Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,

I'm a high school sophomore and I plan on working on my first science fair project. I've always been interested in science, especially biology, but I always thought it would be difficult to start a project at my own house. I plan on creating a device out of pvc pipes that will redirect water to an irrigation system. I was wondering whether this would really be a science fair project due to the lack of a specific question (such as the affects of so and so on so and so). I plan on entering into the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and possibly my local county science fair if I can get it in on time this year.

The website the the water competition: http://www.wef.org/sjwp/

Thanks!

Hi mikepriswalski,

Welcome to the Ask an Expert forums. It sounds like you have an interesting idea! One of the cool things about science fair projects is that there are really two possibilities: a science experiment and an engineering project. Based on your description, it sounds like your project will be an engineering project. That's not a problem at all--it just means you will follow a slightly different process than the usual "scientific method". Check out Science Buddies' Engineering Project Guide for tips and guidance on how to approach an engineering project:

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

Let us know if we can help you along the way. I look forward to hearing how your device turns out!

Hi Terick,


thanks for taking the time to help me out. I've checked out the link you provided and I will begin creating the device this weekend. The main issue with it would be drilling holes through the wall to the outside of the house and connecting to the dripper system. If the device does save a considerable amount of water, would I be able to patent it? Currently, I don't see anybody who has brought different common hardware items to make this.

To test the effectiveness of it, I was going to connect the tube to a rain barrel to measure the amount of water that the device would save in an average day or week. Once it reaches a certain amount, water will start to exit the barrel through a second tube and travel into the dripper system. Does this sound like a good idea to show how well my device performs?


Thanks again,
Mike

Hi Mike,

I don't have personal experience with trying to patent something, so I'm afraid I can't help you much on that front. I know that many students who compete at the Intel ISEF have filed for (or already have) patents on their work. I also know that in some cases lawyers will help a student submit a patent pro bono. A Google search for "what qualifies for a patent" brings up several results, but I can't vouch for the advice they give.

Measuring the volume of water your device collects is probably a nice way to measure your device's performance. You'll want to think about other design requirements you want your invention to reach. For an engineering project, the design requirements are how you track the success of your invention. Take a look at this section of the Engineering Design Project Guide:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/engineer ... ents.shtml