SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS

A Faulk Central Library Research Guide

ONLINE DATABASES:
Search for articles from magazines, newspapers, journals, and reference books using our online databases. Try the Homework Helpers databases for great resources by age group, or use the Science and Technology databases. Here are a few of the best for science projects:

• AccessScience - Full text of the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
• Science & Technology Collection- More than 800 full-text journals plus indexing and abstracts
• Gale Virtual Reference Library - Reference eBooks from Gale on the arts, history, religion, and social science
• Britannica Online School Encyclopedia - Includes three encyclopedias, links to magazine articles and Web sites
• eLibrary CE (Curriculum Edition) - A comprehensive database designed specifically for K-12 students
• Academic Search Complete - Thousands of scholarly, full-text journals covering nearly all academic areas of study
• NetLibrary - Comprehensive collection of online books (eBooks) and resource materials. Search every word in the entire collection, as well as search within a particular eBook.

WEB SITES:
APL's Wired for Youth librarians have developed a helpful list of useful web sites for science projects.

BOOKS:
Search the FindIt catalog to locate books on your subject. Enter keyword(s) into the Quick Search box and use Search Everything. If there are too many hits, try changing the search to Title or Subject.

Once you find a book in the catalog, write down the call number. Non-fiction books are shelved according to the Dewey Decimal Classification System and will have numbers indicating their subject area. However, some call numbers will have letters at the beginning: J means Juvenile (kids), R means Reference, and JR means Juvenile Reference. Reference books cannot be checked out.

You might have to search using a few different keywords before you find what you want. Below are some examples of helpful keywords along with a sample list of books.

***HINT: Add and experiments OR and projects to any of the suggested keywords.
Examples: science and projects or plants and experiments

General Science Project Ideas
Keywords: science

• Ideas for science projects
• Super science fair projects
• 365 more simple science experiments with everyday materials
• More science projects for all students
• Science experiments index for young people
• Science experiments and projects for students
• The prism and the pendulum: the ten most beautiful experiments in science
• Science for all students
• Science Experiments on File
• More science experiments on file

Biology Projects
Keywords: biology, microbiology, plants, botany, animals, zoology, insects, health, anatomy, psychology, heredity

• Janice VanCleave's A+ projects in biology: winning experiments for science fairs and extra credit
• Microbiology: high-school science fair experiments
• Plant biology science projects
• Zoology: 49 science fair projects
• Animal behavior science projects
• Health science projects about heredity

Chemistry Projects
Keywords: chemistry, chemicals, acids, bases, elements

• Salts & solids
• Science fair projects: chemistry
• Chemistry
• Janice Vancleave's A+ projects in chemistry: winning experiments for science fairs and extra credit.
• Chemistry science fair projects using velcro fries, gumdrops, soap, and other organic stuff
• Chemistry science fair projects using acids, bases, metals, salts, and inorganic stuff

Earth Sciences Projects
Keywords: weather, earth science, environment, ecology, rocks, minerals

• Science projects about the environment and ecology
• Simple earth science experiments with everyday materials
• Janice VanCleave's A+ projects in earth science: winning experiments for science fairs & extra credit
• Weather
• Rocks and soil
• Environmental experiments about land

Physics Projects
Keywords: physics, motion, forces, sound, light, electricity, magnets, magnetism, machines, energy