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BY PAUL CZAPKOWICZ
Times Correspondent | Sunday, November 13, 2005 | (No comments posted.)
LANSING | Young scientists and their parents can rest a little easier when they ponder upcoming science projects after attending a Science Fair Strategies program at the Lansing Public Library this weekend.
The meeting was aimed at students in fourth through eighth grades.
Attendees were given suggestions on how to pick a specific topic and how to go about conducting the necessary research.
"Students come in and they need the help, and they really don't know how to use the library effectively," said Patty Higgins, reference librarian.
Also, the resources available in the library have changed since the last time such a program was held, according to Kelli Staley, information technology specialist for the library.
"If somebody's doing Internet research, they're not coming here," Staley said.
"And there's problems with doing all your research on the Internet. You don't know if you're at a reliable site. Anybody can post anything on the Internet.
"And we subscribe to a number of databases using taxpayer money that provide better resources. So we want to make people aware of those."
Higgins said the Science Fair Strategies program was held now because fairs are typically in January or February. Higgins said it is especially crucial to start planning soon if a project involves the growing of plants.
Gail Guzman, teen librarian, said books, magazines and Web sites are good sources for obtaining ideas for science projects. The Lansing Public Library also has a list of science experiments on file in a binder that students can peruse.
The library's Web site, www.lansing.lib.il.us, contains science fair ideas and suggestions for doing research, and it also refers students to additional Web sites where ideas can be found, Higgins said.
Guzman said some of the most common science fair project topics include: how to build a battery; how an electrical current moves through vegetables; determining which laundry soap works better; and figuring out how solar panels operate.
An example project of "Why do nails rust in water?" and the steps taken to complete it were presented to those who attended the program.
"You want to pick a project that you're interested in, or else it's just going to be a chore and it's not going to be any fun," Guzman said.
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