List of investigation questions

							                             INVESTIGATION QUESTIONS
Examples of possible uses:
      Student writing activities (write a paragraph explaining how to set up an experiment to
        answer the question, write a list of steps involved in answering the question, etc.)
      Use a question as a DOL and then discuss ways to test hypothesis once the grammar is
        corrected.
      Send students home with a question on which they might be able to do independent
        experiments.
      Hold a contest to see who can best apply the scientific method in answering a question and
        offer to actually do the experiment in class if possible.
      Have students list questions with which they would like to experiment and select those
        which require available supplies. Set up a center where those students finished with their
        work can explore.

It is strongly recommended that you have students use the Scientific Method worksheet (lower level)
or Scientific Method Worksheet (middle school level) to complete the investigations to ensure they
are following the proper steps. Another option for 4th-8th is to use any of the multiple investigations
already partially completed.

This list is divided into three levels by difficulty: Level 1 (k-3 level), Level 2 (3-5), Level 3 (6-8), Level
4 (6-8)
                                             Level 1
                                        ANIMAL STUDIES
   Do ants like cheese or sugar better?
   What foods do mealworms prefer?
   Does holding a mirror in front of a fish change what a fish does?
   What color of birdseed do birds like best?
   Do mint leaves repel ants?
   Which travels faster-a snail or a worm?
   On which surface can a snail move faster-dirt or cement?
   How far does a snail travel in one minute?
   How much can a Caterpillar eat in one day?

                                    COMPARATIVE STUDIES
   What kind of juice cleans pennies best?
   Do watches keep time the same?
   How does omitting an ingredient affect the taste of a cookie?
   Do suction cups stick equally well to different surfaces?
   Which cheese grows mold the fastest?


                                      CONSUMER TESTING
   What brand of raisin cereal has the most raisins?
   Which dish soap makes the most bubbles?
   Which paper towel is the strongest?
   With which type of battery do toys run the longest?
   Which laundry detergent works the best?


                                         HUMAN STUDIES
   In my class who is taller – boys or girls?
   Does anyone in my class have the same fingerprints?
   In my class, who has the biggest feet – boys or girls?
   Which student in class has the greatest lung capacity?
   In my class, who has the smallest hands – boys or girls?
   How far can a person lean without falling?


                                         PLANT STUDIES
   Do roots of a plant always grow downward?
   Can plants grow without soil?
   Will bananas brown faster on the counter or in the refrigerator?
   Does temperature affect the growth of plants?
   Can plants grow from the leaves?
   Do different kinds of apples have the some number of seeds?
   Do bigger seeds produce bigger plants?
   What is the soil in my schoolyard made of?
   Does a plant grow bigger if watered with milk or water?

                                      PHYSICAL SCIENCES
 Does the design of a paper airplane make it fly farther?
   Do wheels reduce friction?
   What holds two boards together better a nail or a screw?
   Does a ball roll farther on grass or dirt?
   Do all objects fall to the ground at the same speed?
   What kind of things do magnets attract?
   How can you measure the strength of a magnet?
   How much salt does it take to float an egg?
   Does water with salt boil faster than plain water?
   Does on ice cube melt faster in air or water?
   Can you tell what something is just by touching it?
   Can you tell where sound comes from when you are blindfolded?
   Can things be identified by just their smell?
   Does the length of a vibrating object affect sound?

                                                 WATER
   Does a bath take less water than a shower?
   Does warm water freeze faster than cool water?
   How long will it take a drop of food dye to color a glass of still water?
   Which materials absorb the most water?
   What materials dissolve in water?
   Which dissolves better in water – salt or baking soda?
                                              Level 2
                                         ANIMAL STUDIES
   Does an earthworm react to light and darkness?
   Does surrounding color affect an insect's eating habits?
   Do different kinds of caterpillars eat different amounts of food?
   How do mealworms react to various surfaces?
   Do mealworms prefer light or dark environments?

                                     COMPARATIVE STUDIES
 Which lubricants make it most difficult to pick up a screwdriver?


                                       CONSUMER TESTING
   Which brand of popcorn pops the most kernels?
   Which brand of popcorn pops the fastest?
   Which brand of diaper holds the most water?
   What type of cleaner removes ink stains best?
   Which brand of soap makes the most suds?
   Which plastic trash bag is the strongest?
   Which house plant fertilizer works best?
   Does temperature affect the results of a soft drink challenge?


