Let Janice VanCleave help you create your own winning science project

Where can you find lots of interesting ideas?

How do you begin a project?

How can you create an eye-catching display?

What can you do to impress the judges?

Discover the answers to these and other questions in this complete guide to winning science fair projects. Learn how to develop a topic from any idea, and find out the best ways to create, assemble, and present projects—including special tips on how to display them. Try out some of Janice VanCleave's favorite experiments on topics from astronomy and biology to chemistry, math, and engineering. As you have fun completing these experiments, you'll be learning the secrets of science fair success.

Praise for Janice VanCleave's books

"Stunningly clear, direct, and informative projects."—School Library Journal

"[They] not only teach children the basics of science, but also entertain along the way . . . great for kids."—Parentguide ...

The perfect science fair idea books … Spectacular Science Projects Janice VanCleave’s Weather

• Why does it rain?
• What causes thunder and lightning?
• How does a cloud form?

Janice VanCleave’s Weather includes 20 fun and simple experiments that allow you to discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions about weather, plus dozens of additional suggestions for developing your own science fair projects. Learn what causes lightning with a simple experiment using a roll of tape in a darkened room. Make a barometer from a soda bottle, straws, modeling clay, and colored water. Use a shoe box, plastic wrap, and some soil to understand the greenhouse effect. All experiments use inexpensive household materials and involve a minimum of preparation and cleanup. Children ages 8–12 Also available in the Spectacular Science Projects Series Janice VanCleave’s Animals Janice VanCleave’s Earthquakes Janice VanCleave’s Electricity Janice VanCleave’s Gravity Janice VanCleave’s Machines Janice VanCleave’s Magnets Janice VanCleave’s Molecules Janice VanCleave’s Microscopes and Magnifying Lenses Janice VanCleave’s Volcanoes Kids, join the Science for Every Kid Club …See inside for details. ...

What are fossils?

• How do stalactites and stalagmites form?
• Can rock melt?

Janice VanCleave's Rocks and Minerals includes 20 fun and simple experiments that allow you to discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions about rocks and minerals, plus dozens of additional suggestions for developing your own science fair projects.

See how sedimentary rock is formed using two pillows, a yardstick, and some masking tape. Make models of rocks and minerals with gumdrops, toothpicks, and plastic bags. Learn what carbonate minerals are and how to identify them using a glass jar, some vinegar, and an egg. All experiments use inexpensive household materials and involve a minimum of preparation and clean up.

Children ages 8-12

Also available in the Spectacular Science Projects series:

Janice VanCleave's Animals

Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes

Janice VanCleave's Electricity

Janice VanCleave's Gravity

Janice VanCleave's Machines

Janice VanCleave's Magnets

Janice VanCleave's Molecules

Janice VanCleave's Microscopes and Magnifying Lenses

Janice VanCleave's Volcanoes

Janice VanCleave's Weather ...

Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Earth Science The newest volume in the bestselling A+ Science Projects series! Are you having a hard time coming up with a good idea for the science fair? Do you want to earn extra credit in your science class? Or do you just want to know more about how the world around you works? Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Earth Science can help you—and the best part is, it won’t involve any complicated or expensive equipment. This step-by-step project book explores 30 different topics and offers dozens of experiment ideas. The book also includes lots of charts, diagrams, and illustrations. Here are just a few of the topics you’ll be investigating: • Rocks and minerals • Meteorology • Oceanography • Plate tectonics • Air fronts • The greenhouse effect You’ll be amazed how easy it is to turn your own ideas into winning science fair projects! Also available: Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Biology Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Chemistry ...

