How do I cook up a stellar science fair project?

Here is the basic recipe for science fair projects across the globe:

The Scientific Method:

1. Ask a question/Think of an idea
2. Do background research (if possible)
3. Construct hypothesis/Plan your experiment
4. Test with an experiment (This is the fun part, and you can do steps 4 & 5 together)
5. Gather, collect, and record your data and analyze the results
6. Does the hypothesis and results match? If not, go back to step 3.
7. Reach a conclusion

Tips and Tricks for Great Experiments

1. Repeat good results. If you get the result you're after, then do the experiment again to make sure you can duplicate what happened. And again. And again.

2. Remove yourself. After you've listened to music during a test, ask your friends to do the same thing. This checks to make sure that this phenomenon is not just linked to you, but can work for everyone. You are introducing several other variables here (other people), so you can cut down on these pesky variables by asking half the class to take a test with music, and the other half without, and then switch next time. This way, you've got music and non-music taking the same test twice. As for number of kids to test it out on, scientists usually aim for sample sizes of over 30, but work with what you've got.

3. End with recommendations. This is a personal favorite, not a requirement, but I always like to report on the things I would do if I were to continue experimenting. You can easily make three, four, or even five future experiments that you would consider doing that would further refine your conclusion by drawing on the results you found and the experience you gained.

If you can produce consistent results for not just yourself, but for the whole class, and not only that but plans for future areas of study and relate it back to why this was important enough to study in the first place, now you've got an experiment worthy of a blue ribbon.

Click here to learn about how to handle when things go wrong.

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"One day I gave him this program. Three hours later, he made us late for an appointment because he couldn't tear himself away! He watched the videos over and over and built things I've never seen before. Thank you so much!!!"

~Barbara & Matt
Valencia, California

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~Connie Hanretty Church, San Luis Obispo, California

"Thanks for coming to our school and doing a bang-up job on your rocketry presentation!  The students really loved it, had a ton of fun, and learned a lot."

~Jodi, Valley Oaks Charter School, Bakersfield, California 

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"You were awesome and did an outstanding job with the experiments, presentations and putting it in kid friendly terms so they could understand. My kids now want to be rocket scientists!"

~Cynnde Lewis, Bakersfield, California

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~Angela and her two youngest sons, Joseph and Kyle

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~Tracey Miller

"Thank you so much for coming out to do our science day. It was awesome! I have had parents contacting me all week to thank me for putting both presentations together. Actually you did all the work - thanks for making me look good!

You brought so much energy into our science program. Your presentation is inspiring, not to mention fun! You truly did inspire the young minds to think creatively about science.

Personally, my son Ryan has been doing some pretty creative thinking about his science project for our upcoming science fair. I am sure we will see many 'Aurora-inspired' entries this year!

Thank you again. My appreciation and just plain "awe" for how and what you do just can not be put into words.

Thanks again and again!"

~Lorraine Solomon, Coordinator

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~Ruth Ann,
Bakersfield, California

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~Carol

"Thank you so much, I can't wait to begin using the Science Experiment Manual with my kids. They immediately did the rocket and began the robot.

"My youngest (10 years old) played with the robot all night and was explaining it to guests at dinner. Thanks for making science fun!"

~Mrs. Lopez

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~Ursula, Santa Barbara, California

"You have been such a fun inspiration for our son Sam, and totally got him fired up to build, connect, explode, invent, test, create, discover, question...
and in a nutshell, get wildly excited about how our physical world behaves through experimentation. Thank you! Thank you! Thank joy!

"You're a blessing and huge contributor to the positive development of our kids' minds and passions. Thanks for all you do and all you are!"

~Jan, San Luis Obispo, California

"I wish I had known about you years ago! I got a science kit and my husband (who is an engineer and works on fighter planes), has been working with my kids since.

"He usually doesn't help my kids, but after watching the DVD, he went to the internet to look something up, then returned to us as said, 'Nope - I tried, but I like the way Aurora explains it best.'

"My kids haven't turned on the TV once this whole weekend - we're just doing experiments together and it's great!"

~Merilyn, Richmond, Virginia

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Thanks again!"

~Dee

"Thank you for truly inspiring my kids. They're so excited to learn more. We downloaded the book and are pouring over its contents. Yeah!!!!"

~Donna, Long Beach, California

"Thank you so much for the science lessons! I had such a great time and it is very fun to learn from someone so knowledgeable."

~Sean, age 12

"You are doing an awesome thing. From talking with many educating moms over the years, science is where we tend to lack in experience, and know how. Even though we find the experiments so much fun to do, we are intimidated by them. Thank you for all that you do."

~Allison A., Co-op

"The kids are enjoying the electricity projects, and my 12 year old has concluded that you know what you are talking about!"

~Tracey S.,
Orlando, Florida

"As a Chemical Engineer I started reading this manual and boy what a joy. You have simplified so much so well. The explanations are great too as they are put in very simple terms. I can't wait to share these with my students. Keep me in mind if you put another of these manuals together."

~Mary, California

"I purchased your Electricity & Robots Kit and my daughter loves it! Thank you!"

~Paula

"My son KJ is having SO much fun!! As soon as we got home he watched the Robots & Electricity Kit video, and has been watching it since. He loves all of the gadgets! Thank you for letting him work with you. He will never forget it."

~Sally, Long Beach, California, CHEA participant

"My son is LOVING the Electricity & Robotics Kit we bought from you, and we've already hit Radio Shack a couple of times to add some new things to try. Thank you!!!"

~Candi