It's Science Fair Time! Books to Save Your Sanity

Mid-winter is the favorite time for school science fairs, and if there's one in your future, do I have some books for you! Believe me, you'll need 'em.

A good science project book should begin with a clear presentation of the scientific method, suggestions on choosing a project, forming the hypothesis, designing experiments, collecting and interpreting data, writing a conclusion, and preparing an oral and/or graphic presentation. Projects described should have lists and sources of materials, complete directions, and clear illustrations. Start with a basic book strong on process and then look for titles specializing in specific areas of science.

Here are just a few of the many available online, at your bookstore, and in your school and public libraries:

Complete Handbook of Science Fair Projects, by Julianne Bochinski. (Best for middle and high school students)

Janice Van Cleave's Guide to the Best Science Fair Projects, by Janice Van Cleave (duh!). (good for grades 3-6)

Quick-but-Great Science Fair Projects, by Shar Levine and Leslie Johnstone. (Also good for grades 3-7).

Janice Van Cleave's Help! My Science Project Is Due Tomorrow. (for the procrastinator who has to turn in something!)

Sports Science Projects: the Physics of Balls in Motion, by Madeline Pl Goodstein. (Make an A in science and improve your field goal percentage?)

Electricity and Magnetism Science Fair Projects, by Robert Gardner. (Gardner has similar project guides for most areas of the physical and natural sciences.)

If your young scientist needs a little motivation (or diversion), try these fiction books for a dose of "misery loves company" and a few laughs:

Jake Drake, Know-It-All, by Andrew Clements. Jake sets out to ace the school fair to win a super computer, but he learns something about knowledge being its own reward in the process.

I Was a Third-Grade Science Project, by Mary Jane Auch. When brainy Brian and Josh demonstrate their science fair project on hypnotism, Brian manages to hypnotize Josh into behaving like a cat, and only their formerly lame partner Dougie manages to save the presentation.