Suggestions for Science Project?

[Josan]

In a couple of weeks my school will be holding a week dedicated to a sciency project thingy, the point is promoting the scientific method.

However, I am having some problems thinking of anything interesting to do, so any suggestions would be pretty darn sweet.

Now I realize that most people probably couldn't care less, so feel free to ignore of course. I also realize that if I personally (who know all the details) have problems conjuring up some sweetness, then why should you (who frankly don't) do any better? Well, let me provide some simple information.

We will have about a week to do everything we need to do, so it shouldn't be to big. The point is to promote the scientific method, so it should probably involve some sort of testing, but it's not really required. It has to be a science subject, so that means math, chemistry, physics or biology. I am currently in high school, so it shouldn't be college level stuff, but I am genuinely interested, so suggest things even if they are a bit complicated. One of the suggestions we received were "Darwin - 200 years since his birth, religion vs. evolution". Which could be interesting, but not really sure on how to turn it into a project.

Anyways, not sure if I will get any replies, but thanks in advance nonetheless.

 

[CosmicSpork]

Write on the moon with a laser

 

[Josan]

Hm, I could try, but would be a bit embarrising IF I fail...

 

[CosmicSpork]

"Do, or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

 

[Master_Ghost_Knight]

Math is not science, it is something else altougheter.
You can make an electric engine whit a batery, some magnets, wires and ducktape (perhaps a coke can, maybe), it is not that hard.

 

[ebbixx]

We will have about a week to do everything we need to do, so it shouldn't be to big. The point is to promote the scientific method, so it should probably involve some sort of testing, but it's not really required. It has to be a science subject, so that means math, chemistry, physics or biology.

The key is to pick something you're very interested in (and given the timing, probably something in the area where you feel you're strongest).

One suggestion, though: avoid trying to teach earthworms anything. They're really bad at running mazes. Even really simple ones. You'll be lucky to get any meaningful data at all. Other than maybe the obvious.

 

[Pulsar]

A few ideas:

Something very simple. Fill two bottles with water (add pigment for more show). Challenge a classmate (or why not, your teacher) for a contest: at the same time, both of you turn your bottle upside down. The one who can empty his bottle first, wins. The trick is, when you turn your bottle upside down, don't start pouring immediately. Instead, hold your hand at the opening, and make a few times a circular motion with your arms, while keeping the bottle vertical. If you do it fast enough, you'll create a whirlpool inside the bottle. Then, start pouring. Due to the whirlpool, the water will pour much faster. So, even though you lost a few seconds at the start, you should be able to win. Practice it beforehand, though

A classic one: drop a roll of mentos into a bottle of cola, and watch the fountain. Do this OUTside, or your teacher will NOT be amused

If you're more ambitious, maybe you can do Galilei's experiment with an inclined plane:

Make a long ramp, with some gates on top. The space between the gates has to increase quadratically: if the space between the first gate (at the top) and the second one is L, the space between gate 2 and 3 is 4L, then 9L, 16L, 25L. If you roll a ball down the ramp, it will accelerate and pass each gate in the same unit of time: gate 2 at time T, gate 3 at time 3T, then 4T, 5T. This demonstrates the law of motion, where gravity causes a constant acceleration. To indicate when the ball passes a gate, you could make it hit a little bell. But make sure your ball is heavy enough (use a metal one), otherwise it would be slowed down underway.

 

[ebbixx]

There are several series of books that offer project ideas as well, if you can find copies in time.

One of my favorites includes titles such as Electronic Gadgets for the Evil Genius. You can find many, many more in this series at Amazon.

In fact, glancing at the book descriptions alone may give you more ideas than you can use. I'm sure you can also find a lot of resources with a few strategic searches.

I am also partial to Galileo's inclined plane demonstration, though, for its elegance and simplicity.

 

[Josan]

Wow, I am just blown away by the response.

Right after posting this thread I actually regretted it some I have to admit, but after seeing who many actually responded I really am glad I did it.

Several good ideas here, I'll have to look into a few of them, and I'm also definitly checking out those books ebbixx.

Thanks again

 

[GoodKat]

Find some depressed people who don't appreciate their lives, then put them in different tests where they must endure a great amount of pain to survive, and see if it cures their depression.

 

[boonw]

I suggest you make rocket fuel. You take some sugar, water, potassium nitrate, and mix it together. Then you cook it to evaporate the water. When cooking it you can add all kinds of potential catalysts and retardants and show how through testing you found the best catalyst and best retardant.

dont worry, this stuff is pretty weak, the only thing you should be worrying about is burning yourself. molten sugar is very hot, so make sure you have some non stick oiled gloves that can withstand 200 C

 

[nasher168]

I suggest you make a bomb.
Bleach+sugar+phosphate-based plant food+fire=one massive explosion.