Intermediate Projects (Grades 7 - 9)

Intermediate Projects (Grades 7 - 9)***

PHYSICS& ASTRONOMY

·  Pendulums- how can a period of a pendulum be increased?

·  Air Pressure- Water Pressure

·  Gears- compare efficiencies, effect of different lubricants

·  Lenses- effects of curvature, materials on light beams

·  Can eggs withstand a greater force from one direction than from others?

·  How strong are nylon-fishing lines?

·  What factors affect the bounce of a dropped ball?

·  How do compression and tension make things strong?

·  Which type of lawn sprinkler works best?

·  Which materials can be charged with static electricity?

·  What affects light reflection?- refraction and diffraction of light?

·  Spectrum and color production- prisms

·  How is sound produced? What affects the pitch of sound?- What affects the volume of sound? - How would you measure the velocity of sound?

·  Electric Motors- principles and factors effecting their efficiency

·  Electric Circuits- factors affecting voltage, amperage, resistance

·  Magnets and electromagnets- What affects the strength of an electromagnet?

·  Radios

·  Internal Combustion engines

·  Heat convection- Radiation of heat

·  Insulation-best materials, thickness

·  What evidence can we find about the rotation of the earth from star trails?

·  What is the size of the earth? (Eratosthenes method)

·  How does the color of a background affect its absorption of solar insulation?

·  How does sunspot activity affect radio reception?

ENGINEERING\PHYSICS

·  Use of solar energy- design and construct solar cookers, solar panels, etc.

·  Designing a strong bridge, an energy efficient home

·  Determine the accuracy of various thermometers

·  Principle of energy conservation

·  Comparing active & passive solar energy systems in cost and efficiency.

·  Which building shape will do best in an earthquake?

EARTH SCIENCE/ PLANETARY SCIENCE/ PHYSCIAL ENVIRONMENTS

·  Snow- what happens when it melts; what does it contain; structure of snow flakes; life in a snowbank

·  Sky Color- account for differences in color at different times

·  Wind and Clouds- what are the common wind patterns in your area and why? Is cloud formation related to height, weather systems and temperature? Study and record how clouds relate to weather patterns.

·  Water levels- study and record varying levels over the year in a body of water; account for differences and the results on the surrounding environment.

·  Dew formation- how much is formed on a square meter for a period of time; account for variations

·  Wind-does wind travel at same speeds and in same directions at different heights?

·  Frost formation- what must the temperature be to form first; what are the effects of humidity? What is the make-up of frost and dew?

·  Evaporation- what effects the rate of evaporation most- temperature, humidity, wind speed or other factors?

·  Rain- can you measure the speed and force of raindrops?-What is the effect on soil, with and without ground cover? Could you simulate the effect of rain?

·  Heat Retention- does fresh water hold heat longer than salt water? How does water compare to land and what effect does this have on the weather? What factors affect the cooling of land?

·  Sunlight- how do different surfaces affect the amount of sunlight reflected and absorbed? Design a method of measuring how much sunshine is available each day.

·  Humidity- can you collect the amounts of water in the air at different temperatures?

·  Temperature- what is the difference between direct sun and in the shade? Is the difference constant?

·  Weather records- Design and build an automatic recording weather device. Test it over a period of time. How can we prevent the weathering of our sidewalks and driveways?

·  How does topography affect weather conditions?

·  Does the topography of an area affect its local weather?

·  How do changes in air pressure affect the weather?

·  How are all weather factors related?

·  Is there a relationship between phases of the moon and our weather?

·  Effects of Humidity- what happens to hair during periods of changing humidity? How does human hair compare to that of other animals? How do other materials compare in expansion and contraction.

·  Does the amount of water affect the size of the wave?

·  How does the volume of a stream affect its flow rate?

·  Where is the current of a stream the fastest?

CHEMISTRY

·  Fire and Burning- what factors affect burning?