                                          HUMAN STUDIES
   Can you tell time without a watch or clock?
   Is using two eyes to judge distance more accurate than using one eye?
   Do boys or girls have a higher resting heart rate?
   Do taller people run faster than shorter people?
   Who can balance better on the balls of their feet – boys or girls?
   Does exercise affect heart rate?


                                          PLANT STUDIES
   Do different types of soil hold different amounts of water?
   Will adding bleach to the water of a plant reduce fungus growth?
   Does sugar prolong the life of cut flowers?
   How much of an orange is water?
   Does the color of light affect plant growth?
   Do plants grow bigger in soil or water?
   How much weight can a growing plant lift?
   Does it matter in which direction seeds are planted?
   Do living plants give off moisture?
   What plant foods contain starch?

                                       PHYSICAL SCIENCES
   Which liquid has the highest viscosity?
   Will more air inside a basketball make it bounce higher?
   Do all colors fade at the same rate?
   Does a baseball go farther when hit by a wood or metal bat?
   What kind of glue holds two boards together better?
   Does the width of a rubber band affect how far it will stretch?
   Can you use a strand of human hair to measure air moisture?
   How far can a water balloon be tossed to someone before it breaks?
   Does the shape of a kite affect its flight?
   Using a lever, can one student lift another larger student?
   What gets warmer faster – sand or soil?
   In which way does the wind blow most frequently?
   Will a ball bounce higher if it is dropped at a greater distance from the floor?
   Do sugar crystals grow faster in tap water or distilled water?
   What common liquids are acidic, basic or neutral?
   What determines how fast a piece of candy dissolves?
   Will a rubber band stretch the same distance every time if the same amount of weight is attached
    to it?

                                              WATER
   Does baking soda lower the temperature of water?
   Does the color of water affect its evaporation?
   Can you separate salt from water by freezing?
   Will saltwater evaporate faster than freshwater?
   What type of soil filters water best?
                                            Level 3
                                       ANIMAL STUDIES
   How do different environments affect the regeneration of planarian?
   How do day old domestic chicks behave?
   What are the humidity preferences of a flour beetle?
   How does the earthworm population relate to soil type?

                                   COMPARATIVE STUDIES
   What factors affect the growth of bread mold?
   What type of oil has the greatest density?
   How is the rate of melting snow affected by color?
   Which type of sunglass lens blocks the most light?
   Which materials keep ice cubes from melting for the longest time?
   Which amount of air space is the best insulator for storm windows?


                                     CONSUMER TESTING
   Which videotape maintains the best picture for the greatest amount of use?
   Which home smoke detector is most sensitive?
   Which engine oil reduces friction the most?
   Which home insulation works best?
   Which self-adhesive floor tile resists wear the most?


                                        HUMAN STUDIES
   Does the human tongue have different areas for certain tastes?
   Do children's heart rates increase as they get older?
   Does heart rate increase with increasing sound volume?
   Can you see well if you limit the light that gets to your eye?
   How accurately do people judge temperature?
   How does coffee affect blood pressure?


                                        PLANT STUDIES
   Does a green plant add oxygen to its environment?
   What percentage of corn seeds in a package will germinate?
   How much of an apple is water?
   Does a plant need some darkness to grow?
   What are the effects of chlorine on plant growth?
   How does centrifugal force affect the germination of corn seeds?
   How does light direction affect plant growth?

                                     PHYSICAL SCIENCES
   Which type of line carries sound waves best?
   Which metal conducts heat best?
   Can the same type of balloons withstand the same amount of pressure?
   Does the viscosity of a liquid affect its boiling point?
   What materials provide the best insulation?
   What keeps things colder – plastic wrap or aluminum foil?
   Do liquids cool as they evaporate?
   Does the size of a light bulb affect its energy use?
   For how long a distance can speech be transmitted through a tube?
   Does the color of a material affect its absorption of heat?
   Does sound travel best through solids, liquids or gases?
   Is the amount of erosion affected by the slope of land?
   How much heat is absorbed by a closed automobile?

                                                      WATER
 Can the sun's energy be used to clean water?
 What types of bacteria are found in tap water?




                  OPTIONAL HIGH LEVEL INVESTIGATION QUESTIONS

How does sugar affect the growth of yeast?

