Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi, I am doing a science fair project where i took 3 female mice and 3 male mice and put them through a classic maze and a t-maze. Could you recommend any references to help me with my research on mice, mazes, male vs. female in intelligence, left and right handedness, etc. I need help in researching and making my analysis. Should i discuss spatial intelligence in my analysis?
Thank you!

Hi there,

Here are some links to help you get started. You can also do some internet searches yourself, and use some of your references to find others.

http://www.ratbehavior.org/RatsAndMazes.htm
http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/nsfall0 ... gMice.html
http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/nsfall0 ... ition.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_6377032_rat-ma ... jects.html
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_an ... tory_.html

I hope this helps you get going with your research. Let us know if you have more questions.

Heather

Hi,
Thanks so much for getting back to me! I had done some searches and had read all the links you suggested. In my experiment the female mice were faster than the male mice, and I wanted to discuss intelligence in relation to gender for my analysis. Do you think I am on the right track with my analysis? Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks so much!!!

Hi,

This is a great project! I definitely think you are on the right track. Heather has given you some great background reference articles, and it sounds like you have some data and enough time left to write up a really great science board. Here are some additional suggestions:

Here is information from the Science Buddies website on preparing your board. You can start planning your layout now and write the title, purpose, hypothesis, background, materials and procedure section, and bibliography (works cited section) right now. You can print out the sections and get a preliminary idea of how they will fit onto your board, leaving plenty of room for the results and conclusion section. You have some time, so think about how you can make your board as attractive as possible, with photographs of the mice and the mazes, and other visual information that will help explain your project.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... oard.shtml

Next, please explain the details of your experiment and let me know what data you have obtained. Also, what grade are you in? I will try to give you some suggestions for data analysis, so you will be able to write a really great conclusion.

Also, go back and read your teacher’s detailed assignment, and make sure you are including everything required for the project. Details are very important in science projects.

And, finally, did you get permission from your teacher to do a project with the mice in advance? In many fairs, doing a project with vertebrate animals requires getting approval in advance. So, check the rules for your science fair and make sure you will be able to enter this project.

I know this is a lot of information. Do you have any questions?

Donna Hardy