Junior Division
Animal Science
Is a Dog's Mouth Cleaner Than a Human's?
Junior Division
Animal Science Lydia Surface Amira Ahmed Grade 5 Hazel Grove Elementary JR-AS-002-T
Our hypothesis is that the dog’s mouth will be cleaner with fewer germs. We did experiments of growing bacteria from the human mouth and comparing it to the dog’s mouth. We used cotton swabs to put humans and dogs saliva into Petri dishes. We took swab specimens from two humans and two dogs. Dog number 1 has his teeth brushed regularly, while the dog number 2 does not. Humans have a regular amount of flora and bacteria. The Petri dishes contained blood agar to help bacteria grow. Then we put the Petri dishes into a bacteriology incubator for two days. After the days have passed, we inspected the dishes to see which one grew more bacteria and then stained the bacteria with Gram stain to view them under the microscope. If the dish containing human saliva grew more bacteria, then a human’s mouth would be dirtier. If the dish containing a dog’s saliva grew less bacteria than the human’s, then the dog's mouth would be cleaner. We found that humans and dogs have similar amounts of bacteria in their mouths. However, the type of bacteria is different. Under the microscope, humans have Gram-positive (blue) cocci (spheres) while dogs have long Gram-negative (red ) rods. Because of equal number of bacteria, these results do not support our hypothesis. Dogs are scientifically proven to have many different types of bacteria. Humans have bacteria that cause dental decay.
Colorblind Fetch
Junior Division
Animal Science Henry Woods Grade 8 West Platte Jr. High JR-AS-003
This project studied the effects of different colors of tennis balls and the time it took the dog to fetch the tennis balls. The hypothesis stated that if the color of tennis balls thrown for a dog to fetch changes, then the time for the dog to come back with the ball will change. Due to dogs being color blind, this study would show which color(s) were most quickly retrieved. Five colored tennis balls were tried 10 times each for a total of fifty trials. Ten trials were experimented using the color red, ten trials were experimented using the color orange, ten trials were experimented using the color yellow, ten trials were experimented using the color green, ten trials were experimented using the color blue. The times varied throughout all 50 trials between the 5 different colors. The average time of each trial using the color red was 9.413 seconds per trial. The average time of each trial using the color orange was 9.411 seconds per trial. The average time of each trial using the color yellow was 9.924 seconds per trial. The average time of each trial using the color green was 9.482 seconds per trial. The average time of each trial using the color blue was 8.307 seconds per trial. The statistics applied indicated that the hypothesis was supported.
Do Dogs Have a Favorite Color?
Junior Division
Animal Science Molly Hannan Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-AS-005
Most people think that dogs are colorblind, but they are not. Humans have three photoreceptors in their eyes, which allows them to see the full spectrum of colors. Dogs, however, only have two, limiting the colors that they can see. This test measured if dogs have a preference in color. This was tested by varying the color in the dog bowls, treats and toys. Two dogs participated in this experiment. The dogs were given a choice between the colors red, blue, green, yellow, and the control. The results show that the brighter and bolder colors like red, yellow, and green had more effect than the blue, grey, and brown.
The Effect of Horse Treats on the Time In-Between When the Treat is Offered to the Horse and When the Horse Eats it.
Junior Division
Animal Science Tayah Kovanda Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-AS-007
If the horse is given a peppermint-flavored treat, then it will take it quickly because the horse really likes peppermint flavored treats. This hypothesis is based on the amount of time the horse takes to eat the peppermint after it is offered. The experiment included holding out a treat for a horse grazing 3 ½ feet away, measuring the time until the horse eats it, and then repeating the process three times with different treats, recording the times and the averages in a table. The data showed that the horse took the longest to take a carrot, and the shortest to take a peppermint, meaning that the horse enjoys peppermints the most. This research is helpful because it proves that horses have opinions and feelings.
A Dog’s Vision
Junior Division
Animal Science Andrew Cooper Grade 8 Indian Woods Middle School JR-AS-008
People all over the world struggle to find the best toys for their dogs. This study was designed to determine what color of toy would be best to purchase for their dog. It was hypothesized that yellow would be the color of choice because dogs see this color best. When presented with the three yellow, red, green and white objects over 20 days, yellow was picked 10 times in the cup test, 9 times in the yarn test, and 11 times in the streamer test. The data shows that yellow was overwhelmingly picked more often than the other colors used during testing of all three objects. This is consistent with our hypothesis that dogs see yellow better.
Ants vs. Environment
Junior Division
Animal Science Kachi Nwodika Grade 6 St. Andrew The Apostle JR-AS-009
My experiment may bug you if you are afraid of insects. I am doing an experiment on ants and how the environment affects them. I thought the dirt ones would do far better than the sand ones. I was not hundred percent wrong. The sand ants invaded the dirt ants pace and took over. This proves that ants could tell the difference between artificial sand and natural dirt. They also seem to like the dirt because of the shade of twigs and leaves. If you didn't know the ants I used are Harvester ants which live in prairies and grasslands. That means the dirt ants had an advantage but the sand ants smartly switched and took over the dirt and habitat of the other ants. For the most time the dirt ants seemed in a better position but the sand ants pulled through. The ants sadly will die of old age as they do not have a queen. The queen ant would have slightly changed behavior as they were working for nothing. In conclusion now the dirt and sand ants have mixed up and now are constantly switching and it seems ant do really know their habitats. There is also a trooper sand ant that is digging tunnels even though it is the last ant still in sand biome.
Hamster Paw-er
Junior Division
Animal Science Dominic Jimenez Dominic Paoletti Grade 8 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-AS-010-T
Our project is a test of how much energy a hamster wheel can produce. The hamster wheel was made to produce electricity by spinning magnets around the wheel next to copper magnet wire to use the ring of magnets around the wheel. The magnets disrupt the electrons in the copper wiring that generates electricity. So we had the hamster attempt to run in the wheel and generate electricity. The hamster sadly could not generate a lot of electricity. According to our voltage meter he could produce about 0.015 volts of electricity on average while the LED requires 2.2 volts. It would take based on the highest spike of electricity which was 0.036 it would take approximately 61 hamsters to power the LED. Sadly we only had one hamster so there was not enough power to light the LED. Our original hypothesis was that the hamster would be able to light the LED by running in his wheel. This hypothesis was incorrect and we were unable to light the bulb. Our hamster although unable to run enough to power the LED was still able to produce electricity, so we are now able to know the correct voltage and amount of hamsters to power the light. When we were able to work together we got started putting the project together to allow the hamster to have his fun while we worked on his wheel generator.
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Do Introverts or Extroverts Have Better Memory?
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Hamayl Hamid Grade 8 Islamic School of Greater Kansas City JR-BE-002
The purpose of this experiment is to find out which personalities are better at remembering things such as a grocery list. To go through with this project the researcher will test a number of people from the same age group on their personalities using a reliable test and ask for the same amount of volunteers from both extroverted and introverted personalities to participate in their experiment. They will then proceed to test both personality groups with a written test regarding their memory. After comparing the averages of both personality's test scores, the researcher found that the introverted personality's memory is slightly better than the extroverted personality's memory. Though the difference is slight it is still there and visible. So in conclusion, the researcher found that their hypothesis was indeed correct and the introverted personality's memory is better than the extroverted personality's memory.
Caprylic Notes and Their Affect on Concentration
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Noah Hinkle Grade 7 Homeschool JR-BE-003
This study was concerned with the effects of caprylic notes on concentration. The researcher used a task requiring both skill and concentration for the investigation. For the independent variable, the researcher used the conditions of the tests. Each subject was given four beanbags and asked to throw them into a hole from a distance of eight feet from the end of the gameboard. Half of the subjects threw with the caprylic odor introduced first the and other half threw with the caprylic odor introduced second. Each of the subjects threw independently with only the researcher and a witness in the room. Subjects were then required to wait at least thirty minutes between tests. Each spot on the board represented a different point value, which increased the closer you got to the target, without going over. The target was the highest point value representing a perfect score. For the dependent variable, the researcher used the scores of the subjects. Results were then analyzed based on a perfect score. The researcher found the mean score of the subjects influenced by caprylic odor to be 77.50, while the mean score of the subjects not influenced by caprylic order to be 177.14. It was found that subjects threw 19.82% better when not under the influence of caprylic odor.
Brain Power Music
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Margaret Howard Grade 8 West Platte Jr. High JR-BE-007
This project studied the effects of different types of music on the scores of a student test. The hypothesis stated that if the type of music changed then the score of the students’ test would change. Ten tests were taken with Classical music once, ten tests were taken with Country music once, ten tests were taken with Jazz once, ten tests were taken with Rock once, and ten tests were taken with no music. The percentage of the tests were recorded each time. The average percentage of the tests taken with Classical music was fifty-eight percent. The average percent of tests taken with Country music was fifty-seven percent. The average percent of test scores taken with Jazz was sixty-two percent.The average percent of tests taken with Rock was sixty percent. The average percent of tests taken in the control group was fifty-eight percent. The statistics applied indicated that the hypothesis was correct.
The Effect of Color on Flavor Perception
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Jamie Weiss Grade 8 John Paul II Catholic School JR-BE-009
The purpose of this experiment is to figure out: if the color of foods and beverages change, will students think that there is a different taste? The hypothesis stated that students’ perception of flavor would change if the color of foods/beverages change. To confirm this hypothesis, the researcher gave 10 subjects 1 cookie with red frosting, 1 cookie with white frosting, 1 clear glass of lemonade, and 1 glass of lemonade with added yellow food dye each. Then, the subjects were given a series of questions to answer regarding flavor perception. The results showed that the subjects’ perception of flavor changed with the different colors of foods/beverages, supporting the hypothesis.
Personality and Learning
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Daniel Hiles Grade 8 St. Peter’s JR-BE-011
The researcher's investigation was to determine if there was a link between personality types, using the Myer-Briggs test, and learning types, using the VARK test. This test was conducted for the benefit of teachers and students alike, helping them have a better learning experience by seeing if personality, which is easier to detect, could be linked to learning styles giving teachers an easier way to teach those students by knowing how they best learn. The hypothesis stated that visual and reading learning types would be more introverted and that auditory and kinesthetic groups would be more extroverted. The test was conducted on students between the ages of twelve and fourteen. Then the Myers-Brigg and VARK tests were given to the students in the testing room. After the tests were conducted, the researcher looked for a connection between the students’ personalities and learning types. The information gathered was then put in the form of a graph of the 32 students tested. However, the data showed that there was no link between personality and learning types. However, the data showed that there was a high number of kinesthetic learners in the tested age group. It was learned while there was no connection between personality types and learning type, the data did reveal that the tested twelve to fourteen year old students were highly kinesthetic.
