Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I'm entering the 9th grade and I've been unable to concoct a clever science project idea. I intend to participate in the regional science fair, and going as far as I can. After browsing the web for interesting ideas I encountered an interesting video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8qvSNkiB9M. Is building something like this above me, a person entering highschool? I have very little knowledge of whatever building this requires, note that I don't need to complete this project within this year. I have plenty of time to study and learn whatever it is I need to build this. A list of necessary subjects I should look at would be nice. Also if something like this is just too complex for me then tell me. Thank you.

Hi,

There seems to be a lot of controversy about whether the SIG Searle effect has ever been demonstrated successfully or whether “Professor” Searle is just perpetuating a fraud. You may want to look at this Wikipedia article (and possibly explore the reference links at the bottom of the article) and the other two links to judge this for yourself:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searl_Effect_Generator

http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory: ... ator_(SEG)

http://www.gravitywarpdrive.com/Roschin ... ffects.htm

You may also wish to check out US patents 3626606 and 3626605 using the US Patent Office search engine:

http://patimg1.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=7 ... %2F3626605

You may have to install aplugin to the Internet explorer browser to view the patent images. Check out the help function on the patent office website for the info on how to do this.

Since I am unable to verify that anyone has demonstrated a working machine of this type to credible witnesses, and since the “principles” involved do not seem consistent with currently understood physical principles I cannot suggest to you a path to successfully build this device.

My suspicion is that this will turn out to be an idea like cold fusion or polywater, other interesting ideas that gained passing interest by reputable scientists, but which have been mostly discredited over time as their proponents have been unable to produce repeatable demonstrations of the phenomena claimed.

Sorry to be so discouraging.

Best regards,

Barrett L. Tomlinson