Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

OKay so IN this project i am using 4 diffrent types of fabrics cotton,fleece,spandex, and velvet. I am going to rap the fabrics around a graduated cylinder which is filled with hot water and then place a themometer in the water and see which fabric keeps the water hotter the longest. I am using water since most of our body is water and the fabric will be ating like a sweater. Now i need to know if the fabrics have to be the same color. Also if you believe this can be a winning science fair project in middle school science fair?

Hello. I think this is an excellent project idea, and you should do well at the science fair.

I would like to ask about your topic title. How do you think wearing a different fabric will reduce your carbon foot print? Have you conducted research with regards to the production of each material causing more waste? This experiment could also tell you which material is most effective at retaining body heat and keeping you warm. What if the warmest material doesn't have the smallest carbon footprint? If you wish to just examine which material keeps you the warmest, then you might consider changing your title.

The color of material could certainly have an effect on retaining body heat. At the most basic level, lighter colors reflect heat; and darker colors absorb heat. If you don't wish to add this as a variable, then you will need to keep the color the same for each material. Since you will be conducting this during the winter time, you will be studying the best way to ABSORB heat. Keep this in mind when you choose your color.

Finally, a thought about your experiment set up: Using the water in a container is fine. I recommend you use soda jugs or jars with lids. You need to use a container you can seal shut. Otherwise, Some temperature loss will be caused through the air and not the material.

Best of luck, and certainly write back if you have any further questions!

Donna has given you some good advice, and as she says color definitely affects heat retention.

I think it's hard to define what is a "winning" science fair project or not, but the times I've judged science fairs, I'm often as impressed by the way the person did the project as what project they chose. I'm impressed with a student who can talk intelligently and confidently about the background research they did, why they chose a particular project, why they designed the experiment as it was done, and how they interpret results--someone who shows me they have a thorough understanding of the scientific method and their own project.

Win or lose you still learn something about science that will be valuable no matter what. Good luck!

Amber

Thank you so much for replying. Both of yall have helped me very much but i have a question for Donna and Amber. What do you think i should change my title to...... also i was using a graduated cylinder as the container. I have chosen to use the color black since it asorbs heat and helps insulate. This is for amber How much data do you think shoud be on a science project. Also do you think my science fair project is at leat a good one for a middle school project. If you wouldnt mind telling me for the things you look for in a science fair project such as creativivty, color, graphs, research papaer.

I'm impressed by poised students who clearly did the project themselves, show they fully understand the material, and have prepared neat and appropriate graphs to explain their data and form their conclusions. You'll definitely want to do multiple replications of the experiment. But I have no way of knowing who'll judge your project, or anything about your competition, so it's impossible to exactly define a "winning" project. Just do your best and try to learn from the experience.

As far as the title--I think what Donna was getting at is that it's not immediately clear how colored clothing affects carbon footprint. If it can, great, just show some research as to why that is so. Otherwise, you might want to think about what question you are actually answering, and base the title on that.

OKay so what project title would you suggest????

Well, how did you come up with this project? What question are you answering? That should be your title.

Like..... Which fabric insulates a human better? does that sound liek a good one

plz help me and suggest a title??????

"Which fabric insulates a person better?" I think that is a good title, and it reflects what you are testing.

I agree with Amber. You have clearly done your research and have put together a well thought out project. You should do well at the science fair!

Good luck!

Since you're interested in carbon footprints, you might do some Googling around for articles on roof color/pavement color and carbon footprint. Such as this: http://www.sej.org/publications/tipshee ... ment-color People have been considering whether controlling these colors to absorb or reflect heat could be helpful.

good title!