a resource

for teachers,
students
and parents

Provided by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Controls

Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling

1-800-768-7348 n www.scdhec.gov/recycle

a resource for teachers,

students and parents

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Page 1

Contents ...
Introduction............................................................ 3

The Experiments: Part 3...................................... 19

What is a Science Fair Project?................................... 4

AIR QUALITY

Getting Started ......................................................... 5

Project #1: Dont Take

a Lichen for Air Pollution.......................................... 19

Bringing It All Together.............................................. 6

Other Helpful Hints.................................................... 6
The Experiments: Part 1........................................ 7
HOT WATER
Project #1: Should you shower
or take a bath?........................................................... 7

Project #2: Stick Em Up.......................................... 22

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Project #3: Comparing Light Bulbs.......................... 24
Project #4: Energy for Life....................................... 24
Project #5: A Salty Sea............................................. 25

Project #2: A little drip means a

big energy waste. ...................................................... 7

OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCES

Project #3: How does insulation work? .................... 9

Project #6: Soap Box Opera..................................... 26

APPLIANCES AND LIGHTING

WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING

Project #4: Does Your

Clothes Dryer Waste Energy? .................................. 10

Project #7: Natural or Man-made Fibers.................. 27

Project #5: Checklist

for Energy-efficient Lighting .................................... 11

Project #8: Test Your Strength.................................. 27

WATER

The Experiments: Part 2...................................... 12

Project #9: The Water Table..................................... 28

EXPLORING THERMAL ENERGY

Project #10: Taking the Swamp Out

of Swamp Water...................................................... 30

Project #1: Endothermic Reactions.......................... 12

Project #2: Exothermic Reactions............................. 13

More Resources

ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

Ideas for More Projects............................................ 31

Project #3: The Potato Clock ................................... 15

Glossary................................................................... 32

Project #4: Magnets ............................................... 17

Helpful Web Sites..................................................... 32

Acknowledgements
Thank you to Joyce Brown, E.L. Wright Middle School and Linda Mobley, Richland Northeast High School
for their review and recommendations on this guidebook.

Page 2

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Introduction ...
It seems that nothing strikes fear in the hearts of
students and parents like these three words: science
fair project.
But it doesnt have to be that way. A science fair
project is an opportunity to research and learn about
things that interest you. And through your studies
you will learn how science is basic to everything
around us.
You will benefit beyond your improved science
knowledge. Science fair projects teach you
problem-solving skills, improve your written and oral
communication skills and give you the satisfaction of
completing a well-done project.
The ideas for projects are endless; you are limited
only by your imagination. For example, does dirty
dish water affect the growth of plants? Or
how does acid rain affect plant
growth? Which diapers are
the most absorbent?
What is the pH of
various shampoos?
Do different brands
of gasoline make a
difference in gas
mileage?

The first key to a successful science fair project is

picking a topic that interests you. The reason is
simple: you will be motivated to do a better job on
the project and will have fun doing it. And remember,
a good science fair project doesnt have to be
complicated. It is important that you understand your
project and that you have explored the scientific and
technical issues related to your project.
The second key is careful planning. After discussing
your project with your teacher and getting approval
for your idea, allow yourself plenty of time for
research, experiments, observation and analysis. In
other words, dont wait until the last minute. Projects
take time.
Ask questions about your project, but do the work
yourself. If you do the work yourself, you will get a
much better understanding of why things do and do
not work as expected.
Finally, dont get upset if your
experiments prove your hypothesis
incorrect. Throughout history,
some of the most important
experiments were those that
didnt prove the original
hypothesis.
On the following pages are
basic ingredients for a science
fair project and tips for a great
display as well as suggestions
for making a great presentation.
Best of all, there are 19 science
fair projects complete with
easy-to-understand instructions.
In addition, there are different
subjects, including air, energy, water
and recycling.
By performing one of the science
projects in this guidebook, you will
gain a better understanding of science,
and who knows, maybe youll find a new
way to protect the environment.
Be careful doing your project. Give yourself plenty
of time. Dont be afraid of making mistakes.
Enjoy your work and have fun. But most of all
learn. Good luck.

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Page 3

What is a
Science Fair Project?
A science fair project is an investigation of a
question that involves research, planning and
application of the scientific method to find the
answer.

The Scientific Method

The SCIENTIFIC METHOD is a tool that scientists
use to find answers to questions. The tool
involves the following steps:
n doing research;
n identifying a problem;
n stating a hypothesis;
n conducting project
experimentation; and
n reaching a conclusion.

Research
Your RESEARCH begins when you
select your project topic. Once you
have chosen it, begin your project
research.
HERES A TIP: Choose a catchy title. Make it specific.
Usually, its best for the title to be a question or
something like this:
n The Effects of...
n The Study of...
n An Investigation of...
n A Comparative Study of...
n The Observation of...

Problem
The PROBLEM is the question to be answered.

Hypothesis
The HYPOTHESIS is simply your best guess as to what
will happen.

Page 4

Project Experimentation
PROJECT EXPERIMENTATION means testing your
hypothesis. This includes more research, designing
and planning for experimentation and testing.
Test your hypothesis carefully by experimenting.
Record everything you do. Make observations
and record the results. Make charts and
graphs or take pictures so others can
understand what you have done.

Variables
Things that can affect your experiment
are called VARIABLES. The INDEPENDENT
VARIABLE is the variable you purposely
change. The DEPENDENT VARIABLE is the
variable you are observing that changes
in response to the independent
variable. The variables that are not
changed are called CONTROLLED
VARIABLES.

Conclusion
The CONCLUSION is a summary of what you have
learned. Analyze your data and decide if your
hypothesis was correct. Is more work needed? What
else would you do to work on this problem?

Tips on How to Choose

a Science Fair Project
n List your favorite activities and subjects.
Now select a project from one of those
areas.
n What are some of the materials you could
use with your experiment? Are the materials
available at your home? You may want to
select materials that are inexpensive and
easy to find.
n Your school library and local public library
are good places to go for more information
to complete your science fair project.

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Getting Started ...

Choose a topic.

Decide on a procedure.

Again, dont wait until the last minute to start

your project. Choose a topic that is interesting to
you. If you need an idea, begin by looking through
newspapers and magazines, visiting the library,
watching the news and educational shows and
exploring the Internet. Ask your parents, teachers and
friends. Visit a museum or zoo. Make sure the topic
you choose is one you can do by yourself. Can you
get all the necessary equipment and supplies?

What do you need to do to find the answer? What

steps do you need to take? What materials will you
need? What background information will you need?
Gather information about your topic. Record all of
your information and sources in a logbook.

State the purpose.

What do you want to discover?

Experiment.
Test your hypothesis carefully by experimenting.
Make observations and record the results. Draw
pictures and make graphs so that another person can
understand what you have done.

Draw conclusions.

Make a hypothesis.
What do you think will happen based on your
knowledge?

Analyze your data and decide if your hypothesis was

correct. Is more work needed? What else would you
do to work on this problem? Give a one sentence
conclusion to your experiment.

Tips for Building a Great Display

You have worked hard on your
project so it is important to
display it well.
The keys to a good display are
simplicity, neatness and clarity.
Do not attempt something
elaborate. You should have
a three-fold standing display
and a logbook. If you have an
interesting piece of equipment,
you also may want to display it.
Remember, at presentation time
there should be no food, no live
animals or plants, no chemicals,
nothing hot or electrical and
nothing valuable. A good
display takes as much planning
as the project. You will need the
following:

(computer-generated or
adhesive lettering);
n colored construction paper
behind your neatly typed
pages of explanation to
set them off from the
backboard, and neat charts
and graphs;

Your logbook should contain

the following:
n a title page;
n a table of contents;
n a purpose statement;

n at least one drawing or

photograph; and

n an abstract;

n a logbook recording
how you conducted your
experiment.

n a list of materials;

Your display should contain the

following categories:

n all data;

n a hypothesis;
n the procedure;

n a title;

n charts, graphs, other

analyses of your data;

n a purpose statement;

n a conclusion;

n an abstract (required for

high-level competition);

n background information
(listed in correct
bibliographic form); and

n a white, three-fold
cardboard backboard
(colored backgrounds
sometimes work, but
simple is best);

n the procedure;

n bright colored letters for

your title and categories

n data/results charts, graphs,

analysis; and

Science Fair Project Guidebook

n a conclusion.

n a hypothesis;

n acknowledgments. (Did a
parent, teacher or librarian
help you?)

Page 5

Bringing It All Together ...