How do honeybees find their way home? Why is Venus so hot? How can you measure the speed of the wind? What makes a sound loud or soft? Discover the awesome answers to these and other fascinating mysteries in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and astronomy. Just try these 201 fun, safe, low-cost experiments at home or in the classroom. You’ll look through a drop of water to find out how a magnifying lens works. Using a Styrofoam ball, a pencil, and a lamp, you’ll learn why the Moon appears and disappears. With just a jar and some ice cubes, you can demonstrate how rain is formed. Each experiment includes an illustration and easy to follow step-by-step instructions. This companion volume to the enormously popular 200 Gooey, Slippery, Slimy, Weird, and Fun Experiments brings together magical projects from Janice VanCleave’s Science for Every Kid and Spectacular Science Projects series—plus 40 all-new experiments that make science come to life. Children Ages 8–12 ...

How long is the world’s longest earthworm? How tall was a brachiosaurus? What’s the average diameter of human hair? What’s the circumference of the earth at the equator? Now you can discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions about math. Packed with illustrations, Math for Every Kid uses simple problems and activities to teach you about measurements, fractions, graphs, problem solving, and much more! Using activities that relate math to everyday life, this book will help you feel comfortable with math—right from the start. You’ll make a sun clock, create a thermometer from a straw, race a paper boat, grow your own bean plant, and even play a game of ring the bottle. Each of the many problems and activities is broken down into its purpose, a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, expected results, and an easy to understand explanation. Every activity has been pretested and can be performed safely and inexpensively in the classroom or at home. Also available in this series from Janice VanCleave: Astronomy for Every Kid Biology for Every Kid Chemistry for Every Kid Dinosaurs for Every Kid Earth Science for Every Kid Geography for Every Kid Geometry for Every Kid The Human Body for Every Kid Physics for Every Kid ...

Now you can discover the answers to these and many other fascinating questions about engineering for yourself with this fun-filled resource. Janice VanCleave's Engineering for Every Kid presents entertaining, challenging experiments and activities to help you understand the different types of engineering there are—including structural, solar, electrical, and chemical—and how each is applied to real world everyday situations.

Each of the activities is broken down into its purpose, a list of easy-to-find materials, step-by-step instructions, expected results, and a simple scientific explanation. Plus, the book’s 25 projects can easily be used in the classroom, as the basis of a science fair project, or at home just for fun!...

Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn Into Science Fair Projects

The perfect science fair idea books . . .Spectacular Science Projects
Janice VanCleave's Solar System

• How is a comet like a dirty snowball?
• Does a planet’s distance from the Sun affect its temperature?
• How can the Moon block the Sun’s light?

Figure out the answers for yourself with out-of-this world activities and experiments that help you learn about the wonders of the solar system. Janice VanCleave’s Solar System: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects guarantees hours and hours of fascinating, hands-on, safe, low-cost science fun. Try these awesome projects at home or in the classroom: trace the Earth’s path through the celestial sphere, create a comet in your own bedroom, and build a model of Saturn and its rings. Each experiment includes an illustration and simple, step-by-step instructions, as well as clear explanations of the astronomical concepts you’re seeing at work.

Children ages 8—12
Also available in the Spectacular Science Projects Series:

Janice VanCleave’s Animals
Janice VanCleave’s Earthquakes
Janice VanCleave’s Electricity
Janice VanCleave’s Gravity
Janice VanCleave’s Insects and Spiders
Janice VanCleave’s Machines
Janice VanCleave’s Magnets
Janice VanCleave’s Microscopes and Magnifying Lenses
Janice VanCleave’s Molecules
Janice VanCleave’s Plants
Janice VanCleave’s Rocks and Minerals
Janice VanCleave’s Volcanoes
Janice VanCleave’s Weather ...

There's plenty for you to choose from in this collection of forty terrific science project ideas from real kids, chosen by well-known children's science writer Janice VanCleave. Developing your own science project requires planning, research, and lots of hard work. This book saves you time and effort by showing you how to develop your project from start to finish and offering useful design and presentation techniques. Projects are in an easy-to-follow format, use easy-to-find materials, and include dozens illustrations and diagrams that show you what kinds of charts and graphs to include in your science project and how to set up your project display. You’ll also find clear scientific explanations, tips for developing your own unique science project, and 100 additional ideas for science projects in all science categories....

