Math & Science Night Rules:
- You may have up to two students per project.
- Adults can help gather materials, supervise any experiments, and help to build the display.
- Experiments cannot be performed during Math & Science Night. However, brief demonstrations are permitted as long as they meet all of the remaining criteria of the event.
- Models, demonstrations, and other visual aids are permitted; however, they must fit with your display board on one-half of a cafeteria table.
- No nuts of any kind can be used in your display.
- Please indicate of the form if you require an electrical plug. We will do our best to place you near one; however, please bring any extension cords needed.
- Any and all visual aids, models and/or demonstrations must not involve liquid substances (though at-home experiments may).
- No glass permitted.
- No living animals are permitted.
- No flammable substances are permitted.
Experiment Safety Rules:
- Do not eat or drink while performing an experiment.
- Wear safety goggles when the activity could lead to eye injury.
- Respect all life forms.
- Any project involving drugs, firearms, or explosives is strictly prohibited.
- Use the Internet safely with parent permission and approved sites.
- Sharp tools like knives, electric tools, or chemicals must be supervised and used with adult help.
Need Help Choosing a Topic?
There are many discovery areas that fall under the Math & Science umbrella. Consider...
Life Science
This scientific category deals with animals, plants, humans and the environment. Your project can be about the behavior of these living things.
Subcategories include: Animal Behavior, Consumer Science, Plant Activities, Health Science and Ecology.
Sample projects:
Which Paw Does My Cat Prefer?
| How Does an Antacid Change the PH level in Juice? | At Which Temperature does Popcorn Pop Best? |
| Can Dogs See Color? | Will Dish Detergent Affect Plant Growth?
| Can You Tell the Difference in Brand Name or Store Name Cereals? |
Physical Science
If you like trying to figure out how things work, or are interested in the composition of matter, this category is for you.
Subcategories include: Electricity and Magnetism, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and Mathematics, Sound and Light, Aerodynamics.
Sample projects:
| Which Battery Lasts the Longest? | Which Lasts longer: an Incandescent Bulb or a Fluorescent Bulb?
| What Tower Design is the Strongest? |
| How Can You Increase the Strength of an Electromagnet? | Which Airplane Design is Best?
| How can I Amplify Sound? |
Earth and Space Science
Subcategories include: Weather, Geology and Astronomy.
Sample projects:
| How does Weathering affect our Landscape? | Does a Full Moon Cause Human Behavior Problems? | How does Weather Impact Travel? |
Does Road Construction Create Problems With the Habitat in an Area?
| How has the Temperature Affected Our Water Supply?
| How does a Volcano Erupt? |
Computer Science
This category deals with the development of computer programs, algorithms, computer languages and hardware. Possible projects could include creating a website, or creating a program using a language such as Scratch (created for kids by MIT).
Mathematics
This category involves the study of numbers. Topics could include counting, patterns, primary numbers, fractions, equations, shapes, addition, subtraction, division, math in nature, and more.
When conducting an experiment, use the steps for the Scientific Method:
- Ask a question
- Do background research
- Construct a hypothesis
- Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment
- Analyze your data and draw a conclusion
- Report your results (Was your hypothesis correct?)
Check out these useful websites:
Science Buddies http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/
Need help deciding on a topic for your project? Use the Topic Selection Wizard tool to help find the perfect one for you.
Science Fair Central https://www.sciencefaircentral.com/students
Try Science https://www.teacherstryscience.org/kids-experiments
Science Fair Primer http://users.rcn.com/tedrowan/primer.html
A site to help students get started and run a science fair project.