Other Helpful Hints
n Color coordinate your display. Make it
eye-catching.
n Make it so that the judge can get some good
information just by glancing at your display. Keep
it simple and clear.

n Have magazine articles, pamphlets, etc., to

display along with your logbook. Attract people
to your display.
n Triple-check your spelling (nothing is more of a
turn-off than poor spelling on a display).
n Make sure everything is neat (no sloppy erasures,
crossed-out words, graphs falling off, etc.).

If You Have to Answer Questions

or Make a Presentation ...
Frequently, youll have to answer questions about
your science fair project to science fair judges,
parents and teachers. And sometimes, you may
have to make a classroom presentation.
Here are some helpful hints to prepare.
n Be confident. Youve done the work, done it
well and it will show!
n Smile, relax, stand straight and speak
loudly.

n If you had problems or made mistakes, talk

about them. Mistakes can be valuable data in
science.
n Tell the judges what you would do next to
continue working on this topic. If you were to
change or redo this project, how would you
go about it?
n Ask the judges if they have any questions.
n Thank the judges for their attention.

n Introduce yourself and tell your age

and grade.
n Give the title of your project.
n Explain the purpose of your project.
n How did you get interested in this
topic?
n Explain your hypothesis and
procedure.
n Show your results. Show your
logbook and all charts and graphs
of your results.
n List your conclusions. Explain how
you interpreted your data.

Page 6

Science Fair Project Guidebook

The Experiments: Part 1

The following projects are provided by the Charles Edison Fund (CEF): A Philanthropic
Foundation. They are recommended for use in Grades 4 5. These projects are from
CEFs booklet, The Best of Edison and are reprinted with permission.

Hot Water
Making water hot takes energy and lots of it. A typical family uses 15-20
million Btus of energy each year to heat water for washing everything from
hands to dishes. It takes about 168 gallons of fuel oil, 19,900 cubic feet of
natural gas or 4,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity to do the job.
The next two experiments have an important thing in common. They both
show us how we may be wasting energy unintentionally.

Project #1: Should you

shower or take a bath?
MATERIALS:
n Your bathtub
n A yardstick
n A bar of soap (optional)
Heres a surprising fact. If people who took baths
took showers instead, wed save a lot of energy. This
experiment demonstrates what we mean.
Start by taking a bath. Fill your bathtub with water
as usual, but before you step in, use your yardstick to
measure the depth of the water in the tub.
Next, take a shower. (But not until you really need
one!) Before you begin, though, do something
unusual. Close the bathtub drain so the shower water
will collect in the tub. When you
are finished (take your time!),
measure the depth of the
water that has collected.
Compare this reading with
the bath water depth.
You will find that
your shower used
substantially less water
... probably less than
half as much! A lot

Science Fair Project Guidebook

of this water is hot water. As a rule of thumb, figure

that it takes an ounce of oil (or a cubic foot of gas,
or 1/4-kilowatt-hour of electricity) to heat a gallon
of water. So you can see that showering saves lots of
energy.

Project #2: A little drip

means a big energy
waste.
MATERIALS:
n An 8-ounce graduated measuring cup
n A pencil
n Paper
n A faucet
n A clock
Drip, drip, drip goes the leaky faucet. Each drop of
water is tiny, but add all the drops together and you
end up with thousands of gallons of water dripping
from the faucet each year. If hot water is dripping
down the drain, you are wasting more than clean
water. You are throwing away the energy used to
heat that water. Heres an experiment that shows
you how serious the problem is. If you have a
leaky faucet, fix it. Otherwise, adjust your kitchen
sink faucet (cold water, please) to produce a
steady drip, drip, drip.

Page 7

Place the measuring cup underneath the dripping

faucet and collect 15 minutes worth of drips. You
may, for example, collect 4 ounces of water in 15
minutes.
Now you have to do some arithmetic to find out how
much energy was wasted. Get your pencil and paper
(and your thinking cap). Well use the 4-ounce figure
in the example below.
n Step 1: Multiply the number of ounces of water
you collected by four this gives you the number
of ounces per hour leaking through the faucet.
4 ounces X 4 = 16 ounces per hour
n Step 2: Multiply the answer from Step 1 by 24.
This gives the number of ounces per day leaking
through the faucet.
16 ounces per hour X 24 =
384 ounces per day

You can figure out approximately how much oil,

gas or electricity was wasted by doing the following
calculations.
n For an oil-fired water heater: Divide the answer
from Step 4 by 110. This gives the approximate
number of gallons of oil wasted.
1,095 110 = 9.95 gallons of oil per year
n For a gas-fired water heater: Multiply the
answer from Step 4 by 1.2. This gives the
approximate number of cubic feet of gas.
1,095 X 1.2 = 1,314 cubic feet of gas per year
n For an electric water heater: Multiply the
answer from Step 4 by 0.25. This gives the
approximate number of kilowatt-hours of
electricity wasted.
1,095 X 0.25 = 274 kilowatt-hours per year

n Step 3: Multiply the answer from Step 2 by 365.

This gives the number of ounces per year leaking
through the faucet.
384 ounces per day X 365 =
140,160 ounces per year
n Step 4: Divide the answer from Step 3 by 128.
This gives the number of gallons per year leaking
through the faucet.
140,160 ounces per year 128 =
1,095 gallons per year
Thats a lot of water. And if it was hot water
dripping, it took a lot of energy to make it hot.

Heres an IDEA ...

If you do not understand something, keep trying to find the answer. Search the Internet,
ask a teacher or mentor, look through books or articles, etc.

Page 8

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Heating
and Air
Conditioning

Project #3: How does

insulation work?
MATERIALS:

Heres an interesting fact. A

typical American family uses
more energy to heat their
home in winter than for any
other purpose except
powering their automobile.

n A small water glass

Space heating (thats

the technical term) uses
more than one-fourth of an
average familys total energy
budget. Thats more than
100,000,000 Btus! Its
equivalent to more than 800
gallons of oil or 100,000
cubic feet of natural gas.

n A handful of cotton balls

This experiment will teach

you a lot about keeping
heat where you want it
which, after all, is the secret
of conserving energy used
for space heating. You see,
during the winter, you want
to keep heat INSIDE your
home. The better job you
do, the less fuel you have to
burn.
If your home is air
conditioned, the same thing
is true in reverse! During
the hot summer months,
the idea is to keep the heat
OUTSIDE. By doing this, you
cut down on the energy
needed to run your air
conditioner.

n An inexpensive fish tank thermometer

n A cardboard box (Find one made out of
corrugated cardboard; it should be just big
enough to hold the water glass.)

During the winter, the insulation in your homes walls slows down the
movement of heat from indoors to the cold outdoors. To understand
how insulation works, you must first study how quickly heat will flow
from a warm object to cold air when no insulation is present.
Fill the glass with water that is at room temperature (about 700F).
Use your thermometer to measure the exact temperature. Put
the thermometer into the glass. Then, place the glass inside your
refrigerator. Check the water temperature every five minutes. You will
find that the water temperature drops quickly probably 3 or 4 degrees
every five minutes. The reason, of course, is that heat is flowing out of
the relatively warm water and into the relatively cold surrounding air
inside the refrigerator.
Now lets add some insulation. Heres how. First, refill the glass with
water at room temperature. Then, place a layer of cotton balls inside the
bottom of the cardboard box and rest the glass on top of the layer of
cotton. Finally, pack the empty space between the glass and the sides of
the box with cotton balls.
Put the thermometer in the glass and measure the exact temperature.
Place the glass, cotton and box in the refrigerator and check the
temperature every five minutes. Youll find that the temperature will
drop much less quickly this time maybe only a degree or so every five
minutes. The cotton insulation is slowing down the loss of heat from the
water in the glass. The insulation in your homes walls is not made of
cotton (its probably made of fiberglass), but works much the same way.
You may be surprised to learn that many homes are poorly insulated.
They have no insulation in their walls and ceilings, or too little to
effectively slow down the movement of heat from inside to outside.
Because of this, their owners must burn more fuel in order to stay warm.
This is a major cause of energy waste.

Heres an IDEA ...

Before you begin a project, ask your teacher which
categories will be judged at your regional science fair
competition.