How do magnets work? What makes a curve ball curve? What keeps an airplane in the air? How can a pulley make you five times stronger? Now you can learn the answers to these and other questions about basic physics through 101 fun, safe, low-cost experiments and activities that can be performed at home or in the classroom. In Physics for Every Kid, you’ll learn about gravity from funnels that seem to defy nature by rolling up hill. Using a balloon as a power source, you’ll make a fluorescent light bulb glow and learn how electrons are used to produce light. And you’ll levitate a Ping-Pong ball to understand aerodynamics. Each of the 101 experiments is broken down into its purpose, a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, expected results, and an easy to understand explanation. Every activity has been pretested and can be performed safely and inexpensively in the classroom or at home. Also available in this series from Janice VanCleave: Astronomy for Every Kid Biology for Every Kid Chemistry for Every Kid Dinosaurs for Every Kid Earth Science for Every Kid Geography for Every Kid Geometry for Every Kid The Human Body for Every Kid Math for Every Kid ...

The perfect science fair idea books… Spectacular Science Projects Janice VanCleave’s Magnets

• How does a compass work?
• What is a magnetic field?
• How can you make a magnet with electricity?

Janice VanCleave’s Magnets includes 20 simple and fun experiments that allow you to discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions about magnets, plus dozens of additional suggestions for developing your own science fair projects. Learn about magnetic poles using a bar magnet, paper, and string; about magnetic force fields with a compass, a pencil, and a sheet of paper; and much more. All experiments use inexpensive household materials and involve a minimum of preparation and clean up. Children ages 8–12 Also available in the Spectacular Science Projects Series: Janice VanCleave’s Animals Janice VanCleave’s Earthquakes Janice VanCleave’s Electricity Janice VanCleave’s Gravity Janice VanCleave’s Machines Janice VanCleave’s Molecules Janice VanCleave’s Microscopes and Magnifying Lenses Janice VanCleave’s Volcanoes Janice VanCleave’s Weather ...

Why does a cat have a rough tongue? Why is the sky blue? Why does a person snore? How does a submarine rise and submerge? Learn the answers to these and other questions in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and astronomy through 200 fun and wacky, safe and low-cost experiments that can be performed at home or in the classroom. In 200 Gooey, Slippery, Slimy, Weird, and Fun Experiments, bestselling author and award-winning science educator Janice VanCleave brings together the best experiments from her popular Science for Every Kid series—plus 40 all-new experiments—to help kids learn about science the fun way. Packed with illustrations, 200 Gooey, Slippery, Slimy, Weird, and Fun Experiments uses simple problems, activities, and projects to explain important science principles through hands-on experience. You can learn how biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and astronomy relate to your everyday life by making exciting discoveries that lie right at your fingertips! Children Ages 8–12 ...

Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Biology Are you having a hard time coming up with a good idea for the science fair? Do you want to earn extra credit in your biology class? Or do you just want to know how the world really works? Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Biology can help you, and the best part is it won’t involve any complicated or expensive equipment. This step-by-step guide explores 30 different topics and offers dozens of experiment ideas. The book also includes charts, diagrams, and illustrations. Here are just a few of the topics you’ll be investigating: • Seed germination • Chromatography • Food preservatives • Cellular respiration • Operant conditioning You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to turn your own ideas into winning science fair projects. Also available: Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Chemistry ...

Caught in the Last-Minute Science Project Scramble?

Looking for Fun, Interesting Project Ideas?

You’re in luck! With Janice VanCleave’s Help! My Science Project Is Due Tomorrow! you can choose from a wide variety of ideas drawing from all the scientific disciplines. Just pick any topic you’re interested in–stars, telescopes, cells, spiders, chemical change, solutions, the water cycle, energy, and many more–read the background information, gather a few simple materials, and start experimenting!

Each chapter presents a simple scientific investigation that includes step-by-step instructions, a description of the desired result, and ideas on how to expand on the topic to make it your very own science project. And, as with all of Janice VanCleave’s experiment books, the materials are safe, inexpensive, and easily found around the house. You’ll not only find this book useful for any science project assignments all year round but a great resource for developing long-term science fair projects. ...

