Optical Illusion Project Suggestions

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:02 am

Hi! I need a Science Fair project idea ASAP that is about Illusions, and is creative and challenging. I am in 10th grade and always do a behavioral project that really WOWs the judges minds. Please help; for I have been searching for months for a creative challenging idea/ question and experiment I can do and nothing has come up! Thank you, Amber

[Moderator note: Question has been moved to its own thread for better support.]

donnahardy2 · Post by **donnahardy2** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:11 pm

Hi,

Here is blog from the Science Buddies website that includes an example of an optical illusion project that won a “Best Visual Illusion of the Year,” contest. Included in the blog is a list of several other optical illusion projects that you could consider. I would recommend reading through all of these projects and pick one for your project. Since this is a science project, don’t forget to start with the scientific principle that your project will be based on.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/201 ... -there.php

I hope this helps.

Donna Hardy

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:24 am

Thank you; But I'm still not sure what type of creative and challenging question to use to base my project on?

deleted-71536 · Post by **deleted-71536** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 12:51 pm

Hi there,

The question you ask should really be based on your particluar interests. As Donna suggested, start by looking through the projects on the ScienceBuddies blog. If you pick a few (or even just one) idea that interests you, let us know, and we can help you make it more challenging and/or creative.

Heather

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 1:35 pm

Hi! I would like to base my project on the opticial illusions of life, and how they are affected. Things such as gender, age categories, ect.

donnahardy2 · Post by **donnahardy2** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:04 pm

Hi,

I’m not sure I understand what you are thinking about doing. Can you explain?

Did you find a project that interests you? Here are some visual illusions that test how the brain and eyes function. Perhaps you could do a project and ask a number of individuals what they see using a specific visual illusion. You could compare results based on gender, age, or visual ability. This would make an excellent project.

http://library.thinkquest.org/28030/illude.htm

Donna Hardy

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:37 am

HI! Thanks for the website; I have the following survey; but I still need some sort of twist to throw on it that is creative. For example; last years project was "Decisions, Decisions, Judging a Book by its cover?" My twist was that I used politics, and saw if liberals, centrists, and conservatives agreed with a statement that was geared towards them without knowing it. I need someway to do something creative fresh and new with ilusions or illusions of life. I am still open to all behavioral science suggestion.(Ones that are creative, fresh and new) I want something to be as amazing of a project as last year. No one had the project that I did even out of the 1000 projects at State Science Day. Thank you, Amber
Age_______ Gender______ Right or Left Handed Group ________

Notes: You may see more than one thing! If so write down both so that I can figure the results.

Illusion#1(Literal) Able to see Illusion What do you see
1. 2. YES or NO 3.

Illusion#2(Phisiological)
1. 2. YES or NO 3.

Illusion#3(Cognitive)
1. 2. YES or NO 3.

Illusion#4(Ambiguous Cognitive)
1. 2. YES or NO 3.

Illusion#5(Distorting Cognitive)
1. 2. YES or NO 3.Are the lines straight?

Illusion#6(Paradox Cognitive)
1. 2. YES or NO 3.

Illusion#7(Fictional Cognitive)
1. 2. YES or NO 3.

Sorry the pictures under each category(Illusions) won't show up on this page. I'm not sure what type of tiwst to add; I DON'T want my project to be like all the other peoples' who have done Illusions. That's why I loved how no one had my project last year. It was creative, fun, new and caught the Judges Eye.

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:22 am

Or, what could I do with the following question to make it new, fresh, WOW to the judges, different. and never been done?
The difference between various groups in overcoming visual illusions to determine what is really there.

donnahardy2 · Post by **donnahardy2** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:47 pm

Hi,

This seems like a creative approach to your subject. Even though I can’t see the images, I like the fact that you are using different types of illusions. Perhaps your creative twist can be in the analysis of the data that you obtain. Or, since you seem to be using visual illusions, perhaps you could add an eye test to the data. Sometimes the difference between the top winning project and others is in the execution of the details in the experiment.