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Page 9

Appliances
and Lighting
The next chance you get,
go on a scavenger hunt
around your home for
things that use energy.
Youll probably find several
dozen electric lights (dont
forget the bulb inside your
refrigerator!), a dozen or
more different appliances
(refrigerator, TV, toaster,
washing machine, etc.), a
few electric clocks, a stereo
and maybe even an electric
toothbrush.
It has been estimated that a well-equipped
home consumes more than 35,000,000 Btus of
energy each year keeping these energy eaters
well fed. A lot of this energy is wasted. Thats
bad news. But heres the good news. Its easy to
conserve much of the energy we are currently
wasting.
The following two experiments will turn you
into an energy-saving expert. But before you
begin, lets spend a few moments discussing
how you can determine how much energy each
of the electrical appliances in your home uses.
Its really very easy. All you have to do is look on
the back or bottom of the appliance to find the
electrical ratings information. You will see a
group of numbers pretty much like the numbers
in the chart on this page.
Ignore all the numbers EXCEPT the wattage
rating. This number is the key to energy
consumption. Once you have an appliances
wattage rating, consult the table on the left. It
tells you how much electrical energy (measured
in kilowatt-hours) the appliance consumes
during ONE HOUR of operation. The table also
shows about how much oil or coal was burned
at your power station to produce this amount of
electrical energy.
Be sure you ask for permission before you turn
over any kitchen appliances, and dont try to
move big appliances without help from an
adult.

Page 10

Project #4: Does Your

Clothes Dryer Waste
Energy?
MATERIALS:
n About an hour of spare time on Washing Day
n A clock
The heart of a clothes dryer is a source of hot air. Wet
clothes tumble through the hot air and are dried. It
takes many thousands of Btus of energy per hour to
heat the air, so we should never run a clothes dryer
unnecessarily.
Many people, however, do just that. They set the
dryers timer for longer than is necessary and the
machine rumbles on long after the clothes inside are
completely dry.
This simple experiment will tell the tale. Start by
getting permission. Learn how to restart the machine
after you stop it by opening the door. Now you are
ready to begin.
The next time there is a load of clothes in the dryer,
pull up a comfortable chair and start watching the
clock. After fifteen minutes go by, open the dryer

Electrical Appliance Energy Table

APPLIANCE
WATTAGE
RATING

KILOWATTHOURS OF
ENERGY USED
HOURLY

OUNCES OF
OIL BURNED
HOURLY

OUNCES OF
COAL BURNED
HOURLY

10

1/100

1/10

13/100

25

1 /40

1/4

33/100
(or 1/3)

40

I /25

2/5

1/2

60

3/50

3/5

4/5

110

1/10

1 1/3

150

3/20

1 1/2

200

I/5

2 2/3

300

3/10

500

1/2

6 2/3

750

3/4

7 1/2

10

1000

10

13 1/3

1500

1 1/2

15

20

2000

20

26 2/3

5000

50

66 2/3

Science Fair Project Guidebook

door, wait for the drum to stop turning,

then feel the clothes. (Careful! They
may be hot.) They probably will still
be damp. Close the door and restart
the dryer.
Do this again every five minutes
until the clothes feel dry to your
touch. Look at the timer and
see how much longer the
dryer was set to run. If your
dryer is electric, you can
figure that every wasted
minute burned about 4/5
ounce of oil (or one ounce
of coal) back at the power
company. If your dryer runs on gas, figure that
every wasted minute burned about 1/10 cubic
feet of gas. Here are two other energy-saving
tips for dryers.
n Make sure the lint filter is cleaned every
time the dryer is used.
n Dont dry half loads. Make sure the
machine is full before using it.

Project #5: Checklist

for Energy-efficient
Lighting
MATERIALS:
n A yardstick or tape measure
n A pencil
n Paper
How much energy is used to light your home? Your
household probably uses about 2,000 kilowatt-hours
of electrical energy each year. Your local electric
power plant burns about 150 gallons of oil (or
more than 3/4 ton of coal) to generate that much
electricity.
With this much energy going up in light, it makes
good sense to learn to use lighting efficiently. This
simple lighting checklist will give you a head start.
Walk through your home with pencil and paper
in hand and see how well the lights in your home
measure up. Tell your parents about your findings.

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Are bulbs and lampshades free of dust

and dirt that block light transmission?
Dirty bulbs and shades waste the light
produced inside the bulbs. As a result,
you may turn on two lights when only
one is really necessary.
Are lampshades light colored and
translucent (so light can pass
through them) rather than dark
colored and solid? It doesnt
make sense to use energy
to produce light and then
block the light with a dark
lampshade.
Are ceilings and walls light-colored? Light colors
reflect more light than dark colors so fewer
lamps (or lower-wattage bulbs) can be used to
light the room.
Are non-critical lighting levels in your home
kept as low as possible? As a rule of thumb,
one watt of lighting per square foot of
floor area is adequate for general room
and hallway lighting. Use your yardstick
or tape measure to measure the floor
space of rooms and halls. Check the
wattage of the bulb(s) in the room to see
if the lighting level is too high. For example, a
100-watt bulb in a 50-square-foot hall is too much.
Of course, critical tasks (such as reading, sewing,
building model airplanes and doing your homework)
require more light.
Does every member of your family turn off lights
after he or she leaves a room? Not doing this is an
out-and-out waste of valuable energy! You may
hear some people say they purposely leave lights
on. These people mistakenly believe that the sudden
surge of electricity that flows through a light bulb
when it is turned on represents a lot of energy. They
think keeping the bulb lit and thereby avoiding
starting surges somehow saves energy. They are
wrong. A light bulb consumes less energy during its
starting surge than during a single second of normal
operation. Always turn lights off when they are
unnecessary, even if its only for a few seconds.

Heres an IDEA ...

Save your old science fair project
and expand on it each year.

Page 11

The Experiments: Part 2

The following projects are provided by the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED).
They are recommended for use in Grades 7 - 12. These projects are from NEEDs Science
of Energy booklet and are reprinted with permission. They have been modified for use
in this guidebook.

Exploring Thermal Energy

These experiments investigate ENDOTHERMIC REACTIONS (reactions using
heat) and EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS (reactions producing heat).

Project #1:
Endothermic Reactions

n Carefully pour about a teaspoon of baking soda

into the bag with the vinegar. Be careful! The
reaction will foam to the top of the bag.

MATERIALS:

n Watch the temperature on the thermometer drop.

It should drop about 4 to 5 degrees Centigrade
(50C) in 30 seconds.

n A bottle of vinegar
n A container of baking soda
n Four empty plastic sandwich bags

n Record the time and temperature and remove the

thermometer from bag.

n A thermometer

n Feel the bag again to note the temperature.

n A spoon

n Carefully zip bag and put it aside.

PREPARATION:

ORAL PRESENTATION:

n Study the sample script.

NOTE: This script is just a sample. You dont need to

say it word for word. The important thing is to get
the major concepts and facts across to your audience.

n Examine the equipment.

n Practice your presentation.

PROCEDURE:
n Explain that you are going to mix two chemicals
together to make a third chemical. The reaction is
an endothermic reaction. It requires energy in the
form of heat to make the third chemical from the
first two.
n Pour about an ounce of vinegar into an empty
plastic sandwich bag.
n Feel the vinegar in the bag to note the
temperature. Measure the exact temperature
using the thermometer.
n Record the temperature of the vinegar. Leave the
thermometer in the bag.
Page 12

THE SCRIPT: During this experiment, youll be

learning about chemical reactions. Chemical
reactions occur when you mix two (or more) chemical
compounds together to form other compounds. All
chemical reactions involve heat. Some give off heat
and some use heat.
An endothermic reaction uses heat. ENDO means IN
and THERMAL means HEAT. Endothermic the heat
goes in. Since the easiest way to measure heat is by
its temperature, well use a thermometer to show the
changes in heat.
This experiment is an endothermic reaction it uses
heat. Im going to mix vinegar and baking soda
together to make another chemical. First, Ill add the
vinegar and check the temperature of it. (Pour about
an ounce of vinegar into an empty plastic bag. Hold
Science Fair Project Guidebook

the bag at the top and tilt it so that all the vinegar is
in one corner. Take the temperature of the vinegar.
It should be about room temperature. Let everyone
touch the bag.)
It is _____ degrees.
Everyone touch the bag so youll know what the
temperature feels like. Now Im going to add the
baking soda. Youll be able to see a reaction taking
place. (Leave the thermometer in the bag. Pour in
about a teaspoonful of baking soda. Be careful;
the reaction will foam very high.) Now, watch the
temperature on the thermometer. (The temperature
should drop 4 to 50C in 30 seconds. Let everyone
touch the bag again.) The temperature has dropped
about 4 to 50C. Now touch the bag and tell me how
it feels. Do you feel the difference?
It feels colder because the reaction we just saw uses
energy. (Take thermometer out of bag. Zip up bag
and put to the side with the vinegar and baking
soda.) Heat is a form of kinetic energy the vibration
of molecules. The more heat energy, the more the
molecules vibrate and the hotter the object feels.
Kinetic energy is required to break the bonds that
hold molecules together and is released when bonds
are formed. (Show the formulas for endothermic
reactions provided below.) The top equation shows
the reaction of vinegar and baking soda. The reaction
takes more energy to break the bonds than to form
the new bonds. The reaction takes the energy it
needs from the surrounding environment, which
is why the bag feels colder. The second equation

is photosynthesis another endothermic reaction.

