I finished my Science Fair project...

...I mean mija finished her science fair project!

And won a second place ribbon.

I wrote previously about learning how to do a science fair project. 

I wasn't around much last week, because we were doing serious science stuff.

Her project was on the role of baking powder in the height of a cake. Her question was "Does the amount of baking powder affect the height of a cake?" 


Last weekend, we spent hours baking cakes from scratch in order to change the amount of baking powder only to realize at the end of the night that we could merely make cupcakes of flour, baking powder, and water.
Much easier and cheaper!

She learned a lot during this process. She learned some basics about alkalis and acids. Carbon dioxide was a big subject. She learned about variables.  She was introduced to decimals. 

It was a challenging but educational and fun experience all around. 

In case your youngin' would be interested in this subject for a science project, here is her bibliography.

Edicola, Jon. "The Food Scientist - Baking Soda vs Baking Powder." YouTube. N.p., 14 June 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. .

Gardner, Robert. Kitchen Chemistry: Science Experiments to Do at Home
 New York: J. Messner, 1982. Print.

Glass, Don. "Baking With Carbon Dioxide." A Moment of Science RSS. N.p., 8 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 Mar. 2014.

Legourmettv. "Baking Soda Vs. Baking Powder." YouTube. N.p., 16 May 2010. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. 

Mandell, Muriel, and Frances W. Zweifel. Simple Kitchen Experiments: Learning Science With Everyday Foods
. New York: Sterling Pub., 1993. Print.

VanCleave, Janice. Janice VanCleave's Guide to the Best Science Fair Projects (Science Series)
. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1997. Print.


Various. "Baking Powder." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Oct. 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. .

Friday Funny--Science Fair

If this is true, mija is in big trouble at the science fair today!

How to do a Science Fair Project

I will confess. I am not that familiar with doing a science fair project. I never did one as a student and never had to judge one as a classroom teacher. I have observed a few including one in Mexico! My personal experience, however, is very limited.

But mija is now going to be doing her first. The school affiliated with our church is having a little space available for the homeschoolers. They will even do the judging for us!

Our first step, however, is how to do a science fair project.

We did some online research on how to proceed, and thought some of you might enjoy the information we came across. 

First, NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab offers a short video series about doing a science fair projects. They do a great job of explaining how to come up with ideas and how to turn those into hypotheses. 

Science Buddies offers not only project ideas but guides on how to do them as well.

Here's a video if you can get through the annoying characters!

And we got our hands on a book:

So, do you think we're prepared or do we need to know something more?

In the spirit of full disclosure, this post has an affiliate link, which means I may get a commission if you purchase from Amazon. I only recommend things that I love & use myself, so I know you'll be in good hands.