An award-winning science fair project possesses the following qualities:  It clearly presents the proper use of the scientific method; it exhibits creativity; it shows clarity; it reveals mastery of the topic; it possesses great display quality; and it reveals good technical skills.

If you want your science project to win the big event, you need to put on some hard work and apply the right techniques.  Your project should possess qualities that judges and spectators are looking for.  Here are the most important features that your project should have to make it award-winning:

It clearly presents the proper use of the scientific method

Following the steps of the scientific method is the foremost quality that judges look for in a science project.  See to it that you have clearly identified your question or your problem.  Make sure that you have done a thorough research and you have conducted the experiments in the right manner, considering the different variables involved.  The data you present must also be accurate and clearly evident in your written report.  Finally, your conclusion must be able to answer your problem and is supported by the data you presented.

It exhibits creativity

The backbone of award-winning science fair projects is creativity.  Judges will see how creative, resourceful, and practical you are in gathering your data as well as in your experimentation, most especially with the equipment used.  It is also very important for your project to be original and unique from among others.

It shows clarity

A great science project must also possess clarity in every aspect, starting from the statement of the problem down to the display.  You must be able to clearly state and organize your problem, hypothesis, data, and solution in a logical manner.  Your display must also be able to clearly convey its message to the spectators, even to those who are not acquainted with the subject matter of your project.

It reveals mastery of the topic

Every science project involves interview from the judges and some questions from the spectators.  It is very important that you master every detail of your project.  Be ready for certain questions that involve changing some variables in your experiment, so make it a point that you truly comprehend the nature of your project.  You must also be able to thoroughly understand and explain your display and how it plays an important role in conveying your message to the spectators.

It possesses great display quality

Your display need not be too showy to make it to the top spot.  All you need to do is to make it neat and organized, as well as uniquely creative and appealing to your audience.  Make sure all the relevant details are emphasized in your display. All the headings, labels, tables, pictures, and charts in your display and your written report must be simple and clear, but not boring, to make it pleasing to the eyes.

It reveals good technical skills

Award-winning science projects also possess great technical skills.  Your display must be strong and sturdy.  Reports must be well-written with careful consideration to spelling, grammar, and sentence construction.  Ideas must be presented straight to the point without much flowery words.  It is also important that you do majority of the project by yourself or your group.  If assistance was given, it must be properly acknowledged.

Getting your project to win the science fair is not an easy task.  You need the right motivation by choosing a topic that interests you most and by focusing on your goal, which is to win.  As long as you have the right attitude and the right techniques, you are sure to make it to the top spot.

Written by Sylvia Lindenberg

 

*If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger email thebraggingmommy (at) gmail.com

 

This Guest Blogger post is By Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD,
Author of The Power of Middle Ground: A Couple's Guide to Renewing Your Relationship

1) How many ways do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Pick at least three qualities about your partner that you love. Gift each one of these with something special. For example, give her a CD by her favorite recording artist in celebration of whatever you consider to be her (or his) most appealing facial feature. Choose a clothing accessory that includes the color that you think best flatters your partner and celebrate the way they look in that color. Come up with a quality that you have always valued, from the start of your relationship onward and feature that in a message written in a blank card by you with a tender sign-off. De-emphasize the gifts and emphasize the qualities that you want to call attention to and celebrate.

2) Surprise! Believe it or not some psychoanalysts evaluate the psychic well-being of their clients by determining the degree to which they are capable of surprise! A person who is not responsive to surprise elements in their life is unable to respond spontaneously. Their capacity for joy -- and feeling in general -- is impaired. Give your partner a reason to light up the surprise center in their mid-brain! Think of something that they would like but will not suspect. Have you written them a poem lately? Have you recorded the opening strains of "You are the Sunshine of My Life" on a hand-held tape recorder lately and handed it to them with a post-it instruction to hit the play button? When was the last time you brought your sweetheart a passion fruit chocolate truffle from one of the finest chocolatiers in your community? Whatever it is, make it pleasant and surprising. By the way, the residual benefit of surprising your partner is that you activate your own surprise center. No pun intended, it will be surprisingly beneficial for you.

3) Hand your partner a prerogative pass. (Print it out on an index card if you like.) With this pass he or she will be able to exercise their prerogative in a situation where there is usually a conflict over who gets their way. The one limit to the pass is that they are not allowed to exercise a prerogative if it forces you to do something that you feel uncomfortable doing. Next time you have a conflict over which restaurant to go to your partner can flash the prerogative pass and you'll go Italian if that's their choice rather than whatever else you might have felt in the mood for. Again, this presupposes that you like Italian -- whether or not it would have been your pick that evening or not.

4) Look your partner in the eye and tell them three things that you love about them. They can be big ticket items, like the way you feel together when you are making love. They can be smaller fare, like the way you love it when they wrinkle their nose and close their eyes when they are hysterical with laughter. They can be somewhere in between like when they listen to you explain something in a way that you yourself realize is quite impossible to follow without complaining that they got lost four times in the telling. Write down what you are going to say before beginning this one. Then read it with feeling as if you were auditioning for a part in a movie starring opposite whoever your greatest heart-throb might be. By the way, you can fantasize about a star from any era in this exercise. Living or dead, domestic or foreign -- anything goes. Only make sure you deliver your lines with feeling.

