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Tornado Science Fair Projects

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:51:57 +0000

Creating a tornado science fair project has been quite popular at science fairs. Of course, it isn’t possible to create a life-sized tornado for obvious reasons! However, miniaturized versions may be created using simple models like the one about to be demonstrated. It is to be remembered that proportions matter a lot, while creating the models. Therefore, these exact proportions need to be followed. The following is possibly the simplest tornado science fair project that can be made with daily household materials. This experiment demonstrates the formation of the eye of the tornado – the central zone of calmness known as the vortex – within ordinary bottles.

The tornado science fair project requires simple ingredients:
- Two large bottles – the larger the better. Soft drink bottles made of plastic are recommended.
- Water colored using food coloring. The lighter the color is, better the demonstration will be. Glitter dust or confetti result in a dazzling display.
- A drill.
- Duct tape and silicon caulking.
- A steadily spinning surface, an old record player if possible.

The apparatus can be set up quite easily. The first step of tornado science fair project is to make half-inch wide holes at the center of the caps. These caps may then be joined together using the silicon caulking, keeping the holes connected. The bottles may be filled with the colored water now. The second step of the tornado science fair project is to attach each end of this double cap to each bottle. Finally, the two caps may be firmly fastened using the duct tape. The entire apparatus takes a shape and form similar to that of an hourglass.

Now, the entire apparatus of the tornado science fair project may be placed upside down, the bottle with the water being at the top, on the spinning surface. It will be observed that as the water slowly drains out to the lower bottle, a vortex is formed in the midst of the spinning water. This vortex is similar to the structure of the vortex formed inside a tornado.

Precautions to be taken during this tornado science fair project are few, but important. The joints must be made perfectly airtight, so that there is no leakage of water and air bubbles don’t enter the bottles. Moreover, the spinning surface must have a steady motion. Otherwise, the entire rhythm of the tornado would be disrupted. The steps are few; however, are important in a tornado science fair project.

The project, as it stands, is a very simple, elegant, and elementary science fair project that judges see all of the time. What you must do in order to stand out is to make this project a little bit different than everyone else’s science fair project. The fact is, with a project like this, you won’t get a really stunning A+ grade simply because this project didn’t involve too much individual thinking. However, by taking this model as a start and exploring some related concept or by looking at some specific aspect of the model, you can really earn a fantastic grade, and maybe even win the science fair with this simple tornado science fair project.

By: Jordan Matthews

Free Easy Science Fair Projects For Kids

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:34:43 +0000

Selecting a topic for a science fair project may be a great deal of trouble for the students. If the topics or topic ideas are freely available on a site and easy to do it with the inexpensive materials available that will be of more help. There are many good examples of free and easy science fair projects that you can do in almost any scientific field, so there are an abundance of choices available to the student and to the parent. While students should be encouraged to choose a topic of their interest, if they seem to have expensive tastes, a parent should step in to guide them towards something more economical.

The free easy science fair projects include those projects which can be easily done and with easily available household materials. It could be anything from an empty milk can to egg carton. A good science fair project does not have to be expensive. Often the best project ideas come from simple observations of daily life.

Methods to control the cost of a science fair project:

- Choose a topic related to simple theme.

- Use public resources like library to collect information.

- Take the advantage of school computer lab for Internet resources.

- Use the materials that are available easily without spending much.

Projects with magnets are very inexpensive, simple, and fun filled. To test the properties of magnets we just need two magnets and some pins and iron rods. The outcome will be fantastic as the experiments will be exciting. Another free easy science fair project idea will be the topics related with plants. Plants make perfect subject for science fair projects, as plants, soil, seeds, and other required materials are easily available, inexpensive, and the procedures are also easy to be carried out. If you want to really control costs, you can even work with grass from your lawn, or rocks from your garden. This is probably a little extreme, but you have to do what you have to do.

Simple observation of night sky may even be a wonderful idea for free easy science fair project, as it does not cost to observe that. Then collect resources related with constellation, phases of moon, and location of various stars. Then drawing reasonable conclusions and presenting the report will turn out to be good project. Water can serve as an excellent topic for free easy science fair project as a number of water related experiments can be done and the results can be presented to draw conclusion.

It is not about spending a lot of money to present a good project, but it is the concept and the way it is presented matters. We should keep in mind that science is all around and not only in fancy technology and expensive gadgets.

A science fair project generally compares two variables to check what works and what does not. It also explores the different dimensions of scientific literacy. The great thing about these experiments is that there are no wrong or right answers. The same can be said of selecting a project. There is not a finite set of science fair projects, so you can always invent something completely on your own. Whatever your selection, as long as yours follows the guidelines set out by your school, university, or individual teacher, then you can be sure of a good grade and a solid performance. Money isn’t everything, especially when it comes to schoolwork.

By: Jordan Matthews

2nd Grade Science Fair Projects

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:54:16 +0000

Science projects for second graders help them learn a scientific principle through an experiment or a series of experiments. The project helps them to apply the skills that they have been taught. Through the second grade science fair project, children learn to ask questions, collect relevant data, write conclusions and present their findings in an attractive and effective manner.

While choosing the topic for the second grade science fair project, the raw materials required should be kept in mind. Very good second grade science fair projects can be done using household materials and material, which are commonly and easily available. Expensive laboratory equipment is not necessary for a second grade science fair project.

The entire second grade science fair project has to be thoroughly planned. The reports that are written should be clear and to the point.

Presentation is the key factor in second grade science fair projects and the following should be kept in mind:

1.The child should understand the topic very clearly and should have absolutely no doubts.

2.The child should be able to explain the project without reading it out.

3.The child should be confident and enthusiastic.

4.The child should be able to speak knowledgeably.

5.The child should present the project in a well organized and clear manner.

6.The project should be original and unique reflecting the creativity of the child.

Topics for second grade science projects are innumerable. However, interesting and original projects can be based on these questions: -

- How far can an animal be heard?

- How are diseases transmitted?

- How long are the blood vessels in different animals?

- Do plants lose water through their leaves?

- Which side of a plant leaf takes in Carbon dioxide?

- How do different colored lights affect plants?

- How fast can a rat/guinea pig run through a maze?

- Why is the sky blue?

- How are rainbows formed?

- Why does ice cream melt?

The advantages of doing an experiment so early on are innumerable. Such projects arouse the curiosity of the student. They are also intellectually stimulating as the child searches for answers instead of being spoon fed information. The students conducts the experiment and gets the result and then explores the reason behind the result and the scientific principle or principles involved.

Some experiments are done in groups. In such cases, children learn to co-operate with one other and work together as a team. They learn the importance of team spirit and they learn to adjust and compromise. In case the project has to be done individually, the child learns to be independent and self confident, however, these projects must be very small in scale, because the students are still to young and disorganized to do anything too complex.

These experiments also strengthen the bond between children and parents. The parents and children sit together and discuss various topics and the options available to them. The child feels happy that the parent is involved in his or her school work.

The second grade fair science projects also enable a student to learn a topic thoroughly and as he or she has learn it on his/her own, the child will not easily forget the scientific principle involved. Also, these experiments encourage children to enjoy science and develop a love for the subject.

By: Jordan Matthews