Exit Project Questions

I promised (long ago) to post some of the projects that my students are working on. I repeat that I needed projects with relatively short data collection times, since my top priority is preparing for the Regents Exam. I was not concerned with students coming up with elaborate or novel ideas, and am more concerned that they do a thorough job with a simple idea and be able to explain their results at a pretty sophisticated level. I gave them a deadline of May 6th to finish with data collection, anticipating another week or so to process the data, write up their results, and present their findings. I have donated class time - a double lab period once per week - and have made myself available to them after school if they need extra time or help. So, here are a few more projects that my students are doing, written as problem questions, with descriptions following the questions.

How does temperature/pH/detergent concentration affect enzyme action?


A follow up on the lab we did called mello jello. Enzyme action is measured by the increased diameter of a well cut out of a jello sample, filled with detergent solution. The original lab looked at various detergents, students' projects manipulated one of the other variables listed in the title - in other words, three different experiments/projects came out of this lab.

How do different foods affect mealworm growth?


Student has three containers with 20 mealworms each, records mealworm growth(measured in grams) after several weeks. Student also keeps track of molting to the extent possible and metamorphosis where applicable. Student will be expected to explain results based on some measurable quality of the foods involved - caloric content, texture, moisture content, etc.

How does weight affect heart rate?



Students are taking measurements of subjects at rest, walking, and running short distances and correlating with weight/height, body-mass index.

How does height affect speed?



Students are testing subjects of various heights and looking for correlations with time it takes to run a certain distance.

--A lot of seed germination projects - temperature, salt content, light exposure, size of seed.

How do different concentrations of detergent affect DNA extraction from wheat germ?



A variation on the lab we did on DNA extraction. Using protocol, altering only one variable in the procedure. Student will extract DNA, dry on filter paper, weigh the results.

NOTE: I purchased some inexpensive twin beam balances that measure to 0.01 gram precision.

How does the mass of a lemon affect the voltage produced by a "lemon battery?"



OK, so they are actually using oranges for some reason. Pretty self-explanatory. My only comment is that they somehow have to look at this more from a biological perspective rather than physical science, but of course the distinction is rather artificial in the end. What I means is, what does the lemon battery have to do with the functioning of living things?

That's enough for now. For anyone reading these titles after searching for science fair projects, I would only point out that each of these projects, as I constantly stress, has a measurable dependent variable and each is looking for a cause and effect relationship, or at least a correlation between two variables. The New York City Exit project requirement states that all projects should follow this model, whether it is a controlled experiment, a field study, or a secondary research project. Even design projects should include a controlled experiment to test some aspect of the design. You can check out the old District Six Project Guidelines for a more complete discussion of these different projects.