What is the effect of moon phases on seed germination?

What is the effect of auto exhaust on plant growth?

What effects does temperature have on the activity of earthworms?

Can earthworms tell left from right?

What is the effect of salt on the growth of plants?

Do snails or earthworms travel faster?

How is the behavior of ants affected by coffee grounds?

How much water is in an orange?

Does sugar prolong the life of cut flowers?

What effect does the amount of salt have on the floatability of an egg?

What effects does salt have on ice at different temperatures?

How does salt affect the rate of temperature change in water?

Which antacid is really the best?

What is the pH of rain and/or snow?

Which materials absorb the most water?

Which brand of popcorn pops the fastest?
Which type of juice cleans pennies the best?

What is the best concrete mixture?

Which dish soap makes the most bubbles?

Do watches keep time the same?

On which surface can a snail move faster – dirt or cement?

What brand of raisin cereal has the most raisins?

Does the shape of the magnet determine its strength?

Do ants like cheese or sugar better?

Can the design of a paper airplane make it fly farther?

Do roots of a plant always grow downward?

Can you tell what something is just by touching it?

What kind of things do magnets attract?

What foods do mealworms prefer?

How long will it take a drop of food dye to color a glass of still water?

Does a bath take less water than a shower?

Can you tell where sound comes from when you are blindfolded?

Can plants grow without soil?

Does warm water freeze faster than cool water?

In my class who is taller – boys or girls?

Do different types of apples have the same number of seeds?

Do bigger seeds produce bigger plants?

Which materials absorb the most water?

Do wheels reduce friction?

What materials dissolve in water?

What is the soil in my schoolyard made of?

Does holding a mirror in front of a fish change what a fish does?
What color of birdseed do birds like best?

What holds two boards together better – a nail or a screw?

Will bananas brown faster on the counter or in the refrigerator?

Does temperature affect the growth of plants?

Do mint leaves repel ants?

Does a ball roll farther on grass or dirt?

Do all objects fall to the ground at the same speed?

Does anyone in my class have the same fingerprints?

Which travels faster – a snail or a worm?

Which paper towel is the strongest?

Can plants grow from leaves?

Which dissolves better in water – salt or baking soda?

Can things be identified by just their smell?

With which type of battery do toys run longest?

How far does a snail travel in one minute?

Do different types of soil hold different amounts of water?

Will adding bleach to the water of a plant reduce fungus growth?

Does water with salt boil faster than plain water?

How far can a person lean without falling?

Can you tell time without a watch or clock?

How far can a water balloon be tossed to someone before it breaks?

Does the shape of a kite affect its flight?

Does an ice cube melt faster in air or water?

Which liquid has the highest viscosity?

Will more air inside a basketball make it bounce higher?

Does the color of light affect plant growth?
Does baking soda lower the temperature of water?

Which brand of popcorn pops the most kernels?

How much can a caterpillar eat in one day?

In my class who has the biggest feet – boys or girls?

Do plants grow bigger in soil or water?

Does the color of water affect its evaporation?

Can you separate salt from water by freezing?

How does omitting an ingredient affect the taste of a cookie?

Do suction cups stick equally well to different surfaces?

Which student in class has the greatest lung capacity?

How much weight can a growing plant lift?

Will water with salt evaporate faster than water without salt?

Does it matter in which direction seeds are planted?

Which cheese grows mold the fastest?

Do all colors fade at the same rate?

Which brand of diaper holds the most water?

In my class who has the smallest hands – boys or girls?

Which kind of cleaner removes ink stains best?

Does a plant grow bigger if watered by milk or water?

Which brand of soap makes the most suds?

Does a baseball go farther when hit by a wood or metal bat?

Do living plants give off moisture?

Using a lever, can one student lift another student who is bigger?

What gets warmer – sand or dirt?

Which kind of glue holds two boards together better?

What type of line carries sound waves best?
Can the sun’s energy be used to clean water?

Does a green plant add oxygen to its environment?

Which metal conducts heat best?

What percentage of corn seeds in a package will germinate?

Does an earthworm react to light and darkness?

Does the human tongue have definite areas for certain tastes?

Can same-type balloons withstand the same amount of pressure?

Does the viscosity of a liquid affect its boiling point?

Does surrounding color affect an insect’s eating habits?

