Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 68)

Making Mixtures: How Do Colloids Size Up?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever wondered why some things disappear when they are put in water but other things do not? For example, you may have seen that salt disappears, or dissolves, when it is mixed in a glass of water. But when you throw a rock in a stream it will not usually dissolve, and instead it will just sink to the bottom. And then there are some things that do not act like the salt or the rock. These are called colloids. If you have made Oobleck out of cornstarch and water, then you have seen… Read more

Materials for Sound Barriers

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

What are the best materials to use for blocking out unwanted noise from the environment? You can build a test box (or test frame) around an audio speaker. Use a sound level meter to measure the speaker output. Use different materials to cover the walls of your test box (or frame), and see which materials do the best job at blocking the sound. For a more advanced project, perform your tests using different sound frequencies. Are some materials better at blocking certain frequencies than… Read more

Maze-solving by an Amoeboid Organism

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Can a simple organism that lives off of dead trees and that grows as a mass of protoplasm actually have intelligence? The goal of this science fair project is to test the ability of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum to solve the problem of finding the shortest path through a maze. Read more

Measuring Antimicrobial Effectiveness with Zones of Inhibition

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you heard that garlic powder is supposed to inhibit the growth of bacteria? Which do you think would make a better disinfectant: a solution of garlic powder or a solution of bleach? This project shows you a straightforward way to compare the effectiveness of different disinfectants (or other antimicrobial agents), by measuring zones of inhibition on a culture plate. Read more

Measuring the Surface Tension of Water

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Did you know that when you dip your finger in water and pull it out, the water is actually pulling back on you? Here's a way you can measure how much. Read more

Monitor Plant Health with a Color Sensor

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

Do you have a garden or houseplants? What about living on or a near a farm? How often do you check your plants' leaves for discoloration? What if you could build a robot to check for you, and warn you if your plants are getting sick? In this project you will learn to use a color sensor to identify different colors on leaves, which can give you a warning about problems like pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiency. Get ready to automate your gardening! Read more

Movie Music

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever seen a great movie and then rushed out and bought its soundtrack? Did the soundtrack bring back the thrill of an action chase? Or the sadness one of the movie's characters felt? Music is a big part of the movie experience. It intensifies the emotions in scenes so that you do not just jump when that hairy spider comes around the corner, you scream! In this music science fair project, you will find out if happy, sad, scary, and action scenes in movies use music with the same… Read more

Paper Bridge for Pennies

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Using just a single sheet of paper (8.5 x 11 inches) and up to five paper clips, can you build a bridge that will span 20 cm and support the weight of 100 pennies? The area beneath the span must be free (so that boats can pass beneath it). To test your bridge, place two books 20 cm apart, and set the bridge on the books, spanning the gap. Do not fasten the bridge to the book (nor to any other support). Does your bridge hold as much weight as you expected it would? If your bridge fails… Read more

Particles in the Mist: See Radioactive Particles Decay with Your Own Cloud Chamber!

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Are you fascinated by radioactivity and the emission of particles caused by the disintegration of an atom? This science project enables you to observe safely a spectacular display of radioactive decay. Following the instructions in the Procedure, you will be able to isolate a safe radioactive source and build a cloud chamber to watch the radioactive decay. Then you will use your cloud chamber to discover if a plastic lid can shield you from this type of radioactive decay particles. Read more

Pedigree Analysis: A Family Tree of Traits

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Some characteristics, like the shape of your hairline or whether your earlobes are attached or detached, are inherited from your parents. In this science project you will see how writing these characteristics onto a family tree can help you determine how they are inherited Read more

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