Once you have a more specific question or problem you want to explore, think about what type of project will be best to help you find an answer. There are two types of projects – Discovery and Innovation (your teacher or regional STEM fair may use different terms).

Discovery Projects

These projects ask a question and involve doing an experiment, survey and/or research to find an answer.

You should consider doing a discovery project if:

• You love to ask: “What is happening? And why does it happen?”
• You care about details and can carefully follow your plan to test your idea.
• You enjoy problem solving and thinking of new ways to find an answer.
• You like to do research to improve your understanding of concepts.
• You enjoy analyzing results and figuring out patterns.
• The best way to answer your question is with an experiment, survey, or comparing research to discover something new.

Innovation Projects

These projects identify a problem and involve creating, designing, or building something new to solve the problem or improve an existing solution.

You should consider doing an innovation project if:

• You love to ask: “How can I solve this problem?” or “How can I make this better?”
• You like to create, build, or invent things (physically or digitally).
• You want to take an idea and make it real through prototypes or models.
• You enjoy the trial-and-error process of testing prototypes and making them better each time.
• You want to improve an existing item or process by making it easier, faster, cheaper, safer or more sustainable.
• You imagine new products or building solutions to issues you see in your daily life, community, country or the world.
• The best way to solve the problem you’ve identified is by creating a new physical or digital solution.

Remember

Both types of projects can be interesting, challenging and help you learn something new, so pick the type that will best help you answer your question or problem…and the type you’ll have fun doing!