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BULLET Science Experiments & Projects: A Selected Bibliography
Use this list of Books, Computer Databases, Videocassettes, and Magazines to help you choose a science project. You can find all of these titles at the St. Louis Public Library. Or, look here for science project ideas and help designing a science investigation. Visit your branch library and talk to the Librarian.

Books

J372.357 Suzuki
     Eco-fun: Great Projects, Experiments, and Games for a Greener Earth

J507.8 Bombaugh
     Science Fair Success

J507.8 Gardner
     Science Projects about Math

J507.8 Gardener
     Science Projects about Solids, Liquids, and Gases

J507.8 Tocci
     Science Fair Success using Supermarket Products

J507.8 Tocci
     Science Fair Success in the Hardware Store

J507.8 Voth
     Kidsource: Science Fair Handbook

J507.9 Bochinski
     The Complete Handbook of Science Fair Projects

J508 Hartzog
     Everyday Science Experiments in the Backyard

523.2078 VanCleave
     Janice VanCleave’s Solar System

J530.078 Gardner
     Science Projects about the Physics of Sports

J535.078 Cobb
     Super Science Projects about Light and Optics

J536.078 Wood
     Heat Fundamentals : Funtastic Science Activities for Kids

J540.78 Gardner
     Science Projects about Kitchen Chemistry

J540.78 Mebane
     Adventures with Atoms and Molecules

550.78 VanCleave
     Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Earth Science

J574.078 VanCleave
     Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Biology

J580.78 Perry
     Science Fair Success with Plants

J581 VanCleave
     Janice VanCleave’s Plants

J592.64 Barrow
     Science Fair Projects : Investigating Earthworms

J595.7 Mound
     Insects

612 oversize
     Human Body: An Illustrated Guide

J612.8 Gardner
     Health Science Projects about Your Senses

J621.3078 Bonnet
     Science Fair Projects with Electricity & Electronics

J628.078 Gardner
     Science Projects about the Environment and Ecology

J629.1078 Loeschnig
     Simple Space and Flight Experiments with Everyday Materials

J660.6078 Rainis
     Biotechnology Projects for Young Scientists

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Computer Databases

Applied Science and Technology Index
Discovering Collection
General Science Index
Facts on File
Electronic Encyclopedias

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Videocassettes (VHS)

001.94
     Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World.

500
     Science, Sound, and Energy.

520
     Astronomers.

520
     Cosmos.

553.
     Gems & Minerals.

567.91
     Dinosaurs & Insects.

574
     Living Planet.

574.52642
     Rain Forest.

590.744
     National Zoo.

598.072347
     Audubon Society's Videoguides to the Birds of North America.

629.13
     Flight.

629.133
     Flying Machines.

629.45
     Footsteps of Giants.

639.978
     Attracting birds to your backyard.

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Periodicals / Magazines

American Scientist.
Astronomy. Audubon. E - The Environment Magazine.
Horticulture - The Magazine of American Gardening.
Kids Discover.
National Geographic World.
Natural History.
New Scientist.
Physics Teacher.
Rocks and Minerals.
Science News.
Sciences.
Scientific American.
Sky and Telescope.

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Designing A Science Investigation

1) Journal Your Study Begin a log book immediately and write down everything you do.

2) Begin with Questions What interests you? What science mysteries would you like to solve?

3) Select a Topic Pick one of your interests and narrow it to a researchable activity.

4) Collect Information Go to your public and school libraries. Get information from books, magazines, newspapers, and computers. Talk with people who have knowledge about your topic.

5) Design Your Study Select one of the following based on your hypothesis (expected result): Collection Model Experiment Observation Invention

6) Identify the Variables Independent Variables (IV) What you, the investigator, has selected as important. Constant Variables (CV) The 'where', 'when', and 'how' conditions you intend to maintain. Dependent Variables (DV) What happens; the raw data.

7) Run the Designed Study Check your procedure with a teacher or another adult. Collect necessary materials and equipment. Decide how to record and organize the data. Do a trial run first to make sure all goes well. When doing the actual investigation, take photographs and record the raw data.

8) Analyze the Results Reorganize the raw data in a diagram, chart, summary sheet, or finished replica. Write an interpretation of your displayed results with supporting evidence from your completed investigation.

9) Arrive at a Conclusion Re-examine your hypothesis. Does your investigation support your original 'expected result'? Write down the significance of your findings. Share your work with peers at school and teachers.

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Possible Science Projects

  • Make a study of the mathematical patterns in natural objects.
  • How fast do different fabrics burn?
  • The effects of small amounts of oil (detergent, etc.) on the growth of algae.
  • Design some studies in optical illusion.
  • How does partial removal of the cotyledon (seed leaf) affect germination and growth of peanuts?
  • Find out the effects of pH on aquatic micro-organisms.
  • Under what conditions does mold grow faster?
  • Do insects prefer certain colors?
  • How much potato plant tissue is required for the development of a potato bud?
  • What are the food preferences of _____? (crayfish, snakes, tadpoles, various lizards, etc.)
  • Make a study of the magnetic property of an electric field.
  • Under what conditions and in what numbers do seeds from fruits germinate? Is there a relationship between germination and the number of seeds in a fruit?

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