Science Fair Project

Categories

Westlake High School

Introduction to Research Methods

Unit 1: Science Fair Topics

and Research

Chemistry Effects of temperature on viscosity of oil, chemical

reactions, Brownian movement, burning of different materials.

Everyday activities that illustrate chemical principles

Chemical reactions that produce energy or that require energy

Testing of consumer products- glues, stain removers, antiseptics, mouthwash, detergents, paper towels, making salt water potable, removal of pollutants

Effects of sunlight on rubber, ink, paper

Effects of increased concentrations on the rate of chemical reactions

Compare the pH levels in mouths of various animals and humans at different times in the day

Compare the surface tension of various liquids

Dealing with chemical spills from industry

Chemistry

Analyzing snow and rain for pollutants; samples from different locations

Effects of temperature on density of gases

Effects of salt and other contaminants on rate of rusting

Growing crystals- factors that affect the rate and the size

Can you obtain water from ink, vinegar, milk?

What effects do different amounts of exercise have on the production of carbon dioxide in humans?

Analyze soil samples for their components, ability to hold moisture, fertility and pH

Does the amount of particle pollution vary with distance from a road, with location, with height. Determine types of particles found in pollution fallout

Catalysts- how they work and why; commercial applicants and problems

Fire extinguishers-principles of operation and factors affecting their efficient use

How do acids react with different metals under varying conditions

Identify different metals by the color of flame when they burn

Can you devise and experiment that will list metals in order of their activity, from the most potassium to the least active ore gold

Electroplating- the principles, how different metals can be used and the practical applications

Computers Studies of storage/retrieval techniques for computer

systems

Handling of data transfer between 1/0 devices

Data manipulation and information management techniques and procedures

Applications in education using the computer as an education tool

Compiler design

Statistics and random number problems

Simulation of non science areas e.g. history, life or other planets

A programmable processing unit design, function and operation

Developing a video game

Developing a program to write a new custom program

Use of computers in managing industrial processes

Using computers to help people do what they want to do

Consumer Science The Detergent Battle Goes On: Concentrate Or Regular?

Burning Times of Fabrics

Household Cleaning Agents: Are They All The Same?

Which Antacid Works Best?

Sud Power

How Effective Is Your Mouthwash?

A Comparison Of The Vitamin C Content In Pears and Carrots In The Fresh, Frozen, and Canned States

How Much Acid Do Different Brands of Aspirin Contain?

Can A Coating on A Bulb Make It More Energy Efficient?

Which Orange Drink Has The Most Vitamin C?

Paper Towel World

Are Nutrition Labels On Food Packages Correct?

Consumer Science Are Nutrition Labels On Food Packages Correct?

Diaper Dispute

Comparing Ph Levels In Different Shampoos

The Effect of Packaging And Cooking On The Vitamin C In Green Beans

Which Battery Really Keeps On Going And Going?

Extra Flavor Lasts An Extra Long Time

Does The Price of A Soccer Ball Have An Effect On Its Performance?

The Effect Of Hair Coloring On The Strength Of Hair

The Scoop On Cereals

Which Toothpaste Appears To Be Most Abrasive

How Cost Effective Is The Fluorescent Vs. The Incandescent Bulb?

Stain Removal: Fighters Against Stain

Which Chip Is Greasiest?

Does Octane = More Miles Per Gallon?

Earth Science Snow- what happens when it melts; what does it contain; structure of snow flakes; life in a snowbank

Sky Color- account for differences in color at different times

Wind and Clouds- what are the common wind patterns in your area and why? Is cloud formation related to height, weather systems and temperature? Study and record how clouds relate to weather patterns.

Water levels- study and record varying levels over the year in a body of water; account for differences and the results on the surrounding environment.

Dew formation- how much is formed on a square meter for a period of time; account for variations

Wind-does wind travel at same speeds and in same directions at different heights?

Frost formation- what must the temperature be to form first; what are the effects of humidity? What is the make-up of frost and dew?

Evaporation- which effects the rate of evaporation most- temperature, humidity, wind speed or other factors?

Rain- can you measure the speed and force of raindrops?-What is the effect on soil, with and without ground cover? Could you simulate the effect of rain?

Heat Retention- does fresh water hold heat longer than salt water? How does water compare to land and what effect does this have on the weather? What factors affect the cooling of land?

Sunlight- how do different surfaces affect the amount of sunlight reflected and absorbed? Design a method of measuring how much sunshine is available each day. Humidity- can you collect the amounts of water in the air at different temperatures?

Temperature- what is the difference between direct sun and in the shade? Is the difference constant?

Weather records- Design and build an automatic recording weather device. Test it over a period of time.

Effects of Humidity- what happens to hair during periods of changing humidity? How does human hair compare to that of other animals? How do other materials compare in expansion and contraction.

