Academic Fair: Interests and Inquiries: Research Projects

Home

Return to Home Page

Research at the Library and
on the Web

Like most other projects, research projects start at the library or on the Web. However, because some questions are just too big or too difficult for children to answer through their own investigations, research projects may be completely based on library and Web research.

Sometimes, however, children may find ways to extend their research in new and interesting directions:

Interviews with adults can both guide and supplement library and Web research. Children may want to talk with experts in their field of interest. (Experts in many fields live in Oak Park!) Go here to find links to websites about conducting interviews.
Children may also find ways to use original documents (also called "primary sources") in their research. For instance, children who are researching the history of their family or home may find old letters, diaries, or photos they can use. Go here to find links to websites about using primary sources.
Also, library and Web research may give children ideas about aspects of their question they can try out themselves and then demonstrate at the fair. Go here to read more about projects using demonstrations.

We've also collected some other links that may be useful:

The key step will be to make sure your child's work answers an interesting question.

Go here to learn more about developing a question.

Return to the Types of Projects page.