Got any ideas for a Science Fair project?

Question

I am an eighth grader aspiring to gain credit for a Science Fair to happen on mid-April. I would like to soar upon my expectations and produce something spectacular that is also with my brain level... think grade 8-9ish. PLEASE help me and give me suggestions of ideas and how to create the project.

This is only my 2nd Science Fair. My first was two years ago, about the "Stroop Effect" and although I had fun doing that one, I would not like to do it again.

Answer 1

Yes. Here is a great idea! This might be too common an idea and somebody might already be doing this, but here goes: There is this global event called Global Warming. Scientists claim that there are some things about global warming that are fact and some things are theory.

For example, scientists claim that global warming has caused a lot of the ice and glaciers on the planet's north and south poles to melt and has caused the oceans to rise a few inches. But how do they know? How do they claim this to be fact?

Also, every year when winter arrives, the cold weather comes to many places of the world and people say, "Well, so much for global warming." However, not only scientists but also a lot of regular people have noticed that things are changing. Gardeners are noticing things like their plants that normally go dormant in the fall are staying active longer. Some reports claim that places like New England will have weather more like Virginia and the Carolinas in the not too distant future. Also, scientists say that even though winters appear for the most part normal, the global warming that has occurred, is occurring now and shall continue to occur is enough to melt any new snow near the north and south poles as well as glaciers and frozen oceans and seas that have been frozen for many hundred of years and should not be melting.

So, the idea for a Science Fair project is to show (maybe on poster board and/or on brochures that you create) all the facts and figures that make the majority of scientists believe that global warming is fact. You could also have models of the planet earth that show how global warming works (shows how the heat from global warming reaches the poles and melts glaciers, ice caps and frozen bodies of water), recent satellite photos of the melted arctic ocean, etc..., and how global warming can wreak havoc with the world as we know it.

You could also take a poll of the people that visit your project to see who and how many people believe global warming is "real" and how many don't believe in it and why or why not.

Since this is for "Science" you could also show some fairness and show the flip side of the coin. Show what the people and groups who don't believe in global warming are doing to prove their side of the story. Are they just trying to protect the rapidly growing economy and populations of the world that supposedly could be one of the root cause of global warming? Should we listen to them or should we try and stop global warming and industrial emissions and greenhouse gases just in case the scientists are right? Would it be possible to stop global warming and have growing economies at the same time? A lot of people would probably hope so.

Maybe have a debate to go along with your project. Suggestion: you might want to, yourself, try to avoid heated discussions with anyone visiting this project, if you do choose this project. Be the moderator of the debate and take a neutral viewpoint to promote fairness and understanding for the impartiality of the scientific process.

Maybe have a screening of the movie "An Inconvient Truth"

Show what the solutions to global warming supposedly are.

Maybe invite artists to contribute to your project through their interpretations and use of painting, interpretive dance, acting, music, etc... (OK, this suggestion is a little bit "out there"). Just a suggestion.

Hope this helps!!! You seem very intelligent for an eighth or ninth grader. I remember being in those grades, so, I think this project is a good suggestion. Good luck with the project whatever you choose! Hope these are spectacular enough suggestions for your project. In any case, have a safe one. Again, good luck.

Here is the url and link for Yahoo!s global warming directory. Just click on it or copy and paste it to go to it.
http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Environment_and_Nature/Global_Change/Climate_Change/Global_Warming/

Great question!

Answer 2

Try doing an experiment on the negative correlation of the commodities market and the stock market.

Answer 3

My guess would be about something that you might like. Like the ocean.

Answer 4

good thing my school does that in october...