Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I need some help evaluating these projects/topics on which would make a more successful project. Please let me know your opinion as well as disadvantages and advantages. Thank you!!

1. Bioacoustics- ( I have access to audio recording equipment to use to record animal vocalizations and I could come up with any number of questions to answer by recording an animal's calls if this was the best choice. I also have access to program that will help me analyze the calls )

2. Animal assisted therapy- pertaining specifically to zoo animals and their effects on human perceptions of the animal's wild couterparts. I am not yet sure how I would test this

3. Does deodorant cause or affect Alzheimer's? - Scientists have found aluminum zirconium in the brains of victims of Alzheimer's, and also as an ingredient in anti-perspirants. I am not yet sure how I would make this into a project/ test it.

P. S. This is still part of the former letter.... I can still develop these ideas. I am just wondering if any of these ideas should be dropped, or if I should continue any. Thanks.

Hi aito,

These are all really great projects with great potential!

In a general sense, choosing a project really depends on you. Find your likings or what you find really interesting, and go after it. Be aware of the resources you have, what classes you have taken in science, etc.

Creating a successful project depends on how you look at your work. If you like it, the end result would be very satisfying. If you don't like your project or have no interest, then why do it?

In terms of the technicalities, it seems that you have given bioacoustics considerable thought. There are always going to be disadvantages and advantages to projects; The hardest thing is 1. setting up a time frame to complete the project and 2. knowing how to test what you want to know.

I would try googling on google scholars (scholar.google.com) and try to see what papers have already been published on the ideas you are interested in. This will help you in knowing what has already been tested and their findings.


Hope this helps!
Sareena

#1....pick only topics that really interest you.

#2....of those you really like, pick the one that you can actually do (you have an idea how you'd go about the experiment, it isn't too expensive or dangerous, it has easier to control variables, etc)

How would you go about collecting data for each of those ideas?
You seems to have ideas for the first one but i think the third one would be difficult.
I think choosing a topic can be the harder part and often you have to just make a start at collecting some preliminary information to see if it might pan out or if you are really interested in that subject.
Tell me some more about your ideas for the first project...

-Caroline

Personally, I would go with the first one. In this experiment, you actually know how to go about doing it.
Otherwise, it is your choice.

aznnerd666