Sunlight or radiant energy is needed to combine
water and carbon dioxide to form more complex
chemical compounds.

Project #2: Exothermic

Reactions
MATERIALS:
n Four handwarmers
n A sealed bag of iron oxide
n A container of calcium chloride
n Two empty plastic bags
n Scissors
n 2 ounces of water

PREPARATION:
n Study the sample script to learn the experiment.
n Examine the equipment.
n Practice your presentation.
n The sealed bag of iron oxide contains old
filings from the handwarmers. This is called
the old packet. A few minutes before your first

ENDOTHERMIC REACTIONS
VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA
Vinegar + Baking Soda + Heat
Water
CH3COOH +
NaCO3 + Heat H2O

+
+

Carbon Dioxide
CO2

+ Sodium Acetate
+ NaC2H3O2

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Water + Carbon Dioxide
6H2O +
6CO2

+ Radiant Energy
+ Radiant Energy

Glucose + Oxygen
C6H12O6 + 602

EXOTHERMIC REACTION
IRON FILINGS

Iron
+
Oxygen
4Fe + 302

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Iron Oxide (Rust)
2Fe2O3

+
+

Heat Energy
Heat Energy

Page 13

presentation, cut open a new packet and pour

it into an empty plastic bag. Keep the bag open
so that oxygen in the air can react with the black
powder. This is called the new packet.

PROCEDURE: HANDWARMERS
n Explain that you are going to let oxygen come
into contact with pieces of iron to produce a
third chemical iron oxide. The reaction is an
exothermic reaction it produces energy in the
form of heat. Most reactions are exothermic.
n Show the package that held the iron filings.
n Feel the new packet to note the temperature.
n Seal the new packet to prevent oxygen from
entering the bag.
n Let students feel the old packet and note the
temperature.
n After performing the second part of the
demonstration driveway ice let students feel
the new packet that you sealed, pointing out the
temperature drop after the bag was sealed and
no oxygen could enter to keep the reaction going.

PROCEDURE: DRIVEWAY ICE

n Explain that calcium chloride is used to melt
ice on sidewalks and driveways. When calcium
chloride comes into contact with water, a reaction
takes place that produces heat.
n Pour two ounces of water into a plastic bag.
Record the temperature using the thermometer.
n Pour a teaspoon of calcium chloride into the
water.
n Record the temperature.
n Seal the bag and put it aside.

ORAL PRESENTATION:
Most reactions dont take in heat like vinegar and
baking soda. Most chemical reactions give off heat
theyre exothermic. EXO means OUT and THERMAL
means HEAT. Exothermic the heat goes out. Lets
watch a reaction that gives off heat.

Page 14

A few minutes ago I opened this handwarmer. It was

filled with iron filings. (Show audience the package
the hand warmer came in.) Why do you think it was
sealed in plastic? (Get answers from audience.) The
plastic keeps air from reaching the iron. I put the iron
filings into this plastic bag and left it open so that
oxygen could get to it. (Hold up new packet.) The
oxygen in the air is reacting with the iron to form a
new chemical, iron oxide or rust.
Feel this packet. (Let everyone feel new packet. It
should feel warm.) It feels warm. When iron comes
in contact with oxygen, it makes rust and heat. You
can see that most of the iron filings are still black.
(Show the formulas for exothermic reactions on page
16.) They will slowly turn to rust as long as we let
oxygen reach them. Now Im going to seal the bag.
No oxygen will be able to get to the iron filings. The
reaction should slow down and stop. At the end of
the presentation, well feel the bag again to see if the
temperature has changed.
Here is a packet of filings that has been open for
several weeks. (Hold up old packet. Let everyone feel
it.) As you can see, all the iron has turned to rust. No
more heat is being produced. Why do you think the
handwarmer has a lot of iron filings instead of one
chunk of iron? (Get answers from audience.) Because
more iron can come in contact with oxygen when it is
in small pieces.
Let me demonstrate another reaction. This container
contains calcium chloride. It is used to melt ice on
sidewalks and driveways. When calcium chloride
comes in contact with water, a reaction occurs and
heat is produced.
Lets put two ounces of water into this plastic
bag and record the temperature. Now, lets put a
teaspoon of calcium chloride in the water. Since this
is an exothermic reaction, will the temperature of
the water increase or decrease? (Get answers.) Thats
right. Since exothermic reactions give off heat, the
temperature of the solution should increase. (Record
temperature.) As you can see, the temperature of the
water is now _____.
Feel the bag of iron filings that I sealed a few minutes
ago. (Pass the new packet around.) The iron filings
are cooler, arent they? Sealing the bag kept oxygen
from coming in contact with the iron. The reaction
has stopped. No more heat is being produced.
Do you have any questions?

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Electricity Project #3:

The Potato Clock
This activity uses a common potato and two different
metals to make enough electricity to run a small
digital clock.

MATERIALS:
n One large raw potato
n Two pennies
n Two large galvanized (zinc) nails
n Three pieces of 6-inch long electrical wire (with
about 2 inches of insulation stripped from each
end)

the wire insulation begins. Fold the end of the

exposed wire over the top of the penny. Pinch the
penny and wire between your index finger and
thumb on one hand and pinch the overlapping
wire with the other hand. Twist the penny until
the wire tightens around the penny. Press the
edge of the penny about halfway into the other
half of the potato.
4. Attach one end of the third wire to the remaining
nail and the other end of the wire to the
remaining penny as in step 3.
5. Insert the nail into the potato that already has
the penny stuck into it. Then stick the penny into
the potato that already has the nail stuck into it.
6. Remove the back off of the clock and take out
the button battery.

n Small digital clock The digital

clock can be extracted from
an inexpensive alarm clock or
it can be purchased from an
electronics store.

PREPARATION:
n Study the sample script to
learn the experiment.
n Examine the equipment.
n Practice your presentation.

PROCEDURE:
1. Cut the potato in half. Place
the halves next to each other
with the flat side down on a
plate.
2. Wrap one end of the first wire
around one of the nails. Press
the nail into one of the potato
halves.
3. Wrap one end of the second
wire around one of the
pennies. Do this by first laying
the penny across the exposed
wire. Position the penny so
it is centered on the wire
and almost touching where

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Page 15

 7. Place the digital clock so the audience can see the

display.

potato half that has the penny in it. Then insert the
penny end into the potato half with the nail in it.)

8. Connect the two wires coming from the potato

battery to the contact on the battery holder. If
the clock does not illuminate the polarity might
be incorrect. Touch the wires to the opposite
contacts on the clocks battery holder.

Next Ill remove the back from the clock and remove
the button battery. Ill connect the two free ends
of the wires to the contact in the battery holder. As
you can see by looking at the clock, Ive produced an
electric current. The question is, How?

ORAL PRESENTATION:

When I put the zinc nails and copper pennies into the
potato, both metals react with the phosphoric acid
in the potato freeing electrons. But they dont react
in exactly the same way. The metals lose
electrons in different amounts.

NOTE: This script is just a sample. You dont need

to say it word for word. The important
thing is to get the major concepts
and facts across to your
audience.
THE SCRIPT: Welcome to
my power plant. Im going
to make electricity for you.
Most of the electricity we
use today is made with
turbine generators, but Im
going to use a potato and
some different pieces of metal.
Im going to use the chemical energy
in the potato to make electricity without
a turbine.
Chemicals are everywhere. Take this potato, for
example. (Hold up the potato.) Im going to use the
phosphoric acid in this potato to show how a battery
works.
First Ill cut this potato in half. Now Ill wrap the end
of this first wire around this nail and push the nail
into this potato half.
Next Ill wrap the end of this second wire around
this penny and press the penny into the other half
of the potato. Taking the last piece of wire, Ill wrap
one end around the remaining nail and the other end
around the remaining penny. (Insert this nail into the

Lets say to keep it simple

that for every two
electrons the copper
loses, the zinc loses
four. This creates an
imbalance. The copper
becomes an electron
donor. The zinc becomes
an electron acceptor.
(Show them the diagram
on page 15.)
The galvanized nail provides the
zinc needed for the reaction. The phosphoric acid
dissolves the zinc in the nail and frees electrons
from the zinc atoms. The freed electrons stay on
the wire and the resulting zinc ions migrate into
the acidic juices of the potato. This results in an
excess of electrons on the zinc wire. If a wire is
connected between the zinc nail and the copper
penny, electrons will flow. This flow of electrons is
the electrical current that makes the digital clock
function.
This is the way all batteries work. There are chemicals
in batteries and the electrons flow from one metal to
another converting chemical energy into electrical
energy. Do you have any questions?

