Project Ideas
Mike Brown of
Selah Junior High compiled and edited the original version of this list.
Although intended for advanced middle school projects, almost all topics here
could be performed at the 9-12 or college level.
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PROJECT IDEAS: |
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SCIENCE
PROJECT IDEAS:
Invertebrate Animal
Behavior
of crickets in a closed system
The
effect of humidity on the "singing" rate of crickets
How
does the intensity of light affect the behavior of crickets?
How
do crickets respond to caffeine?
How
does acceleration affect the behavior of crickets?
Responses
of soil arthropods to light moisture and soil
Chemical
communication in earthworms
How
do different colors of light affect the behavior of earthworms?
Reactions
of mealworms to different types of surfaces
How
do different colors affect the behavior of mealworms?
Thigmotactic
responses in crayfish
How
do different levels of salinity affect brine shrimp?
Vertebrate Animal
What
is the effect of temperature on the respiration rate of goldfish?
Can
you train a fish by sound?
What
factors affect the ability of a rodent to negotiate a maze?
Wall-seeking
behavior in mice
How
mice respond to being separated
Color
preferences in gerbils
How
does age affect learning abilities of hamsters?
What
is the effect of height above ground on the attraction of birds to a feeder?
What
color of bird feeder will attract the most birds?
Human
What
is the effect of age on reaction time in humans?
What
is the effect of gender on reaction time in 13 year olds?
What
is the effect of left/right-handedness in 14 year old females?
Does
color affect memory?
The
effect of written and verbal stimuli on learning
How
do learning styles affect memorization?
BIOCHEMISTRY
Which
natural fruit juices contain the most Vitamin C?
What
is the effect of processing on the Vitamin C content of fresh orange juices and
orange juice concentrates?
To
what extent does temperature affect the Vitamin C content of citrus juice?
Do
heat and light affect the Vitamin C content of juice?
Which
type of packaging retains Vitamin C the best in orange juice?
How
does the concentration of a solute affect the rate of osmosis through dialysis
tubing?
How
does the temperature of a solution affect the rate of osmosis through dialysis
tubing?
What
effects do heating and diluting have on the enzyme amylase?
Does
storage temperature affect the acid content of fruit?
How
does the presence of the ripening hormone ethylene affect the sugar content of
apples?
Which
foods contain the most carbohydrates?
What
plant foods contain starch?
Which
foods contain the most protein?
Which
type of food contains most thermal energy?
Comparing
the sugar content of different juices
BOTANY
Plant Growth
Which
soil type is best for plant growth?
What
is the effect of different soil mixtures on plant growth?
The
effect of different fertilizers on plant growth
Comparing
the growth of plants in soil and hydroponically
Comparing
the application of fertilizer by surface application and through a drip
irrigation system
The
effect of photoperiodism on plants
To
what extent does the duration of light affect plant growth?
Do
different kinds of lights affect the way plants grow?
How
does the concentration of carbon dioxide in air affect the production of starch
in plants?
What
affect does the plant hormone gibberilic acid have on plant growth?
How
does the color of light affect the growth of plants?
Is
there a relationship between the length of stems and roots of grass?
To
what extent do various concentrations of salt water affect plant growth?
What
minerals are needed for plants to grow?
What
is the best spacing for plants?
Monitoring
the effect of a diurnal environment on plant growth
How
do physical vibrations affect plant growth?
What
are the effects of growth hormones and fertilizers on hybrid poplar trees?
Does
compost cause plants to grow faster than manufactured fertilizers?
How
does chemical injection of flower bulbs affect their growth?
Can
starch be decomposed by plant roots?
The
effects of iron on plant growth
What
is the best method for propagating "spider plants"?
How
does a magnetic field affect plant growth?
What
is the effect of temperature on the ripening of apples?
Does
light affect the ripening rate of apples?
How
the storage temperature of apples affects crispness, starch and sugar levels
Will
apples ripen slower if isolated from each other?
Apple
deterioration in aerobic and anaerobic conditions
How
does variation is subzero temperatures affect the percent of fruit tree bud
damage?
How
does the presence of light affect the rate of transpiration in corn seeds?
How
much pressure do germinating seeds produce?
What
substances are natural inhibitors of seed germination?
The
effect of heat on seed viability
The
effect of mechanical impact on seed viability
How
does temperature affect seed germination?
Does
the presence of light affect the germination rate of seeds?
How
does exposure of seeds to X-ray radiation affect their rate of germination?
How
does exposure of seeds to microwave radiation affect their rate of germination?
Does
magnetism affect seed germination?
Does
seed size affect the rate of germination?