·  Everyday activities that illustrate chemical principles

·  Chemical reactions that produce energy or that require energy

·  Effects of sunlight on rubber, ink, paper

·  Effects of increased concentrations on the rate of chemical reactions

·  Compare the pH levels in mouths of various animals and humans at different times in the day

·  Compare the surface tension of various liquids

·  Dealing with chemical spills from industry

·  Analyzing snow and rain for pollutants; samples from different locations

·  Effects of temperature on density of gases

·  Effects of salt and other contaminants on rate of rusting

·  Growing crystals- factors that affect the rate and the size

·  Can you obtain water from ink, vinegar, milk?

·  What effects do different amounts of exercise have on the production of carbon dioxide in humans?

·  Analyze soil samples for their components, ability to hold moisture, fertility and pH

·  Does the amount of particle pollution vary with distance from a road, with location, with height. Determine types of particles found in pollution fallout

·  Catalysts- how they work and why; commercial applicants and problems

·  Fire extinguishers-principles of operation and factors affecting their efficient use

·  How do acids react with different metals under varying conditions

·  Identify different metals by the color of flame when they burn

·  Can you devise and experiment that will list metals in order of their activity, from the most potassium to the least active ore gold

·  Electroplating- the principles, how different metals can be used and the practical applications

·  Fuels and their efficiency in producing energy.

·  How is paint affected by temperature changes?

·  Elasticity of rubber; effect of glue.

·  How much heat is required to raise the temperature of various substances by an equal amount?

PLANT BIOLOGY

·  Germination - how monocots and dicots differ - the effects of heat, light, carbon dioxide, pH level, etc. on germination rate

·  Photosynthesis - factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis temperature, light intensity, water, carbon dioxide - part of light spectrum used in photosynthesis

·  Leaf - do the numbers and sizes of stomata vary with different plants - what happens if stomata are covered and why

·  Roots - how much water is used by different plants - what is the effect of temperature, sunlight, etc., on the use of water (transpiration) - how do different types of soils affect the ability of roots to anchor plants - what factors encourage root growth and what is the effect of water, oxygen, soil type, minerals on root growth

·  Plant growth - determine the effects of various nutrients, amounts of water, hours of sunlight, strength of weed killer, temperature, pollutants, pH levels on plant growth and crop yields - can plants live without oxygen, carbon dioxide - what percentages of various plants is water

·  Genetic Studies - connections between hair and eye color, sex and left handedness, hair color and strength - family studies on inheritance

·  What conditions are favorable for: -fungus growth- E.G. yeast, mold, mildew diseases -mushroom production -growing brine shrimp -algae growth -bacteria growth or control- mutations -rooting cuttings -the survival of Planaria -the growth of nitrogen fixing bacteria -lichen growth

·  Field Studies -effects of herbicide spraying, acid rain in a lake, auto exhausts on a roadside, SO2 emissions on plants, under hydro lines -types of bacteria found around the home, on the body, in soil of different types

·  Reactions of protozoa to changes in the environment

·  The preferred pH level in the soil for various plants

·  How does ethylene affect ripening fruit? What kind of soil is best for water retention?

·  Will antacids help soil polluted by acid rain?

·  Does human hair affect the growth of plants?

·  How does a garden mist spray affect plant growth?

·  How does the duration of insulation affect plant growth?

·  What is the percentage of water in various fruits and vegetables?

·  Which plants and vegetables make the best dye?

·  Which type of wildflower grows best under artificial light?

·  How does temperature affect the water uptake in celery plants?

·  Does the type of water affect the growth of plants?

·  Is soil necessary for plant growth? (hydroponics study)

·  How does rotation affect plant growth?

·  Does music affect plant growth?

·  Does a plant grow best in sunlight or artificial light?

·  Can plants deprived of sunlight recover?

·  What is the relationship between root and stem growth?

·  Which color of light causes green beans to grow best?

·  Can potatoes be grown without soil?

·  How do worms affect plant growth?

·  What is the effect of urine on grass?

·  What affect do Epsom salts have on plant growth?

·  What effect does ozone have on the growth of radish plants?

·  What effect do magnets have on the growth of seedlings?

·  How does acid rain affect seed germination?

·  What effect does gold dust have on radish seeds?