Heres an IDEA ...

Keep a detailed and up-to-date lab notebook with you regularly. It will help you organize
your thoughts and if you ever need to go back to see how you did something, you can find
out. Judges will want to see a lab notebook during the judging period.

Page 16

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Electricity and Magnetism

Project #4: Magnets
This project will explore ELECTRICITY and
MAGNETISM. It will also investigate transforming
mechanical energy into electricity.

MATERIALS:
n A large magnet
n A small magnet
n A voltage meter
n A small coil with many turns
n A large coil with few turns
n The illustration from page 22
n Clips for the voltage meter

PREPARATION:
n Study the sample script to learn the experiment.
n Examine the equipment.
n Practice your presentation.
n Attach clips to the leads of the meter. Place the
meter so the audience can see its face. If the
needle of the meter seems to stick, gently tap the
face of the meter.

PROCEDURE:
n Using the illustration on page 22, briefly explain
how power plants generate electricity.
n Connect the clips from the meter to the leads on
the small coil with many turns. It doesnt matter
which way you connect them.
n Slide the flat side of the large magnet back and
forth over the coil several times, NOT TOUCHING
THE COIL. Note the movement of the needle from
side to side. Vary the speed with which you move
the magnet and note the meter.

Science Fair Project Guidebook

n Rest the
magnet on
top of the
coil and note
that no current is produced.
n Place the magnet on the
table. Place the coil on it, then
quickly pull it away. Note the meter.
n Rest the coil on the magnet. Move the magnet
and coil together. Note that no current is
produced.
n Demonstrate with both magnets to compare the
strength of the magnet.
n Demonstrate with both coils, making sure to
point out the difference in the number of turns of
the wire.

ORAL PRESENTATION:
NOTE: This script is just a sample. You dont need to
say it word for word. The important thing is to get
the major concepts and facts across to your audience.
THE SCRIPT: There are lots of different ways to make
electricity, but Im here to show you how the pros
do it. More than 160 years ago, Michael Faraday
discovered that if you move a magnet through a
coil of copper wire, you produce an electric current
in the wire. All of our major power plants produce
electricity this way. (Explain the illustration of page
18.)
Power plants use energy to spin a huge turbine. The
turbine rotates a magnet in a coil of copper wire to
produce electricity. Lots of different kinds of energy
are used to spin the turbines. In most power plants,
coal is burned to make steam. The steam is used
to spin the turbines. Windmills use the mechanical
energy in the wind to spin the turbines.
Today, Im going to use my mechanical energy to
make electricity. Here I have a coil of copper wire I am
attaching to a meter that measures electric current.
And here I have a magnet. (Attach the small coil with

Page 17

many turns to the meter. Place the large, flat side of

the magnet over the top of the coil near BUT NOT
TOUCHING. Move the magnet back and forth over
the coil several times.)
When I use my mechanical energy to move the
magnet over the coil, I make electricity. Watch the
meter notice the needle jump from side to side.
That means the current is alternating from one
direction to the other. Im producing an alternating
current. Its called an AC current and its the kind of
electricity we use in our homes. The electricity you
get from a battery is direct or DC current. That
means it always flows in one direction. Batteries
produce DC current.
If I just rest the magnet on top of the coil, no
electricity is produced. No mechanical energy is being
used to make the electrical energy.
What do you think will happen if I put the magnet
on the table and move the coil? Lets try it and see.
(Place the coil over the magnet, then move it away
several times.) It produces electricity. It doesnt
matter whether we move the magnet or the coil, as
long as one of them moves and the other doesnt.
If I move both the magnet and the coil in the same
direction at the same speed, no electricity will be
produced. Watch. (Place the coil on top of the
magnet and move them together.)
Lets see what we can do that affects the amount
of electricity we produce. First, lets try speed. Do
you think I can produce more electricity if I move
the magnet quickly? First, Ill move the magnet

Page 18

slowly lets see what the meter reads. (Slowly move

the magnet over the coil several times, noting the
reading on the meter.)
Now, lets try moving the magnet faster. (Move the
magnet quickly.) I produce more electricity when I
move the magnet faster, dont I? Thats because Im
putting more mechanical energy into the magnet
when I move it quickly.
Can you think of anything else that might affect
the amount of electricity produced? How about
the strength of the magnet? Here I have a smaller
magnet. Lets see what happens when I move both
magnets at the same speed. (Demonstrate with both
magnets several times, trying to keep your speed the
same.) The larger one produces more electricity. So a
stronger magnet produces more electricity.
Theres another thing that can affect the amount
of electricity produced the number of turns in the
coil. I have two coils here, one with many more turns
than the other. (Let the audience examine both coils.)
Lets try the experiment again. (Demonstrate using
both coils.) The coil with more turns produces more
electricity, even though its smaller.
Today, weve learned that we can make electrical
energy using mechanical energy to move a magnet
across a coil of copper wire. Weve also learned that
the strength of the magnet, the speed of the magnet and the number of turns in the coil all affect the
amount of electricity produced.
Do you have any questions?

Science Fair Project Guidebook

The Experiments: Part 3

Air Quality
Project #1: Dont Take a
Lichen for Air Pollution
BACKGROUND:
Plants called lichens are
sensitive to air pollution,
especially the airs acidity. So
you can use their presence or
Leaf-like Lichen
absence as an indicator of air
quality. They are actually two types of plants, algae
and fungi, growing so closely together that they
look like one single organism. They often are
considered symbiotic organisms mutually
beneficial to each other.

Leaf-like
lichens have
lobed surfaces that
are only partially
attached to other
surfaces. Shrubby lichens are branched and
either stand upright or hang from other surfaces.
Leaf-like and shrubby lichens are usually some shade
of green. Lichens are often confused with moss, but
real mosses are tiny plants with leaves and stems.
Scientists study both the type of lichens present and
the size of the lichens. Shrubby and leaf-like
lichens can only survive in clean air.

Lichen fungi cannot live without their

Crusty Lichen
algae partners, while most of the algae
can live by themselves. Lichens often
grow in locations where most other plants cannot
bare rocks, tree trunks, bare soil. In some of these
locations they play an important role helping soil
formation. By interacting with the bare rocks to help
break them down chemically and by trapping dust
and organic matter from the air, lichens often start
to create and enrich soil where other plants can
eventually grow.
Every natural habitat from deserts to rain forests has
lichens. They are able to survive extreme conditions
of heat, cold and drought. However, few species of
lichens can survive air pollution, particularly acid air
pollution. Lichens come in a variety of sizes, shapes,
colors and textures.
Lichens often are divided into three classifications
crusty, leaf-like or shrubby. Crusty lichens usually
grow flat on rocks and tree trunks and may be
embedded in these surfaces. Crusty rock lichens
are colorful and range from oranges and yellows to
greens, browns, grays and blacks.
Reprinted with permission from A&WMAs Environmental
Resource Guide (ERG) Air Quality, 6-8, 1991; Air & Waste
Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Science Fair Project Guidebook

Lichens are relatively rare in large cities,

and in areas of very heavy air pollution,
there are no lichens of any type. The size of
the lichens present also is important. Larger
individual lichens generally mean better
air quality. In 1971, an air quality map of
the British Isles was made based on an
evaluation of lichen presence
and growth.

Lichens also are valuable

for evaluating air quality
in another way. Lichens
accumulate metals and other
elements from rainwater and
Shrubby Lichen
dust. By analyzing lichens that
live near emission sources for
chemicals which indicate pollution, scientists can
determine how far the pollution has spread.

MATERIALS:
n Small marking flags
n Masking tape
n A permanent marker
n The Lichen Grid (see page 20)
n A pencil
n Graph paper
n A clipboard
n A camera
Page 19

PREPARATION:
1. Know the background information.
2. Make sure you have all of the materials.
3. Identify the location where the lichen are
present.
4. Draw a map of the area.
5. Mark each flag to be able to identify it.

PROCEDURE:
1. Place the marked flags near the lichen.
2. Draw the location of the flags on the map.
3. Collect some of the lichen and trace them onto
the grid.
4. Measure the lichen and record the size and
type onto the same grid sheet.
5. Enter all of the data onto a master map
(location, type of lichen and size).