Pump Up the Jams
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Annie McShane Grade 8 St. Peter’s JR-BE-013
The researcher investigated which of the sounds of classical music, an alarm clock, or silence would cause the least amount of frustration for a twelve to fourteen year old student while trying to solve a math word problem. This was investigated for the purpose of determining what sounds might provide the most beneficial learning environment for students. The young scientist predicted that classical music would cause the least amount of frustration. To conduct the experiment, the researcher asked twenty test subjects at a time to enter an empty classroom, where the selected sound was already being played. After explaining what the students needed to complete, the researcher set a timer for one minute while they began solving the word problem. Once the time was up, surveys were passed out to each student, instructing them to indicate how frustrated they felt while solving the problem. The independent variables were the different sounds; the dependent variable was the level of frustration experienced by each student; the control was the level of frustration experienced by each student in silence. Three tests were conducted with twenty test subjects for each. The final result of the experiment showed that classical music and silence caused the least amount of frustration for students. The young researcher learned that when trying to create a beneficial learning environment for students, classical music or a quiet classroom might be the most ideal.
Age and its affect on Workforce Gender Stereotypes
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Caylen Weinzerl Grade 8 Saint James Catholic School JR-BE-016
The problem that was being investigated was if age affects the job people want in the gender stereotyped workfield. This was being investigated because it could help workforces to be more aware of the gender bias in certain jobs, and ensure kids know that in the future they can become or do whatever they want when they grow up. The problem was tested by having three different groups: adults, 8th graders, and 4th graders. They were given a sheet with multiple jobs listed. They all were asked to choose 3 jobs they wanted when they were a child or when they grow up, or they could write one in if it was not listed. The jobs had 2 different groups, girl gender stereotyped jobs and boy gender stereotyped jobs. The hypothesis was that the adults would choose jobs that were more based on their gender, the 4th graders would stray from the gender based jobs, and the 8th graders would be in between. The data came out showing that for 4th graders, 12 girls wanted boy jobs and 5 boys wanted boy jobs. 8 girls wanted girl jobs and 4 boys wanted girl jobs. For 8th graders, 5 girls chose boy jobs and 13 boys chose boy jobs. 2 girls chose girl jobs and 10 boys chose girl jobs. For adults, 2 girls wanted boy jobs and 16 boys wanted boy jobs. 18 girls wanted girl jobs and 7 boys wanted girl jobs.
What sugar substitute tastes the best?
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences Jude Beckham Ainsley Pardon Brady Fox Grade 6 Oakhill Day School JR-BE-017-T
The problem with this experiment was designed around that sugar is very unhealthy. It was hypothesized that if the four sugar substitutes are tested for taste, Coconut sugar will taste the best. The cupcakes were made and given to 12 students. The students ate the cupcakes in the same order for every student. They then rated them 1-5, 1 being worst and 5 being the best. Our results did not support our hypothesis because honey was the highest-rated sugar.
The Truth Behind the Miracle Berry
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Adelyn Boyd Grade 6 Heritage Middle School JR-BE-022
The purpose of this experiment is to see how different people’s perceived taste changes when given the Mberry tablet, the Mberry tablet is made from cornstarch and the miracle fruit and is meant to change sour foods sweet. I will record the reaction of my class mates eating a list of foods before and after they have the Mberry. To collect data I’m going to create a graph on a scale of 1-10 on how sweet to sour the food is and ask each student to circle the number they believe fits best, I will do this once before they have the Mberry and once after the Mberry to see how their perceived taste changes. After collecting all the data I will compare everyone’s answers and see how much the Mberry impacted how the same foods taste before and after. With the knowledge I gain from this experiment I can see how all tastebuds react differently and depending on the results I can see if the miracle berry can help people who struggle to eat a variety of flavors or tolerate the taste of certain medications.
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences Oliva Ohden Josie Axsom Grade 6 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-BE-023-T
Can people tell the difference between left handed writing and right handed writing? About 80% of people are right-handed. Only about 10% of people are left-handed. Who has better handwriting? Can people tell the difference between left-handed writing and righthanded writing? That's what we wanted to know. Student Researcher #2 is left-handed, and wanted to know if their classmates can tell the difference between Student Researcher #1’s handwriting and their own. Student Researcher #1 wanted to know why lefties and righties have such different handwriting. We started our research by looking for the differences between left-handed writing and right-handed writing. We found that lefties usually cross their T’s differently than righties. We also found that lefties usually slant to the left, while righties slant to the right. We then created our hypothesis. Student Researcher #1 thought that the test subject could tell the difference, while Student Researcher #2 thought they wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Then we started our experiment. We achieved our test subjects and started gathering our data. We did this by showing them our sentences and asking them if the person who wrote the sentences are left-handed or right-handed. We then put our data in a chart.
Does everyone see the same colors?
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Therese Motko Grade 8 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-BE-027
Do you see what I see? Well someone’s blue could be someone else's red. Do you know what color is the most irritating to the eye? It’s neon yellow because it is based off of physics and optics. The brighter the color the more irritating it will be to the eye. Have you ever had to pay attention while the light was in your eyes and you really couldn't see. Has it ever caused you to see a different color, well it's normal. The light is reflecting off of your eyes and showing you a different color. If you have low vision these colors would be very difficult to see: navy blue, brown, green, purple pink, yellow, and pale green. The color green soothes the eyes the most, why? The human eye is very sensitive to wavelengths that are high. It is easier for our eyes to see during the day. It depends on the lighting and the eyes to be able to see the correct color! So let me ask you again, do you see what I see?
Brain Reactions
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences Claire Mosh Uzonna Anikwe Grade 8 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-BE-028-T
Our experiment was to study how the brain reacts to certain materials and objects. Students were taken into a room and given objects to see how their brain will react to the materials. We recorded their initial reactions to the materials. Our subjects had very similar reactions for some of the materials, but also very different reactions for materials. For example, when looking at a picture of holes one subject said it made him hungry, and another subject said that the picture made her cringe. We also had a subject that did not react at all. The materials we used were blown up balloons, arts and crafts pom poms, a sparkly hair bow, a bouncy ball, a squishy ball, a candle, a sharp pencil, and a dry erase eraser. Some of the materials had no reaction where others gave the subjects a nostalgia of past events or places. For example, the smell of the candle reminded subjects of their grandmother’s house. The pom poms however did not have very many reactions. These results led us to believe being able to smell something reminds you of something from childhood or from your past. We have produced the idea that boys think of doing physical actions where girls are reminded of something when seeing a material. One reaction that was similar was for the squishy ball. Most reactions were that it satisfies or calmed them and the physical reaction was to squeeze it. This is what we have concluded about our experiment.
Symbolic Interactionism
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Kaitlyn Drinkard Mary Ross Grade 8 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-BE-029-T
Symbolic interactionism is the relation between colors, feelings, places, and more. The purpose of this project was to determine if the average person recognizes a relationship between colors, places, and feelings. We chose to do this project because we were interested in seeing the relationship between feelings, colors, and places in people. We analyzed the general theory of different perspectives that the connections were made by general selection relating to the region of the midwest in the United States. The basic design of the study was laid out without bias and in a controlled environment. We began by testing our male subjects then our female subjects. We used the same environment for both without peer pressure. Our results showed that metallic colors were often associated with trust, and dark colors such as black, dark green, and brown, were associated with more unsettling places and feelings. We also noted that the guys were more indecisive. We originally believed that the darker scale of colors will go with the more calming feelings and the places you feel the most safe or calm. While the warmer and brighter colors on the color scale will go with more anxious feelings and loud or obnoxious places. We did not believe that gender would have an impact on the study and did not include it in our hypothesis. Through this experiment, we were able to explore the similarities in each category of color, feelings, and places, and how they relate to gender and as a whole.
Human Lie Detector
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Abigail O’Dell Reese Grego Grade 8 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-BE-030-T
Our project was to figure out who can detect liars better boys or girls. We brought one student at a time into a room, and told them to say a true statement about themselves. We then told one person in the group to lie about theirs. We recorded what they all decided to say and who would be the liar. In our first attempt, we had Alaina be the liar among them. Her lie was that she fell out of a tree in California. Abigail’s guess was that more girls would guess the lair, but Reese said that she thought that more boys would guess the liar We brought all 10 of the people in a room together. They all said their statements out loud and we allowed them to ask each other questions about the statements. Some people asked things like when did this happen, where, or why. They all then said out loud who they think the liar was. In the end only one person guessed Alaina was the liar. We decided to do the experiment again to see if the results would be better. The second time around we had Holden become the liar instead of another girl. We did everything exactly the same as before except we told people to change their statement. In the end when they said who they thought was the liar, everyone got it wrong and no one guessed him. In conclusion this meant that guys could detect the liar better.
Body Reactions to Emotions
Junior Division
Behavioral and Social Sciences Isabella Mandacina Gianina Martino Grade 8 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-BE-031-T
Have you ever wondered how we react to emotions in a physical matter? How does your body react when you are angry? What happens when you experience love or affection? This project worked to dictate what happens when your body experiences emotions and how the body physically reacts to those mental emotions. First, the subjects were asked what the best way to recall their emotions would be, in videos, pictures, or short passages. The subjects were then influenced to relax and get comfortable so that they could project their emotions. Next, three different emotions were shown or read to each participant keeping in mind that every person is different and might experience the emotion unlike another person would. When the participants found or were experiencing the emotion, they were asked what bodily sensation they had felt if they could identify one, the sensation was noted. The procedure was repeated the same on each person. Any patterns or gender differences were then looked for and noted during the testing phase of the project. It was found that the Female gender had an easier time identifying the physical reaction compared to the male gender.
