A Student’s Guide to Science Fairs (Part 2): Choosing a Topic & Getting Started

Choosing the right project topic is arguably the most important decision you’ll make in your science fair journey. Your idea will determine not only your level of motivation, but also how much impact your project can have in the eyes of judges, potential mentors, and future opportunities. A great topic can carry you through months of hard work with excitement — a poor fit can make the process feel like a chore.

In this guide, I'll break down how to select a topic that’s unique, meaningful, and feasible, and how to set yourself up for a smooth and productive start.

Step 1: Understand What Makes a Strong Science Fair Topic

A good science fair project sits at the intersection of personal interest, real-world relevance, and technical feasibility. When you brainstorm, keep these three filters in mind:

1. Personal Interest – Ask yourself:

   • Does this topic genuinely excite me?

   • Would I still want to explore it even if there were no competition?

   • Can I see myself talking about it passionately to a stranger?

     
     

2. Real-World Relevance – Judges love projects that matter beyond the display board. Consider:

   • Does this address a real-world problem or gap in knowledge?

   • Could it have a social, environmental, or technological impact?

   • Does it connect to an emerging field or trending issue?

     
     

3. Technical Feasibility – Even the most exciting ideas can flop if they’re unrealistic for your time frame and resources. Ask:

   • Do I have access to the tools, materials, or software needed?

   • Is the scope manageable within the months I have?

   • Do I have (or can I learn) the skills required?

Step 2: Where to Find Inspiration

Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing where to look. Here are some tried-and-true sources for sparking ideas:

• Personal Experience – Think about hobbies, problems you’ve faced, or topics you’re curious about.

• News & Research Papers – Scan science and tech news, journal articles, or recent conference papers for emerging issues.

• Classroom Topics – Build upon something you learned in class that intrigued you.

• Competitions & Challenges – Many competitions post example project categories or past winners that can inspire your direction.

• Local Community Needs – Consider problems faced by your school, neighborhood, or region. Local relevance can be a big plus.

Pro tip: Keep a running “idea bank” in your notes app. Even half-baked ideas can evolve into winning projects later.

Step 3: Balancing Originality with Feasibility

Judges value originality, but “original” doesn’t always mean “never done before.” It can also mean:

• Applying an existing method to a new field.

• Combining two unrelated ideas in a creative way.

• Improving accuracy, cost, speed, or usability of a known solution.

  
  

You want your idea to be fresh enough to stand out, but grounded enough that it’s achievable in your timeframe and with your available resources.

Step 4: Setting Up for Success Early

Once you’ve chosen your topic, here’s how to hit the ground running:

1. Define a Clear Question or Problem Statement

A project without a clear question is like a road trip without a destination. Make sure your research question is specific, measurable, and testable. Instead of “Studying plant growth”, try “How does carbon dioxide exposure affect stomatal density in pea plants?”.

2. Do a Preliminary Literature Review

Before you start experimenting, understand what’s already been done. This helps you refine your question and avoid repeating someone else’s work. Use Google Scholar, PubMed, arXiv, or even library databases.

3. Outline Your Methods Early

You don’t need a final lab protocol yet, but you should know:

• What data you’ll collect.

• What variables you’ll control.

• What tools and materials you’ll need.

4. Identify Gaps in Your Skills or Resources

If your project involves coding, lab work, or statistics you’ve never done before, schedule time to learn these skills before you dive in. If you need special equipment, reach out early to teachers, local universities, or makerspaces.

Step 5: Building Momentum

The start of a project is the most fragile stage — it’s where enthusiasm can die quickly if you hit too many obstacles. Here’s how to keep moving:

• Break It into Mini-Milestones – Instead of “finish experiment,” aim for smaller goals like “build prototype,” “collect first 10 data points,” or “write introduction.”

• Document from Day One – Keep a detailed log of what you try, even if it fails. Judges value the process as much as the outcome.

• Talk About It – Sharing your idea with friends, teachers, or online communities can lead to unexpected feedback and connections.

Final Thoughts

The best projects don’t just happen — they’re the product of deliberate topic selection, careful planning, and early momentum. Take your time in this stage, because the right idea will make every late night, troubleshooting session, and presentation worth it.

In Part 3, we’ll move into preparing your project and presentation, covering experiment execution, data analysis, and creating materials that capture judges’ attention instantly.

About the Author: I'm Jophy Lin, a high school junior and researcher. I blog about a variety of topics, such as STEM research, competitions, shows, and my experiences in the scientific community. If you’re interested in research tips, competition insights, drama reviews, personal reflections on STEM opportunities, and other related topics, subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated!