Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello my name is Kierston in Gr. 9 and I need help finding a sciene fair project. For the last two years I've won the Science fairs at my school but when i got to the reigonal Science fair in my area, I didn't go very far. But this year I want to WOW the judges at my school and WOW the judges at the Regional science fair in my area so I can move to provincials (I live in Canada and this year it's in Ottawa). In Gr. 7 I did a Science project on the pH system and in Gr. 8 I did a Science project on Global warming but this year, I want to do something VERY different! I was thinking about doing one on Humidity or on El Nino but I think these ideas are over-used and won't get me very far. I really like building things and testing different things using what I built. My project HAS to be experimental. Do you have any ideas? Thanks

Hi Kierston,
Welcome to the Ask an Expert forum. Have you tried looking through the Science Buddy project ideas?
http://www.sciencebuddies.com/science-f ... deas.shtml
You might find something in there that interests you.

Humidity is an extremely broad topic, so I'm sure that you could find something that interests you and that hasn't been done too many times by other science fair participants. El Nino seems like it might be a difficult topic for experimental work at a high school level.

Looking forward to hearing more,
Chris

Hello Kierston,

If you are interested in humidity, one way to come up with ideas for projects is to do a little research on Humidity and then from what you learned, think of something that might change with humidity. Then you can design an experiment to see if humidity does have an affect on what ever it is.

Thank you gusy for the great ideas. I was thinking about the Humidity idea but I fear that it's an overused subject and the project experiement I found on the internet seems like it's for little kids. Also, I think it's too similar to the Global Warming project I did last year. I've went on the Science Buddies Science Fair Project Ideas Index and searched for projects but I don't seem to find one that appeals to me. I decided this year I DO NOT want to do one on Enviromental Science. I want to do something different and VERY professional. I was like on every science project website know to man. Do anybody know any Science project websites that show Senior high projects other than http://www.sciencebuddies.com or http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com?

Hello,

I really like that you're looking to do something extremely different! It's hard to step out of the box, but it sounds like you are definitely ready for something new. Here's some sites that I found that have some really interesting project ideas: http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/, http://www.science-ideas.com/high-projects.htm. As for picking a topic, I would also suggest doing something that truly interests you instead of the highest calibre experiment, since this will lead to more motivation. There are lots of great ideas out there, so if you find a topic that you feel passionate about, or are curious about, this will help narrow down your search a lot. Hope this helps; can't wait to hear more about your experiment.

Good luck!
Susan

Thank you for the websites!! I think I've found a couple projects I'm interested in. They are on bacteria.



Idea #1 Compare the effect of antibiotics on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. (Grow your own cultures with agar & petri dishes)



Idea # 2 Test the effect of ultraviolet radiation on bacteria growth


OK, I think the first idea seems good. But can I do the project at home? What are agar & petri dishes? Or is the second idea easier to do? Is there a lot of equiptment needed? Thanks!

Agar is a microbial growth medium, and a petri dish is a little dish commonly used to contain agar. See the info and photo at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agar
It is possible to do either of these experiments at home, but I'm not sure if it is advisable. There are potential safety concerns with the use of the chemicals, UV light, and microbial cultures. You should check with your teacher and/or science fair organizers.

The second experiment could be as easy or as challenging as you want to make it, because the topic is fairly vague.

Ok, I've FINALLY found a project I want to do! And I found it right here on ScienceBuddies. Here's the link:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ?from=Home


Ok, I have all the supplies needed for this experiement. But my problem is why do I need a Electronic Balance? It doesn't say in the insturctions that I need to use one or anything... I'm confused :S. Also, does the title "In a Pickle" seem like a good name for the experiment? I thought of it myself and I think it is catchey lol . And other than that, I'm all set!! Thank you guys so much for helping me! But please reply to my questions. Thanks!

P.S: And I'm sorry, I made this topic in the wrong section of the forum.. When I first made the thread, I thought I was doing a Physical Science Fair Project

ilovemusic998 wrote:Ok, I've FINALLY found a project I want to do! And I found it right here on ScienceBuddies. Here's the link:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ?from=Home


Ok, I have all the supplies needed for this experiement. But my problem is why do I need a Electronic Balance? It doesn't say in the insturctions that I need to use one or anything... I'm confused :S. Also, does the title "In a Pickle" seem like a good name for the experiment? I thought of it myself and I think it is catchey lol . And other than that, I'm all set!! Thank you guys so much for helping me! But please reply to my questions. Thanks!

P.S: And I'm sorry, I made this topic in the wrong section of the forum.. When I first made the thread, I thought I was doing a Physical Science Fair Project

You need the balance to weigh the sugar or the salt...


Louise

Hmm, thanks. But when can I get one?

ilovemusic998 wrote:Hmm, thanks. But when can I get one?

I would see if you could use one at school. They are often expensive. You could weigh all the salt at school in to ziploc bags or something, and then do the experiment at home.

Weighing is more accurate than using measuring spoons or measuring cups, so that is why it recommends a balance. It could be analog or digital, but usually balances that weigh in the range of a few grams are used in laboratories and not around the home. (So a food scale would not work, since it generally weighs 10s or 100s of grams)


Louise