Lichens as
Pollution Indicators
Plants called lichens are sensitive to air
pollution, especially the airs acidity. So you can
use their presence or absence to see how clean
the air is. Shrubby and leaf-like lichens only
survive in clean air. In the most polluted areas
there are none at all. Look for lichens on walls,
stones and trees, and use this scale to rate the
air quality.
POLLUTED AIR

1. No lichens (possibly green algae)

2. Grey-green crusty lichens (tombstones)

3. Orange crusty lichens (tombstones)

4. Leaf-like lichens (walls and trees)

5. Shrubby lichens (trees)

CLEAN AIR

NOTE: Different lichen types can be found in the same area.

To use this scale, decide which lichen type is most common
in the study area.

POLLUTED AIR

RESULTS:
1. What kinds of lichens are found at the study
site? Use the scale Lichens as Pollution
Indicators to assess the air quality using the
lichen type.

2. What size are the lichens? Use the chart

Measuring Air Quality Using Lichens Size to
assess air quality based on size.

3. Are the results the same using both methods?

4. Look at the site map. Describe where you found
the biggest and smallest lichens and why.
5. Do you think air quality is affecting lichens at
this site? Why or why not?
To learn more about the air in South Carolina, visit
DHECs Bureau of Air Quality at www.scdhec.gov/
baq.

3
4

Measuring Air Quality

Using Lichen Size
SIZE (square centimeters)

AIR QUALITY

10 12

Excellent

79

Good

46

Fair

03

Poor

Page 20

5
CLEAN AIR
Science Fair Project Guidebook

The Lichen Grid

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Page 21

Project #2: Stick Em Up

BACKGROUND:
The air around us is invisible. It is made up of gases
that cannot be seen. Many major air pollutants are
also invisible gases. In some areas of the country,
these air pollutants can build to levels where they can
be seen. For example, in some California cities, smoky,
yellowish clouds of primarily car exhaust build up to
create SMOG.

Particulate matter measurement uses gravimetric

principles, which refers to measurement by weighing.
Particles are trapped or collected on filters, and the
filters are weighed to determine the volume of the
pollutant. The weight of the filter with the collected
pollutant minus the weight of a clean filter gives the
amount of particulate matter in a given volume of air.

MATERIALS:
n Stick Em Up Collectors
n Scissors
n Clear tape

These AIRBORNE particulates or particles carried

through the air can be harmful to plants, animals
and humans. Buildings and statues can be discolored.
Analysis and measurement of air pollutants can be
done by various means, depending on the chemical
and physical characteristics of the pollutant.

PREPARATION:

Stick Em Up Collector

Other easily visible air

pollutants, called
PARTICULATE
MATTER, are made
up of tiny particles
of solids or droplets
of liquids. Some of
these particulates are naturally
occurring and may pose less of a problem to human
health than do man-made particulates. Some of the
natural particulates include pollen, wind-blown dust
or volcanic ash. Man-made particulates are generated
by coal and oil-fired power plants, manufacturing
plants, automobile and diesel fuels, and fireplaces
and wood-burning stoves among others.

Page 22

n String
n A hole punch
n A magnifying glass or microscope
n A marker
n Scales (in milligrams)
n A clipboard
n Graph paper
n A pencil
n A camera (optional)

1. Follow the directions and make the Stick Em Up

Collectors (or create your own).
2. Weigh the collectors before they are used.

Name:_________________________________________________________________________________
__
Location: ______________________________________________________________________________
Date:_____________________________________ Time: ________________________________________

Science Fair Project Guidebook

 3. Select different sites to hang the Stick Em Up

Collectors. On each collector, record name,
location, date and time it is hung or set in its
location. Site selections may include inside
your room, your kitchen, the garage, near the
pets sleeping quarters, in the gym at school,
bathrooms, outside near a tree, near the parking
lot, on the recess field, etc. These should be
placed where they can hang freely or set
somewhere not touching other objects and where
they will not be touched by other people. Be sure
to let the custodial staff and your family know
about this, too.
4. Draw a map of the area including the location of
each collector (optional).

PROCEDURE:
1. Record the information on a chart including the
clean weight of the collector and the location.
2. Place the collectors in their locations and leave
them for at least eight days.
3. Take up the collectors and analyze them by
weighing them and observing them through a
microscope or magnifying glass.
4. Take pictures of some of the collectors in their
location (optional).

RESULTS:
1. What is the weight of the collectors after the
eight days? (Compare to the weight before they
were used.)
2. What did you observe under the microscope or
magnifying glass?
3. Did you have more particulate matter inside or
outside? (Compare the results.)
REMEMBER: Always chart the information you collect
throughout the project.

4. Why do you think one location may have more

particulate matter than another? What is in that
area that may be the cause?
5. List some sources of air pollution, both visible and
invisible. Can a single source provide both visible
and invisible air pollution?

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:
Make a traffic survey. Pick a location where you can
observe a busy intersection from a safe distance.
Separately record the number of trucks, cars, buses,
vans and taxi cabs that pass through that intersection
in a given hour. Try this over several days at different
times of the day.
n Ask: What factors influence volume of traffic?
(locations of highways, number of people in the
community, shopping centers, businesses, special
events, etc.)
n Ask: Did you see evidence of air pollution?
(smells, smoke, wilted plants struggling to survive
etc.)
n Ask: Do you think this is a problem? Why or why
not? If so, what do you think should be done to
correct it?

STICK EM UP COLLECTOR:
1. Copy the Stick Em Up sheet and make your
particulate matter collector.
2. Cut out the four holes in the strip as marked.
Using the hole punch, make a hole in the top and
tie the string into a loop.
3. Cover one side of the strip with clear tape so
that the holes are covered on one side. DO NOT
TOUCH THE STICKY SIDE OF THE TAPE THAT IS
SHOWING THROUGH THE HOLES.

CONCLUSION:
1. Can we see air pollution? How do we know that
air pollution exists?
2. Give examples of visible air pollution.

Heres an IDEA ...

Choose a topic that will interest
and challenge you.

3. Discuss the concept of particulate matter.

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Page 23

Energy Efficiency
Project #3:
Comparing
Light Bulbs
MATERIALS:
n An incandescent bulb
n A compact fluorescent bulb
(NOTE: The bulbs should
produce equivalent lumens.)
n A thermometer
n A lamp

BACKGROUND:
There are many types of light
bulbs available these days. Two
that are used primarily at home
are incandescent and fluorescent

light bulbs. Which kind do you

think produces the most heat? Do
you think they give off the same
kind of light?

PROCEDURE:
1. Have an adult place the
fluorescent bulb in the lamp
and turn it on. Observe the
light that is produced.
2. Hold a thermometer 6 inches
above the bulb for one minute
and record the temperature.
Turn off the lamp and let the
bulb cool.
3. Have an adult remove the
fluorescent bulb, place the
incandescent bulb in the lamp
and turn it on. Observe the
light that is produced.

Project #4:
Energy for Life

PROCEDURE:

MATERIALS:

2. Cover one plant with a

brown paper bag.

n Two similar potted plants

n A brown paper bag
n Water

BACKGROUND:
Plants need several things
to survive and grow. They
need water, nutrients from
the soil and carbon dioxide
from animals. But what about
sunlight?

Page 24

1. Place two potted plants in a

sunny place.

4. Hold a thermometer 6 inches

above the bulb for one minute
and record the temperature.

EXTENSION
QUESTIONS:
1. Could you tell any difference
in the kind of light the two
bulbs produced?
2. Did one bulb produce more
heat than the other?
3. Which bulb is more energy
efficient?

2. How did the covered plant

appear different from the
uncovered one?
3. Did the covered plant need
sunlight?

3. Give both plants the same

amount of water.
4. Observe the plants for two
weeks.

EXTENSION
QUESTIONS:
1. Which plant looks healthier
after two weeks?

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Ocean and Coastal Resources

Project #5: A Salty Sea
BACKGROUND:
Oceans cover about 71 percent of the earths surface.
Oceans contain salt water. There are some parts of
the world, however, where the water is saltier than
in other locations. The sun over the ocean causes the
water to evaporate. Salt does not evaporate and is
left behind, causing the remaining saltwater to be
even saltier.

MATERIALS:
n Table salt
n A tea kettle
n Water
n A glass or plastic plate

2. Have the adult hold the plate over the escaping

steam and allow a few drops to accumulate. Be
careful not to come in contact with the steam
IT CAN BE VERY HOT! Pull the plate away and
allow the drops to cool, then taste a drop. Is it as
salty as the original mixture?
3. Boil the remaining water left in the kettle for
five minutes. Allow the water to completely
cool and taste it again. Does this taste saltier
or less salty than the original mixture? Does it
taste saltier or less salty than the drops on the
plate?

