Project Ideas Earth, Sun, and Stars Prove the Earth is a sphere and not flat What evidence can we find about the rotation of the earth from star trails? What is the size of the earth? (Eratosthenes method) How does the color of a background affect its absorption of solar radiation? How does sunspot activity affect radio reception? Food and Our Bodies What are eating disorders? (research and survey) Is there a relationship between eating breakfast and school performance? On which foods does fungus grow best? How are teeth affected by fluorides and acids? Oceans, Rivers, Streams Does the amount of water affect the size of the wave? How does the volume of a stream affect its flow rate? Where is the current of a stream the fastest? Is there a relationship between phases of the moon and our weather? What is in our drinking water? Are our local waters acidic? Do our soils show the affects of acid rain? What is the lime content of various samples of water? How does particle size affect settling rates? Botany: Plants and Gardening What kind of soil is best for water retention? Will antacids help soil polluted by acid rain? Does human hair affect the growth of plants? How does a garden mist spray affect plant growth? How does the duration of radiation affect plant growth? What is the percentage of water in various fruits and vegetables? Which plants and vegetables make the best dye? Which type of wildflower grows best under artificial light? How does temperature affect the water uptake in celery plants? Does the type of water affect the growth of plants? Is soil necessary for plant growth? (hydroponics study) How does rotation affect plant growth? Does music affect plant growth? Does a plant grow best in sunlight or artificial light? Can plants deprived of sunlight recover? What is the relationship between root and stem growth? Which color of light causes green beans to grow best? Can potatoes be grown without soil? How do worms affect plant growth? What is the effect of urine on grass? What affect do Epsom salts have on plant growth? The effect of different light on plants (vary intensity, color) Hydroponic Plants Growing Plants with different soils / fertilizers Plant Growth and Artificial Lighting The effects of crowding in plant life Microscopic structure of plant cells Osmosis in plants Plant diversity in a field Plant genetics Plant diseases Plant-insect relationship Plant identification Phosphate effects Fossil plants Germination - how monocots and dicots differ - the effects of heat, light, carbon dioxide, pH level, etc. on germination rate  Photosynthesis - factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis temperature, light intensity, water, carbon dioxide - part of light spectrum used in photosynthesis  Leaves - do the numbers and sizes of stomata vary with different plants - what happens if stomata are covered and why  Roots - how much water is used by different plants - what is the effect of temperature, sunlight, etc., on the use of water (transpiration) - how do different types of soils affect the ability of roots to anchor plants - what factors encourage root growth and what is the effect of water, oxygen, soil type, minerals on root growth  Plant growth - determine the effects of various nutrients, amounts of water, hours of sunlight, strength of weed killer, temperature, pollutants, pH levels on plant growth and crop yields – can plants live without oxygen, carbon dioxide - what percentages of various plants is water  Genetic Studies - connections between hair and eye colour, sex and left handedness, hair colour and strength - family studies on inheritance  Mushroom production Rooting cuttings Lichen growth  Field Studies -effects of herbicide spraying, acid rain in a lake, auto exhausts on a roadside, SO2 emissions on plants, under hydro lines Bacteria found around the home, on the body, in soil of different types  The preferred pH level in the soil for various plants  Effects of water impurities in plant growth Effects of magnetic fields on plant growth Organic fertilizer vs. chemical fertilizers Weather How can we prevent the weathering of our sidewalks and driveways? How does topography affect weather conditions? Does the topography of an area affect its local weather? How do changes in air pressure affect the weather? How are all weather factors related? Product Testing Which soap works better Which fertilizer makes plants grow healthier Which motor oil withstands heat the best Which gasoline provides better fuel economy Detergent properties Washing in hard water/soft water Cell phone reception Calculation speed on computers Frozen foods and taste Radiation to preserve food Are safe homemade cleansers as effective as commercial cleansers? Testing consumer products- glues, stain removers, antiseptics, mouthwash, detergents, paper towels  Zoology (animals may not be used in captivity for experiments) Animal territoriality Animal societies Animal sounds Food habits Migration studies Motion studies Habitats Earth Science Erosion Control Biodegradability Air purification methods Water purification methods (filtering/distillation)    Two Worsley students won a trip to the Canada-wide Science Fair with with a project in this category Depletion of ozone layer Global warming Local rainfall patterns Rock and mineral classification Physical properties of minerals Recycling and land-fill space Physics Magnetic Fields Magnetically Levitated Trains Aerodynamics (wind tunnel) Motion Friction Electrochemical cells How to tell a positive battery pole How does a dry cell generate electricity Testing the strength of electromagnetic fields Can electricity be produced by friction What is a spark Compare sliding and rolling motion How to make heat by friction What factors does the force of friction depend on Reducing friction Transmission, reflection, and adsorption of colors Light refraction Speed of sound Mechanical advantage 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  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?  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 pitch? volume? How would you measure the velocity? 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  Designing a strong bridge Energy efficient homes  Efficient use of renewable energy resources- wood, wind  Determine the accuracy of various thermometers  How much heat is needed to raise the temp of various substances by an equal amount?  Principle of energy conservation  Comparing active & passive solar energy systems in cost and efficiency   Engineering Test different metals (conductivity, tensile strength, heat dissipation) Analog computers Autonomous robots Electrostatic precipitation Electroplating Solar furnace Solid state lasers Conductivity of metals Solar Furnace Mathematics Boolean algebra Learning algorithms Symbolic logic Probability Survey accuracy Fuzzy logic Calculation accuracy of pocket calculators Chaotic systems Random systems Polynomial function graph patterns Computer Science Gif Animations: creating, minimizing file size Clay Animations: Make a movie Meteorology  Snow- what happens when it melts; what does it contain; structure of snow flakes Sky Colour- account for differences in colour 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   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?  Weather records- 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   Chemistry Effects of temperature on viscosity of oil, chemical reactions Brownian movement  Everyday activities that illustrate chemical principles  Chemical reactions that produce energy or that require energy  Effects of sunlight on rubber, ink, paper  Effects of increased concentrations on the rate of chemical reactions  Compare 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  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 colour 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  Making salt water potable, removal of pollutants    I encourage you to explore the sections of this site for more ideas; as the author of all of the pages on the site, you have my permission to use anything you want, with accreditation to Bill Willis at billwillis.ca Physics | Chemistry | Biology | General Science | The Earth Mathematics | Astronomy | Engineering | Music Science Fairs