Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

For my science project, I flew balsa wood monoplanes and biplanes to compare the average flying distances of each. I'm already done experimenting, and I'm almost done with my display. I'm afraid that my experiment was not very ceative and that there is not enough information or data to write about the experiment.

Do you think that my topic was too broad? What else could I add to my display/project?

Thanks for your help!

Hi mhbandgeek,

Reading between the lines, from your post, it sounds like you did not find a big difference between monoplanes and biplanes. It seems like you’re asking if you can hand in the science project “as is,� with no additional work. I think you know the answer to that question, I’m sorry.

Two thoughts of additional work:

1. Data/Poster: add additional data points
2. Poster only: explain that you were expecting the [monoplane/biplane - pick one] to be significantly [faster/slower - pick one] than the other AND it turned not to be true

Thanks for your advice!

However, during the experiment, I did take notes on how each type of plane flew. I noted whether or not they glided, stalled, etc. and included that in the observations. According to the experiment, monoplanes have greater flying distances than biplanes, but the way I built the biplanes might have affected the flight.

I was concerned with how "simple" my project seems to be. I'm worried that the judges will mention things like 'your project could've been more creative'- I was one of the few people in my biology class to do a physics-related project. =^/

Hi mhbandgeek,

Sounds like you have good data! Now, all you need do is package it attractively for the final product.