EXTENSION QUESTIONS:

n A world map

1. Look at the map of the world. Where are the

warmest oceans? The coolest?

PROCEDURE:

2. When water is heated, what happens?

1. Combine 2 cups of water with table salt (2

tablespoons) and place in the tea kettle. Taste a
drop of this mixture. With the help of an adult,
bring the water in the kettle to a boil.

3. What does evaporation mean?

4. Which seas and oceans might be the saltiest?
Why?

Here are more suggestions ...

1. Look for important concepts, definitions, and equations that will explain how and why
your experimental results turn out the way they do. Also research why your topic is
important in todays society.
2. Do not get discouraged if your research seems too difficult to understand. Start with the
basics and work upward. Sometimes you have to read an article a few times before you even
begin to understand it.
3. Push yourself to the limit of your understanding, and do not be afraid to tackle concepts you have
never seen before (it is normal for much of your background research to look alien to you the first
time you see it). One of the reasons people do a science project is to learn new information and
challenge themselves.
4. Go in-depth with your research. Try learning advanced concepts and be as detailed as possible. The
more you know, the more the judges will be impressed.

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Page 25

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Project #6:
Soap Box Opera

PREPARATION:
Purchase several
different-sized boxes of
laundry detergent. Pour
the contents of each into
separate containers one
container for each box.

MATERIALS:
n Different-sized laundry detergent boxes
n A scale

PROCEDURE:

n A calculator

BACKGROUND:
Usually, it is more economical to buy larger rather
than smaller sizes of products. Purchasing larger
quantities is known as buying in bulk. For example,
a 5-ounce box might only cost $5, making the cost
$1 per ounce whereas a 10-ounce box might cost
$8 or 80 cents per ounce. Buying in bulk might have
advantages other than cost savings.
Examine the ratio of carton material to the product
quantity. Does buying in larger quantities also require
less packaging material per unit measure of the
product? Could people lessen their impact on the
environment by buying in bulk?

WEIGHT
OF CONTAINER

Page 26

WEIGHT OF CONTAINER
& DETERGENT

1. Before pouring the detergent into the containers,

weigh the containers while they are empty and
record the weights of the containers. Weigh the
detergent in the separate containers and record
the numbers. Take the total weight and subtract
the weight of the container. This number will be
the weight of just the detergent.
2. Weigh the empty boxes that the detergent came
in. Record these numbers.
3. Divide the weight of the empty box by the
weight of the detergent. This will tell how much
packaging is needed for the amount of detergent.
Is less packaging needed per ounce of detergent
in larger boxes than smaller boxes?

WEIGHT OF CONTAINER
& DETERGENT - WEIGHT
OF CONTAINER =
WEIGHT OF DETERGENT

WEIGHT OF
DETERGENT BOX

WEIGHT OF
DETERGENT BOX
WEIGHT OF DETERGENT

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Project #7: Natural

or Man-made Fibers
BACKGROUND:
Some fibers are made from natural materials like
cotton, while others are made from man-made or
synthetic materials like polyester. Which type of
fiber do you think will decompose faster natural
fibers or synthetic fibers?

MATERIALS:
n A 100 percent cotton T-shirt
n An old nylon stocking
n An old wool sock
n An old acrylic or polyester sweater
n A plot of soil
n Water

Project #8:
Test Your Strength
BACKGROUND:
Some people question whether products
made from recycled materials can perform
their job as well as products made from
entirely new materials. Plastic, paper
products, aluminum cans and some clothing
are all commonly available with both new
and recycled content.

MATERIALS:
You will need products made from virgin
(new) materials and recycled content
materials such as writing paper, pencils,
folders and clothing.

PREPARATION:

n A glass jar with lid

Purchase similar items made from recycled

content and virgin (new) materials.

PROCEDURE:

PROCEDURE:

1. Cut three 4-inch squares from each material.

Compare the strength and performance of

the virgin (new) products to ones made
with different percentages of recycled
content.

2. Bury one square of each material, making sure

you mark the spot where they are buried. Put a
second square of each material in a jar, fill it with
water and put a lid on it. Place the jar inside in
a sunny place. Place the third set of squares in a
dark place where they will not be disturbed.

PRODUCT

TESTS
PERFORMED

PERFORMANCE

3. After one month, remove the samples from the

ground, jar and dark place. Examine the squares
and record your observations.

EXTENSION QUESTIONS:

EXTENSION QUESTIONS:

1. Which fibers deteriorated the most?

1. Does manufacturing a product with

recycled materials alter its performance?

2. Which environment made the materials

deteriorate more quickly?

2. Which materials were stronger or more

durable?

3. Can you find out why?

3. In what ways did the recycled materials

perform better or worse than the
products made from new materials?

Science Fair Project Guidebook

Page 27

Water
Project #9:
The Water Table

MATERIALS:
Refer to the illustration
of the water table model
below.

OBJECTIVE:
In this activity, you will create a model of the water
table and conduct an experiment to see how water
is stored in the ground and how water runoff and
pollution move through soil.

BACKGROUND:
Precipitation falls into water or on land where it runs
off of hard or impervious surfaces such as rock
or concrete, or infiltrates soft, or pervious, surfaces
such as soil or sand. If water moves downward, it can
replenish water contained in the underground rock
and sediment. This supply of water is referred to as
GROUNDWATER.

n A wide-mouth glass jar

(or a 2-liter plastic soda
bottle with the top cut off)
n A beaker, measuring cup or any cup for pouring
water
n A crayon (dark colors works best to mark on
plastic) or a permanent marker
n A mixture of sand and gravel (several cups)
n Water (several cups)

PREPARATION:

Groundwater is water that has percolated into the

ground and is held under the surface. Rain seeps
through the top layers easily. The earth near the
surface is loaded with tiny air spaces. Even rocks have
cracks and pores through which water can find its
way. But when water reaches clay or impervious rock,
it will not sink any farther.

1. Fill a clear container (soda bottle or jar)

three-fourths full of sand and gravel mix. Next,
pour water down the side of the jar until the
water level rises about half way up the side of the
jar. This water level should represent the level of
the water table. Use a crayon or marker to mark
the present level. Point out that if more water is
added, the water table will rise.

As more water seeps or percolates into the ground,

it begins to collect above the bedrock or dense soil.
When the ground has as much water as it can hold,
it is saturated. Water that seeps into the ground fills
the tiny crevices and the water level rises toward
the surface as the spaces in the ground fill up. The
uppermost level is called the WATER TABLE. The area
of dry ground above the water table is called the
ZONE OF AERATION. After heavy rains, the table is
nearer the surface, and in dry weather it drops again.

2. Using your crayon or marker, press down on the

sand in one spot down to the water table to
show that wherever the land surface dips below
the water table, groundwater flows out to the
surface. This forms springs, swamps or lakes.
Explain that during dry weather periods, the
water table level goes down and some streams
and swamps may dry up as well. You may want
to draw the water table illustration below on the
board as an example.

STREAM

SWAMP

LAKE

WATER TABLE
Page 28

Science Fair Project Guidebook

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

tightly with a rubber

band.

The following activity will demonstrate how water

moves through different types of soil. You will also
measure volume accurately, identify three types of soil
by texture and make visual observations about water
movement through the soil.
NOTE: This activity should be preceded by a discussion of types
of soils, and how water is absorbed into the soil and moves, with
time, around the soil particles.

MATERIALS:

4. Fill Cup A half full of

dry sand, Cup B half
full of clay, and Cup C half full of a mixture of
sand, gravel and clay.

n Three large polystyrene cups

n Three plastic coffee can lids
n Three squares of cheesecloth

5. Make a chart similar to the one below for

recording your observations.

n Rubber bands
n Water

6. Pour 100 ml of water into the middle or center of

each cup. Record the time when the water was
first poured into each cup.

n A thumbtack
n A watch or clock

7. Record the time when the water first drips from

each cup. Note the appearance of the water.

n Sand
n Clay

8. Allow the water to drip for 25 minutes. At the

end of this time, remove the cups from the
beakers. Measure and record the amount of
water in each beaker.

n Gravel
n A pencil
n Four 250-ml beakers or cut-off soda bottles

QUESTIONS:

n Scissors

1. Which soil sample is the most permeable?

n A measuring cup

2. Which soil is the least permeable?

PROCEDURE:
1. Using a thumbtack, punch several holes in the
bottom and around the lower part of each cup.
2. Place a square of cheesecloth over the bottom of
each cup so it covers all the holes, and secure it

CUP

3. Using scissors, cut

a hole in the plastic
coffee can lid so that
the cup just fits inside.
Place each cup in a
lid, and place each lid
over a beaker. (See
the illustration for the
demonstration set up.)
Label the cups A, B and
C.

