Science Fair Projects For Dummies
by Maxine Levaren
Science Fair Projects For Dummies
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Copyright 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2002110317
ISBN: 978-0-7645-5460-5
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6
About the Author
Maxine Levaren, is a Jill of all trades, whos worked as a writer, teacher, software developer, personal success coach, and consultant (not necessarily in that order).
In a former life, she was a science fair mom and cheerleader for a project involving 30 mice (back when working with live animals was easier). That experience paved the way for her career as an author of science fair project books. Maxine has also published works on computers and travel and lifestyle issues. She lives in San Diego with Senji and Bandit, her two dogs.
Dedication
To my mom, Jean Haren.
Authors Acknowledgments
Bravo to all the exhibitors at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, who gave me so many great projects to choose from. Most especially, I want to give a big hand to the students who graciously allowed me to use their projects in this book.
Thanks also to my agent, Matt Wagner at Waterside Productions, who played matchmaker between Wiley Publishing, Inc. and me. Kudos to the editors at Wiley: Tracy Boggier who helped birth this project and Allyson Grove who nurtured it throughout its development. And a special vote of gratitude to Shirley Parrish, Director of the Management Committee of the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, who served as technical editor for this book, keeping me on the scientific straight and narrow.
Appreciation to my supporters and fans, Kathie Wickstrand Gahen, my coach, and Patricia Dibsie, fellow writer, best friend, and partner in crime.
Loving thanks to my awesome sons, Michael Bruce Iritz and Stuart Allen Iritz, whose science fair projects got me started on this path.
Publishers Acknowledgments
Were proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/ .
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Project Editor: Allyson Grove
Acquisitions Editor: Tracy Boggier
Copy Editors: Robert Annis, Chad R. Sievers
Technical Editor: Shirley Parrish
Senior Permissions Editor: Carmen Krikorian
Editorial Assistant: Carol Strickland
Cartoons: Rich Tennant, www.the5thwave.com
Composition Services
Project Coordinator: Nancee Reeves
Layout and Graphics: Carrie Foster, Kristin McMullan, Erin Zeltner
Proofreaders: Laura Albert, Andy Hollandbeck, Aptara
Indexer: Aptara
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel
Brice Gosnell, Publishing Director, Travel
Suzanne Jannetta, Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services
Introduction
Y ikes! I have to do a science project! If youve never done one before, but have heard horror stories about them, youre probably dreading the whole thing. Contrary to popular belief, doing a science project isnt the 21st century equivalent of medieval torture. True, you may be required to do some hard work, and you may feel at times like you can never get through it, but youll survive, without any visible scars.
In fact, help is on the way. Welcome to Science Fair Projects For Dummies, where you find out everything you can possibly want to know about doing a science fair project (but were afraid to ask). In this book, I plan to demystify the whole process and make it easy and fun for you.
The good news is that you already have a lot of the abilities that you need. Do you like to write? The research paper gives you a place to show off your way with words. If youre an artist in the making, you can have fun creating an attractive project display. If youre persistent, never giving up until you find the answer, research is made for you. And if youre crazy about details, lists, and statistics, I know you can keep excellent, precise records.