Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I was wondering if it was possible to instead of doing a experimental science project to create a theoretical project. I have this topic that I am unable to experiment on because I do not have the technology avaliable to do so. Is it possible to do such a project still and if so, how would I go about doing it?

I recommend that you read up on the Scientific Method, see https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... thod.shtml

In the Math / Computer Science area one can use computer systems to program a model and test various algorithms against that model.

That doesn't work very well in the Physical Sciences to do what most people consider scientific investigation. Engineers often use computer models to evaluate various designs, but that is engineering which is an application of known scientific principles that come long after the original science is well understood and widely accepted.

Hi,

I want to expand on Craig’s response a little. My thought is, sometimes you can find experimental data on your project idea that you can analyze on your own. Let me give you some Science Buddies Project write-ups that illustrate my point. I am sure you cannot collect on your own the data to predict hurricanes, yet it is very possible to a project on hurricane prediction:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p007.shtml

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p006.shtml

Or measuring atmospheric temperatures from weather balloon data:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... A&from=TSW

So I think the answer to your question depends on what your project idea is. Can you find data that is relevant to your question? If so you might not need to collect it yourself to do an interesting project.

Another project of this type that I encountered was “how do determine how old the craters on the moon are?”:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... =26&t=4953

So how inventive are you? You might be able to do a great project of this type if you are creative enough.

Best regards

Barrett Tomlinson