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Has your child suddenly become interested in determining which laundry detergent produces the most suds? Have you noticed growing collections of magnets, wires, and batteries lately? Is there unfamiliar talk about "hypotheses, dependent variables, or problem solving?" If so, then you may be feeling the effects of a "Science Fair," an annual event where students are encouraged to design and carry out scientific investigations and compete for various levels of recognition.

Participation in science fairs provides a means for students to "think like a scientist." The types of projects that students are expected to complete vary by grade level. Younger students may simply build models, make collections, or prepare exhibits that include demonstrations of scientific phenomena. Older students are often expected to formulate and test scientific hypotheses through controlled experiments. Some schools allow students to complete group projects, but others require individual work. Students may be asked to present project results to teachers, classmates, or outside judges for evaluation. Science fair projects are expected to be based on the "scientific method," which is a simplified model of the way scientists perform their own investigations. The scientific method is generally described as comprising the following components: a statement of a scientific problem; a hypothesis (or "educated guess") as to what an answer to the problem might be; an experimental procedure designed to test the hypothesis; and an analysis of the experimental results, including, if necessary, a revision of the initial hypothesis. Students are required to demonstrate the use of the scientific method in carrying out their science fair investigation.

Students sometimes have difficulty choosing science fair topics, but usually a wealth of options exists. Although topic categories vary among different science fairs, the most commonly accepted ones include: Behavioral/Social Science (Psychology/Sociology); Biochemistry/Microbiology; Botany; Chemistry; Engineering; Environmental Science; Earth/Space Science; Medicine/Health Science; Mathematics/Computer Science; Physics; and Zoology. Once a student has selected a topic category of interest, he or she will need to develop a specific question which can be investigated scientifically. A question that is very broad (for example, "What can be done about pollution?") will not generally lead to an acceptable investigation. If you are helping a student develop a project, you will want to help him or her choose a question for which an answer can be determined through direct observation and experimentation. For example, "How does acid rain affect plant cell structure?" Some science fairs may allow invention-type projects (for example, "Design a utensil for eating peas."), but not all do. Keep in mind that most science fairs have strict rules about experimentation on humans and animals, so make sure your child is aware of any restrictions which will apply to the chosen project. Knowing the rules and expectations ahead of time will help you avoid problems or even disqualification down the road.

Most local and state science fairs call for students to display the results of their investigations through poster presentations. Teachers and judges look for neat, attractive displays. A familiar strategy is to present information on an upright, self-standing backboard. There may be specific requirements for how the information is to be presented on the backboard, but most include the title of the project, a summary of procedures followed, observations and data collected, and conclusions drawn. Whenever possible, graphs and tables can be used to summarize collected data or other information. Often, written and oral reports are also required. Well-organized documents and speeches will enhance a science fair project's reception by teachers and judges. For students who are anxious about public speaking, it may be helpful to practice giving presentations to supportive audiences such as family members or friends. If the oral presentation contains a question-and-answer session, this should be practiced, as well. Students may dread answering questions from teachers or judges, but having some non-threatening experience with this procedure can give students the confidence they need when an actual evaluation takes place.

In a science fair, students may have the opportunity to compete for recognition, or awards and scholarships. It is helpful to keep in mind that state and regional science fair judges may be asked to rate students in any or all of the following areas: evidence of scientific thought; ingenuity and originality of the project; completeness of the investigation, including background research; level of scientific or engineering skill involved in the project; clarity of display and presentation; and attractiveness of the display. Your student will be well-prepared for competing in a science fair if attention has been paid to developing each of these aspects of the project. Although the commitment can be major, completing a science fair project will help students learn about science concepts and scientific ways of investigating the world around us.

Many students enjoy participating in science fairs, but others may need a bit of encouragement from teachers and parents. You can help ensure that a child's experience is a positive one by taking the following steps:

*Encourage the student to choose a project topic that will sustain his or her interest. Because this investigation will be carried out over a longer period of time, the student should be motivated to study the chosen topic.

*Help the student prepare a realistic timeline for completing the project. Most science fair investigations take a significant amount of time to complete and analyze. Be sure to allow time for mistakes and revisions- waiting to complete a science fair project until the night before the due date will never result in a satisfying experience!

*Gather incidental materials early. Take time to think about the project, presentation, and the materials needed to have a neat, attractive display. Plan to photograph appropriate aspects of the investigation for later display on background posters.

*Make sure the student is aware of all project assignments and deadlines. Some teachers require literature searches, written reports or in-class presentations in addition to the investigation itself.

*Be a supportive "practice audience" for the student. Many science fair contests require that an oral report be given to one or more judges who can then ask questions about the investigation. Listen to your student perform a practice run, and try to anticipate questions the judges may ask. Teachers can help by providing judging criteria for students and parents to consider.