Topic 1: Project Types
All science fair projects should fall into one of these three broad categories, which are represented in the rubrics provided in the Judging and Evaluation section. Each of the rubrics judge projects according to scientific thought and originality, but the criteria for each are different depending on the project type. For instance, judges must look for adequate identification and use of controls and variables in an experiment, but not in an innovation or study. At any science fair, the recognition of different project types is essential for this reason.
- Experiments
This is the most common type of science fair project. This involves the design of an original experiment to test a specific hypothesis in which the student identifies and controls all significant variables. The experiment also involves accurate data collection, analysis, and presentation. For judging purposes, a positive result is not the goal of the experiment; rather, the emphasis is on the design of the experiment. - Innovations
This involves the design, development, and evaluation of novel devices, models, techniques, or approaches. This usually occurs in the development of new technology or software. Ideally, an innovation will incorporate multiple technologies to create a novel technological system that has commercial application and/or is beneficial to humans. Judges will evaluate the utility of the innovation in addition to how the innovation was designed and developed on a basis of sound scientific, engineering, and technological understanding. - Studies
A study involves the collection of analyses and data from other sources than the students own work, and the analysis and synthesis of these separate data sets to identify a fact, situation, or pattern of scientific interest. A study requires thorough understanding of the relevant science and insightful analysis of the data. In addition, students must be able to confirm that the methodology and science used by other scientists to obtain the original data was based on sound scientific techniques and controls.