TIME IN WATER

3. How does the addition of gravel affect the

permeability of clay?
4. How does soil type affect the movement of
groundwater?
5. Can soil protect groundwater? Which one? How?

TIME OUT OF WATER

OBSERVATIONS

A
B
C
Science Fair Project Guidebook

Page 29

Project #10:
Taking the Swamp Out
of Swamp Water
OBJECTIVE:
This project demonstrates the procedures that
municipal water plants use to purify water for
drinking.

BACKGROUND:
Water in lakes, rivers and swamps often contains
impurities that make it look and smell bad; it also may
contain bacteria and other microbiological organisms
that can cause disease. In most places, surface water
should not be drunk until it has been cleaned. This
project shows how water treatment plants turn
polluted water into drinking water.
This project illustrates the four basic processes
involved in purifying water for human consumption.
Water treatment plants typically clean water by taking
it through the following processes: (1) AERATION; (2)
COAGULATION and SEDIMENTATION; (3) FILTRATION;
and (4) DISINFECTION. Demonstration projects for the
first four processes are included below.

MATERIALS:
n Five liters of swamp water. (Use muddy water
from a pond or creek or custom mixed swamp
water made by adding a handful of dirt or mud
to each liter of water.)
n A 2-liter plastic soft drink bottle (The bottle
should include its cap or cork that fits tightly into
the neck.)
n Two 2-liter plastic soft drink bottles one with
the top removed and one with the bottom
removed
n A 1.5-liter (or larger) beaker or another soft drink
bottle bottom
n 20 grams (g) or 2 tablespoons of alum (potassium
aluminum sulfate; available in drug stores or spice
aisle of most supermarkets)
n Fine sand (about 800 milliliters [ml] in volume)
n Coarse sand (about 800 ml in volume)
n Small pebbles (about 400 ml in volume) NOTE:
Washed natural color aquarium rocks will work.
Page 30

n A 500 ml (or larger) beaker or jar

n A coffee filter or 5 centimeters (cm) by
5 cm piece of flexible nylon or fine mesh screen
n A rubber band
n A tablespoon
n A clock with a second hand (or a stopwatch)

PROCEDURE:
1. Pour about 1.5 liters
of swamp water into
a 2-liter bottle. Have
your audience describe the
appearance and smell of the
water.
2. Place the cap on the bottle
and shake the water vigorously
for 30 seconds. Continue the
aeration process by pouring
the water into either one of the
cut-off bottles, then pouring the
water back and forth between
the cut-off bottles 10 times. Describe
any changes you observe. Pour the aerated water
into a bottle with its top cut off. AERATION is the
addition of air to water. It allows gases trapped
in the water to escape and adds oxygen to the
water.
3. With the tablespoon, add 20 g of alum crystals
(potassium aluminum sulfate) to the swamp
water. Slowly stir the mixture for 5 minutes.
COAGULATION is the process by which dirt and
other suspended solid particles are chemically
stuck together so that they can be removed
from water.
4. Allow the water to stand undisturbed in
the cylinder. Observe the water at 5-minute
intervals for a total of 20 minutes and write
your observations with respect to changes in
the waters appearance. SEDIMENTATION is
the process that occurs when gravity pulls the
particles of floc (clumps of alum and sediment) to
the bottom of the cylinder.
5. Construct a filter from the bottle with its bottom
cut off as follows:
a. Attach the coffee filter to the outside neck of
the bottle with a rubber band. Turn the bottle
upside down and pour a layer of pebbles into
the bottle. The filter will prevent the pebbles
from falling out of the neck.
Science Fair Project Guidebook

 b. Pour the coarse sand on top of the pebbles.

c. Pour the fine sand on top of the coarse sand.
d. Clean the filter by slowly and carefully
pouring through 5 liters (or more) of clean
tap water. Try not to disturb the top layer of
sand as you pour the water.
6. After a large amount of sediment has settled
on the bottom of the bottle of swamp water,
carefully without disturbing the sediment
pour the top two-thirds of the swamp water
through the filter. Collect the filtered water in the
beaker. Pour the remaining (one-third bottle) of
swamp water back into the collection container.
Compare the treated and untreated water. Has
the treatment changed the appearance and
smell of the water? FILTRATION through a sand
and pebble filter removes most of the impurities
remaining in water after coagulation and
sedimentation have taken place.

Ideas for More Projects

ENERGY
n Which type of material makes the best
insulation?
HEALTH
n Is there a relationship between eating
breakfast and performance at school?
n Which fruit drinks have the best nutrition?
n Which brand of cereal has the most raisins?
n What is the pH of various shampoos, lotions
and sunscreen products?
PLANTS AND GARDENING
n What type of soil is best for water retention?
n Can potatoes be grown without soil?
n Does the type of water affect the growth of
plants?
RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
n What happens to newspaper in a landfill?

ATTENTION!

n What types of materials decompose the

fastest or slowest?

Advise your audience that the final step at the

treatment plant is to add disinfectants to the
water to purify it (that is to kill any organisms
that may be harmful). Because the disinfectants
are caustic and must be handled carefully, it is
not presented in this experiment. The water that
was just filtered is therefore UNFIT TO DRINK and
can cause adverse effects! IT IS NOT SAFE TO
DRINK!

n What is the environmental impact of some

household chemicals and/or pesticides?
WATER
n What is in drinking water?
n Does the amount of water affect the size of
the wave?
n Where is the current of a stream fastest?
n How does depth affect water pressure?
n What makes a good filter for drinking
water?

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:
1. Plan a field trip to a local water treatment plant.
Find out how (or whether) the plant removes
bacteria, lead or other heavy metals such as
nitrates, sulfides or calcium from the water.
2. Contact a state or local agency that tests water
for contaminants. Have the agency test samples
of tap water and the swamp water that you
treated.
3. Add garlic powder to the swamp water and filter
it out using deodorizing charcoal and filter paper
(coffee filters).

Science Fair Project Guidebook

WEATHER
n How can we prevent the weathering of
sidewalks and driveways?
n Does soil in South Carolina show the effects
of acid rain?
n What causes dew?
OTHER
n Which diaper is the most absorbent?
n Are home-made cleaners as effective as
store-bought ones?
n Do different brands of gasoline make a
difference in gas mileage?
n Does color affect the behavior of people?

Page 31

Glossary
abstract A brief summary of the
experiment.
conclusion The summary of the results of the
project experimentation including a statement of how
the results relate to the hypothesis.
hypothesis An idea about a solution to a problem
that is based on knowledge and research.
project experimentation Doing experiments
designed to test the hypothesis.
problem A scientific question to be solved.
procedure The process of deciding what needs
to be done to find the answer to the problem. For
example, what steps need to be taken, what material
is needed.

research The process of collecting information.

scientific method The tool that scientists use to
answer questions. The process of thinking through
solutions to a problem and testing possibilities to find
the solution. The scientific method has the following
steps: research; identifying the problem; hypothesis;
project experimentation; and reaching a conclusion.
variable Something that has an effect on
an experiment. An independent variable is
a manipulated variable in an experiment that
causes a change in the dependent variable. A
dependent variable is the variable being observed
in an experiment that changes in response to the
independent variable.

Helpful Web Sites

n Discovery Education: Science Fair Central,
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/
sciencefaircentral/
n Dragonfly TV: Science Fair,
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair/
n Free Science Fair Projects,
www.freesciencefairproject.com/

n Science Fair
Fun: Designing
Environmental Science
Projects, www.epa.gov/
wastes/education/pdfs/sciencefair.pdf
n Science Fair Project Ideas,
http://sciencefairprojects-ideas.com/

n Free Science Fair Project Ideas, Answers & Tools

for Serious Students, www.sciencebuddies.org

n Super Science Fair Projects,

Ideas, Topics and Experiments,
www.super-science-fair-projects.com

n Santee Cooper Kids,

https://www.santeecooper.com/portal/page/
portal/SanteeCooperKids

n Science Fair Projects Made Easy,

www.yoursciencefairprojects.com

n Science Fair Adventure,

www.sciencefairadventure.com

n Science Fair Projects World,

www.sciencefair-projects.org

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Science Fair Project Guidebook

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