Junior Division
Chemical Energy
The Effect of Different Insulators on a Food’s Rate of Heat Loss
Junior Division
Chemical Energy Henry Schulewitz Grade 8 John Paul II Catholic School JR-CE-002
Food. People eat it, make it, and serve it. People have tried many methods of insulating food over periods of time. There are many applications for keeping food insulated for a period of time. It can be beneficial to those outdoors, and for those travelling who want to maintain a warm temperature on food. This led the researcher to determine which insulator is the most efficient in keeping food warm without a heat source, and based on the rate of a food’s heat loss. If a variety of insulators are filled with food and left in a freezer for several hours, then the food left in a thermos will have the highest final temperature, because it contains a vacuum filled with air, a material that insulates well, and is designed to keep food at high temperatures for long periods of time. Three types of food were individually heated to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, placed inside an insulator, and set inside a 20 degree freezer for three hours. Then, the food was removed from the freezer, and the final temperature was recorded. Overall, there were only a few differences in the rate of heat loss between food and insulator type. The thermos had an average heat loss rate of -8.55 degrees per hour. Every other insulator had a heat loss rate between -37 and -39 degrees per hour. The hypothesis was supported because the thermos did end up having the lowest rate of heat loss compared to the other insulators.
Spud-tricity
Junior Division
Chemical Energy John Bertoncin Grade 7 Saint James Catholic School JR-CE-004
The problem being tested was what temperature of potatoes generates the most volts. The 3 groups were boiled potatoes, room temperature potatoes, and frozen potatoes. This was studied because the researcher wanted to find out which temperature of potato will generate the most volts. There were 2 trials in this experiment. Each group of potatoes were exposed to different temperatures by being boiled, frozen, or just in a room temperature room. When the potatoes were finished, they were made into batteries and were measured by a volt meter. This could be used in real life because parts of the world with not a lot of electricity could start growing large amounts of potatoes to turn into electricity generators. The room temperature potatoes generated the most average amount of volts with 1.2 volts, the boiled potatoes generated an average amount of 1.15 volts, and the frozen potatoes generated the least average amount of volts with 1 volt. The researcher's hypothesis was not supported because the hypothesis said if a person boils a potato for 8 minutes, then it will generate the most amount of volts, but in the experiment, the room temperature group generated the most.
The Fruity Battery
Junior Division
Chemical Energy Corey Larry Grade 8 Martin City Middle School JR-CE-009
The purpose of this experiment is to find out which fruit would produce more acidity. The problem is “The amount of acidity affects how many OHMS are produced.� The methods I used during the experiment were using different types of fruit. My results supported my hypothesis. I could choose a different fruit.
Junior Division
Chemistry
How Do Different Flours Perform? A Study of Gluten
Junior Division
Chemistry
Hugo McDaniel Grade 8 Homeschool JR-CH-002
The purpose of the experiment is to test how different types of flour with different amounts of gluten perform under a gluten network test and when prepared and baked as bread. My procedure is to use three different types of flour to prepare bread dough according to a basic bread recipe. I will use the same recipe for all three kinds of flour. For the gluten network test, I will run the unbaked dough under cold water until all of the starch is gone. When all the starch is gone there will be just the gluten network. Then I will bake the gluten and sample it. I will repeat this three times to make sure I get the same results. I will also bake bread with three different types of flour. I will repeat this three times also and compare the baked bread loaf to the baked gluten network balls. My hypothesis is that the gluten-free flour will not be entirely gluten-free and will form some small gluten network.
Peanut Free: How to get rid of peanut allergens on hands and prevent their spread to classroom surfaces
Junior Division
Chemistry
Rowan Tate Grade 8 Indian Woods Middle School JR-CH-003
I investigated how to get rid of allergens on hands and prevent their spread to surfaces in classrooms. Studies show that peanut free classrooms are not very effective at preventing allergic reactions. Could something be done that would prevent these allergens from spreading in the classroom? I decided to see if hand washing methods would get rid of allergens. I tested hand washing with soap and water, hand sanitizer, or wet wipes. I cleaned the table with Virex cleanser, the same cleanser used to clean at the school . I tested the cleaned surface to make sure there were not allergens. I then put my gloved hand on peanut butter, and washed my hands using one of the various hand cleaning supplies, then I put my hand on the clean table and used 3M Clean Trace protein swabs to detect peanut allergens remaining on the table. I found out that handwashing with soap and water is the best method of cleaning hands of allergens. This was the only one that indicated less than 50ug of allergen proteins, a clean result. The wet wipes were second but failed to remove enough allergens and hand sanitizer was the worst and failed to remove enough allergens. The best way for classrooms to stay peanut free is to have kids wash their hands before they enter the classroom. Without this step there could be over 50ug of allergen protein on surfaces which is enough to cause allergic reactions in allergic students.
Be Gone Liquid
Junior Division
Chemistry
Emaline Handzel Grade 8 John Paul II Catholic School JR-CH-007
This experiment was conducted to see what liquid evaporates the most. The researcher’s hypothesis was “If water, orange juice, soda, coffee, and tea are left out on a counter and are measured and tested by the liquids’ evaporation rate, then water will have the largest decrease in volume because the water molecules are able to escape more easily.” The researcher took ten beakers of five different liquids (two beakers per liquid) and set the beakers in the same room. All of the beakers were filled at 250ml. Two with water, two with iced tea, two with coffee, two with orange juice, and two with soda. Each day the researcher checked the beakers to see if there was any change in volume due to evaporation. The final results ended up with orange juice and tea averaged the same amount decreased which was -82ml. The average amount decrease for water was -49.5ml, for coffee, was -59ml, and for soda was -39. The researcher concluded that the results were due to each liquid’s composition and not due to random chance.
Which Bath Bomb Recipe Fizzes the Longest?
Junior Division
Chemistry
Elise Carter Katerina McDonald Kathryn Yager Grade 6 Oakhill Day School JR-CH-011-T
The problem is bath bombs don’t fizz long enough in the water. It was hypothesized that bath bombs with more citric acid fizz longer than bath bombs with less citric acid. A brief procedure of the experiment is as follows: Making the bath bombs, taking different amounts of ingredients every time we make a bath bomb, then timing how long it fizzes when dropped in water. The results do support the hypothesis.
The World’s Tallest Biscuit
Junior Division
Chemistry
Finn Slattery Grade 8 Calvary Lutheran School JR-CH-012
Have you ever been to a breakfast restaurant and gotten their biscuit and gravy. And when they came out they were ginormous biscuits. In this project I tested how much baking powder would make a biscuit rise the most. My hypothesis is that the amount of baking powder in a biscuit will make the baked biscuit have a little more rise than ones with less baking powder. To do this experiment I made five batches of biscuits with 0,2,4,6 and 8 teaspoons of baking powder. I made a time sheet that showed me what time intervals I needed to follow. The rest of the ingredients were the same amounts the whole way through. After the experiment, my results showed that the more baking powder you add to a biscuit the higher it will rise. These results tell me that my hypothesis was correct.
Is The Juice Worth The Squeeze?
Junior Division
Chemistry
Gabi Vovk Grade 8 St. Peter’s JR-CH-014
The investigation focused on determining if organically grown oranges had more or less vitamin C content than commercially grown oranges. Consumers spend extra money on organic oranges in hopes of eating foods with higher nutrition. The researcher hypothesized that organically grown oranges would have a larger vitamin C content, but not by a large amount. The experiment was conducted by squeezing the juice from each individual orange, and slowly adding a mixture of potassium iodine, potassium iodate, sulfuric acid, soluble starch, and hot water. The mixture was slowly added into the orange juice until the vitamin C was overwhelmed by the iodine, changing the juice’s color, and was then recorded and averaged between oranges. The control was the amount of vitamin C in a 70 mg vitamin C tablet, the dependent variable was the amount of vitamin C in the oranges, and the independent variable was each type of orange. The overall results showed that the organically grown oranges contained 3.16 mg less of vitamin C than the commercially grown oranges. The researcher learned how oranges are grown and what climate they grew best in, that organic oranges are not too different than commercially grown oranges, and about many new types of oranges and how they appear.
It’s Dissolving Time!
Junior Division
Chemistry
Mason Kastel Grade 7 St. Peter’s JR-CH-015
The investigation determined which liquid could fastest dissolve Advil. The liquid that dissolved it fastest would help it be effective sooner. The young scientist predicted that Sprite would create the fastest dissolving time out of five total liquids being tested. The experiment was conducted testing five different liquids (water, Sprite, hot coffee, lemonade, and milk), three times for each liquid, with a total of fifteen trials. The independent variables were the liquids. The dependent variable was the dissolving time of the Advil. The control was the dissolving time of Advil in the water. The results showed that the hot coffee was the fastest liquid to dissolve Advil, unlike lemonade which produced the slowest dissolving time. The young scientist learned the temperature of a liquid has a greater effect on Advil dissolving than carbonation. Based on the tests, if someone wanted faster medicine relief, then he/she should take it with hot coffee.
Surface Tension
Junior Division
Chemistry
Erika Garcia Reyes Grade 7 Hocker Grove Middle School JR-CH-020
The purpose of the experiment is that it helps make our bones stronger with calcium and is delicious to drink. Temperature can affect how much we enjoy the milk. Some people like warm milk and if they have cold milk then they won’t enjoy the milk as much as they would when the milk would be warm and vice versa. The thing being tested was the surface tension of the milk. It was tested using a mathematical formula. It was measured in the units N/cm(Newtons/ centimeters). There were 10 trials tested. The independent variable in this experiment is the temperature and the dependent variable is the surface tension. The results showed that as the temperature increased, the surface tension decreased. The hypothesis made was supported with the experiment. The hypothesis said that if the temperature increased, the surface tension would decrease.
Popcorn Old Vs New
Junior Division
Chemistry
Hayley Tischinski Grade 7 St. James Catholic School JR-CH-021
The experiment was investigated by seeing if the age of popcorn affected the amount of unpopped kernels. The experiment was tested by using 4 different ages of popcorn. Each different date was tested by putting each bag into the microwave for 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Each expiration date was tested 3 times and they took the average of each times unpopped kernels. The hypothesis was that the newest popcorn would have the least amount of unpopped kernels. That hypothesis was incorrect. The results of the experiment was that the oldest popcorn produced the least amount of unpopped kernels and the newest popcorn was left with the most unpopped kernels.