To
what extent does pH affect the germination of seeds?
What
is the effect of planting depth on the germination of seeds?
What
is the effect of detergent on the germination of seeds?
What
effect do different kinds of fertilizer have on corn seeds?
How
does temperature affect the growth of mold?
How
does moisture affect the growth of bread mold?
Will
the presence of preservatives affect the rate of mold growth on bread?
Is
the growth of mold inhibited by the size of and combination of grains in types
of bread?
Plant Behavior
How
does light intensity affect phototropism in plants?
Thigmotactic
responses in plants
How
does centripetal force affect plant growth?
CHEMISTRY
The
flammability of various fabrics
Making
fabrics fire resistant
Which
brand of laundry detergent more effectively removes stains from white cotton
fabric?
Which
brand of bleach more effectively removes stains from white cotton fabric?
Evaluating
natural enzymes as an alternative to conventional detergents in the removal of
stains from white cotton fabric.
A
comparison of biodegradable detergents
Is
oil stain or paint more durable to weathering?
Does
temperature affect crystal growth?
How
does the concentration of solute affect the rate of crystal growth?
What
is the effect of temperature on the evaporation rate of water?
What
effect does heat have on the ability of water to dissolve different substances?
Does
the type of solute affect the rate of evaporation of a solution?
The
effects of different solutes on boiling point elevation of water
How
does the type and concentration of a salt affect the corrosion of iron and
steel?
How
does temperature affect the density of liquids?
How
does the cooling effect of ice compare with that of ice water?
What
substance will cause the most largest freezing point depression when added to
melting ice?
Testing
natural substances as biologically safe alternatives to conventional automotive
antifreeze
Which
method of water purification most effectively removes solutes?
Does
temperature affect the rate of solute movement that occurs during
chromatography?
The
absorption rate of different brands of paper towels
How
does the number of crosslinks in a polymer affect its elastici
How
does the amount of adhesion vary in different liquids? How
do different substances affect the adhesion of water? Does
temperature or pressure affect adhesion in water? How
do different substances affect the surface tension of water? What
types of liquids or solutions make the longest lasting bubbles? How
does water temperature affect the dissolving rate of seltzer tablets? How
does air pressure affect the dissolving rate of seltzer tablets? The
effect of temperature on the ability of a water to dissolve different salts What
kinds of salts make the best electrolytes in a wet cell battery? The
conductance of various soluble compounds in water How
does the concentration of acid affect the voltage of a wet cell battery? How
does temperature of solution affect the rate of electroplating? Which
pain reliever dissolves in simulated gastric fluid the fastest? Comparing
the pH of different antacids The
solubility of metals in acid Which
common beverage is most acidic? Comparing
the density and buoyancy of different objects Design
of robotics equipment Experimentation
in artificial intelligence on the IBM PC using Turbo Pascal How
does the accuracy of computerized color fruit sorters compare to human labor in
apple packing plants? What
is the water holding capacity of three soil types? Rate
of seed germination in different soil types Which
type of soil will eroded most easily by running water? How
does slope affect stream velocity? What
is the porosity of different types of soils? Which
type of soil absorbs the most heat from sunlight? How
does the amount of organic material mixed in three soil types affect their
water holding capacity? To
what extent does humidity affect evaporation? How
well do different types of surfaces absorb the sun’s energy? Mineral
content of drinking water How
does salinity affect the mass of rocks? How
does natural reflectivity affect the surface temperature of the ground? Aerodynamics and fluid dynamics Which
design of a mousetrap-powered car yields the greatest rolling distance? Which
shape of propeller works the best? How
does the design of a windmill’s blades affect its power? How
does wing design affect lift? What
is the best design for reduced wing drag? How
does the shape of an airplane’s fuselage affect drag? Which
position of a water wheel creates the most kinetic energy? How
do different designs affect the speed of a soap-powered boat? What
is the best nose cone shape for and air-launched model rocket? Determining
viscosity from the free fall of a sphere Does
the flow rate of water affect its pressure? Quality of materials What
hair care products increase the tensile strength of hair? Are
composites stronger than monolithic laminates? What
factors affect the strength of wood? Comparing
the strength of solid and laminated wood beams. Which
brand of garbage bag can hold the most sand without tearing? What
material is best for road construction? Which
insulation works best? Which
material is the best home insulator? Which
plumbing material conducts the most heat to circulated water in a solar
collector? Which
passive solar collector design absorbs the most heat? What
material conducts heat the best? Which
color of light produces the most electric energy from a solar cell? Which
metal wire has the most tensile strength? Which
