Science Project Ideas
EARTH
SCIENCES
WARNING!!!
Remember that these project ideas and outlines are meant to help you
complete your own science project. But it is DISHONEST and UNETHICAL
to copy someone else's project work samples and submit them as if they were
your own. That's called plagiarism and it's a fast way to get a failing
grade. It's okay to do the same project as someone else, or review what
others have done so you can make your project better, but DO NOT COPY and
pretend it's your project. Someone is sure to spot the plagiarism!!
Weather
How are tornados formed and what causes them?
Build a "tornado in a box" to show how tornadoes form.
What causes dew? Frost? How are they related to humidity?
Demonstrate how clouds form via condensation around particulate matter.
Explain how fog forms and build a device that produces fog.
What is the relationship between cloud shape, temperature, and height?
Determine which type of clouds carry rain, and which type bring storms.
Compare the level of local precipitation to that of the nation.
Explain the water cycle and how rain fits into it. Demonstrate the cycle.
Compare the accuracy of two or more meteorologists
Which affects evaporation the most.. air temperature, water temperature or wind speed?
Build and demonstrate a weather station with rain gauge and wind indicators.
Build your own inexpensive wind speed indicator.
Build a homemade thermometer and use it to track temperature.
Build a homemade humidity indicator for your weather station and demonstrate its operation.
How can barometric air pressure predict weather?
Build your own barometer as part of a homemade weather station.
Does barometric pressure vary with the phase of the moon?
How does wind speed and direction change during the day?
What is wind chill and what effect does it have on inanimate objects?
What is the difference in temperature between shade and direct sunlight? Does the difference vary with the time of day?
Explain why
the sky is blue and then sometimes changes color. Demonstrate how moisture or dust in the air can change apparent
color of the atmosphere.
Volcanic Action
Construct a
model volcano and explain what causes them to
erupt.
Plate Tectonics
Explain how mountains are created with a cross-sectional model of earth.
Build a model that simulates
the earth's crustal plates so that when two of the plates crush together a "mountain" is
built.
Earthquakes
Can we demonstrate how an undersea earthquake produces a tsunami?
Build a working model that demonstrates the cause of earthquakes.
Build a homemade
device to measure earthquakes, and explain its use. If possible, build a sensitive enough device
to measure trucks driving by or even people walking near the device
Geology
Explain how oil deposits are formed and build a model oil well.
Show how coal is formed and explain the difference in types of coal.
Demonstrate which holds heat the longest, water or soil.
Which rocks are the hardest, and the best for building with?
How do you make concrete?
Compare the compressibility of different types of soil and compare this to the different building code regulations.
Explain which
type of rock is best for fossil hunting and show local examples.
Oceanography
Explain why the ocean is salty, where the salt came from and how long it took for it to get as salty as it is.
Study the causes
of changes in the color of the ocean and prepare water solutions contaminated with impurities and/or
growths to show how they affect water color.
Soil Erosion
Demonstrate how wind, rain, and temperature changes wear down mountains.
Examine the effects of ground cover on rain drainage.
Demonstrate soil erosion, show the various causes, and explain how to control it.
Explain where and how sink holes develop, and their relation to soil type.
Examine terracing and determine if it can help prevent soil erosion.
For further information on these ideas see http://members.aol.com/ScienzFair/ideas.htm