Investigating the Mpemba Effect
Junior Division
Chemistry
Mary Kimmerle Grade 8 Oakhill Day School JR-CH-022
This study was concerned with the validity of the Mpemba Effect. The Mpemba Effect is the phenomenon of warm water freezing faster than cold water. To test this theory the researcher placed two samples of water, one 140°F and the other 68°F, in the freezer. The researcher observed and recorded the temperature of the samples every thirty minutes. After conducting five tests, the researcher found that in 60% of the experiments, the two samples froze at the same rate regardless of temperature. In the other 40% of the tests, the cold water froze faster. Though the researcher did observe a similar effect to the Mpemba Effect, the hot water did not freeze any faster than the cold water. The findings of this study did not support the researcher’s hypothesis, though it did demonstrate a similar phenomenon.
Which Fruit Turns Brown the Fastest?
Junior Division
Chemistry
Molly Brame Grade 8 Saint James Catholic School JR-CH-023
The problem being investigated was what fruit turns brown the fastest. These fruits included red apples, bananas, and pears. The researcher wanted to investigate this so they could know which fruit to not leave out the longest and so they could also know which fruit turned brown first. This problem was tested by cutting each fruit in half and putting them on a plate. They sat out for four hours. They were just left in a room temperature room on a countertop. There were three total trials of each fruit and the averages were added up and averaged into one average. Each hour they were checked and given a percentage of about how much of them was turned brown. The data showed that the banana browned the fastest with 90% of the fruit turned brown. The data means that bananas brown the fastest when cut and left sitting out. The type of fruit definitely affected how long it took the fruit to brown. The hypothesis was that the banana would brown the quickest and it was proved correct. The total average of the banana that browned was 73.3%, then the apple with 41.6%, and lastly the pear with 41.6% also.
What flour makes the best tasting cake?
Junior Division
Chemistry
Jack Wenenn Rory Freyermuth Victoria Martin Grade 6 Oakhill Day School JR-CH-024-T
Our problem is that there are so many types of flour in the world, which one is best for cake? Our hypothesis is that cake flour will make the best cake. First we made 3 cakes with the same recipe that contained different flours. Then the participants were given a blind taste test and asked to rate each cake on a scale from one to five. The results do support the hypothesis.
How pH Affects Plant Dye
Junior Division
Chemistry
Josephine Rathsam Grade 7 Hocker Grove Middle School JR-CH-026
My purpose for this experiment was to try to figure out a better substitute for synthetic dyes and experiment with the colors of natural dyes a little bit. Once I had gathered and measured out my materials I boiled my cabbage mixture for 8 minutes then had on a low simmer for 30. After that I sprained it all out and measured out 125 ml. to mix with the chosen substance. I tested the pH of the dye, added substance, and the two mixed. Then repeated everything using the dye left in the pot and 9 other substances. I tested this all with litmus strips. I measured it with a measuring glass and tablespoons. The numbers I gathered and organized tell us the pH of three items, the original dye, the substance added, and the dye once it was mixed with another substance. When the average of each dye set is found that all end in a decimal of .3 or .6 or have no decimal at all. The averages we got were, 4.3, 4.3, 5.3, 6.3, 7, 7, 5.3, 6.666666667, 6.666666667, and 6. I came to the conclusion that the hypothesis was not supported. Yes, it appears the more acidic it was the brighter of a color we got, but instead of reds, oranges, I got pinks and purple colors much closer to the original dye. If cochineal or onion skins had been used there may have been brighter colors.
What kind of constructed volcano is the most realistic?
Junior Division
Chemistry
Caroline Pasalich Alyssa Romano Lily Garcia Grade 6 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-CH-034-T
The experiment we are testing is to build two different structures of volcanoes and test which volcano not only explodes the best, but also which volcano still holds its structure the best. We will be using both a Pop Rock, vinegar, and baking soda solution and also a basic vinegar and baking soda solution as our volcano eruption agents. Our two different building materials that our volcanoes will be made of will be model magic molding clay and kinetic sand . We will then conduct the experiment by using both of the eruption agents in each of the different volcanoes. We will record which eruption agent causes the largest eruption, and also which volcano held its shape. We will observe whether pop rocks made a significant difference in the eruption process, and also if the material used to make the volcanoes affected how well they are able to withstand the eruption. Once the volcanoes have erupted we will check the structure of both the volcanoes. We will also check if the different eruption agents made a difference in the way the volcano erupted. We also noticed that the pop rock volcano made a crackling sound and the regular volcano made a fizzing sound.
Which container affects ice cream's melting point the most?
Junior Division
Chemistry
Marisa Prado Emma Keating Grade 6 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-CH-035-T
Our science project is to find out which container works best for 3 different flavors of ice cream, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. We will use 3 different kinds of containers, plastic, glass, and metal, to figure out the best one for our beloved ice cream. We put the ice cream in each container and we let it sit for about 30 minutes. Once done, we check on the ice cream and see how far it melted, you might be surprised by the results at the end. At first it was hard to find a good science project that we both like. After trying to find a perfect one for the both of us, we realized we both love ice cream and we don't want it to melt, so we chose this science project.
Sublimation Duration
Junior Division
Chemistry
Vincent Ross George Disciacca Grade 7 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-CH-036-T
Our science fair project is about the process of sublimation. We tested three different blocks that each weighed 1 pound and 2 ounces. We put the dry ice into different liquids such as vegetable oil, and water. We used 96 ounces of oil and water. The oil was at 26.4* for the starting temperature and the end temperature was at 42*. The water was at 34.7* for the starting temperature and the end temperature is 43*. The air temperature was 64* and it stayed the same through the project. The dry ice that was put in the water sublimated at 3:40:59. The dry ice in the oil sublimated at 4:55:57. When we put it in the air it sublimated at 5:55:54. When we tested the dry ice in the water it popped after 24 minutes. When we tested the dry ice in the vegetable oil it got gooey and slimy after an hour. We checked every 30 minutes for temperature, and wrote observations for each block. Our hypothesis was dry ice will sublimate faster in oil over water and air. It will go faster because It will break down the dry ice. It will take 3 hours for it to sublimate in oil. It will take another 1 hour for the dry ice in water to melt. It will take 5 hours to melt in air. Our hypothesis was wrong because it took the most time for oil.
How do homemade lip balms compare?
Junior Division
Chemistry
Alaina Lacausi Chichi Anyanike Grade 8 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-CH-041-T
Our science project is determining which homemade lip balm recipe works the best. We became interested in this idea because we love using chapstick and we wanted to see if we could make our own even better than the well known companies. We hypothesized that recipe A including the shea butter would be the most hydrating for our lips. We conjectured that because shea butter is said to be good for your lips and heal them. After researching all the nontoxic ingredients and different recipes for chapsticks, we found four separate recipes and began the process of creating them. After melting down the ingredients, we put them in separate containers and tested them out on our test subjects. Recipe A, shea butter, melted on the stove . Recipe B, beeswax, was melted in the microwave and then let it cool down. Recipe C, cocoa butter, was also melted on the stove and then cooled and waxed on its own. Recipe D, carnauba, was melted on the stove and seemed to wax and cool quickly. Concluded, our hypothesis was partly correct. Recipe D, including the carnauba wax and Recipe A with shea butter worked the best. According to one of our test subjects, the carnauba wax moisturized your lips well and felt like a sugar scrub. It absorbs into your lips after a few hours. Shea butter, according to another test subject, was really soft and buttery.
Freezing Eggs by Dry Ice
Junior Division
Chemistry
Isheanesu Nziramasanga Grade 6 Heritage Middle School JR-CH-042
My science fair project is about eggs, I am going to see if freezing with dry ice will crack, because of the liquid inside expanding. I am going to perform this test 3 times and record my data. That’s my science project.
Spherification
Junior Division
Chemistry
Lucy Oshel Grade 6 Heritage Middle School JR-CH-043
Sodium Alginate and calcium chloride are key ingredients in juice balls, and if you decrease those ingredients they will both affect the time it takes to dissolve when in contact with saliva. I am gathering saliva from myself. I will measure which of sodium alginate or calcium chloride will have the greatest affect on the time it takes to dissolve.
The Strongest Paper Towel
Junior Division
Chemistry
Avery Holmes Grade 8 West Platte Jr. High JR-CH-045
This project studied the effects of different brands of paper towel affects the amount of water it absorbed. The hypothesis stated that if the brand of paper towel changed, then the amount of water absorbed would change. Ten Bounty paper towels were dipped into a tray of water, ten Sparkle paper towels were dipped into a tray of water, ten white Viva paper towels were dipped into a tray of water, and ten White Cloud paper towels were dipped into a tray of water. The average amount of water absorbed with the Bounty paper towels was 22.1mL. The average amount of water absorbed with the Sparkle paper towels was 15.1mL. The average amount of water absorbed with the Viva paper towels was 19.7mL. The average amount of water absorbed with the White Cloud paper towels was 14.9mL. Each paper towel was placed into the tray of water for exactly 5 seconds, and dripped for 5 seconds. The data showed indicates that the hypothesis was supported.
Get a Bang Out of Butane
Junior Division
Chemistry
Henry Langhorst Andrew Mann Matthew Fang Grade 6 Liberty Middle School JR-CH-047-T
We wondered what was inside a bomb. Instead of just looking into the science of it we decided to make a explosive Except we are using the chemical Butane (found in AXE body spray) as our flammable component.
Ice on Fire
Junior Division
Chemistry
Dean McNally Grade 8 Martin City Middle School JR-CH-049
When you mix vinegar and baking soda together and you boil away the excess vinegar you get a super saturated liquid that can create hot ice.Hot ice is used hand warmers and de icers. The purpose of this experiment was to see if a baking soda and vinegar solution is boiled for different amounts of time will the hot ice produce different amounts of heat. This experiment didn’t work because there can’t be a set time for the solution to heat. Hot ice works when a film starts to form after the excess liquid has evaporated.
Junior Division
Computational Science, Bioinformatics and Mathematics
How does the air pressure of a soccer ball affect how far it travels when kicked?
Junior Division
Computational Science, Bioinformatics and Mathematics Ariana Rivera Grade 8 John Paul II Catholic School JR-CM-002
The researcher tested the question how does the air pressure of a soccer ball affect how far it goes when travels? The researchers tested this by putting a soccer ball at different air pressures and rolling the ball to have the same amount of force. The researcher measured how far the ball went after five different trials at each different air pressure. The researcher then recorded the data and created a table including the average distance each air pressure went. The researcher thought that the highest air pressure would go the farthest. What actually happened was that the normal amount of air pressure went the farthest not the highest. Some things that the researcher might’ve changed is the surface, the experiment should’ve been done on a flat surface instead of a bumpy one because that could have an affect on the results.
