The document provides a comprehensive guide on how to generate project ideas, emphasizing critical thinking, questioning, and analysis. It suggests various sources for inspiration, including media, current events, and personal experiences, and highlights the importance of feasibility and safety in project selection. Additionally, it addresses common myths about creativity and persistence in the face of challenges.

1. How to find an idea?<br /> <br />Presented by:<br />Ahmed Tarek<br />August 2011<br />Critical thinkingCriticize everything you face<br />Try to see things in different ways<br />Whenever you read about an invention, discovery or any other innovate thing, ask yourself these questions:<br />From where did the author draw the ideas?<br />What was accomplished by this piece of work?<br />Can it be applied on other work in other field?<br />What would be the reasonable next step to build upon this work?<br />Remember<br />Everyone who has ever taken a shower has an idea. It is the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference. “Nolan Bushnel”<br />The proper way of finding ideaAsk a question Do background researchConstruct hypothesisMake experiment Analyze resultDraw conclusionHypothesis is trueHypothesis is false or not accurateThink again Ask a question Do background researchConstruct hypothesisMake experiment Analyze resultDraw conclusionHypothesis is trueHypothesis is false or not accurateThink again <br />Exploring types of Science Project

2. Performing an experimentProject That Involves an Experiment with PlantsQuestionHypothesisProcedureResultHow much drainage is best for plant growth?Plants with the most drainage will grow the best.Grow plants with no drainage, two drainage holes, and four drainage holes.Size of plants in each group<br /> Conducting researchProject That Compares Earthquakes and Solar ActivityQuestionHypothesisProcedureResultAre there more earthquakes when there's more solar activity?When there is more solar activity, there will be more earthquakes.Collect 50 years' data on solar activity and earthquake magnitude .Correlation coefficient( a statistical test that measures how current trends follow actual past values)<br />Designing or testing a deviceProject That prevents unlicensed drivers from driving carsQuestionHypothesisProcedureResultHow can I prevent unlicensed drivers from driving cars?I can prevent unlicensed drivers from driving cars by my proposed systemManufacture a system which obligates the driver to show his license to it, by using barcode technology, it can determine whether he is the car owner or not.Unlicensed drivers can’t drive car any more<br />Developing a computer programProject That makes mouse work with sound ordersQuestionHypothesisProcedureResultCan I make a mouse that can work with sound orders?I can develop a computer program which can make a mouse work with sound ordersDesign system, write code and conduct user tests.The mouse worked with sound orders?<br />Advices<br />To have a great idea, have a lot of them “Thomas A. Edison”

3. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

4. From where can I get a problem? Using what you're studying in Class<br />Many students think that our curriculum is not useful but the reality is that it is very useful and the evidence is when you read an article through the internet or in a book about a lesson you have taken in school you will find that you can understand some of the terminology, you can understand the overview of the article and you will find yourself studied the basics of this science at school. <br />Your teacher can help you in your project if you worked in the same field of your study<br />Even your history lessons that deal with prehistory may lead to a project dealing with fossils or dating ancient artifacts. <br />Getting Inspiration from Media Sources<br />Several years ago, a TV movie about sharks called “Jaws” inspired several projects about children's reactions to the film.<br />YouTube<br />TV programs<br /> <br />Cultivating Ideas from Current Events and Issues<br />Science fairs of 2002 featured projects dealing with people's reactions to the terrorist attacks on September 11. For example, one student did a project that researched which emotions students felt most strongly after the attack. <br />Everyday life<br />Start in the kitchen, you can find lots of project ideas in food, such as the amount of sugar, fats, or acid in food. <br />You can look at how to ripen fruit faster or keep food fresher longer. <br />For example, one project analyzed how much aluminum and iron is absorbed from pots and pans into food.<br />Many projects examine the effect of watching TV on test scores or concentration. <br />Even more frequent are projects dealing with the effects of music or video games on heart rate, grades, or a variety of other measurable factors. <br />You can find project ideas looking at rust resistance, paint durability, glue strength, and insulation effectiveness. <br />School and social life<br />You may work for a project that deals with relationships, with family, friends. <br />You can do a project on Gender differences in attitudes, sports, memory, phobias, and performance on various tests.<br />You can go back to food and make a project about the effect of smell on taste.<br />You can focus on exercise, including its effect on heart rate, memory, problem-solving skills or lung capacity. <br />Talking to Friends and Family<br />Sometimes someone's profession can help you a lot. For example, Having a parent who's a scientist or a doctor will inspire you lots of ideas <br />Your family members' hobbies and interests can also give you ideas. If Dad's likes fishing, you can make project about fish<br />Other students get project ideas because they want to understand the problems that family members have. For example, if a grandparent uses a cane or a walker, you may want to find out how much it really helps him or her.<br />If you travel with your family, you may get some ideas from trips you've taken. One student, traveling saw several different types of windmills. She wondered about the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of wind turbines. <br />Building on a Previous Project <br />If you look at a catalog from previous science fairs, you can also get a lot of ideas. These catalogs list all the projects, arranged by category, along with the name and school of each exhibitor.<br />You may have an easier time finding a project idea in a popular category, but keep in mind that many other students are thinking the same thing. <br />Remember “More projects make more competition” <br />Remember <br />There is no good idea that can’t be improved on “Michael Eisner”

5. Hear every criticize Caution <br />All the mentioned ideas are already made by other people, they are only given for illustration.<br />Can I Really Do This ProjectIs it within my abilities?<br />“Do not bite off more than you can chew.” Do I have enough time?<br />You should estimate the time needed to finish your project, and make sure that you can finish it, obtain your results, before the fair.Can I afford it? <br />You should estimate the cost of your project before starting it then state whether you can afford it or not, if you cannot then search for a fund, if you did not find then you have to find another idea

6. Try to choose an idea, which does not cost much money, do not choose an idea that needs a lot of money, and then blame others for not providing fund. Do my parents and teacher approve?<br />Is it safe? <br />For example, if you are planning to use chemicals or electricity in your project, you need to make sure that you can use them safely, ask yourself these questions:<br />For projects involving electricity:

7. Can I avoid using house current?

8. If I am going to use house current, is the wiring okay?

9. Can I avoid overloading circuits?

10. Do I know how to properly insulate and ground everything?

11. Do I need transformers or converters (for example, do I need to convert 110 to 220)?

12. For projects involving chemicals:

13. Do I need special permits to get any of the substances?

14. Are these chemicals (or a combination of chemicals) flammable or toxic?