Science Fair Project Index

Prepared by the Science & Technology Division
(330) 643-9075

Introduction

The Science Fair Project Index of the Akron-Summit County Public Library is a subject and keyword index to science projects, experiments, and demonstrations found in books published since 1990.  The Science and Technology Division prepares the Index as part of the Library's ongoing commitment to contribute to the literature of the profession.  The Index is constantly being updated as new materials are published.

The intended users of this index include K - 8 grade students, parents, teachers, and librarians.  It also contains some experiments for high school students as well as manuals for teachers. The editors have indexed a variety of experiments, from the simple to the difficult, to meet the diverse needs and abilities of students in these grades. The Index contains projects from almost all areas of science and many areas of technology.  Most crafts and projects of a recreational nature have been excluded. Therefore, generally many of the activities found in metalworking, carpentry, and handicrafts books are not included in this index.

The focus of the Index is on actual projects and experiments rather than on supplemental or background information. However, instructions for organizing and displaying a science fair project, information on laboratory apparatus and safety, directions for proper and humane care of laboratory animals, and guidelines for ethical treatment of human subjects are included.

Searching

The Index is designed to allow the user to locate a particular experiment by the general topic; by keywords in the experiment title or book information; by grade level; by the materials or equipment used; or by the principle demonstrated. For purposes of clarification, words or phrases in parentheses have been added to those experiment titles which are misleading, confusing, or vague as given. For detailed searching instructions, refer to the main search page.

The Science Fair Project Index was first published in 1975. There are four print editions which index science fair project books published between 1960 and 1989:

Science fair project index, 1985-1989 for grades K-8, edited by Cynthia Bishop, Katherine Ertle, and Karen Zeleznik. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1992.

Science fair project index, 1981-1984, edited by Cynthia Bishop and Deborah Crowe. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1986.

Science fair project index, 1973-80, edited by the Science and Technology Division, Akron-Summit County Public Library. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1983.

Science fair project index, 1960-1972, edited by Janet T. Stoffer. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1975. 

Cynthia Bishop, Kathleen Jones-Orr, Karen Zeleznik, and Deborah Crowe indexed the material for the current database. Faye Bolen, Beth Cumberlidge and Linda Nay deserve special recognition for assisting with typing and data entry. The database was designed in Microsoft Access by Michele McNeal, and transfered to the WWW with the assistance of Brad Stephens of OhioNET. Joyce McKnight and Valerie Sherman provided general guidance during the project.

Thanks to our fellow Science & Technology staff members for their encouragement and support, and to the Administration of the Akron-Summit County Public Library for their continuing commitment to this project.