nails have the best holding power in various types of wood? Which
fiber has the most tensile strength? Which
building material is most flammable? Structures Which
beam design builds the strongest truss? Which
beam design supports the most stress? Which
truss design supports the most weight? Which
truss design supports the most compressional stress? Which
bridge design will support the most weight? Which
building design best withstands an earthquake? Which
folded paper structure will support the most stress? In
which position will an eggshell support the most weight? Using
polarized light to analyze stress in structures Plants How
does the environment affect the movement of water through plants? The
effects of electromagnetic fields on the germination rate of alfalfa seeds Measuring
the effects of gasoline fumes on germinating seeds How
does the concentration of horse manure affect the growth of grass? The
effect of acid precipitation on the germination and growth of seeds Comparing
the nitrogen demand of grass cut with a mulching mower to grass cut with
conventional mowers that remove thatch How
does the type of plant cover affect the surface temperature of the ground? Animals How
does water quality affect the population of ciliates in a pond? How
does pH affect brine shrimp? What
is the effect of an oil spill on brine shrimp? How
do detergents affect brine shrimp? What
environmental factors will increase the heart rate of Daphnia? How
does pH affect the regeneration rate of Planaria? How
does water temperature affect the regeneration rate of Planaria? How
does the concentration of dissolved oxygen affect the regeneration rate of
Planaria? The
effects of water pollution on snails Which
herbs can be used as a pesticide to control mosquito larvae? Using
citrus peel as a natural pesticide to control mosquito larvae Developing
insect pest lures Testing
marigolds to control insect pests Surveying
spider webs to determine the number and types of insects in the proximity of
your home Water quality Testing
for chlorine in the Selah Ditch at three locations Testing
domestic well water in the Yakima river flood plain for ammonia How
does flow rate affect the concentration of dissolved oxygen in a stream or
river? How
does plant cover affect the concentration of dissolved oxygen in a stream or
river? How
does flow rate affect the concentration of phosphates and nitrates in a stream
or river? How
does plant cover affect the concentration of phosphates and nitrates in a
stream or river? How
does the level of phosphates upstream from Selah in the Yakima River compare to
the downstream level? Comparing
the water quality of Wenas Creek in three locations Comparing
the quality of City of Selah tap water to well water in the surrounding county Does
the Selah Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent affect the water quality of the
Selah Ditch? The
effect of a heavy rain on the water quality of the Yakima River downstream from
the Selah storm drain outfall Temperature
difference between lake surfaces and bottoms in winter Misc. pollutants Which
component of crude oil will oil-eating bacteria grow on more quickly? What
levels of radon gas are present in a sample of Selah homes? The
effects of lead arsenic contamination on the growth of plants The
tolerance of plants to different ice melting compounds Measuring
particulate matter from burn barrels and wood stoves Electrostatic
precipitation of dust particles Materials and resources What
is the best natural filter for ground water? Which
processed fruit waste produces the most thermal energy? Determining
the amount of daily non-recyclable household trash What
color absorbs the most light energy in a passive solar collector? Are
stretched or relaxed rubber bands more sensitive to sunlight? Does
the amount of starch affect the strength of biodegradable packaging? A
comparison of the biodegrading of natural and synthetic packing material Which
recycled paper is the strongest? How
does decomposition affect the strength of paper? Comparing
various natural fibers as insulating materials Comparing
the decomposition rate of recycled paper to standard paper Developing
a defense against iron corrosion Comparing
the combustibility of different tree leaves Evaluating
natural water proofing substances on wood Soils Which
irrigation method is more efficient and less erosive to soil? Comparing
the soil type to the dominant plant species on the L. T. Murray Wildlife Range Comparing
the plant cover type and rodent burrow distribution on the L. T. Murray
Wildlife Range Comparing
the porosity of soils of the Selah foothills to the Yakima River floodplain Do
different soil compositions help structures withstand an earthquake? What
factors increase the rate of decomposition of leaf litter? Can
blood-sugar test strips be used to measure sugar content in various beverages? Dissolution
times of pain relievers: Trade vs Generic Can
toothpaste neutralize plaque acid? Does
exercise affect your reflexes? How
does music affect heart rate? How
do colors affect heart rate? What
activities affect your heart rate? How
does gender affect percent of body fat? What
is the effect of caffeine on blood pressure? What
is the effect of exercise on blood pressure? What
is the effect of aerobic activity on respiration rate? Which
brand of diapers absorbs the most moisture? To
what extent does age affect the sensation of taste? To
what extent does age affect the sensation of temperature? To
what extent does age affect the sensation of smell? How