Cell Phone Spectrophotometer
Junior Division
Computational Science, Bioinformatics and Mathematics Aubree Hill Grade 6 Heritage Middle School JR-CM-003
This experiment will be creating a cell phone spectrophotometer and analyzing the results. I will shine light through different colors of water to see if there is any type of a different result between them. First I will assemble the spectrophotometer, next I will turn all of the lights off and shine the light through the water and diffraction grating. There will be a spectrum on the wall which I will take a picture of with the cell phone. Finally I will analyze each spectrum shone through a different color of water and compare the spectrums. With this information I will conclude my tests and state weather or not my hypothesis was right.
Junior Division
Computer Systems, Electronics, Robotics
Battles of the Robot
The problem that was investigated was which source of energy will allow the robot to move the Junior Division farthest, solar power or battery This problem was being Computer Systems, powered? investigated because the difference Electronics, Robotics in time can affect how fast an object or thing can go, this could be used for different types of houses or Grade 7 many more things, such as solar panel houses which only run off of Saint James sunlight. The experiment was tested on a handmade course and the solar panel robot Catholic was taken outside and tested on the course with a stopwatch. The same happened to the battery operated robot but inside. The data showed that the solar panel’s JR-CS-001 average time through the course was 1.693 seconds and the battery powered/operated robots average was 2.061 seconds. The hypothesis was if there is a lot of sunlight, then the solar panel robot will move the fastest was supported.
Manmeet Kaur
WiFi! The Point of a Parabola
Junior Division
Computer Systems, Electronics, Robotics
Joseph Nguyen Antonio Pollina Grade 8 Oakhill Day School JR-CS-002-T
The study was concerned with a wireless router sending WiFi signals into rooms that did not need WiFi, along with slow speeds that can make browsing the internet nearly impossible without having to wait almost a minute or even more for something to load. A parabolic reflector was used to increase the strength of the wireless router, making the WiFi signal more directional and at faster speeds. The parabolic reflector was attached to the antenna of the wireless router, and was tested at angles +/-180, -165, -150, 150, and 165 degrees in three trials. Each trial, the download megabits per second (Mbps) were measured through an application on a mobile device called Speedtest by Ookla. After the three trials were completed, the average was calculated and put onto the data table and compared to other results. The results proved to the researchers that the parabolic reflector did work, with the 165 degree angle at a staggering 344.7 Mbps average, compared to the tests without the parabolic reflector attached, which was at a 35.1 Mbps average. The parabolic reflector worked less efficiently at angle 165, with an average of 145.1 Mbps, but still boosted the WiFi signal by at least 110 Mbps. The experiment was a success and supported the researcher’s hypothesis.
How does the speed of a song in Beat Saber affect reactionary times?
Junior Division
Computer Systems, Electronics, Robotics
Nathan Patterson Grade 8 Indian Woods Middle School JR-CS-003
Virtual Reality is a virtually created world with the intent of deceiving the user’s brain into thinking the virtual world is now reality. In this world, you are able to interact with objects and other various items using your actual body. The goal of the experiment was to see how reactionary times were affected by the speed of the virtual reality game Beat Saber. The overall goal was to increase the speed starting from 100% up to 150% speed and compare how many good cuts, or blocks hit, and then average them out to find out if there was a correlation or not. In the end, it seemed that it did indeed have a correlation, but eventually, as the trials continued, it was clear that adaptation to repetition was also a factor in reactionary times.
Effectiveness of antiviruses
This paper examines the effectiveness of free antivirus software when compared to paid-for antivirus Junior Division software. A series of tests designed to Computer Systems, test antivirus software were run against several different antivirus software Electronics, Robotics programs; some paid for, and some free. The results of the test were then compared, allowing the researcher to eliminate some of the tests as unnecessary tests for future use, while Grade 7 others are still valid tests. These tests Indian Woods then showed that the best of the Middle School antivirus software tested, especially when it came to ransomware, were JR-CS-004 paid-for antivirus software, while the free antivirus software fared the worst overall.
Matthew Brennaman
Supercomputing in a nutshell
I am using two Raspberry Pi's (a small and affordable computer) to build a supercomputer. I am using code to program and download an MPI (message passing Junior Division interface.) A message passing interface is Computer Systems, software that allows two or more Electronics, Robotics computers to talk to each other using the internet. A supercomputer is a series of computers networked together in a specific way. So what happens is there is a main Grade 6 computer and lots of other computers Heritage Middle connected to this main computer. When the main computer is sent a problem a School software program splits it up into pieces and sends it to all the other computers. When they finish their parts of the problem, they send it back to the main computer JR-CS-005 and it puts the problem and the main computer puts the smaller pieces together and solves the problem. This type of thing can be done on much larger scale resulting in a super fast computer that can solve problems a normal computer would take years to solve in a matter of seconds.
Joseph Ridder
Password Security: How Easily Can Your Password Be Hacked?
Junior Division
Computer Systems, Electronics, Robotics
Ethan Edwards Grade 6 Liberty Middle School JR-CS-007
The purpose is to show the vulnerability of password security. The procedure is 1. Open the python file 2. replace password 0 with the wanted password 3. run the program 4. type in the info into a spreadsheet my data and conclusion is a result of my work in progress procedure.
Sponsored By:
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
GKC Council of the Navy League of the United States
Charcoal Purification
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Hector Santamaria Nolan Heavilin Grade 7 Plaza Middle School JR-EA-006-T
The purpose of the experiment is to successfully purify water using charcoal to make a cost-efficient filter. Our procedure will be to use a plastic water bottle with sand and charcoal and run water through the water bottle to have clean water come out the bottom. Our data will consist of several factors in the cleanliness of the water, from the total alkalinity to the lead and pH of the water. Our conclusion should be whether the filtered water meets drinkable conditions.
The Plant Rant
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Sofia Boone Grade 8 St. Peter’s JR-EA-013
The researcher investigated the effect of various methods of damaging a maple leaf upon the percentage of foliar growth in thickness on a leaf 30 centimeters away from the original. She wanted to determine whether certain methods (caterpillars, bleaching, and cutting) would induce plant production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or the chemical signals exchanged between plants. Her hypothesis stated that cutting the original leaves would allow for the largest release of VOCs in the subject leaves, therefore causing the nearby leaves to grow thickest. The researcher measured the thickness of the left tip of the leaves once before damaging, and two weeks later, the right tip. The percentage of change was then calculated and recorded. Fifteen tests per method were conducted, with the independent variable being the method of damaging used on the leaves; the dependent variable being the percentage of growth in foliar thickness; and the control being the percentage of foliar growth near leaves that were not exposed to any damage. In the end, it was found that caterpillars caused the greatest increase in percentage of growth. This data could be used in future VOC investigations, and could further research on plant communication.
Fertilizer Run-off
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Ian Kennedy Grade 7 St. Peter’s JR-EA-014
The researcher investigated the effects of different types of fertilizers (liquid, granular, and organic) on the amount of nitrate in the run-off water. This was investigated because nitrate from fertilizer is contaminating waterways such as rivers and lakes, and polluting them. The researcher hypothesized that the liquid fertilizer would cause the most nitrate pollution. The experiment was conducted by applying the various fertilizers each to a one foot by one foot piece of sod in a paint tray. The sod was then watered, and the water that flowed through the sod was tested for nitrate. The independent variable was each type of fertilizer, the dependent variable was the amount of nitrate in the water, and the control was the amount of nitrate in the run-off water from sod not subjected to any fertilizer. Five tests were conducted for each of the liquid, granular, and organic fertilizers, and five tests for the control. The results of the experiment showed that all of the fertilizers tested produced the same amount of nitrate measured in the run-off water. The amount measured was below the federal limits of 2.27 ppm of nitrate for all three fertilizers, so the proper application may be key to preventing excessive nitrates from fertilizers in the waterways.
Save the Ladybugs (Not the Weeds)
The purpose of our project is to save ladybugs and kill weeds without using harmful products. In the project we used Junior Division five different natural weed killers to see Earth and which ones would kill the weed but not the The weed killer that worked the Environmental ladybugs. was the balsamic vinegar. It killed the Sciences best plant quickly. Three out of five ladybugs were found at the very end of the experiment. The other two bugs could have died from different causes. Ladybugs are known to sometimes be cannibalistic. If they cannot find any other bugs that they Grade 6 are interested in eating they could possibly eat each other. Something that could have gone better was searching for the bugs. Trailwood They were hard to find, it would have been easier if we had bigger containers. Elementary Compared to the harmful chemical Roundup, the balsamic vinegar was a JR-EA-015-T better choice to kill weeds and save ladybugs.
Eva Keairns Elli Kirsch Ruby Sluga
The Effect of Immediate Pressure on Different Kinds of Stone
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Eli Hampton Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-EA-023
My hypothesis is that if I drop a 40 pound weight from 2.5 feet onto sandstone, golden flagstone, and gray flagstone, then the gray flagstone will break into the fewest pieces, the golden flagstone will break into more pieces, and the sandstone will break into the most pieces. I think this because the gray flagstone is more dense, and sandstone is known to be a weak rock. This hypothesis is based on the fact that denser rocks are less likely to shatter under impact of pressure. My experiment was i drop a weight of 40 pounds from 2.5 feet in the air on a certain stone. I collected the data by counting the broken pieces of rock. My results where sandstone 7 pieces, golden flagstone 6 pieces, and gray flagstone 2 pieces. My research was helpful if you wanted to build a safe house for a storm you would know what to get.
Tracking Currents
Tracking an object’s path in water could help with predicting soil erosion, Junior Division marine navigational safety, Earth and ensure clean drinking Environmental water intake, forming Sciences emergency preparedness plans, and assisting in pollution control. With more trash accumulating Grade 7 every day, it is important Hocker Grove to understand how different objects move in Middle School water and how they react JR-EA-024 to currents. The purpose of this experiment is to record data which could potentially predict how objects move in water over a period of time.
