Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,
I have a few things I am interested in for my next science fair project. However, none of them seem to be specific enough or I do not know how to set up an experiment for them.
Here are some of these things I am interested in:
- Microbes in the Pacific Garbage Patch
- Making plastic with microbes/other organism
- Leaching of chemicals from water bottles at different temperatures
- A way to predict earthquakes
- How the swirling in the Pacific Garbage Patch breaks down plastic
- Bioinformatics on the microbes of the Pacific Garbage Patch to find out functionality
etc.

Thanks,
blueswim

Blueswim, Very interesting topics!

It looks like you are mainly interested in topics associated with Microbiology. You can find Microbiology project ideas at:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... a=MicroBio

Also your ideas relate to the Ocean so maybe an experiment in Ocean Sciences:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... a=OceanSci

Or specifically since the formation of the Pacific Garbage Patch is influenced by ocean currents, the "Ocean Currents: Modeling the 'Global Conveyor Belt' in Your Kitchen" experiment:

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

Finally, you also mentioned interest in Earthquakes. Look at our Geology projects for experiments associated with Earthquakes:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... php?ia=Geo


Happy experminenting!



- JasonS

There are a few things you'll need to think about.

-In order to study the Pacific garbage patch, you'd need to have access to it. Is this possible? If not, you'll need to find something closer to home.
-Do you have access to a lab with advanced equipment, or are you doing your project at home/at school?
-Do you want to do an advanced research project with original research, or is this a project for school?

If this is for school, you seem interested in microbiology, why don't you take a look at some of our project ideas for high school students? https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... 1pY3JvQmlv

We also have some environmental science, ocean science, and environmental engineering projects: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... deas.shtml

If you are interested in doing an advanced project, take a look at our advanced project guide for an overview of how to start:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ndex.shtml

You should also find some research papers in the areas you are interested in (the advanced guide has some articles about this). You may be able to adapt the experiment and do it at home. If anything, it might give you some more ideas to help you narrow it down.

Ok, I think I got some narrower ideas, but I don't know if they'd work...

One is finding an more ecologically safe alternative to detergent (for saving oil spillage areas).

Another idea is to perhaps construct a small model ocean, put a lot of small bits of plastic in it, and then engineer a way to gather the plastic pieces (maybe by way of some mechanism powered by microbes/water -> something that is environmentally friendly), and find a way dissolve the pieces into a safe compound...

I've thought about the 2nd one a lot more, but maybe it's too ambitious?

Thanks,
blueswim

Hi blueswim,

I think those are great ideas. The only issue you'd have is time and possibly obtaining equipment depending on the specifics. When is your project due? These would both be advanced research projects but they seem doable at first glance.

I'd start trying to find research papers about these topics to see what type of materials/equipment you would need and what worked/didn't work for others.

Here are a couple of articles about finding and reading research papers. Remember, if you can't find the article for free online with some searching, you can always try to email the writers (or look at their website) and see if they will send you a copy.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... pers.shtml
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... aper.shtml

-Amber

My project isn't actually due until early March 2012, but I want to start getting ready right now because I've done science fairs before and I've realized I usually feel like I'm rushing for time.

blueswim