does the amount of light affect acuity of vision? How
does color affect the perceived taste sensations of non-carbonated beverages? Taste
sensitivity of smokers and non-smokers How
do people differ in the ability to match the pitch of two sounds? Number
series from repetitive figures Probability What
factors affect the production of carbon dioxide in yeast? What
factors affect the growth of yeast? The
affect of temperature on the action of yeast How
does the type of bread affect the growth rate of bread mold? How
does Vitamin E affect the growth of bread mold? Which
disinfectant is most effective in reducing the growth rate of bacteria? Which
antiseptic is most effective in reducing the growth rate of bacteria? Which
toothpaste is most effective in reducing the growth rate of bacteria? An
analysis of how various mouthwashes control bacteria What
method most efficiently transmits bacteria from one surface to another? Using
plant extracts to control the growth of bacteria Does
washing your hands affect the transmission rate of bacteria? A
comparison of different packaging methods and their relationships to bacterial
counts found on soft drink containers A
comparison of washing techniques on table silverware to remove bacteria The
effects of centrifugation and chemical application on Penicillium and Aspergillus
cultures Do
different colors of light affect bacterial growth? The
effect of ultraviolet light on bacteria Can
trace amounts of heavy metals kill bacteria? Which
pole of a magnet will attract the most magnetotactic bacteria? The
effects of antibiotics on bacterial growth Will
fungi inhibit bacterial growth? The
effects of freezing on bacteria Does
garlic have antibacterial properties? Using
bacteria in hydrocarbon bioremediation. The
effects of automotive pollutants on pond water organisms. The
preference of pond organisms for light vs. darkness The
effect of light on reproductive growth of ciliates Mechanics How
is friction related to surface area and texture? Does
water temperature affect the flight of a water-powered rocket? How
do streamer designs affect the free fall of a model rocket? How
do parachute designs affect the free fall of a model rocket? How
does shape and size affect the free fall and impact of an object? Which
density of plastic bag has the best impact strength? How
is velocity and trajectory affected by the weight of a bullet? The
effects of arrow fletch length on the trajectory of an arrow How
does the mass of an arrow affect its penetrating power? Analyzing
factors that affect the periodicity of a pendulum Waves, heat, light, sound How
do obstacles affect wave motion? Factors
that affect the performance of a crystal radio How
does the density of wood affect the temperature at which it combusts? Which
metal has the greatest heat capacity? Measuring
the heat capacity of different liquids Which
metal conducts more heat? Measuring
the specific heat of various metals How
does the amount of airspace affect the insulation quality of double pane
windows? What
species of wood yields the most thermal energy when burned? What
is the effect of temperature on the volume of air? Comparing
the wattage of an incandescent light bulb to the amount of heat it emits Which
fabrics are the best to wear to survive winter conditions? The
effect of color on water temperature How
do different colors affect the absorption of heat from sunlight? Comparing
how the density of a liquid affects the refraction of light Comparing
the heat transference of artificial light and sunlight What
factors affect the pitch of a musical instrument? How
do different solids affect the transmission of sound? Electricity and magnetism How
does the number of coils in a step up transformer affect its ability to change
the voltage of a circuit? How
does the number of wire coils affect the strength of an electromagnet? How
does temperature affect the strength of an electromagnet? How
does the type of metal that makes up the core of an electromagnet affect its
magnetism? How
does the temperature of the core of an electromagnet affect its strength? How
does the thickness of copper wire affect the voltage, amperage and resistance
in an electrical circuit? How
does the gauge of wire affect the resistance in a circuit? The
effect of temperature on the strength of a permanent magnet Which
materials make the best terminals for a wet cell battery? Which
materials make the best resistor in a circuit? Which
home materials make the best capacitor dielectric? Which
type of wire produces the most thermoelectricity? Nuclear energy Analyzing
the effects of X-ray radiation on the strength of different metals How
does exposure of permanent magnets to X-ray radiation affect the polarity and
strength of a permanent magnet? Analyzing
the effects of X-ray radiation on the strength of different plastics How
does exposure to radiation affect the germination and growth of seeds? Invertebrate animals What
environmental factors affect the regeneration of Planaria? What
soil factors do earthworms prefer? How
does caffeine affect the heartbeat of Daphnia? What
natural substances will kill mosquito larvae? Testing
the effectiveness of several natural insect control measures Which
environmental conditions do "Sow Bugs" prefer? What
conditions are best for the growth of Walking Stick insects? Which
environmental conditions do mealworms prefer? How
does temperature affect the activity of mealworms? What
factors affect the pupating rate of houseflies?
