Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

This year I would like to do a project on the following engineering grand challenge (these questions summarize the nitrogen cycle challenge on the engineering challenges website http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/ch ... rogen.aspx):

Managing the Nitrogen Cycle (ie. how can we increase denitrification? how do we control the release of nitrogen oxides produced in high-temperature burning of fuels? how can we improve the efficiency of various human activities related to nitrogen?)

I would like to answer one of these questions through my science project. I'm not exactly sure how to go about it. Any brainstorming would definitely help.

Hello Intelius,
This is a fascinating set of challenges and certainly important! I do hope that your project due date is 2016, not 2015, though!

As to getting started, you will need to do some background reading to help you select which of the 3 challenges that you listed, and then, within that challenge, identify a question that is specific enough so that you can design and conduct and analyze your experiment within the time available.
I think the 3 good sources of reading material are (1) the Science Buddies Projects, (2) the overview and references and discussions on the challenge website and (3) search the internet for additional information. For example, the Science Buddies Project lists 4 projects related to the search terms "nitrogen cycle." Here's a link to the project that seems most relevant: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p054.shtml. Be sure to check out the section "Make it your own."

Even though you might think you have "lots" of time, it would be helpful if you made a draft timeline and set a limit to the time you spend doing the background research! For example, you might set yourself a goal of reporting back here every week, so you can share the ideas that you find and you can get feedback from the fantasticly helpful experts here!

I'm looking forward to seeing what you find!

Hi Intelius,

Please check your identical post on Grades 6-8. I answered you there. From now on, please keep all your posts on the Grade 9-12 forum so we can keep track of the questions and answers. Thanks.

Sybee