Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My son wants to do a project like he saw on mythbusters. They tired 10 different uses for cola and saw of they worked or were myths. I can't seem to help him figure out how to do this following the scientific method with a hypothesis and control and variables. He seems really interested for a change but I don't really know how to guide him on this one. I don't think myth busting falls into the science project category. Please any advice would be helpful, Thank you.

well, what exactly does your son want to test?

here is some info about making hypotheses:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... esis.shtml

basically, most ideas can have hypotheses. also, some science fairs say that for engineering projects instead of a hypothesis, you should have a "goal"

so, let's say that i want to prove that cola decays teeth faster than coffee (i think i remember seeing this on mythbusters)
well, my hypothesis would be "teeth submerged or exposed to cola will decay faster than teeth submerged or exposed to the same amout of coffee"

let me know if you have any more questions

good luck,
scienceexpert123

Hi,

This is actually a great project! The Mythbusters do in fact conduct scientific experiments in the process of examining myths. They are trying to see whether certain things work as expected, and that is science!

The Mythbusters tested 10 different cola myths. Each one would require its own experiment, with a separate hypothesis. For example, one myth they tested was whether cola acts as a good cleaning agent. That by itself would be one set of experiments. Here is a link to the Discovery Channel's learning site, which details the myths investigated on the show (regarding cola): http://www.cosmeo.com/videoTitle.cfm?gu ... 670afe09c5

This should help you get started. Don't hesitate to post again with more questions!

Cheers,
Heather