Do children’s heart rates increase as they get older?

What materials provide the best insulation?

Is using two eyes to judge distance more accurate than using one eye?

Do different kinds of caterpillars eat different amounts of food?

What plant foods contain starch?

What keeps things colder – plastic wrap or aluminum foil?

Does heart rate increase with increasing sound volume?

Do boys or girls have a higher resting heart rate?

Do liquids cool as they evaporate?

Which way does the wind blow most frequently?

Does the size of a light bulb affect its energy use?

For how long a distance can speech be transmitted through a tube?

Which grows mold faster – moist bread or dry bread?

What type of soil filters water best?

Does the color of a material affect its absorption of heat?

Does sound travel best through solids, liquids, or gases?

How do colored filters affect perceptions of color of objects?
How does length, tension, or mass of a string affect the pitch of sound?

How do different solids affect the transmission of sound?

To what extent do different metals conduct heat?

What is the effect of temperature on the volume of air?

What is the effect of heat on different liquids?

To what extent do different insulating materials affect heat loss/gain of water?

How does the color of an object affect its reflection and absorption of solar energy?

What is the effect of household liquids and powders on the indicator bromothymol blue (BTB)?

How does wattage affect the radiation of heat from a light bulb?

How do different fabrics affect heat loss from an object?

To what extent does air temperature affect the height that a ball will bounce?

How does the number of batteries and the way they are connected affect the brightness of a bulb?

How does the number of batteries and the way they are connected affect the strength of an electromagnet?

How does the number of wraps of wire around an electromagnet affect its strength?

What is the effect of the size of the iron core on the strength of an electromagnet?

To what extent does the length of string affect the period of a pendulum?

To what extent does weight of the bob affect the period of a pendulum?

What is the effect of density of the object on the buoyancy of an object?

What is the effect of different detergent solutions on the surface tension of water?

What is the effect of freezing temperatures on rocks?

To what extent do different soils retain water?

What is the effect of rain on soil covered with different types of foliage?

What is the effect of wind on different mixtures of soil?

What is the effect of temperature on crystal growth?

How does saturation affect crystal growth?

To what extent does depth affect water pressure?
What is the effect of temperature on evaporation of water?

What is the effect of air pollution on precipitation?

To what extent does altitude affect air pressure?

What is the effect of design on the length of flight of a paper airplane?

To what extent does sunlight affect the temperature of soil?

To what extent does sunlight affect the temperature of water?

To what extent does humidity affect evaporation?

How does the pH of rain affect limestone?

What is the effect of time of day on a shadow?

To what extent does the season affect shadow length?

To what extent does the season affect shadow direction?

How does the angle of the sun affect the temperature of land or water?

How do different surfaces absorb the sun’s energy?

How do convection currents affect air currents?

How does slope affect stream velocity?

What is the effect of gravity on the roots of a plant?

What is the effect of temperature on the ripening of a banana?

How does moisture affect the growth of bread mold?

How does temperature affect the activity of mealworms?

How do different colors affect the behavior of mealworms?

To what extent does amount of food affect the population size of mealworms?

How does the intensity of light affect crickets?

What is the effect of background color on the color of a chameleon?

What is the effect of temperature on the behavior of goldfish?

How do different levels of salinity affect brine shrimp?

What is the effect of moisture on yard snails?
How do vibrations affect the behavior of ants?

What is the effect of height above ground on the attraction of birds to a feeder?

What is the effect of caffeine on blood pressure?

How does vision affect the sensation of taste?

What is the effect of age on reaction time?

How does your gender affect sensations of touch?

To what extent does age affect the sensation of temperature?

To what extent does age affect the sensation of smell?

What is the effect of exercise on blood pressure?

What is the effect of sleep on respiration rate?

What is the effect of skipping/running on respiration rate?

What is the effect of left/right handedness on reaction time?

To what extent does the amount of light affect acuity of vision?

How does color affect perceived taste sensations of noncarbonated beverages?

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 orange juice?

To what extent does exposure to air affect the vitamin C content of grapefruit juice?

Do sugar crystals grow faster in tap water or distilled water?

Can you see better if you limit the light that gets to your eye?

How much of an apple is water?

What common liquids are acid, base, or neutral?

Do taller people run faster than shorter people?

Does the length of a vibrating object affect sound?

Does a plant need some darkness to grow?

