How to turn this idea into a science fair project

[deleted-3443]

My daughter's research question is: "Where would be the best place to put a windmill on Mars?"

I'm trying to figure out how to turn this into a science fair project. It doesn't fit into the normal scientific method/hypothesis test type project.

It sort of fits into the engineering method -- she could identify criteria for a good site for a windmill then search for locations that meet that criteria -- but I'm afraid the engineering judges would want to see a windmill design, and she's more interested in the Martian meteorology aspect of the problem.

It might fit as a statistical study -- she will almost certainly have to do statistical analysis of some sort with a downloaded Mars data set. (I still have no idea how this part will happen, but ignore that for now! She is, however, really good with statistics.) We've never done a statistics category project, so I have no idea how one of those is structured. If we use statistical methods, do we enter as a math/statistics project, or would we still be able to use Earth and Planetary Science?

Suggestions?

[deleted-143565]

Hello,
This sounds like a very interesting idea for a project. If you are concerned about the hypothesis design you might consider altering the experiment slightly. Although you can search for wind speeds on Mars you will likely find both in Google searches and Wikipedia that the wind speeds are going to be based on two things. Either the normal speeds which vary from 60-80mph to well over 200 mph ( during extensive dust storms). Being that the dust storms are unpredictable, the location of a windmill would probably be hard to determine, much less the destructive force.

You might consider not where on Mars to place the windmill, but IF Mars is the best place for the windmill. Try doing a search for several planets wind speeds. Then using data from NASA web sites including, climate, atmosphere, pressures, etc. you could hypothesize the Best planet for your windmill.

Getting around the windmill engineering, you could choose a ready made windmill , and it's specifications and use this as your test model for the best planet. And this could probably fit in earth science.

These are just some possibilities to help your project fit better. Let me know how things are coming along.

T. Choate

[deleted-3443]

The "Best Planet for a Windmill" idea will not work -- she is a die-hard Martian. (6th grade studied Martian volcanoes, 7th grade did Martian craters). In fact, she has wanted to study wind on Mars before, but we haven't figured out how to do it. Still don't even know if we can do this, so maybe the datasets will lead us in another direction.

Since she is not really interested in windmills at all, I was thinking maybe something like calculating the wind kinetic energy of a site (again, not sure how), then finding out what fraction of the maximum wind energy a typical Earth windfarm can harvest (?), and using that as an estimate of the wind energy available to a hypothetical Martian. But, there is still a lot of background research to be done.

So, this is going to be a project of some sort that analyzes/calculates/estimates wind at different sites on Mars. The question is, how to make that fit into the genre expected by science fair judges. Where's the hypothesis, or what type of project can we do that doesn't require a traditional hypothesis?

[deleted-143565]

Hello,
I am sorry those ideas will not work for you. There are many sites to get information on Mars wind speeds, however an exact location for the windmill may be the difficult part of your experiment. Try this site for starters

http://cmex.ihmc.us/gallery/index.html

it highlights many places in Mars based on Mars topography. Realize the wind speeds will vary on season, climate, pressure etc.

[deleted-3443]

Where did the PDF come from (for bibliography citation)?
Thanks!

[deleted-143565]

I did a search on topography of Mars and wind speeds to find that pdf at http://www.planetary.brown.edu/m42/m42_29.pdf ....I also just found an interesting blog where people are talking (or did talk) about Mars water , densities, wind etc. you may find some interesting information reading some of those posts. Good luck.

This is a tough project, but sounds like you are really up to the task and there is A LOT of good information out there, just narrowing down the question will help alot. I was thinking that if the windmill is not the primary interest, and we are looking to explore Mars further (maybe colonize one day?) you could use your daughters talent in statistics to compare Earth vs Mars (primary interest) topography and wind speeds for better energy output (comparison) as a future living planet , fuel source...and would this be possible.

Here is the blog i mentioned.

http://www.marsroverblog.com/discuss-29 ... -mars.html


GOOD LUCK!!

t.choate

[deleted-143565]

Got this from the blog, you might find it useful and be sure to read some of the information.

Wind energy = 0.5 * density * v^3

"A 31m/s wind on Mars (density = 0.02 kg/m3) generates almost 300 Watts per square metre. This is equivalent to 7.9 m/s (18 mph) winds on Earth (density 1.225 kg/m3) where sand would be blown about. Due to the reduced gravity on Mars, it'll be even easier to move sand particles in the Martian environment.

Andy G" this was the person giving the information

t.choate