The Early Bird...

The science fair is not until the end of January -- so why start looking for a science project now? Well, the earlier you start, the easier it will be, the better it will be, and the more educational it will be.

First, familiarize yourself with the three types of science project. Review the science fair handbook so you understand what constitutes each type of project.

Then all you have to do is watch your child and wait. Sooner or later, your child will do something and you will thing "THAT would make a great science project!" Thinking back, how many great science projects have passed under your nose?

As an example, if your child asks you about some bug in the backyard, all you need to do is have them research some background information about the bug and you have a demonstration-type project. Find a few different bugs, and you have a collection -- all that must be done is for the child to classify them by shape, number of legs, or color and you have a collection with classification. Questions about how the bug is behaving? Well, find out what happens -- and you have an experiment.

Have your child spend ten minutes writing it up. Then let it be for a bit. It may be that your child's interest increases. Now you have an even better science project and maybe a hobby.

If your child changes their mind and gets interested in something else, not to worry -- soon they will get interested in something else.

The coolest thing about this is that the project is truly your child's -- not something you had to convince them to do or even suggest to them. Furthermore, since it is your child's idea, there will probably be more enthusiasm for the project.

So familiarize yourself with the rules NOW and the science project will do itself -- with no last minute hassle!