Complete rules and display tips

Hundreds of exciting projects

Helpful do’s and don’ts

50 fun, step-by-step experiments

More Winning Science Fair Projects, Hints, and Tips from Janice VanCleave!

What can you do to create an extraordinary science project?

How is a clear and easy-to-follow display organized?

What are the do’s and don’ts of science fair projects?

Where will you find the best collection of science fair ideas?

The answers—and the fun—are all in this exciting book of innovative, easy-to-understand, show-stopping science fair projects. Discover how to develop a topic from your own idea; research, create, and assemble your project; then display it in a way that will make it stand out from the crowd. Tackle some of Janice VanCleave’s favorite experiments on topics ranging from astronomy, biology, and engineering to botany, geology, and oceanography. Then let your mind loose to explore whatever topic most interests you. Enjoy working on intriguing experiments while learning the secrets of science fair success!

Praise for Janice VanCleave’s books

"Stunningly clear, direct, and informative projects."—School Library Journal

"[They] not only teach children the basics of science, but also entertain along the way . . . great for kids."—Parentguide ...

Your all-in-one resource for science fair success

Don’t wait till the last minute to start preparing for this year’s science fair. This book makes it easy and fun to complete a project that you can take pride in, and maybe even take to national and international competitions. You get expert guidance in creating a great project from start to finish, with information on basic science fair procedures, tools, and techniques. You’ll also find background experiments to try, pages for taking notes on each topic, and a personal project journal to help you keep track of every step as you choose your project, gather your data, report your findings, and prepare to make a spectacular presentation.

The topics covered span the science curriculum and include topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics. All the activities can be done either at home or in the classroom with inexpensive and easy-to-find materials. So find out how enjoyable and rewarding completing a science project can really be, and have a great science fair experience!...

Why do newspapers turn yellow?

How does bleach make colors disappear?

Why can't you mix oil and water?

Find out the answers to these and other mysteries of chemistry in this fascinating collection of ideas, projects, and activities that teach the basics of chemistry theory and practice.

Turn steel wool into a glutinous green blob. Separate an egg from its shell without breaking the shell. Make copper pennies turn green. Have fun while you learn simple chemistry from a solution of colored water, and the behavior of gases with the help of a soda bottle. Through these and other activities, you'll explore the structure of matter, the workings of acids, gases, and solutions . . . and much more.

You'll find most of the materials you need around the house or classroom. Every activity has been pretested and can be performed safely and cheaply in the classroom, at a science fair, or at home.

Also available in this series from Janice VanCleave:

• ASTRONOMY FOR EVERY KID
• BIOLOGY FOR EVERY KID
• DINOSAURS FOR EVERY KID
• EARTH SCIENCE FOR EVERY KID
• GEOGRAPHY FOR EVERY KID
• GEOMETRY FOR EVERY KID
• THE HUMAN BODY FOR EVERY KID
• MATH FOR EVERY KID
• PHYSICS FOR EVERY KID.

...

Why do planets spin? How hot is the Sun? What keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth? What are Saturn’s rings made of? What’s a black hole in space? Now you can discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions about basic astronomy. In Astronomy for Every Kid you’ll learn about the constellations using a shoe box planetarium. You’ll chart the movement of the stars with nothing but a string, a marker, and a nail. And you’ll use a toy magnet to simulate the Earth’s protective force field. Each of the 101 experiments is broken down into its purpose, a list of materials, step-by-step instructions, expected results, and an easy to understand explanation. Every activity has been pretested and can be performed safely and inexpensively in the classroom or at home. Also available in this series from Janice VanCleave: Biology for Every Kid Chemistry for Every Kid Dinosaurs for Every Kid Earth Science for Every Kid Geography for Every Kid Geometry for Every Kid The Human Body for Every Kid Math for Every Kid Physics for Every Kid ...