Who can balance better on the balls of their feet – boys or girls?

Does exercise affect heart rate?
Which dish soap makes the longest lasting suds?

What are the effects of chlorine on plant growth?

Which type of oil has the greatest density?

How accurately do people judge temperature?

How is seed germination affected by:

       amount of water?

       salt content of water?

       temperature?

       acid rain?

       different fertilizers?

       different soils?

       vibration?

       rotation?

       electricity?

       amount of mulch?

       type of mulch?

How is the growth of plants affected by:

               humidity?

               type/amount/periods of light?

               type/amount/periods of water?

               turning?

               temperature?

               sound/music?

               type of soil?

               acidity of soil?
              soil mixtures?

              soil stratification?

              type of fertilizer?

              amount of fertilizer?

              electricity?

              cigarette smoke?

              salt content of water?

              vibration?

              rotation?

              orientation after germination?

              magnetic fields?

              different gases?

              caffeine?

              thickness of mulch?

              type of mulch (plastic or organic)?

              type of light (sun or lamp)?

              color of light?

              amount of light?

              direction of light (top, bottom, or side)?

              soap or detergent?

              amount of various gases in the air?

How is seed germination affected by a pre-planting condition of:

              freezing?

              boiling?

              microwave heating?
               soaking in different liquids?

               electric shock?

               dental x-rays?

How is metal corrosion affected by:

               amount of table salt in water?

               amount of other chemicals in water? (such as Epsom salts or sugar)

               liquids?

               temperature?

               humidity in air?

               acids like vinegar?

               bases like baking soda?

               type of metal?

               surface condition?

How is electrical conductivity affected by:

               type of material?

               type of liquid?

               chemicals in liquids?

               temperature?

How is heat conducted through solid materials affected by:

               type of material?

               moving or still air at surface?

               moving or still liquid at surface?

               temperature of material?

How is heat absorbed from the sun or a sun lamp affected by:

               color or solid material?
               color of liquid?

How does temperature affect the frequency that a cricket chirps?

How is composting efficiency affected by:

               amount of lime or other chemicals used?

               type of organic materials (food, leaves, and so on) used?

               amount of water?

               temperature?

               amount of air?

               light?

How is algae growth affected by:

               soaps?

               temperature?

               sunlight?

               amount of chlorine?

How is root growth affected by:

               soil type?

               vitamins?

               type of fertilizer?

How is fermentation affected by:

               amount of yeast?

               amount of sugar?

               temperature?

               light?

How is battery life affected by:

               temperature?
               slow or fast use?

How much is friction changed by:

               lubricants?

               temperature?

               surface roughness?

               bearing type?

How is the holding strength of glues, adhesives, or fasteners such as nails, screws, or rivets affected by:

               type of glue?

               type or size of nail or screw?

               material of rivet?

               type of materials being bonded?

How is bending a nail until it breaks (fatigue) affected by:

               speed of bending?

               diameter of nail?

               material of nail?

               movement of each bend?

               temperature?

How long does food last when stored in different containers or encased by different food wrappings?

Which brand of stain remover works best?

Which type of packing material is best for protection against shock or breakage?

How long do various amounts of aspirin extend the life of cut flowers?

How is the speed of a model car or boat affected by:

               shape?

               weight?

               area?
               model car wheel bearings?

               water temperature for boats?

How is the dissolving speed of powders (like salt) or solids (like candy) affected by:

               stirring?

               heating?

               type of liquid?

               amount of liquid?

How is magnetic recording tape affected by temperature?

How is magnetic erasure of recording tape affected by:

               strength of magnet?

               distance from magnet to tape?

               temperature?

How is the height of a bouncing ball affected by:

               size of ball?

               height from which ball is dropped?

               temperature of ball?

               temperature of surface?

               material of ball or surface?

How is shoe traction affected by:

               pattern in the sole?

               sole material?

               weight of the wearer?

How is traction of a bicycle tire affected by:

               pattern in the tire?

               weight of rider?
How does baseball bat material (wood or aluminum) affect hitting distance?

How is parachute falling speed affected by:

               shape of chute?

               shape of hole(s)?

               size of chute?

               size of hole?

               number of holes?

               placement of holes?

               material?

               weight?

How is the stretch length of rubber bands affected by:

               weight attached?

               width?

               length?