5) Think about something that you and your partner have had trouble coming to terms with in the past year -- like speaking civilly to each other when either of you is angry; or perhaps, discussing a conflict in your financial situation. Without referencing your partner, give a commitment to improve your own ability to speak about the topic without blaming. Tell your partner that you are going to accentuate understanding the issue from their point of view and that you are hoping to have fewer hurtful arguments this coming year. Tell them that you want to conduct your relationship in the middle ground as much as you possibly can; this means that you want to work together, acknowledge and appreciate each other's hopes and dreams and make all plans with these understandings in mind.

6) Is your partner an exercise enthusiast? If so, did you happen to catch Marisa Tomei doing hula hoop exercises on The Ellen DeGeneres Show? The exercise looks like fun -- read about comments on this product on Amazon -- and if you think your partner would enjoy a novel kind of exercise, purchase the item and attach a note pledging, "I hope you enjoy going through this hoop. I look forward to going through all sorts of hoops with you! And I'm lovin' it." Note: Only take this suggestion if you and your partner have a similar sense of humor and you think this would tickle them.

7) Do you prepare a food dish that your partner loves? If the answer is yes, put an announcement inside your Valentine's Day card saying that on such-and-such a date you will be cooking a blankety-blank dinner for them to continue on with the celebration of the love you share. Ask them to contribute on that night by bringing along whatever will enhance the meal for you -- a favorite beverage or dessert that they can purchase or make.

8) Take a minute to think about a trait of yours that your partner has communicated having a problem with -- for example, a hot temper or messiness. Think about any constructive suggestions that your partner has made that you think, when you are considering this calmly and not when you are in the heat of a disagreement, is reasonable and possibly something that you might be able to put into practice. This tip works best if you feel that the trait is something that you actually would like to change within yourself. Research self-help either on the internet or in the self-help section of your favorite book store and find out what authors suggest may be helpful in your particular situation. Jot down the best helpful tip you can find and write your partner a note stating that you have heard their complaint, take it seriously and are poised to work on it. Outline the plan that you have read about that makes sense and feel you can realistically implement. Describe it to your partner. Sit back and let the communication magic do its work. You will have just demonstrated acknowledgment of their feelings; appreciation of their communications on a difficult topic; acceptance of their concerns. You well may have instilled hope and mutuality into your dialogue.

More originality in your renewal message signals desire to take things higher. Chocolate and flowers have their appeal, but can become real humdrum. So take some time, do some prep work and put these tips into action -- as many as you can. Maximize connection with a fresh plan. Pick up a book that speaks to you on improving your relationship!  And get busy because timing is everything and it's almost Valentine's Day!

Written By Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD,
Author of The Power of Middle Ground: A Couple's Guide to Renewing Your Relationship

 Look beautiful and stylish on your prom.

These are the latest styles of prom dresses: tops with beaded bodice, asymmetrical or sequined; lower part with bubble hem, ruffles or caught-up skirt, tiered, or mermaid-style; feathery and vintage style draped with net overlay or tulle;  flowing and goddess-like; and gowns with metallic colors.

School promenades doesn’t happen every day. So, girls make it a point to look  your best during this night of romance and definitely, a walk to remember. Whatever body shape or feature you have, the following styles will fit you perfectly. Below are fashion-forward prom gowns with a twist of flare:

Tops with beaded bodice, asymmetrical ribbon or sequined

Whether your gown be long or cocktail, the beaded bodice will look perfectly great. It will accentuate the upper part of your gown especially on the chest area. Bejeweled bodice brings out the best of your dress because of the intricate and eye-catching designs. On the other hand, tops with asymmetrical ribbon are the hippest trend in gowns nowadays. This time, you don’t have to tie a ribbon at the back because a lopsided ribbon in front would look more stylish and unique. To those who desire to stand out, a sequined dress will be picture-perfect for you. The shimmer made by this kind of dress will make heads turn.

Lower part with bubble hems, ruffles or caught-up skirt, tiered, or mermaid-style

Bubble hems are best fit with cocktail dresses. In contrast, ruffles, tiered, caught-up skirt or mermaid-style will be in its finest when adorned in ball gowns. Ruffles or caught-up skirt don’t only make your frock stylish but it also gives a sense of princess-like front. Tiered or layered gown are one-of-a-kind especially when worn to prom. Mermaid-style bottoms are also a raging trend in gowns.

Feathery and vintage style or draped with net overlay or tulle

On vintage-themed promenades, it can be emphasized through feathery accessories in your gown and other clothing pieces such as earrings, necklaces and even shoes. To highlight the vintage part of your promenade, gowns are better stressed out through black and/or white-colored prom dresses. Cocktail dresses overlain or underlain by tulle or fine netting give off a classical vibe.

Flowing and goddess-like long gowns

Some girls out there aren’t fond of heavy-looking ball gowns. So here is a stylish alternative. Flowing and goddess-like long gowns would probably appease your fashion eye. Flowing dresses have a wide range of patterns to choose from-solid colors to flowery designs. Goddess-like gowns can endow you with the instant prom queen ambiance.