Since you did a project involving humans last year, you probably had informed consent forms. But just in case you didn’t, here is the information on this topic from the Science Buddies website:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ects.shtml

Donna Hardy

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:35 pm

Thank you for your help. Do you have any more ideas on something creative to add to wow the judges? I am very scared that the judges will not be as impressed with this years project since illusions are done alot; for I need it to be really great and creative. Also, any suggestions on a title that is catchy and creative? Thanks! Amber

donnahardy2 · Post by **donnahardy2** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:33 pm

Hi Amber,

Your project is original because of the variety of illusions you are including in the study. I can't think of anything specific you can do, except to concentrate on doing the best job possible on your own project. Your project will be judged compared to others that are entered, and there's nothing you can do to change the competition. I have seen final judging be very close on well done projects, and sometimes it's the small details that make the difference in the final decision.

For a title, how about,

"Is it real or fiction?"
"Is there a gender affect response to different illusions?" (Sorry, not creative)
"Is life an illusion?"
"Can you identify hand preference or gender using illusions?"

Donna Hardy

amyC · Post by **amyC** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:53 pm

Hi Amber - Donna has given you some excellent advice regarding your project, and some good suggestions for titles. It sounds like you are well down the path for designing your experimental procedure, but since you are still looking for possible angles to your project, I wanted to mention that there are a number of projects on the Science Buddies site that deal with optical and visual illusions.

While none of these projects may map specifically to what you have planned, by looking over these projects and considering any variations provided (at the bottom of each one), you might find something that will be helpful as you shape your study.

Here are two:
Now You See It, Now You Don't: A Chromatic Adaptation Project
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p008.shtml

and
Apparent Motion & Animation
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p041.shtml

Links to a number of related Project Ideas appear in this Science Buddies blog post: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/201 ... -there.php

That blog post was about the Best Visual Illusion of 2011 contest winners, so you might find it interesting to link through and look at the winning illusions!

Good luck with your project.

Amy
Science Buddies

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:03 pm

I don't want this project to be a study about illusions(Magic Tricks), however I want to use 1 of each type of illusion to test my theories. with that being said, and after looking and deeply reading into all of your comments, I have chosen a few possible MAIN questions for my title; "Does age and gender affect how our mind perceives reality?" , "Do you and eye see eye to eye?", "Perceiving, Seeing, Believing; A study of the eye", or "Does our mind affect how we see reality?". Or leave it to say "Does the eye affect how our mind perceives reality?" The last thing I want to do is confuse the judges on what my project is about. what are your thoughts? Thank You so much, I appreciate all of your inputs! Amber

deleted-71536 · Post by **deleted-71536** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:06 pm

Hi Amber,

It sounds like your project is coming along! You have come up with several creative titles. I think the best way to impress the judges is to include the details along with the creativity. Thus, if you will be looking at differences in age and gender, it would help to include it in the title. You might try combining your titles, to get something like, "Do you and I see eye to eye? The effects of age and gender on visual perception."

Keep up the good work!

Heather

donnahardy2 · Post by **donnahardy2** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:35 pm

Hi,

I think you have achieved your goal of having a creative project, and an ulterior motive behind the project. Very creative! I think that Heather’s combination of two of your titles will make the purpose of the project clear to the judges. Since you are using several illusions, you will have lots of data, so it might be helpful to plan to include a short abstract right after your title. You are making good progress.

Donna Hardy

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:16 am

In my survey at the top I will be asking for their age, gender, hand dominance, and eye dominance; Is that too much? How would I put that into the title suggestions? Thank you for the other replies as well. Love,Amber

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:08 pm

Thank you for the replies.At the top of my survey I will get the participants age, gender, and eye dominance. They will have 10 seconds to look at each picture. What about the title "Do you and I see eye to eye: The effects of variables on how the mind perceives reality." Am I collecting too much for my project by obtaining their eye dominance as well. Also what about the title; would that change. Any suggestions for a word other than variables to use in the title, or any other suggestions? Thanks so much, Love, Amber

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:54 am

Hopefully one last question. I'm getting ready to start my survey's. With the approval of classroom teachers,
I will be presenting with the use of powerpoint 12 images (illusions). My question is that when I present the
pictures (one at a time for 10 seconds each.) Do I tell them before hand that they are illusions (thus possibly
influencing the result) or just tell the to look at the pictures, and write down what they see? Thank You! Love,Amber

deleted-71536 · Post by **deleted-71536** » Thu Jan 19, 2012 4:52 pm

Hi Amber,

You have some great questions! I will do my best to answer them for you...

a11123rd wrote:In my survey at the top I will be asking for their age, gender, hand dominance, and eye dominance; Is that too much?

