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Identifying Topics For Expo Projects 20240131

Notes on science expo

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mnisisihle625
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11 views

Identifying Topics For Expo Projects 20240131

Notes on science expo

Uploaded by

mnisisihle625
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Document 1

FINDING RESEARCH PROJECT IDEAS

Where to look… how to find a research project idea

Finding a research idea may seem difficult. One way to do this is to tap into two your inherent
characteristics, Curiosity and Creativity. These are traits typical of good researchers.

Tapping into your curiosity


Your curiosity should be driven by the questions you have about the community/
environment/ world around you. Look at your surroundings, be inquisitive and ask questions
such as: Why? What? When? How? What if?
1. Talk to your friends and to other people like your family, teachers, professionals, and see
if they have any ideas they can share. You could enquire about their work and problems
they might have identified.
2. Identify problems/phenomena in your home, local community and look for workable
solutions. Making simple observations about things can lead to project ideas. Here are
some examples:
• A bridge that keeps flooding during rainy seasons
• Learners not having access to learning material during the corona virus lockdown
• Food insecurity
• Lack of running water
• A new type of plant that has started growing at your local dam
• A sudden rise in the number of flies around your house
• A very ripe banana is sweeter than a greener one
3. Asking further questions about these can lead to a more refined project idea.
Unleash Your Creativity
Being creative does not mean you have to create something from nothing. Find out everything
there is to know about what is inside the box before you start thinking outside of it. Use all
available resources around you to help you. To develop new ideas/solutions to problems/ a
phenomena, you have to make a transition from information that in known to what is
unknown.
1. Look at the Expo Category list with descriptions and see if that stimulates any ideas that
you are interested in. Identify a research question you can ask.
2. Look at the Sustainable Development Goals and see if you can contribute in some way.

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3. Browse through websites where you can find past expo projects or expo project ideas.
Do not be tempted to duplicate or copy work that has already been done, find the gaps or
questions that you think were not answered in past projects, three link to get you started:
a. Science Buddies
b. Frances Willson Thompson Library
c. Custom Writing
4. Look at previous research in a field that interests you and identify gaps (what has not been
done or what needs further research).
5. Examine a variety of everyday objects/products/machines. Think of how these could be
improved upon or made more cost-effective or more durable. Design an improved version.
6. Think about your personal interest area; do you like: building / constructing things; working
with older people; working with computers, coding Apps.
7. Design/ construct something that will make your / your family’s/ community’s everyday life
easier.
8. Design a product to assist someone with a physical challenge e.g. an alarm or bell that can
attract the attention of a deaf person or a more affordable prosthetic.
9. Find a recyclable material and identify a new use for the item or material (recycle or
repurpose).
10. Keep a journal of observations, challenges etc. This way you will always have some ideas
for projects and you can share some with your friends.
11. Read books, magazines or newspapers, online articles. How can you solve some of the
challenges? One of the best places to find information about particular
challenges/issues/occurrences/problems is in journal articles. Journal articles are a
collection of research that has been conducted by scientists from around the world.
12. Identify one “environment” e.g. soil or a river or garden. Brainstorm or list everything you
can think of around this environment. Identify potential research ideas.
You can now complete the pyramid (Document 2) to help you narrow down
your focus

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