If you feel that the Solar System is too simple or just plain boring to make your science fair model, how about trying one on the life cycle of a star. You could chronicle the various stages in the birth and life of a star and make related models for them as part of your science project.

You could talk about the different processes that are in action as the star goes from protostar to a white dwarf.  In the display you could use the information about the different types of stars recorded and give images for them. You could even explain the inner mechanisms of the star by giving the chemical processes that take place within the star.

Explain how the interstellar dust becomes a twinkling star. You could even do an in-depth analysis of our own Star, the Sun.  Maybe elevate fears of the sun dying on us as well. You can talk about why stars appear to twinkle when seen from the earth, but do not twinkle when you are out in space. The stars can give you enough material to make a number of science projects many times over.

It is up to your to choose what you wish to base your project on. There is great scope for Topic Research in this field and you can get help with organizing your research if you follow the link. Go from gazing at the stars to explaining how they work.

Your model is made, you are ready with your display board and your science fair report is written. So what else is left for you to do? You need to now work on your presentation skills for showcasing your model to the judges at the science fair. Just remember it is a competition and the only way to win is to take active part in the game.

Start with the script. Don’t think that you can ad lib it when you see the judges. A good written script will allow you the freedom to work on your expressions once you have the words down pat. Try this paragraph from the BBC’s Science and Nature website for a conversation starter.

“Our Solar System began forming about 4.6 billion years ago from a swirling gas cloud. Over time, the gas cooled and clumped together to form large bodies called ‘protoplanets’. The ‘left over’ material became comets, roaming silently through the Solar System.”

Doesn’t this sound much better than anything that you can come up with on the spur of the moment. Now get down to writing a script which will take you about a minute and a half to speak out. Not more than that as it will become too long. Stick to the important bits and be prepared for any questions that may follow from your presentation script.

If you need more tips to spruce up your presentation skills take a look here. The trick to being confident during the presentation is knowing all your facts well. After that it is easier to answer questions thrown at you from the judges and your confidence will shine through in your answers.

There is so much that you can add to the display board if you make the Solar System Model as your science fair project. The more details you add the better researched the project looks to the judges. Here is some trivia that you can add to the display board and in your science fair report.

Give details about the planets that you have shown in the model. For instance the closest planets to the Sun, which are Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, are called terrestrial planets. This is because they have rocky surfaces. While Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are called gas giants due to their large and gaseous states.

The gas giant planets also have many rings and lots of moons. If you name them all you will have a pretty long report. You can also mention the dwarf planets of Pluto, Ceres and Eris. These were added to the solar system when the International Astronomical Union redefined the term planet in August 2006.

Most models will not include comets but you can mention them on the display board to show that you are aware of their existence. You can add facts about the comets that fly past the Sun of our Solar System. These can include details on Halley, Hale-Bopp and Ikeya-Zhang. Find more details to improve your display here.

Do remember to add pictures as they make the facts come alive. There are some great photographs available on the internet and you should not have any trouble finding appropriate images to use on the display board.

One of the most popular science fair models based on the celestial sky would be that of the Solar System. The Sun with its planets in orbit around it is not only easy to make, but is also fun to learn. This easy project is ideal for elementary school science fair projects.

Getting the different sized balls to explain the difference between the sizes of all the planets is a great way to fix relative planet sizes in the minds of the student. Nothing beats setting up a project all on your own. The sense of achievement and accomplishment are great.

With the Solar System Model the students can do it all on their own. All that is needed is to get hold of a good diagram of the Solar System, and then replicate it in 3D. Any material can be used as long as it is sturdy enough to survive being worked with.

For the planets you can use ping pong balls, tennis balls, cricket balls, softball or even footballs. Then cover them in paint corresponding to the planet’s color. Get the Sun fixed in the center of the board and mark the orbits of the planets around it.

You can add as many details as you like to the model. The Asteroid belt between the Earth and Mars, or the moons of all the planets, don’t forget the rings of Saturn. Just have fun and enjoy the process.  If you are looking for more elementary science projects you may find some more here.

The stars have fascinated mankind since ancient times, so why not base your science fair project on them. The two branches of science that have emerged from this fascination are Astrology and Astronomy. The early Astronomers grouped the shiny stars at night into shapes. These came to be known as constellations.

The twelve most famous constellations relate to the Zodiac Signs. This is where Astronomy comes into play. The different signs of the zodiac are based on these twelve different constellations, namely Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

Wouldn’t it make an interesting science project to display the Celestial Sphere divided into these 12 large sectors based on these signs. Make the shapes of the twelve main zodiac constellations in the model. Have each constellation joined up with straws or string to show the shape.

This model will need to be made like a jigsaw puzzle that you can assemble on the spot. After all a large project like this is also likely to be rather delicate. Try and stick to the actual size scale of the constellations to maintain some authenticity in the celestial sphere.

The model could be supplemented with a display of the symbols of all zodiac signs along with their shape. As an interesting add on you could describe the main characteristics of the people born under that particular sign below the astronomical symbol.  You could add trivia regarding famous people born under particular zodiac signs as well. Get more help here