Science:  Grades K - 12
An Insider's Guide to Sucessful Science Fair Projects
Author:  Felice Gerwitz
Publisher:  Media Angels
For more information or to order:  www.mediaangels.com

Whether you are comfortable with science fair projects or, like me, intimidated by the very thought of your child participating in a science fair, this book is for you!  Written by a homeschool mom who has years of experience working with both her own children and others - this book is an easy to understand tutorial with both the Do's and the Don't's of competing in a science fair.  There is so much information packed into this book! 

While recognizing the time and work involved in preparing and researching a project, An Insider's Guide to Sucessful Science Fair Projects begins by explaining the positive impact that starting and completing a project has on a student.  Felice Gerwitz does an excellent job of explaining how to select a project, including a lengthy list of suggested topics arranged by category and suggested grade levels.  Before reading this book, I didn't realize the stringent guidelines students must follow in order to take a project that has won at a local fair on to state, regional or even international competitions.  The little details could easily be overwhelming, but Felice guides us step-by-step, warning of us possible pitfalls and providing real life examples of successes and failures to illustrate her points. For those interested in starting a local science fair with the opportunity for students to advance to other competitions, Felice provides information on when to start planning, who to contact, and how to organize a fair in your area.

In this incredible resource guide you'll find tips on how to plan your project, including keeping proper notes and documentation, fine-tuning the project, preparing for interaction with the judges, and much more.  An Insider's Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects also includes reproducible checklists and journal pages, as well as, advice on writing reports and abstracts.  Felice Gerwitz has taken the guesswork out of science fair projects and given parents and their students the tools they need to compete and win!

Making the Grade:  A+
Cost:  $6.50
Value for Your Homeschool Dollar:  10
Reviewed by Cindy Prechtel, Editor