·  Which vitamin prevents antioxidants most efficiently in seeds?

·  Do plants grow faster when grown hydroponically instead of in soil?

·  How to grown plants from fragmentation?

·  Compare rate of plant growth using two different growth hormones.

·  Does classical music help plants grow?

·  Are organic or inorganic fertilizers more effective?

·  Pea Disease Of Central Washington

·  Do plants grow better in water or soil? Will plants grow in a maze?

·  How does light or the lack of light affect a plant’s leaves?

·  What causes a leaf to lose water?

·  Do gases that are released in smoke enhance the germination of black pine seeds?

·  How do increased C02 levels affect plant growth? Efficient use of renewable energy resources- E.G. Wood, Wind

·  The effects of tap water, mineral water, and seltzer water on the germination and growth of radish seeds.

·  What conditions give you the best algae harvest?

·  Do plants know which way is down?

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY

·  How far does your sneeze go?

·  How does smell affect your mood?

·  What part of the tongue tastes sweets the best?

·  Who has more lung capacity, boys or girls?

·  Who has more lung capacity, men or women?

·  Why should you not go barefoot in a field?

·  How clean are your hands?

BEHAVIOR SCIENCE

·  Who has the best reaction time, boys or girls?

·  Who has the best reaction time, adults or kids?

·  Who is fooled more by optic illusions, boys or girls?

·  Who is fooled more by optic illusions, men or women?

·  Whom do optic illusions fool more, kids or adults?

·  What is the best method to clean your hands?

·  What percentages of people make a full stop at stop signs?

MATERIALS SCIENCE

·  Are safe homemade cleansers as effective as commercial cleansers?

·  What takes ink off skin the easiest?

·  Testing of consumer products- glues, stain removers, antiseptics, mouthwash, detergents, paper towels, making salt water potable, removal of pollutants

·  Which toilet paper breaks down the fastest?

·  Which is stronger, new or recycled newspaper?

·  Which kite shape will fly the best?

·  What ruins a CD?

·  What type of soap cleans your hands the best?

MICROBIOLOGY

·  On which foods does fungus grow best?

·  The Effect of Far Infrared on the Growth of Mold

·  In what environment do yeast grow best?

·  Do Electromagnetic Fields (EMF's) Affect Yeast Growth?

·  Will the Growth of the Microorganisms Bacteria and Mold Be Inhibited by Various Sources of Illumination?

·  What Are the Effects of Different Humidity Levels on Mold Growth?

·  The efect of natural light and UV light on the growth of Elm Oyster mushrooms.

·  Do x-rays affect the growth of yeast and mold?

·  Temperature effect on mold growth

·  Does ultraviolet radiation affect yeast cell fermentation?

·  The effect of natural light and UV fluorescence on growth of elm oyster mushrooms

·  The effect of addition of hydrogen peroxide to the growing substrate on mushroom development

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

·  What is in our drinking water?

·  Are our local waters acidic?

·  Do our soils show the effects of acid rain?

·  What is the lime content of various samples of water?

·  How polluted is our water? (the trapping and study of bacteria with a Millipore filter)

·  How can plants be used to measure the level of air pollution?

·  Is the water near animal pens contaminated?

·  What factors affect air pollution in cities?

·  Why are oil spills so harmful to wild birds?

AERODYNAMICS / HYDRODYNAMICS

·  What shape parachute (circle, square, rectangle, triangle or ellipse) will slow your fall down the best?

·  How does the weight and hull shape of an object affect its sinking rate through water?

·  See which shape (circle, triangle, or square) would travel the farthest distance when propelled through water.

ZOOLOGY

·  How does electricity affect fruit flies?

·  How do different types of liquids affect fruit-fly growth?

·  What foods do ants like best?

·  Hamsters and their memories

·  Does a Mouse Rely More on His Spatial Memory or Vision?

·  The effect of time of day on the time it takes a hamster to negotiate a maze

·  Explore how the amount of daylight affects the lifecycle of butterflies from the stages of larvae to chrysalis to butterfly.

·  How Does the Coloring and Sweetness of a Flower Affect Bee Visitation?