Hannah Lank
The best way to store leftovers
This study concentrated on the best type of container to store your leftovers. We saw a concern on how fast bacteria was growing on people’s leftovers so, we selected to test three different fruits in a glass Junior Division container, a plastic container and a plastic bag to Earth and measure the percentage of mold growth on leftovers. Environmental As these fruits were tested over a six week time Sciences period on the countertop, they showed how much bacteria and mold was actually collected on your food. Every weekend these fruits were observed and the data was recorded by writing down our observations. After monitoring the fruit in their Grade 8 container, each fruit had a different appearance. Each container structure lead to different percentages of Westridge mold growth on each fruit. After the study was Middle School completed, we concluded the best container to store your leftovers based on the results of the percentage JR-EA-026-T of mold was the glass container.
Haley Campion Madison Shuey
The effect of different materials on paper
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Cloey Petersen Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-EA-027
Paper can be made out of other materials than wood. This hypothesis is based off the fact that paper is made out of wood fibers, so if different materials, with fibers, are used in the paper process instead of wood then the paper can be made out of other materials because the process of grinding and pureeing the pulp will be the same and the fibers will still bond. To see if paper could be made of other materials, in the experiment a paper making process was used for different materials than wood. The data showed that wood could be made, and the best thing to make it out of was dryer lint. Now we can make paper out of materials other than wood, preserving many trees.
Does Trash Travel Further in Indian Creek or Brush Creek?
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Olivia Gillen Grade 8 Indian Woods Middle School JR-EA-028
In this experiment I investigated how far trash traveled in Indian Creek and Brush Creek. I tested my experiment by dropping a GPS tracker in both creeks and watching them travel for a week. After one week I compared the distances that each tracker traveled for. The results of my experiment showed that Indian Creek had the highest gage height and the tracker traveled twice as much as the tracker in Brush Creek.
Does carbonated water or tap water make different types of rocks softer?
Acid rain, as a result of pollution, is damaging to Earth’s plants, rocks, and soils. Junior Division To show the extent of damage done by acid Earth and rain to rocks, this experiment will test the Environmental effects of carbonated water on sandstone, Sciences granite, and marble when soaked for four days. Carbonated water simulates the effects of acid rain. The experiment will also test the effects of normal tap water on Grade 8 those types of rocks. After soaking, the hardness of the rocks will be tested with Indian Woods the Mohs Hardness test picks to show how Middle School much the rocks softened. The results revealed that carbonated water affected JR-EA-029 the rocks more than tap water. Marble was affected far more than the others, going from a level of 6 to 3.
Kara Tompkins
Dawn Attack
In any oil spill that occurs it depends mainly how much and what types of oil is Junior Division spilled. In addition, real life Earth and circumstances, e.g. a spill in Environmental the ocean, a combination of Sciences elements, e.g. weather, temperature, sun, wind, current, wave action, etc. is highly likely to affects Grade 7 strategies to best neutralize the oil in saltwater. Thus, St. Andrew the minimizing harm to the Apostle environment and ocean life. JR-EA-030 The Oil Spill Cleanup tests for how best to neutralize vegetable oil in the saltwater when using various sorbents. How will these sorbents help neutralize the oil in the saltwater? Does adding Dawn dishwashing liquid improve oil absorbency using the various sorbents?
Christina Granado
The Effect of Chemicals in Detergent on Worms
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Mia Zdvorak Isabella Mountjoy Ella Kramer Grade 8 Oakhill Day School JR-EA-031-T
This study was concerned with the effects of chemicals in detergent on the environment and its inhabitants. The researchers took one “green” detergent and one conventional detergent and mixed each one with water. This made seven different percentages of diluted solution for each detergent. Each solution was mixed into separate cups of soil. Four worms were put into each cup and left in the fridge for five days. After five days the number of dead worms from each cup was recorded. The hypothesis is as follows: If green and conventional detergents are mixed with soil, then more worms will die in the conventional detergent mixture. There were more dead worms recorded from the conventional detergent than the “green” detergent. 100% of the worms died from the 100% and 50% conventional detergent solutions, 75% died in the 25% conventional detergent solution, and 50% of the worms died in the 6% conventional detergent solution. Zero worms died in the “green” detergent as a whole. These results concluded that the “green” detergent was more environmentally conscious than the conventional detergent. Our hypothesis was correct that the conventional detergent would be more harmful to the worms.
How Moisture Affects the Composting Process
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Sabina Gambill Grade 8 Westridge Middle School JR-EA-032
This experiment dealt with compost and moisture. The researcher wanted to see if moisture affected the decomposition process. To do this, the researcher set up three different tubs. Food scraps were added in equal amounts. After every third time of adding scraps, the researcher turned the soil and added moisture to the tubs. The researcher added no water in one tub, 236.5 milliliters of water in another tub, and 709.7 milliliters of water in the last tub. After 16 days, the experiment was ended. The researcher observed and felt the soil of the tubs to see how moisture affected the decomposition of the compost. In the tub that had 709.7 milliliters of added water, the food scraps were significantly more broken down than the scraps in the other two tubs. To feel if the soil had the right amount of moisture in it, the researcher did the sponge test. To do the sponge test, touch the soil, and if it feels like a wrung out sponge, the moisture amount is correct for healthy soil. The result of the sponge test indicated that the tub with the most added water had the best soil. This meant that moisture did help break down the contents of the compost more quickly.
The Effect of Acid Rain on Aquatic Life
Junior Division
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Samantha Sackett & Porter Starek Grade 6 Heritage Middle School JR-EA-034-T
We are going to be seeing what the difference is in the lifespan in brine shrimp and duckweed when acid rain is applied to them. The acid rain has been proven to shorten their lifespan. Sedimentary rocks have been proven to help dilute the acid rain and help the aquatic life. We will be using information for Gale Scientific to form our theory and test the organisms' life spans.
Junior Division
Energy and Environmental Engineering
Craters and Impacts vs. Planets
Junior Division
Energy and Environmental Engineering Sydney Sterns Grade 6 Hazel Grove Elementary JR-EE-005
The problem is “How do Craters affect the shape and size of our planets?” It is hypothesized that craters affect the shape and size, because when a crater or big impact hits a planet, if it’s hard enough it can damage the planet. So can it affect the planets too hard, or can it say the same?
Electrolyte Challenge
Junior Division
Energy and Environmental Engineering Brooks Ragland Tyler WIlliams Grade 6 Heritage Middle School JR-EE-014-T
Me and my partner are testing electrolytes in drinks. Our papers are about what electrolytes are and how they affect the body, We are using a multimeter and determining the conductance of various electrolyte beverages.
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics
Unjust Rust!
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics Karis Barton Zamara Cuadra Grade 7 Plaza Middle School JR-EM-001-T
We will be figuring out what metal is the strongest after it rusts. This will help when building, buildings so the construction workers will know what metal is the strongest and how often they will need to update the building or tear it down.
The Effect of Trajectory and Angle on the Distance of a Projectile
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics Riley Fredrickson Grade 6 Xavier Catholic School JR-EM-006
This project is titled: The Effect of Trajectory and Angle on the Distance of a Projectile. The purpose of this experiment is to determine if the point of the catapult angle affects how far the projectile will go. The researcher’s hypothesis is, if the point of angle is larger, then the projectile will go farther. The procedure is, spread table cloth, assemble catapult, set launch angle to 30 degrees, coat beanbag in blue chalk, draw back the catapult arm to set point, load beanbag, release catapult arm, measure the bean bag landing mark, change launch angle to 45 and 60 degrees and repeat the procedure for those angles. The independent variable is the launch angle of the catapult and the dependent variable is the distance traveled by the beanbag. The researcher’s results are when fired by a catapult the 45 degree angle traveled further than 30 degrees and 60 degrees. Sixty degrees did not go as far as 45 degrees, and only went about 2 centimeters farther than the 30 degree angle. Therefore, the results supported the hypothesis in part. The conclusion is that the 60 degree angle launched higher but not farther than all other angles. The optimal distance is achieved by the 45 degree angle. 30 degrees went the shortest distance. 45 degrees went farther than 30 degrees and 60 degrees. 60 degrees went slightly farther than 30 degrees. Therefore, the researcher’s hypothesis was proved to a point.
Conductivity vs. Length
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics Kenny Gilbert Grade 6 Calvary Lutheran School JR-EM-011
Electricity impacts our daily lives and understanding how it works peaked my interest. The researcher chose this experiment because electricity is fascinating. Electricity is fascinating to the researcher because it is so powerful even though you really can’t see it with the naked eye. The researcher wanted to figure out other ways to carry electricity, besides through electrical wires that bring electricity into our homes. Well, this project was about the longer the graphite line is, the less voltage it would carry. So, what if graphite could actually turn on a lamp with a strip of it? Wouldn’t that be fascinating but it would be really dirty too? The researchers thought the longer the graphite line is and the farther it gets from the source of electricity the less voltage would be carried because of the length of the graphite. The researcher conducted the experiment, measuring each inch of the eight-inch line that was there. Then measured the voltage at each inch. When they tested the experiment the farther the Digital Multimeter reads from its source the lower the voltage on the Digital Multimeter becomes, thus confirming the hypothesis. The researcher learned that graphite is a fine conductor but a low one as well.
In Triangles We Truss(t)
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics Rex Lyle Grade 8 Calvary Lutheran School JR-EM-012
There are many types of bridges that have been built to make travel and transportation easier, but what type of bridge can hold the most weight? The written hypothesis stated that the bridge with the most triangles would hold the greatest amount of weight. In this project, three Truss bridges (Warren, Howe, Pratt) were built to test which structure held the most weight (sand.) The bridges were build with popsicle sticks and hot glue as a bond. Small amounts of sand in Ziploc bags were placed on top of each bridge until they collapsed or broke. The results showed that the Pratt Truss held the superior weight with an average of 9.6 kilograms. This proved my hypothesis to be correct.
What’s with the Delay?
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics Emma Krueger Grade 8 Indian Woods Middle School JR-EM-015
This experiment investigated how the delay time in a model rocket engine affects the flight time of the rocket. This was tested by launching model rockets with different engines and timing the flight time of the rocket from the second it left the launch pad to the moment it hit the ground. Each engine had the same weight and amount of fuel, but different delay times. The results showed that there is no benefit to a shorter or longer delay time in a model rocket engine. The delay time must be just right, otherwise the rocket will fall for a while before the recovery system works and brings the rocket safely to the ground.
At what temperature do various glues adhere strongest?
