Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I need a challenging experiment that is in the Medicine and Health Category. I have been in the State level twice. So I need an experiment that is challenging and that will get me to the state level or higher.

Thanks

Hello edavila99,

Welcome to Science Buddies! Congratulations on competing in the State Fairs. You already know what you are interested in, so that is a great start.

Here is a great article about choosing an advanced project: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... 2008.shtml. There is a good answer about half way down the page.

Also, is there a particular area of study you are interested; maybe you always wanted to learn more about diabetes, or brain injuries, or vision? You can view project ideas here: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... deas.shtml. You can search by category type. And then make sure to check out the tab, "Make it your own," for more advanced and unique ideas.
To search by interest, try:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ndaproject
For instance, if you are interested in Cancer studies, try: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary. Look at other projects labeled "Advanced, Hard" to begin. Then make it your own.

Here are some other sites you can get ideas from:
http://www.projects.juliantrubin.com/sc ... icine.html (I searched for Medicine, advanced, high school/college). You can also search topics of microbiology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, etc.
http://www.societyforscience.org/page.aspx?pid=291
http://www.sciencenews.org/

Post here again and let us know how your project is going. Have fun picking a topic.

Thanks Sarah,
I tried looking into every website that you gave me but I did not find any projects.
Do you have any challenging projects in mind?

Hello again,

I can't really tell you what project to do, because you need to pick something that you are interested in. Since you are doing a highly competitive project, your idea should be unique from others. For instance, don't just copy someone else's experiment, but if you are interested in that topic then use their project as a jumping off point. I think maybe you are caught up on finding the "perfect" project? There isn't one, but you should begin with what you think is interesting and what you want to learn about. You might want to start by:
1. Choosing a broad topic: Medical science
2. Narrowing it down by looking at the articles and suggestions I have given as well as other resources
3. What have you learned about in school that really makes you want to crack open your science book to learn more about?
4. What have you heard in the news recently that you didn't understand or what you wanted to know more about?
5. What is a topic that you think would have an impact on medical technology or health sciences?

Read some articles from Scientific American, Discover, Medline Plus (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/index.html)
Look on this site for current medical topics, research, studies, etc. to get an idea or topic of interest. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ and http://www.nlm.nih.gov/portals/researchers.html

Also, keep in mind your timeline. When is the final project due? That may limit what kinds of things you will have time to do. At this point I think you need to start by researching your topic. When you read articles and you find yourself saying, "What does that mean?" or "How does this/will this impact the medical field and/or patients?" "What is a possible solution to this problem?" "What have previous researchers done in regard to this topic, and what do we need to study to find out more?"

You said you have been to the state level twice? What projects did you do then? Why don't you advance one of those projects, or extend your study?
Hope that helps. I know you can find something you're interested in studying and creating an experiment for.

When I went to ISEF in Florida my first project I built a calorimeter and with the calorimeter I found out which food released the most energy out of popcorn, bread, marshmallow, and peanuts.My hypothesis was that the peanuts were going to release the most energy since it was high on protein which my hypthesis was correct. So for the next year I did a continuation project I built the calorimeter but I tested peanuts pecans walnuts and almonds. My hypothesis was unsupported as to the pecans were high in fat. For this year so far the only ideas I have is to do another continuation but im trying to decide on whether I should do different flavored pecans or different typed of beans.
What do you think is the better choice?

I decided to do another continuation but instead I will be using Blue Diamond almonds with flavors of honey Dijon, roasted salted, natural and reduced salt. I have been going to a science fair workshop and now I have already done my hypothesis, variables, procedural plan of action. By the end of this summer I will be ready to start on my project. Looking for another successful year again at ISEF

Hello,
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. The volunteers typically don't work during the summers (as students are out of school). I am very happy to hear your progress on your project. Doing a continuation sounds great since you already have some information to jump off from. The workshop you attended over the summer sounds like it really helped you! What have you hypothesized for this project?

Let us know your progress and any questions you have along the way. Good luck!