Prom dresses with metallic colors

Metallic colors provide a glossy, polished and plush facade. Prom dresses in this style should be topped off with a cute, sparkling tiara. Metallic gold, bronze, silver and such are all the rage in the fashion world.

Concerning opportunities of dressing up should not be shrugged off. One of these moments is the night of prom. To complete the occasion, one should wear the gown of her choice and walk with your chin up because you know you are confidently beautiful and happy.

Written By Debra R. Dixon

 

*If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger email thebraggingmommy (at) gmail.com

 

Hi everyone!  I’m Megan from wildflowers and sweet tea.  Thanks for letting me stop by and chat with you guys today!  I hope you find these tips helpful.

Do you feel like you’re blog is awesome but that no one knows it because they aren’t sticking around long enough to find out.  Your blog isn’t making a good first impression. 

With blogs, the visual first impression counts.  It lets visitors know if they want to stay.  Your blog should be a true expression of who you are and yet still be appealing to the audience that it’s intended for.  You don’t have to be an amazing graphic designer to have an outstanding blog.  Just start by grooming these three areas:

The Header

Most bloggers don’t put enough thought into the header.  The header sits in the most prominent position on your blog.  It’s the top section that houses your title.  Your header is the first thing visitors will see.  It brands you.  Yet so many bloggers just run with the default header given to them.  It doesn’t say much more than your blogs name.   It really doesn’t tell your readers what you’re about.  Pick an image that you love and that fits the message that your blog is trying to send. There are several sites out there to help you personalize your header.  Here are my two favorites:

Smashing Magazine (dot) com  has a list of 45 free blog headers that you can download

Free Webpage Headers (dot) com 

 

Layouts and Backgrounds

Your layout should follow the basics of good housekeeping.  Keep it clean and uncluttered.   Your readers don’t need to know everything you love and stand for.  They just need to know the most important things.  Add a list of books that you love, but don’t add every book you’ve ever read.  Keep your lists and your columns clean and to a minimum.  You don’t want your writing and your images to get lost in a haze.  Your writing and images are the parts of your blog that need to shine.

Your background should reflect your style.  Choose colors that you love.  If you prefer a more modern style then keep your background and layout clean and simple.  If you prefer things a bit more vintage then choose one of the great shabby chic backgrounds out there.

Here are a few sites to help you get started:

Hot Bliggity Blog and Shabby Blogs  are two of my favorites for easy copy and paste background updates

Btemplates has awesome layouts that are made specifically for blogger and include great headers

Images

Images are the key to a visually pleasing blog.  An image helps to set the tone for your post and gives it focus.  An image gives your readers something unique to see.  An image captures the reader’s attention and makes them want to read the story behind it.  Try experimenting with your camera to create interesting visuals to go with your story.  Like a child’s toes in the sand to go with a story about a beach trip.  Breaking away from portrait only pictures will help you stand out.  (Please keep in mind that if you want to borrow an image from another website it is always best to ask for permission.)

For inspiration on how to incorporate images well check out Artful Blogging Magazine by Somerset Studios.

You have stories to share.  Mare sure people are sticking around long enough to read them.

-- Megan

If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger email thebraggingmommy (at) gmail.com

We thought it would be fun to bring on some guest bloggers to add some more variety to our blog.  If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger please email Heidi at thebraggingmommy (at) gmail.com, and we hope you enjoy our very first guest blog post!

Hi everyone!  This is Reyna from Out of the Notebook and Into the Blog, I am excited to be blogging here today!  I hope you enjoy my guest post!

Have you ever sat down to blog after having a great post idea, but got stuck at the title and ended up just giving up the post?  If so, your not the only one.  It can be tricky to come up with a great post title that are catchy to your readers, suits your post, and at the same time will get the post marked higher in Google.  Yikes!  Sound hard?  It actually isn't that bad if you follow these simple steps:

-Look at the overall picture of what your post is about.  Ask yourself, what do I think when I think about the topic I am writing on?  You might find your answer right here!

-Don't go simple.  This doesn't mean that you should make a very long title, it just means that you should "spice" the title up a bit to make it more appealing.  For example, maybe you wrote a review on fish food.  You could go the simple way and title your post "Fish Food Review."  While yes, this might be more appealing to Google, its not going to be more appealing to your readers!  Instead you could title the post "From a Fishes Point of View: Fish Food."  The last one would be much more attractive to your readers, and hopefully pull them into your blog rather than the 40 other posts in their Google reader!

-Now, this tip I actually learned from Blissfully Domestic and I would like to share it with you.  You can read the post, where it will go more in detail, but a great way to make your title Google friendly is to type in "Fish Food Review" publish your post, and quickly go back to edit your post to "From a Fishes Point of View: Fish Food."  Now your title is both Google friendly and will draw attention from your readers!

It will be tricky at first to come up with creative titles, however, the more that you do it, the easier that it will be!  I hope you enjoyed my guest blog!

Thank you very much!
Reyna