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics Fisher Reitz Grade 8 Indian Woods Middle School JR-EM-016
There are heat specific glues that are designed to work in extreme temperature environments. Most other glues are not designed for a specific range meaning they will be used in average temperature environments. Finding the ideal temperature for the curing of these glues can allow for maximizing the glues performance. To test the strength of the glue curing at various temperatures, a small amount of glue was placed between two pieces of wood and let cure for 24 hours at different temperature ranges. After the glue was dried it was suspended in the air and weights were attached to the other side of glued wood. Weights were added until the glue broke and then the results were recorded. Of the six temperatures tested the 90 degree test performed the best.
Can you use electricity to make a magnet work?
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics Joseph Palma John Mandacina Grade 6 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-EM-018-T
What sparked our interest to do this project was how electric science and magnets can work together to form an electromagnet. We both got supplies for the electromagnet and got started putting our machine together. When we started wrapping the copper wire around the nail to make the electromagnet, we found it difficult to wrap. When we got the hang of it, it started to be much easier than before. When we got the wire around the nail we had to readjust the wire because there was too much. When we finalized the wire around the nail we got curious about what battery would work. When we attempted to attach the wire to the battery, we found it hard to keep together so we got electric tape to tape around the positive and negative ends of the battery. When we attached the wire to the Duracell battery, it took 15 seconds to react to the paper clip. Then when we attached the wire to the Energizer battery, it took 20 seconds to react to the paper clip which was the longest time on our project. We finally attached the Rayovac battery to the wire and we were shocked when it only took 5 seconds to react. All the batteries worked and gave off the electromagnetic pull. They all got very hot, and at that point we knew that the batteries were ready. This project shows that the Rayovac battery worked the best and the fastest.
How do modifications to Nerf blasters affect their performance?
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics William Draper Jack Chirpich Grade 7 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-EM-019-T
The study that was conducted was concerning the matter of how modification can affect the initial muzzle velocity of a Nerf dart. The research that was done was using the following materials: Nerf GhostOps ChronoBarrel, Nerf Longshot CS6, Nerf Maverick REV6, Nerf Longshot Front Gun, two different kinds of Nerf darts, three different springs, and the necessary tools to complete said modifications. The experiment saw us firing 10 nerf darts from each blaster with each modification and averaging out the initial muzzle velocity for each set of ten. Then we compared the results of each blaster with each modification to tell what helped and what did not. We found that a larger spring makes the dart have a higher initial muzzle velocity but will put more wear and tear on the blaster and vice versa. Our original hypothesis was proven correct with everything except the length of the dart, the shorter dart had a higher initial muzzle velocity than the longer dart. Removing the air restrictor helped performance as well because the amount of air going to the dart was increased. The way we will display the data is using the median due to the factor of outliers, however the mean mode and range will also be displayed.
Can you skate faster with inline skates or ice skates?
Junior Division
Engineering Mechanics Lily Bass & Michael Hiegert Grade 7 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-EM-020-T
Our experiment was placed on the hypothesis that ice skates go faster than roller skates on their preferred surfaces. We used ice skates, roller skates, and a stopwatch. This was very fun and if you want to do this, it will be worth the time and money. We had 2 main objectives: have fun, and do the experiment. We learned a lot off our research about when skates were first invented and for what reasons they were invented. This project was a bit of work since people want to skate on the weekends a lot. We know that the surfaces were different on the skates and that they require a bit of different skill sets but the experiment was still successful. We proved our hypothesis and had a lot of fun doing it. The way we proved our hypothesis was we tested the different surfaces with different types of skates that were relatively the same area. When inline skating, we had to get used to the way the skates only had 1 brake to stop yourself. When turning on inline skates, you don't really need to turn your skates that much. When we went ice skating, obviously the skates were different than inline skating surfaces. So when turning on ice skates, the skates dig into the ice, so you will fall more of the time. This is because as you skate, the surface of the ice gets chipped away by the metal of the skates.
Junior Division
Inventions
Pencil Bracelet
Junior Division
Inventions
Henry Duff & Aiden Elliott Grade 8 Hocker Grove Middle School JR-NV-001-T
The pencil bracelet is made from 40-50mm of latex tubing so it is both flexible and durable. At one end there is a loop that is connected by a split pin that can be changed to fit any wrist so it is comfortable and convenient. The flexible design can also allow for use by those without full motion of their wrist. At the other end, there is a hole about 10-15mm from the end that is big enough to fit pens, pencils, and mechanical pencils alike. The tubing flexible to allow writing and erasing with ease.
Moody’s Mower Mover
Junior Division
Inventions
Donovan Moody Grade 8 Hocker Grove Middle School JR-NV-017
For my invention, I thought about what kind of things would be useful for someone around my age. I ended up realizing that mowing lawns is a thing that many kids do to earn some fairly easy money. In fact, it's something that I did last summer. It can be a struggle and waste a lot of your free time pushing the mower down the street. One time, it took my brother and I about 10-15 minutes to get to a house. So, I have designed a mechanism that will attach to the back of your bike and the mower handle that will allow you to cut down your time to walk in half. This invention is lightweight and allows you to make turns and move just as you normally would on a bike while pulling a mower behind you. It only took about an hour to make. The mechanism has worked very successfully in my testing and allowed me to ride very comfortably. I think that this invention could be very useful for millions of kids and possibly adults all across the world.
Not Hot Pot
Junior Division
Inventions
Jadyn Swob & Serenity Scharenberg Grade 8 Hocker Grove Middle School JR-NV-020-T
Every day over thousands of people get burnt on cooking pots, especially children. This is a safety hazard that needs to be addressed. Which is why we created the Not Hot Pot. The Not Hot Pot is a typical pot with a wood covering on the outside. This prevents the exterior of the pot from getting heated while still maintaining its main function, cooking. The pot can only be used on an electric stove and can withstand up 350 degrees F on a stove. The pot’s intentions are not to be held but to be a safety precaution in case it’s bumped or a young child touches it. Based on our research our invention has never been created before and every person who tested it thought it was a neccessary household appliance to ensure safety. In conclusion, the Not Hot Pot can help anybody stay safe while cooking.
Junior Division
Materials Science
Beat the Heat
Junior Division
Materials Science Channing Saint Onge Grade 7 Liberty Memorial Central Middle School JR-MS-002
I tested phase change materials because I believe that they could reduce the heat rate of a building in the summer. They absorb some of the heat during the day. I tested the materials using a model building and an electric heater. I recorded the temperature outside and inside the building. I found that the building with the phase change material did warm more slowly that the building without the material. My hypothesis was correct.
Sugar Sugar, Oh Honey Honey!
Junior Division
Materials Science
Vivian Galloway Grade 8 West Platte Jr. High JR-MS-004
This project studied how different sugars affect bread mold. The hypothesis thought that since monk fruit is the most raw and natural, and mold feeds on organic matter, the monk fruit bread should be the one that has the most bread mold. The experiment involved baking seven types of bread; monk fruit, powdered sugar, white sugar, cane sugar, honey, Erythritol and bread with no sugar at all. Augur was poured in Petri dishes, and each bread was swabbed 8 times. The bread was left for 2 days to germinate, then the mold colonies were counted. The bread was then frozen, left over Christmas break, then swabbed again in more augur. The average amount of mold for the powdered sugar bread was 24.14 colonies, the average amount of mold for the Erythritol bread was 48.01 colonies, the average amount of mold for the cane sugar bread was 15.625 colonies, the average amount of mold for the honey bread was 19.375, the average amount of mold for the white sugar bread was 42.5 colonies, the average amount of mold for the monk fruit sweetener was 16 colonies, and the average amount of mold for the control bread was 60.625 colonies. The statistics indicated that the hypothesis was unsupported.
Sodas in Water
Junior Division
Materials Science
Urva Solanki Grade 6 Trailwood Elementary JR-MS-006
I researched different things to fully understand why or why not a soda might float. I first searched up what makes things float. That led to me researching what density is. Then I needed to know what makes things more dense because there must be a reason about why or why not the soda would float. Then I remembered an experiment for a research project in fourth grade. It had to do with sugar changing the density of the water. I researched what effects sugar has on density. The sodas’ cans were 123 millimeters tall each. When I put them upright in water, I measure the part of the can below water and subtract it from the total height of the can. Obviously, I do not need to measure the sunken sodas because there is nothing above the water. I chose this topic because everybody likes soda, and seeing if things float or not is interesting. I found out that the amount of sugar in a soda determines if it floats or not. Sugar makes the soda denser. This implies that there is a lot of sugar in regular sodas, or that regular sodas are unhealthy.
Major League Materials
Junior Division
Materials Science
Benny LaBella Grade 8 St. Peter’s JR-MS-009
The researcher investigated which wood baseball bat (bamboo, maple, ash, and birch) would cause a baseball to travel the farthest distance. This experiment was conducted to help baseball players find the baseball bat with the most “pop.” The researcher predicted that the baseball would travel the farthest after making contact with the bamboo bat. To determine if the hypothesis would be supported, the researcher rolled a baseball from a set place at the top of a ramp, the ball made contact with the bat, and then rolled back up the ramp. While this was occurring, the set-up was filmed by a slow-motion camera to determine the exact measurement of the baseball’s distance traveled in millimeters (dependent variable). The first bat used was the maple bat (control), and each step was repeated fifteen times for the ash, birch, and bamboo bats (independent variables). The results showed that the birch bat caused the baseball to travel the greatest average distance. After the experiment was conducted, the researcher learned that the birch bat had the most “pop,” but maple may still be the best bat to use because of the flexibility and durability of the wood.
Battle of the Paper Towels
Junior Division
Materials Science
Madeleine Clark & Mia Flanagan Grade 6 Oakhill Day School JR-MS-016-T
During this experiment the researchers tested how much paper towel brands can absorb, so less paper towels end up in the landfill. It was hypothesized that the brand Bounty would absorb the most water. They put 15ml of dyed water on a paper towel, and watched how much it absorbed. Then, they would repeat those steps through 10mls. Their hypothesis was accepted.
What type of fishing line is best for abrasion resistance?