Electronics

Appliances And Radiation

Factors Affecting A Voltaic Cell

Laser Beam Intensity

Fabrication Of Ybacuo Superconducting Wires

The Effect Of Temperature On The Resistance Of Semiconductors And Insulators

Does Temperature Affect The Life Span Or A Battery Underload

Crystal Growth And Electricity

Can Reflected Light Increase The Voltage Produced In The Photovoltaic Cell?

Radio Signals - How Far?

What Type Of Copper Wire Conducts Electricity Best?

Engineering

Use of solar energy- design and construct solar cookers, solar panels, etc.

Designing a strong bridge, an energy efficient home

Efficient use of renewable energy resources- E.G. Wood, Wind

Determine the accuracy of various thermometers

How much heat is required to raise the temperature of various substances by an equal amount?

Principle of energy conservation

Comparing active and passive solar energy systems in cost and efficiency.

Environmental Science

Field Studies

Effects of herbicide spraying

Effects of acid rain in a lake

Effects of auto exhausts on a roadside

Effects of SO2 emissions on plants, under hydro lines

Effects of types of bacteria found around the home

Effects of types of bacteria found on the body

Effects of types of bacteria found in soil of different types

Mathematics

The thief of Baghdad problem.

Mathematical analysis of fibonacci

numbers.

Can the outcome of tossing polyhedral be

predicted?

The patterns of spirolaterals.

Probability and our daily lives.

Napier's bones.

Microbiology The effectiveness of Antiseptics and Soaps on household bacteria

Producing mutations in bacteria, yeast, protozoa or molds

A study of diffusion through cell membranes

Airborne bacteria at home

The effects of disinfectants on bacteria

Do mouthwashes kill microbes

Nitrates and bacteria

Daphnia on drugs

Yeast: on the rise

Cell quenchers

The Antimicrobiologyial Effect of Garlic

Motor oil and Elodea

Hsp70 and thermotolerance in Drosophila

The effect of Beta Carotene on Agrobacterium Tumefacians in Sunflower Plants

Toothpaste Vs. Bacteria

The effects of radiation on the chloroplastic design of Spirogyra

Learning capability of D . Dorotocephala

The effects of nicotine and caffeine on the growth of bacteria

Inhibitory effects of Agrobacterium Radiobacter Strain K84 on Crown Gall Disease

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents on microbes

How long does bacteria take to oxidize ammonia in a biofilter?

Physics Fire and Burning- what factors affect burning?

Fuels and their efficiency in producing energy.

Musical instruments- the scientific principles behind them

Music vs Noise- difference

Pendulums- how can a period of a pendulum be increased?

Air Pressure- Water Pressure

Gears- compare efficiencies, effect of different lubricants

Solar Furnace

Lenses- effects of curvature, materials on light beams

Can eggs withstand a greater force from one direction than from others?

How strong are nylon fishing lines?

How strong are plastic wraps?

Physics How strong are plastic wraps?

Which homemade airplane design flies best?

What factors affect the bounce of a dropped ball?

How do compression and tension make things strong?

How strong is a toothpick?

Which type of lawn sprinkler works best?

Which type\size of light bulb produces the most light?

How can the strength of light be measured?- the effect on degradable materials

Which materials can be charged with static electricity?

Which battery lasts the longest?- How can power be increased?

What affects light reflection?- refraction and diffraction of light?

Spectrum and colour production- prisms

How is sound produced? What affects the pitch of sound?- What affects the volume ofsound? - How would you measure the velocity of sound?

Electric Motors- principles and factors effecting their efficiency

Electric Circuits- factors affecting voltage,amperage, resistance

Magnets and electromagnets- What affects the strength of and electromagnet?

Buzzers and bells and alarms.

Radios

Internal Combustion engines

Heat convection- Radiation of heat

Insulation-best materials, thickness

How is paint affected by temperature changes?- Elasticity of rubber; effect of glue.

Zoology

Reaction of protozoa to changes in the environment

Conditions necessary for the life of a brine shrimp

A study of territoriality in mice

A study of the cleaning habits of mice

Study of population fluctuations in insects

Is polarized light the guidance system for Foraging ants?

A study of stimuli that attract mosquitoes

The factors affecting the rate at which a cricket chirps

Growth of plant and animal cells by cloning

Regeneration in sponges, Paramecia, Planaria, etc.

Zoology

The use of animals in the development of vaccinations

mice: a modern controversy

Benefits of animal testing for cancer and aging

Curious creatures: Captive dolphins' behavior towards man

Animals in cosmetology lab research

The effects of various concentrations of sucrose and insulin on Brine Shrimp

The effects of vitamins B-complexes and C on Paramecium

Red worms in sludge

The effect of acid rain on goldfish

Which food is preferable for hamsters?

Straight from the horse's mouth

Ant's behavior with other insects

What is the effect of caffeine on mealworms?

Effects of centripetal force on fruit flies

What's best for a bunny?

Feeding preferences of the White-tail Deer

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