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SCIENCE FAIR
ENGINEERING PROJECTS
HOW THEY DIFFER FROM RESEARCH PROJECTS
There are two kinds of science fair projects: Research Projects and Engineering Projects. Both require research to gain a basic understanding of the underlying scientific principles at work in the specific project. Both use the scientific method but in slightly different ways.
Research Projects are more common and more familiar. This kind of project illustrates well the scientific method. First, there is research to learn the basic science and know what has been done before. Then there is a hypothesis, an experiment with controls, observations, data, graphs, analysis, and a conclusion. The experiment “tests the hypothesis” and collects data. The graphs and analysis lead to a conclusion.
The scientific method can be summarized then as:
1) Hypothesis
2) Test (experiment, observations, data)
3) Conclusion (with graphs and analysis to support it)
Engineering Projects attempt to solve a problem. These projects involve designing and building something and then testing how well the design solves the problem. Usually the design is adjusted and retested at least once.
The scientific method is used in engineering projects. There is a hypothesis, tests, and a conclusion, but they may not be quite as obvious. In the design phase we say, “I think we can solve the problem this way…” That is a hypothesis. Tests come after the design is built. The conclusion is often very brief: “The design did (or did not) solve the problem.”
It is also typical for the first build not to work well or at all, and the design must be adjusted before it can solve the problem. In this case, the scientific method is used again. “It wasn’t spinning as fast as I expected. Maybe a bearing will work better.” That observation and hypothesis will be followed by more testing.
In a research project much of the time will be spent doing the experiment and analyzing the results; whereas, in an engineering project, most of the time will be spent building and troubleshooting the design.
In summary, the two types of projects and their basic steps are outlined below.
Research Project Engineering Project
Research the topic Research the topic
Make a hypothesis Describe the problem to be solved
Design an experiment Design a solution
Run experiment Build the design
Collect data Test the design
Analyze and draw conclusions Describe how well the design solved the
problem