Science Fair Ideas

[Betty]

My 5th grader has to do a science fair project. Anyone have any fun (and relatively quick and easy) ideas?

[Alex]

Disprove the idea that because of the Coriolis effect water rotates a drain in the opposite direction in the southern hemisphere than in the northern.

Plenty of opportunity to talk about toilets in a classroom setting. Perfect for a 5th grader (and Adam Sandler).

[Strangler Lewis]

Isn't one supposed to make a clock out of a potato?

[katiesue]

Feel free to use mine from 5th grade - Non-flamable pajamas? We blow torched both flamible and non-falmible jammies. Perfect excuse to use a blow torch. And I'd rather wear flamible ones. They just sort of burn, the non-flamible ones just melted.

[Betty]

Disprove the idea that because of the Coriolis effect water rotates a drain in the opposite direction in the southern hemisphere than in the northern.

Plenty of opportunity to talk about toilets in a classroom setting. Perfect for a 5th grader (and Adam Sandler).

how would one do that without being able to travel to both hemispheres to test?

[Capt Jack]

hydroponic hemp farming

[Betty]

Feel free to use mine from 5th grade - Non-flamable pajamas? We blow torched both flamible and non-falmible jammies. Perfect excuse to use a blow torch. And I'd rather wear flamible ones. They just sort of burn, the non-flamible ones just melted.

I love the idea - but dont' have a blow torch nor another reason to buy one. I'm guessing a lighter won't do the trick?!

[Betty]

hydroponic hemp farming

Why yes - that sounds like a fabulous project! However, in the interest of time and stuff - won't work for us. Project is due in about 2 weeks.

[Ghoulish Delight]

how would one do that without being able to travel to both hemispheres to test?
All you would have to do is show water draining both ways here in the northern hemisphere.

[Capt Jack]

Why yes - that sounds like a fabulous project! However, in the interest of time and stuff - won't work for us. Project is due in about 2 weeks.

radioactive genetically altered rapid growth hydroponic hemp farming :D

[Ghoulish Delight]

There's always the old "What Obejects are Conductive?" Get a battery (the big lantern batteries are best), attach a wire from the negative lead* to a lightbulb. Run a second wire from the bulb to the other lead, but cut it. Wrap the two cut ends of the wire around a couple of nails and space the nails a bit apart. Then take different objects, touch them to both nails and see which ones light the light.




*[size=1]I think that's the right way to do it safely, you'll want to double check that though[size]

[Alex]

Dude! You gave away the answer.

But yeah, that's how you do it. Provide a demonstration of water draining in both directions along with a poster board explaining the Coriolis effect and why it is a massive force that is too weak on such a small scale (without the math, presumably).

Go way out on a limb and find an online pen pal to a web cam demonstration of the same mixed results from the southern hemisphere.

[katiesue]

I love the idea - but dont' have a blow torch nor another reason to buy one. I'm guessing a lighter won't do the trick?!

You could use a lighter, it's just not as fun as using a blow torch :evil:

[Moonliner]

There's always the old "What Obejects are Conductive?" Get a battery (the big lantern batteries are best), attach a wire from the negative lead* to a lightbulb. Run a second wire from the bulb to the other lead, but cut it. Wrap the two cut ends of the wire around a couple of nails and space the nails a bit apart. Then take different objects, touch them to both nails and see which ones light the light


That's how I learned hamsters are conductive.

[Moonliner]

I love the idea - but dont' have a blow torch nor another reason to buy one. I'm guessing a lighter won't do the trick?!

A number of places sell mini butane torch's (http://www.nextag.com/torch-butane/search-html).

Very handy in an amazing number of circumstances.



(Don't ask about the hamster)

[LSPoorEeyorick]

And then you can use it for making creme brulee (or bananas brulee, in our house.)

[Moonliner]

And then you can use it for making creme brulee (or bananas brulee, in our house.)

Wait, are you saying you'd invite me into your home. With a blowtorch?

*sniff*

I'm touched.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Or lighting a crack pipe.

[Kevy Baby]

I love the idea - but dont' have a blow torch nor another reason to buy one. I'm guessing a lighter won't do the trick?!What other reason does one need to buy a blowtorch?

Dude!I'm just amused that Alex said "Dude!"