science from : "ASTO JIWO 2011"

Choosing The Best Science Fair Projects

While there may be no shortage of topics for science fair projects, selecting the most appropriate one may prove to be the most challenging step of the overall process. Searching in an unorganized fashion, despite having many available resources, may lead to indecision as well as frustration. Having some idea as to what may be a good topic for you prior to starting your search may help you avoid a number of potential stumbling blocks and setbacks.

One of the key factors to having a successful outcome and experience is to pick a topic that means something to you. Ideally, selecting a topic that interests you may allow you to remain focused and on task as you work to complete your project. In this way, the end result may be a perfect representation of the hard work you thoughtfully put into your finished project.

While drawing upon your particular experiences or interests may be helpful, it would also be advisable to select a topic that is actually possible for you to research. Selecting science fair projects that are interesting but difficult for you to research adequately may lead to frustration, and a less than satisfactory end result. In addition to selecting a topic that is interesting and researchable, your topic should be fairly specific in scope as well.

Once you have some specific ideas, interests, or past experiences in mind, this would be the time to start to do some research. Whether you search online or choose to peruse library volumes, for example, your selection process will most likely be less cumbersome and time consuming if you have already narrowed your focus at this point. Spending less time on choosing a topic should allow you more time to begin your research, and be sure that the topic of choice is one that you will want to stick with and see through to completion.

Using any available resources would be strongly advised as well. Considering family, friends, or school connections, for example, may lead you to a variety of helpful routes. For instance, a family member engaged in a particular pastime or occupation may be an invaluable source of assistance and information.

Keeping your options open may also help you in your quest to find the ideal project. Exciting and appropriate science fair projects may be found where you may least expect them. Local or current topics, popular magazines, as well as more traditional journals and publications may yield helpful information. With a bit of forethought, your science project experience may prove to be enjoyable, engaging, and successful.

Decades of Science Fiction Short Stories

Short stories are often a great way to pass a quick afternoon on a beach, fill the void on the train ride into work, or just a nice read before bed. The beauty of science fiction short stories is that we are able to make a trip to a different world in an hour or so and have the story completed in a single read. Many of the TV shows and movies we watch today find their roots in some classic stories created decades ago.

One of the most notable short stories of the 1950s was "The Minority Report." While there are obviously some commonalities in the Tom Cruise movie, they are quite different overall. The short story takes us into the mind of a completely different character than the one played by Cruise in the movie. It presents a different approach to the dilemma and a completely different outcome.

"Am I Still There?" was published in 1963 and while only eight pages long, it brings to light some pretty interesting possibilities of our medical futures. Just a few minutes into the short story, we realize the subject of the story is four centuries old! Not only that, but the surgery of which he is preparing for is brain replacement surgery! The title comes from the fact that our hero is about to lose his final, original body part.

Time travel has become a major part of science fiction over the years and "For A Single Yesterday" uses this concept in a very unique way. The subject of this 1970s short story lives through a nuclear holocaust and is stuck in a place where he would rather not be for the rest of his life. To escape, he takes a magical drug that enables him to not just remember past memories, but actually relive them. One has to wonder if this was the inspiration for such TV shows as Quantum Leap.

"Cyberpunk" was ahead of its time and it did not even know it. Bruce Bethke wrote the story just as the computer and Internet world were about to explode in the 1980s. Mr. Bethke may have had a looking glass into the future, as quite a few happenings in this story actually unfolded in real life. He may not have gotten everything 100 percent, but he was not far off. Anyone who enjoys the cyberpunk genre will find this absolutely delightful.