Students may choose from three types of projects: Experiments, Engineering Designs, and Exhibits.

• Experiments involve testing a hypothesis — a scientific question — by following the steps of the scientific method.

• Engineering Designs focus on solving a problem by planning, building, testing, and improving a design. Examples include creating a bridge that can hold the most weight, building a balloon-powered car to see how far it travels, or testing which pinewood derby car shape is the fastest.  

• Exhibits (PK to 3rd and 4th grade only) center around explaining or demonstrating how something works, such as researching “How does my toy windmill work?”  

For students advancing to GARSEF, 5th graders are encouraged to complete an Experiment or Engineering Design project rather than an Exhibit.