Good ideas for science projects
The time management crash course
Good ideas for science projects are hard to find. Time management is not a good idea to use when doing a science fair project – it is a great idea. In fact, I would go as far as saying that it is absolutely essential.
Let me explain...
The problem with science fair projects is that they always come with a date that they have to be submitted on – right? The BIG DAY when you display your scientific genius. But it usually arrives faster than you think – right? And then you end up displaying your ... well ...whatever it is that should have been your scientific genius because you ran out of time!
So, let me explain how to ensure that your scientific genius is displayed, in good time...
It's about time!
Right, you have been given your science fair project and with it comes the date on which it is due. Where do you start...
Another one of those - good ideas for science projects - is to start to figure out what needs to be done. Well obviously...
So...
Go to
“The 'how to' page”
and look at “The action plan” - this will give you a “good idea” of what needs to be done. Once you have done that - then...
Make a list of each of the headings. If necessary make subheadings – depending on what your project is and what is involved. These are the tasks that need to be done in order to get the project in on time.
Work out how many days you have until the project is due to be submitted. Now take off two days from that total. (“Huh?” Don't worry I will explain later!)
Next to each task write down how long you think it will take to carry out. Obviously you cannot use more days than what you have worked out that you have. Here is the important bit: Start with the last task and work back to the first task.
Find a calender or print one out. (Most word processors available these days have the option of printing out calenders.)
On your calender you can fill in what needs to happen each day. Check out the example below. You will notice that some tasks overlap. This allows you even more time than what you originally worked out you had for each task – how cool is that?
Although the calender is not an essential step in the process, it does allow you to see at a glance where you are (or should be) in your project - it is one of theose "mini good ideas for science projects (or any project)".
The extra two days that you took off when working out the number of days you have to do your project means that you should finish two days before time, and if something goes wrong or you are delayed by something, you have two days to make a plan to sort it out. It just keeps getting better and better!
Do this right and you will have the time of your life doing your science fair project!
By the way - some advice from an ex-teacher (wait don't run - I have some "words of wisdom" for you) - apart from time management being one of the good ideas for science projects, it is a good idea for all projects and even for life. Time management is a great habit to establish - hey, I should have been a motivational speaker!!
If you found this helpful, check out another one of those
good ideas for science projects – The Logbook.
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