Help with Science Fair please

[...aTrueASL]

I have been tasked with helping my daughter and her science fair project. And, unfortunately, this is not my area of expertise. So, I ask for a little help please. This is what needs to be done.

- Investigation into some scientific area of interest (Biology, Physics, Geography, etc) where a hypothesis is tested OR is a technology design process (an experiment that you do and report on).
- Must be unique and something never done before - it is NOT a repeat of something you find online (in a book), it is not a summary of information you have found, not a research project, technology designs must result in a working design.

Now this is where we need help - we need to choose an unique topic. Now, the topic/ project rests on a question and obviously we need a good question for a good project.

These are the ideas: a topic that she is passionate or interested in, a problem that needs solving, a science related question you've been wondering about, a new idea for a new apparatus or a need you can address in the community.

Any thoughts or ideas will help us on our way. Thanks.

 

[hawker]

Why don't you measure pollution levels in a river near you? I see you are from Cape Town, what about something to do with pollution in the ocean water?

What grade is your daughter in? - this will determine the scope and depth of the project.

See if you can find other data and compare with your measurements and predict a trend and then using scientific methodologies (sp) and information draw some kind of a conclusion.

 

[...aTrueASL]

She is in grade 8.

 

[...aTrueASL]

Why don't you measure pollution levels in a river near you? I see you are from Cape Town, what about something to do with pollution in the ocean water?

What grade is your daughter in? - this will determine the scope and depth of the project.

See if you can find other data and compare with your measurements and predict a trend and then using scientific methodologies (sp) and information draw some kind of a conclusion.

This idea is both interesting and important but, it could prove to be above her capabilities.

Any other ideas?

 

[UnUnOctium]

Investigation into a low-complexity algorithm for converging the LMS filter to the optimal, MMSE Wiener filter.

On a more serious note: What do you mean by "where a hypothesis is tested OR is a technology design process", do you mean technological design process? One idea would be to investigate how common household items affect power usage (and greenhouse gas emissions) if you do/don't switch off items when not using etc.

 

[hawker]

On a more serious note: What do you mean by "where a hypothesis is tested OR is a technology design process", do you mean technological design process? One idea would be to investigate how common household items affect power usage (and greenhouse gas emissions) if you do/don't switch off items when not using etc.

^that sounds good.

Or working out the influence that a dripping tap may have on your water bill + environment (water wastage).

 

[K3NS31]

Investigation into a low-complexity algorithm for converging the LMS filter to the optimal, MMSE Wiener filter.

On a more serious note: What do you mean by "where a hypothesis is tested OR is a technology design process", do you mean technological design process? One idea would be to investigate how common household items affect power usage (and greenhouse gas emissions) if you do/don't switch off items when not using etc.

That's brilliant! You could test whether that whole "Vampire power" thing is really rubbish or not. Can you see the headlines? "12 year old girl disproves vampire power myth, feel free to leave your TV's on standby. No more walking across the lounge unnecessarily."

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

Hey OP, i had a similar project in grade 8/9

What I did was measure the weather for a 1 week period in my area (well in my garden really) every 6 hrs or so and compared that data with what the daily weather forcast. i then made a few comments. got me 90%

Requirements, Thermometer and possibly a rain gauge (to measure rain fall). i didnt measure windspeed but i did determine the direction of wind using a compass and the ol'wet finger

Its a lot of work for a grade 8 but not incomprehensible imo. basically you comparing your real world data to the daily forcast you got off your newspaper or news channel

 

[Palimino]

Requirements, Thermometer and possibly a rain gauge (to measure rain fall). i didnt measure windspeed but i did determine the direction of wind using a compass and the ol'wet finger.

To OP
Weather is a good scheme. A simple mechanism to measure wind strength (not speed) and direction is to get a flat bit of wood (about book size), put a straight rod on it and tie a bit of ribbon on the top (like a miniature flag). Directly behind, epoxy a cheapo, disposable-type compass. Draw all lines in thick koki.

When placed in wind the ribbon will blow out indicating wind strength and will stream in one direction. Take a reading off the compass to get direction. Combine this with Crazys post and write-up BS to match. Viola!

A winning project.

 

[ichigo]

Build a laser

 

[rorz0r]

Sharks with frikkin laser beams on their heads!

 

[ichigo]

Heres your shark

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-wQD4flEKf9rXw63xpEgkVbl5t02rcEmXat9T10ae2AGfQpcpww

 

[ponder]

Find a simpler/shorter way of doing fast Fourier transforms, students will forever be indebted to her

 

[rorz0r]

Find a simpler/shorter way of doing fast Fourier transforms, students will forever be indebted to her

Call it... "Faster Fourier Transforms"...

 

[UnUnOctium]

Cooley & Tukey's Decimation in time. Doubt there will be better for a long time to come