Engineering is the application of knowledge in order to design, build, and maintain structures, machines, devices, and systems. Examples: Designing and Creating a Modular Concussion Detection System Harnessing Energy with Hydroelectric Turbines in Man-Made Water Systems

8. Mathematics and Computer Science Description of mathematics and computer science? Examples: Disease Control Strategies for Limited Response Situations in Dynamic Contact Networks The Efficiency of Windows 7 Voice Recognition

9. Biological Sciences (Botany and Zoology) Biology is the natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, etc. Examples: Antibiotic Discovery Through Selective Cultivation of Subtropical Environmental Samples The Effect of Plastic Types on the Carbon Dioxide Output of Yeast

10. Chemistry and Biochemistry Chemistry is the study of the composition, properties, and behavior of matter. Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within and relating to organisms. Examples: The Effect of Alcohol on the Amount of Hydrogen Peroxide by Catalase Chemically Assembled Metal Oxide Heterostructures

11. Medicine and Health The medicine and health category is concerned with testing new ideas that relate to the health of human beings and finding ways to improve current medicine and health practices. Examples: The Effect of Cognitive Stress and Age on Neuromuscular Fatigue A Practical and Accurate Hearing Test for Developing Countries

12. Environmental Science Environmental science is the study of the environment and the solutions to environmental problems. Examples: Increasing the Sustainability of DSHA School The Effects of Different Genera of Algae on the Phosphorous and Oxygen Respiration of Quagga Mussels

13. Questions?