Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am having trouble deciding what to make my science fair project about . Any tips on how to go about it would be well appreciated.

Have you tried browsing the Science Fair Project Ideas webpage listed at:

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

To get started, I would try and focus on what is interesting to you and then narrow it down by practicality.

Tyber gave you excellent advice in suggesting that you start with what is interesting to you. Have you tried using the Topic Selection Wizard? By answering the questions, the Wizard can recommend a set of Project Ideas in which you might be interested. These projects are ones that may fit your own interests as well as any parameters on your assignment (timeline, difficulty or grade level, etc.).

The Topic Selection Wizard is here:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ndaproject

Let us know what you choose!

Amy
Science Buddies

my partner and I have chosen a project on radiation, X-ray specifically and how it affects the cells DNA( bacteria or yeast). But what I want to know if there any chemical that can shield the cells ( bacteria or yeast) DNA when place in the medium X-ray radiation.

Hi alex 19,

You have decided upon an interesting topic! It sounds like you are interested in this project: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary

Have you looked at the bibliography for the project (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... background) to start getting an understanding of the background? Note that this project builds on one in which you construct your own X-ray machine: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p083.shtml

X-rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate our skin. It is not likely that many chemicals will be able to shield single-celled organisms like yeast or bacteria from these powerful rays. As you may know, humans (like your dentist) wear lead aprons or use shields made of lead to protect themselves from X-ray radiation. Here is some information regarding the nature of X-rays, which talks about the types of metal elements that can shield us from them: http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q5643.html

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

Heather