How is paper/model airplane distance affected by:

               design of plane?

               design of body?

               design of wings?

               type of paper?

               distribution of weight?

               amount of weight?

               angle of launch?

How does terracing affect soil erosion?

How does temperature affect people’s ability to taste differences in:

               meats?
               soft drinks?

               sweets?

How is sail performance affected by:

               shape?

               weight?

               material?

               size?

               angle to wind?

How does the performance of a plastic or metal sail compare to a fabric sail?

How is lift of a model airplane affected by the design of the wing?

What are the differences in flight among model airplanes with flat and curved wings?

How effective are different sunglasses’ materials in blocking light?

Does cooking food affect the amount of vitamin C remaining in food?

Does temperature affect the electricity generated by a solar cell?

How is the rolling speed of a ball affected by:

               material?

               size?

               weight?

               angle of ramp?

How good are air spaces of different thickness as heat insulators?

How much are fabrics damaged by:

               pollutants in water or air (such as tobacco smoke)?

               sunlight?

               number of washings?

               type of detergent?
How is the hardness of different types of wood affected by:

moisture?

temperature?

How is dough/cake rising affected by:

               yeast?

               temperature?

               sound?

               vibration?

               sugar content?

               salt content?

How is stained or painted wood affected by:

               sunlight?

               temperature?

               type of wood?

               type of stain or paint?

               humidity/moisture?

How is soil erosion affected by:

               rate of watering?

               slope of land?

               type of soil?

How effective are different types of automobile windshield sunscreens?

How is blood pressure affected by:

               caffeine?

               exercising?

               bathing?
How does the proportion of oxygen in air affect the rusting of iron?

What is the effect a prism’s shape has on the production of a color spectrum?

What is the effect a prism’s shape has on the refraction of light?



More Options

PHYSICS

      1. Fire and Burning- what factors affect burning?
      2. Fuels and their efficiency in producing energy.
      3. Musical instruments- the scientific principles behind them
      4. Music vs Noise- difference
      5. Pendulums- how can a period of a pendulum be increased?
      6. Air Pressure- Water Pressure
      7. Gears- compare efficiencies, effect of different lubricants
      8. Solar Furnace
      10.Lenses- effects of curvature, materials on light beams
      11.Can eggs withstand a greater force from one direction than from others?
      12.How strong are nylon fishing lines?
      13.How strong are plastic wraps?
      14.Which homemade airplane design flies best?
      15.What factors affect the bounce of a dropped ball?
      16.How do compression and tension make things strong?
      17.How strong is a toothpick?
      18.Which type of lawn sprinkler works best?
      19.Which type\size of light bulb produces the most light?
      20.How can the strength of light be measured?- the effect on degradable materials
      21.Which materials can be charged with static electricity?
      22.Which battery lasts the longest?- How can power be increased?
      23.What affects light reflection?- refraction and diffraction of light?
      24.Spectrum and colour production- prisms
      25.How is sound produced? What affects the pitch of sound?- What affects the volume of sound? - How
       would you measure the velocity of sound?
      26.Electric Motors- principles and factors effecting their efficiency
      27.Electric Circuits- factors affecting voltage,amperage, resistance
      28.Magnets and electromagnets- What affects the strength of and electromagnet?
      29.Buzzers and bells and alarms.
      30.Radios
      31.Internal Combustion engines
      32.Heat convection- Radiation of heat
      33.Insulation-best materials, thickness
      34.How is paint affected by temperature changes?- Elasticity of rubber; effect of glue.


ENGINEERING\PHYSICS

      1. Use of solar energy- design and construct solar cookers, solar panels, etc.
      2. Designing a strong bridge, an energy efficient home
     3. Efficient use of renewable energy resources- E.G. Wood, Wind
     4. Determine the accuracy of various thermometers
     5. How much heat is required to raise the temperature of various substances by an equal amount?
     6. Principle of energy conservation
     7. Comparing active & passive solar energy systems in cost and efficiency.