As a scientist, I feel that you can never collect too much data. You may not use everything you collect, but it's better to have too much than to wish you had collected something else. So I would go ahead and ask for all of those variables, keeping in mind that you may not use them all in your final project.

With regard to eye dominance, some people may not actually know their eye dominance. You may need to teach them how to figure it out.

a11123rd wrote:What about the title "Do you and I see eye to eye: The effects of variables on how the mind perceives reality." Am I collecting too much for my project by obtaining their eye dominance as well. Also what about the title; would that change. Any suggestions for a word other than variables to use in the title, or any other suggestions?

Your title will most likely be determined by your results. I think that the word "variables" is a little too vague, so you may want to list the variables that you find actually affect people's perception. For example, if you find out that gender and eye dominance have significant effects on the results, then your title would be "Do you and I see eye to eye: The effects of gender and eye dominance on visual perception." I think it is more accurate (and possibly a bit more scientific) to use the term "visual perception" rather than "how the mind perceives reality." That said, it's your project, so the final version of the title should be something you like!

a11123rd wrote: My question is that when I present the pictures (one at a time for 10 seconds each.) Do I tell them before hand that they are illusions (thus possibly influencing the result) or just tell them to look at the pictures, and write down what they see?

In my opinion, you should not tell your subjects that they are illusions, because that will very likely influence the results. You are already doing a lot, but you could try giving them 10 seconds without any instructions (except to write down what they see), and then follow up with 10 seconds after informing them that they are looking at an optical illusion. It might be interesting to see whether the information changes their perceptions!

I hope that helps. Please post back as you continue with your project. I'd love to hear how things shape up!

Heather

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 1:25 pm

I am so sorry;it has been over a year since I have replied. The project was awesome!!!! I won at my school, superior, perfect score, went to districts, and won 1st, superior,perfect score and 2 awards. Then at state I won 2 scholarships, superior, alomst perfect score. Thank you all so much for the help! I am now working on this years science fair. Thank you, and God bless!

deleted-71536 · Post by **deleted-71536** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 2:42 pm

Hi Amber,

Thank you so much for following up with those amazing results! Congratulations on winning all of those awards! I am so very happy to hear that your project did so well!

Let us know if you need any help this year as you embark on your new science adventure.

Best wishes,
Heather

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:59 pm

Thank you! That means alot; I am very sorry that it took me this long to reply! This year I am wanting to combine the projects of The Power of Suggestion and the eye of the beholder and the mind of the beheld. I was thinking about doing a survey where I will include ages 13-15, 16-18, 19-30, 31-50, and 51+. Each participant will put their age, gender, and if they think their decisions are influenced or not. They will check which of the following they participate in most often
Internet
Magazines/Books
T.V./music (Non news)
Newspaper/news channel
people

I will show then a powerpoint slide of 1 slide. This slide has ten items two of each of the categories listed above. For example, facebook icon, and ask.com icon, Cosmo, Chillicothe gazette, and so on. Each picture is the same size. They will be shown this for 1 minute and then I will pass out the survey. The survey will have numbers 1-12 for the people to list what they remember. They also must state out of the items they listed which 1 they prefer the most. Then they must sit in silence for 5 minutes. During the 5 min I will state oh you guys forgot to put the Eiffel Tower and Grand Cnayon on your list. After the 5 min I will pass out survey 1A with numbers 1-12 to list what they remember.
Does this sound too hard, confusing, not good? Any suggestions? I am just tyring to think of a creative way I can combine the ideas of influence, and the other project. I want to do as well as last year. Any thought and ideas/inputs would be great. Nothing will hurt my feelings if the idea listed does not sound good! Thank you, Amber

deleted-71536 · Post by **deleted-71536** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:52 am

Hi Amber,

What a great project idea! I really like how you combined the two projects (The Power of Suggestion: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p026.shtml and The Eye of the Beholder and the Mind of the Beheld: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p025.shtml). I also like the way you incorporated different kinds of media that influence people, a factor that is likely to be different among generations.

