Science Fair Project

Just a reminder that unless YOU are the one in science class, it isn't YOUR science fair project. These are supposed to be for the kids not the parents. So leave it to them, they will probably need HELP, but don't do it for them.

I agree with Annie - your CHILD got a syllabus explaining what HE or SHE was supposed to do and HE or SHE should be doing this, right?

I've done quite a few of these with my kids, and we went to Michaels, bought the stand up boards, glued on the pages of their reports with the pictures, and voila, one science fair project.

Generally my help is limited to listening to their ideas, making sure it's realistic, follows the rules and reminding them to do it in a timely fashion. I'll help get the supplies, etc. Why are you doing more?

Hi C.,

Since I don't know how the condition affects the eye, I will guess at how to present this. You can go to the craft store and purchase a large styrofoam ball and paint the eye on it and label the different parts of the eye with pins or something. Then on other styrofoam pieces you can paint or color a diagram of the part of the eye that is affected and label that. Good luck.

Hi C.,
I think you need to really look at your target audience. What event is this project for and who will be viewing it. That will help you to decide how detailed and "scientific" it needs to be.

Science projects should usually test a hypothesis: If I do this to the eye (e.g., wash with saline for 10 days), it will do x (become less red). Then you write up your results, discuss, and make a conclusion.

Now for my question: You are participating in a science fair as an adult? I certainly hope that's the case and you are not doing this project for one of your kids, which is unfair to the other children and totally defeats the purpose of your child learning something, not to mention learning how to think and solve their own problems!! Seriously!!

I'm not sure what "isn't scientific". You need the control and the variable, a hypothesis, a plan, documentation, journaling or notes and photographs, etc... Help your child determine what they really want to test, and how it needs to be done. I had to help my children understand a proper control and variable, and help them know how not to contaminate either. Remember this is a children's science fair, and I've seen lots of "controls and variables" that wouldn't hold water in a real lab, but so long as it's as close as you can get an home it works.

As far as the board goes, stick to the rules. Some of the rules make it hard. One tip I picked up at the fair this week was that when kids needed more room on their boards, they went verticle. I think some took refrigerator boxes and made them into trifold boards :) It worked and they were able to get all their info on them.

Good luck to your kids!!! Hope they have a great time learning.

I found this website to provide a simplified explanation of what Microphthalmia is and it may help you with information you need to put on a poster or whatever. I also agree with the other posters. If this is a science project for your child, you should let them be the one to choose what to put where and what information to use.

http://www.angelfire.com/mi/microphthalmia/MACSmicroLeafl...

Science fair projects are judged using the scientific method. So you need to have a question, some research or experiment that tries to answer the question and then a conclusion. You will have to look at your information and see if it fits that scenario or if you can adapt it to fit.

Good Luck

C. T,
I would use the approach of the following:
A major contibutor to eye challnges is the typical high fat,high sugar, preservative-laden American diet. Since the deficiency of just one vitamin or mineral can lead to a variety of eye challneges. Lutein, Glucosamine, Bilberry, Blueberry, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Grape Seed are all good sources of natural ingredients that help with the deficiencies. What is in our food and household products actually hurt us in many cases of diseases, conditions and even fatalities. It is all over the news right now, Olivia Newton John has an awesome take in USA Today on Chemicals in the home and our food. Might help you out.