METEOROLOGY

     1.Snow- what happens when it melts; what does it contain; structure of snow flakes; life in a snowbank
     2.Sky Colour- account for differences in colour at different times
     3.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.
     4.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.
     5.Dew formation- how much is formed on a square meter for a period of time; account for variations
     6.Wind-does wind travel at same speeds and in same directions at different heights?
     7.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?
     8.Evaporation- which effects the rate of evaporation most- temperature, humidity, wind speed or other
      factors?
     9.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?
     10. 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?
     11.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.
     12. Humidity- can you collect the amounts of water in the air at different temperatures?
     13.Temperature- what is the difference between direct sun and in the shade? Is the difference constant?
     14.Weather records- Design and build an automatic recording weather device. Test it over a period of
      time.
     15.Effects of Humidity- what happens to hair during periods of changing humidity? How does human
      hair compare to that of other animals? How do other materials compare in expansion and contraction.


CHEMISTRY

     1. Effects of temperature on viscosity of oil, chemical reactions, Brownian movement, burning of
      different materials.
     2. Everyday activities that illustrate chemical principles
     3. Chemical reactions that produce energy or that require energy
     4. Testing of consumer products- glues, stain removers, antiseptics, mouthwash, detergents, paper
      towels, making salt water potable, removal of pollutants
     5. Effects of sunlight on rubber, ink, paper
     6. Effects of increased concentrations on the rate of chemical reactions
     7. Compare the pH levels in mouths of various animals and humans at different times in the day
     8. Compare the surface tension of various liquids
     9. Dealing with chemical spills from industry
     10.Analyzing snow and rain for pollutants; samples from different locations
     11.Effects of temperature on density of gases
     12.Effects of salt and other contaminants on rate of rusting
     13.Growing crystals- factors that affect the rate and the size
     14.Can you obtain water from ink, vinegar, milk?
     15.What effects do different amounts of exercise have on the production of carbon dioxide in humans?
     16.Analyze soil samples for their components, ability to hold moisture, fertility and pH
     17.Does the amount of particle pollution vary with distance from a road, with location, with height.
      Determine types of particles found in pollution fallout
     18.Catalysts- how they work and why; commercial applicants and problems
     19.Fire extinguishers-principles of operation and factors affecting their efficient use
     20.How do acids react with different metals under varying conditions
     21.Identify different metals by the colour of flame when they burn
     22.Can you devise and experiment that will list metals in order of their activity, from the most potassium
      to the least active ore gold
     23.Electroplating- the principles, how different metals can be used and the practical applications


BOTANY

     1.Germination - how monocots and dicots differ - the effects of heat, light, carbon dioxide, pH level, etc.
      on germination rate
     2.Photosynthesis - factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis temperature, light intensity, water,
      carbondioxide - part of light spectrum used in photosynthesis
     3.Leaf - do the numbers and sizes of stomata vary with different plants - what happens if stomata are
      covered and why
     4.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
     5.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
     6.Genetic Studies - connections between hair and eye colour, sex and left handedness, hair colour and
      strength - family studies on inheritance
     7.What conditions are favourable 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
     8.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
     9.Reactions of protozoa to changes in the environment
     10.The preferred pH level in the soil for various plants
Or Make Up Your Own Questions:

Look at sample projects, look at this list, look at projects in books or projects from last years science fair - then
add your own question, your own idea to them.

Don't just use these ideas.
Take these ideas and add something of your own.
For example, change Are dogs colorblind? to Are cats colorblind? Or look at another of the 5 senses of dogs
and test their sense of taste...

      What material is the best insulator
      Are dogs colorblind
      Do soap bubbles last longer on warm or cold days
      Are hot air balloons different from blimps
      What is the best method, other than heat, to melt ice
      What effect does oil have on water plants
      What would happen to the weather if the Earth was a cube
      Do goldfish chemicals they sell you really help the fish adapt to the new aquarium
      How can a tomato plant be grafted to a potato plant How is sound obtained from a compact disk
      How does a nuclear reactor work, how does it look
      How is 2-yr old talk different from ours
      How does burning gasoline make a car move
      How do we tell how far away a star is from Earth
      What soils are best to build a house on
      How do plants react to different kinds of music, different light, colors, and different neighbor plants
      What is the best way to dispose of paper
      Do plants move

Try putting different words in these blanks...

What is the effect of ____________ on _______________?
detergent                 germination of seeds
temperature             the volume of air

How/to what extent does the _____________________ affect ___________________?

humidity                                                    growth of fungi
color of a material                               its absorption of heat

Which/what __________________ (verb) __________________?

foods                             do                 gerbils prefer
detergent                      makes              the most bubbles