Overall, I think your experimental design sounds good. When you have the people say what they encounter most often, I recommend that you have them rank the categories (1-5, with 1 being the category that most influences their lives) rather than just listing their top category. I think you should do the same for the survey. In other words, once they have completed the survey, ask them to use numbers to rank their preferences on the list.

Your "missing" items, the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Canyon, do not fit into any of your categories. Was that on purpose, so you could just test the influence of your suggestion to them independent of their preferences? For the suggestion part, I think it's important that you test each individual independently (not all together), because it would be weird if everyone forgot to list the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Canyon. Also, do you plan to list the things the person really forgot to list (if any), to make it more believable?

Those are my initial thoughts. Please keep me posted as your project progresses, and I would be happy to help you think about how to interpret the data you collect.

Heather

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:25 am

Hi! We have decided to change the experiment because I thought it was too confusing..What do you think about using a powerpoint with 10 ten pictures (1 powerpoint for each season for example.) The participant will see each picture for a set amount of time, and then answer each question. The question will be the power of suggestion; In example a picture of a lighthouse and the sun is shining in the picture. The question after they look at the photo for a set amount of time, and then take the photo away would say Was the lighthouse a.lit dim, b. lit medium, c.lit bright, or d. none of the above. The answer would be D because the lighthouse was not lit....I'm not sure; if that soundsgood bad or what.. I really need help thinking of an awesome, advanced survey?! Any help or suggested survey ideas would be greatly appreciated=) I need a good way to test the Power of Suggestion, but also combine that other project of The Eye of the Beholder and the mind of the Beheld. I am open to all and every idea of suggestion.. Anything creative, and advanced (I'm a Junior, and want to do as good as last year when I won 2 scholarships) I'm always scared that I'm not going to do as well....Thank You!!!!!!

deleted-71536 · Post by **deleted-71536** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:47 am

Hi Amber,

Here is some helpful information about designing experiments that involve surveys and designing the surveys themselves:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/201 ... eysays.php
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... rvey.shtml

If you want to combine the two Science Buddies projects, you could try sticking with faces (as in the project descriptions). You can ask people to describe the faces on two different days, and use the power of suggestion to see if they describe the "suggested" face on the second day (Power of Suggestion). You can also ask the people to rank the faces based on how attractive they find them (Eye of the Beholder).

Your lighthouse idea is interesting, but the question is not well worded. To me, the sun shining on a lighthouse does mean the building is "lit" by the sun. You need to make sure that your survey questions cannot be misinterpreted by your subjects.

Heather

a11123rd · Post by **a11123rd** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:58 am

Thank you! What about the idea of having a statment that say was written by Hitler, but you say it was written by Martin Luther King Jr? Then maybe see how many people agree with it just because you wrote that it was written by Martin Luther. In jjust trying to think of ideas, so I can make multiple surveys, and figure out how to survey people. Thanks, Amber

deleted-71536 · Post by **deleted-71536** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:58 am

Hi Amber,

Your idea about the statements from different people is a very interesting one! Since it is good to have a focus when designing an experiment, you may want to take some time to think about what exactly you want to test. Right now, you are interested in combining two experiments that test different things: (1) how suggestion can change a person's mind and (2) how different people (or groups of people) interpret things differently. It is possible to combine these projects, but you need to be careful to control as many variables as possible. If you want to use statements and get people's opinions, I suggest you first have your subjects say whether they agree or disagree with the statements (without knowing the authors), and then tell them who made the statements to see whether they change their opinions. Does that make sense?

Heather

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