Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

seems like every idea I give my teacher for a project she says that I can't do it. I want to study the growth between my pets. I want to change their bedding every 4-6 wks., change the food, heat source, humidity, thing like that but nothing to an extreme. Remind you these are my PETS. I read up about the bedding and different type of food that they can eat. I have always hads pets, love animals, never would harm. Do you, as an expert, see anything wrong with what I want to do for a PROJECT??????? I have 3 of the same pet and would like to compare the rate they grow with what they eat and the different bedding as well their heat sourc, etc as mentioned before. Since I like animals it would be something I am willing, interested and probed to do as well as educational not only to me but others as well.

As for whether it is OK to use your pets for the experiments you described, you may have to make some minor adjustments to satisfy the International Science and Engineering Fair rules, and to ensure that the animals will not be adversely affected. At a minimum, you will have to review some guidelines and fill out some additional forms to perform a science fair project on vertebrate animals outside of a regulated research institution. There are some details at the site below, with links to the necessary forms about half way down the page.
http://www.sciserv.org/isef/rules/rules10.asp

The higher-level science fairs will certainly need extra forms since you are working with vertebrates. Chris's website gives the forms for the international fair; I would suggest also searching your local and state science fairs to see what the requirements are for working with vertebrates.

The other thing to bear in mind as you perform your experiment is that your animals are individuals, and they would not respond the same way to changing heat and bedding, etc. This does not mean you can't do the experiment, but it is something that you will want to be able to discuss in your conclusion. Are the three pets you want to work with all the same age and gender? If so, you can get rid of growth differences you're not testing for.

Has your teacher given you any specific reasons why you cannot do this experiment? If you let us know what they are, we may be able to help you adjust your idea or procedure to suit her guidelines.

Sonia