Junior Division
Materials Science
John Kelley Grade 8 Indian Woods Middle School JR-MS-017
Everyday fishermen and women lose fish and tackle because of their expensive line breaking from abrasion. Abrasion is defined as the process of scraping or wearing away. These fish and tackle are lost because of the line running up against anything that could be in the water all the way from seaweed to even the fish itself. My project was to find the most abrasion resistant fishing line at 10 pound test. The different fishing lines I used were Braid, Fluorocarbon, and Monofilament (Control). I tested by taping a piece of 220 grit sandpaper to a pole and pulling the different fishing lines over the sandpaper. I concluded from my testing that my control(monofilament) was the most resistant to abrasion with an average of 79.6 pulls before it broke. The second most abrasion resistant was the Fluorocarbon with an average of 53.5 pulls until it broke. The least resistant to abrasion was the Braid with an average of 47 pulls before it broke. I can conclude from my testing that Monofilament is the most abrasion resistant.
Does the Temperature of a Ball Affect How High it Bounces?
Junior Division
Materials Science
Natalie Tamburelli Grade 7 St. James Catholic School JR-MS-018
The experiment was being tested to understand how a ball’s bounce is affected by the temperature of it. This could help people have a better grasp on what types of sports balls and materials are affected by temperature. The balls that were being tested were a basketball, baseball, tennis ball, and a wiffle ball Each ball was bounced 3 times for each temperature. Each ball was bounced while in normal temperature, cool temperature, and freezing temperature. The basketball bounced the highest in room temperature, having an average of 88.66 centimeters per bounce. The wiffle ball bounced the highest in freezing temperature, having an average of 52 centimeters per bounce. The basketball drastically changed bounce height throughout the temperatures, having an average of only 12 centimeters per bounce in freezing temperature. The wiffle ball barely changed height throughout the temperatures. This is due to the fact that the basketball that was used was made out of leather, and the wiffle ball was made out of plastic. Despite the fact the wiffle ball barely changed height, the basketball still had a higher average throughout the 3 trials because it bounced much higher in room temperature. Overall, the bounce height of the ball is affected by the material the ball is made out of.
Strawberry DNA Extraction
Junior Division
Materials Science
Sarah Miller Grade 8 West Platte High School JR-MS-020
This project studied the effects of different types of salt on the amount of DNA from strawberries. The hypothesis stated that if the type of salt changed, then the amount of strawberry DNA would change. Ten strawberries were tested with rock salt, ten strawberries were tested with Iodized salt, ten strawberries were tested with pink Himalayan salt, ten strawberries were treated with ancient fine sea salt, and ten strawberries were tested with the iodized sea salt. The average amount of strawberries were measured in grams. The average amount of strawberries tested with rock salt was seven and a half grams, during the same testing period. The average amount of strawberries tested with pink Himalayan salt was four and sixty-five hundredths, during the same testing period. The average amount of strawberries tested with iodized salt was seven and five hundredths, during the same testing period. The average amount of strawberries tested with the ancient fine sea salt was five and fifteen hundredths, during the same testing period. The average amount of strawberries with iodized sea salt was two and sixty hundredths, during the same testing period. The statistics applied indicated that the hypothesis was supported.
Junior Division
Microbiology
Malicious Mushrooms
Junior Division
Microbiology Liza Newman Grade 8 St. Peter’s JR-MI-005
The young scientist investigated the effect of different preservation methods of a paper bag, a tupperware covered by cling wrap, the original packaging, and no method, as the control, for mushrooms upon how much bacterial growth occurred over a six day period, determining the best preservation method for mushrooms. The researcher hypothesized that the paper bag method would best prevent bacterial growth on the mushrooms. Ten mushrooms were stored using each preservation method (independent variable) for six days. After six days, each mushroom was swabbed and the bacteria was streaked onto a Petri dish. Then the bacterial growth (dependent variable) in each Petri dish was measured in square centimeters. The preservation method that was the most successful in limiting the bacterial growth on the mushrooms was the original packaging, rejecting the young scientist’s hypothesis. Other than the control, the mushrooms in the tupperware covered by cling wrap developed the most bacteria. Through this experiment, the researcher learned the best and worst ways to keep a mushroom fresh and edible.
Cleaner Cleaners
Junior Division
Microbiology Lillie Grever Grade 8 St. Peter’s JR-MI-006
The scientist investigated which level of pH in a non-toxic, homemade cleaning solution would be most effective at killing bacteria on a granite countertop surface. The scientist hypothesized that the cleaning solution with a pH of 0 would kill the most bacteria on the surface. To test this, she made five homemade cleaning solutions using club soda as the base. For each of the five bottles, she used either acetic acid to decrease the pH or sodium bicarbonate to increase the pH (independent variable). For the solution with a pH of 7, she did not use either. Each section of the countertop was swabbed for the control, then all of the solutions were sprayed onto separate sections and wiped down. Next, the scientist swabbed each section again to determine how much bacteria was killed. Then, the scientist streaked each swab onto ten separate Petri dishes and incubated them so that the bacteria could grow. After incubation, the young researcher compared and measured the amount of bacterial colonies (dependent variable) for each cleaning solution. The solutions with a pH of 0 and 3-4 were the most effective at killing bacteria because they both killed 33% of the bacteria on the countertop. The young scientist learned that the pH adjuster used in the cleaning solutions with a pH of 0 and 3-4, acetic acid, had stronger cleaning properties than the other pH adjuster, sodium bicarbonate. Neither cleaning solution was as strong as a potentially harmful, store-bought cleaning solution.
Woody and Fuzz
Junior Division
Microbiology Daniel Boone Grade 7 St. Peter’s JR-MI-007
The researcher investigated what type of wood (pine, oak, or maple) would have the most inhibiting effect on bacterial growth. Pine wood was hypothesized to have the greatest effect. The scientist cut shavings from wood cutting boards, placed them into Petri dishes, cultured them in an incubator for two days, and then measured the surface area of bacterial growth on the wood shavings. In all, 6o tests were conducted, fifteen for each type of wood, and fifteen for untreated Petri dishes. The independent variable was each type of wood, and the dependent variable was the amount of bacterial growth on each type of wood. The control was the amount of bacteria found in untreated Petri dishes. The results showed that untreated Petri dishes seemed to have the greatest effect on bacterial growth, and pine wood showed the least effect. Therefore, out of all tests conducted on these woods, pine wood had the most inhibiting effect on bacterial growth.
Wipes Game
Junior Division
Microbiology Joey Cory Grade 7 St. Peter’s JR-MI-009
The researcher investigated which disinfecting wipe (Clorox, Lysol, Kirkland Signature, and Great Value) would eliminate the most bacteria from an Xbox controller. He hypothesized that the Clorox wipes would eliminate the most bacteria from the controller. The experiment was conducted by the researcher swabbing the controller, then taking the swab, and rolling the swab down the wipe. The independent variable was each different disinfecting wipe; the dependent variable was the amount of bacteria on the controller. The control was the amount found of bacteria found on an untreated controller. Nine tests were conducted altogether, two tests were conducted for each wipe. The result showed that Lysol disinfecting wipe killed the most bacteria. What was learned was that one can’t trust all the advertisements on a disinfecting wipes label.
Bioluminescent Dinoflagellates
Junior Division
Microbiology Josephine Yungeberg Grade 7 Hocker Grove Middle School JR-MI-011
What is the effect of diatoms on bioluminescent dinoflagellates? Bioluminescence in plants has been considered as an eco-friendly source of light in recent years, yet we haven't gotten it to be very bright. This information could be helpful to making it brighter. Any way to help save energy is extremely helpful to humankind, and all living things on earth.
GOOD-BYE ECOLI
Junior Division
Microbiology Christopher Womack Grade 7 St. Peter’s JR-MI-014
The scientist investigated the effects of chlorination, membrane filtration, and ultra violet light upon bacterial growth when compared to untreated water. He researched this because not many people understand what is in their water and the safest way to treat it. He predicted ultra violet light would be the most effective at killing and preventing bacterial growth. The experiment was conducted using Petri dishes, agar, and an incubator. He collected a water sample from a lake and then treated it with membrane filtration, ultra violet light, and chlorination. He then placed the treated water into Petri dishes and let the bacteria grow for a week in an incubator. The experiment was repeated four more times. The independent variable was each water treatment. The dependent variable was the amount of bacterial growth, and the control was the amount of bacterial growth from untreated water. Ultra violet light was the most successful treatment; membrane filtration worked well, but not as well as ultra violet light; and chlorination was the least effective. However, all of the treatments produced less bacterial colonies than the control plates. The scientist learned how to conduct experiments with bacteria, and that ultra violet light showed the best results for killing bacteria in untreated water.
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Junior Division
Molecular Bio/Chem & Health Sciences
Efficiency of a Transplanted Heart
Junior Division
Molecular Bio/Chem & Health Sciences
Camden Findlay Grade 7 Heritage Middle School JR-MO-002
Studying the efficiency of transplanted hearts examined the effects of heart denervation during and after exercise. The more that is known about how a transplanted heart recovers after exercise, the better transplant patients can be treated. The study assessed 28 human participants; 14 post-heart transplant, and 14 non transplant as the control group. Resting heart rate, blood pressure, and fatigue levels were measured on all participants. Participants walked on a treadmill for 6 minutes, at a speed of 2.7 mph (4.35 km/h) with an incline of 1.0 percent to emulate the low impact exercise conditions for overall health and fitness. Immediately following the exercise at 0 minutes, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, and 5 minutes, the participant’s blood pressure, heart rate, and fatigue levels were measured. The testing data indicated the heart rate in heart transplant participants started higher, increased less, and took longer on average to return to the baseline measurements, as compared to the nontransplant control group. Experimental data shows that systolic blood pressure hearton transplant participants started higher, increased theStudy participants and took in longer average to return to the baseline measurements. same, identified levels of fatigue started lower, increased more, and took longer to return to baseline as compared to the control group. In participants who had more advanced age or a shorter length of time post-transplant, experimental data indicates increased time for the subject’s heart rate to return to normal. The results were statistically significant at the ____ confidence level.
Fluoride vs. Baking Soda
Junior Division
Molecular Bio/Chem & Health Sciences
Emily Chestnut Grade 7 Home School JR-MO-003
What is the best way to take care of one’s teeth and prevent tooth decay? Should one use fluoride or baking soda? Some feel baking soda is a more natural alternative and less harmful to your body than fluoride toothpaste. It is possible with too much Fluoride intake to get diseases like fluorosis. With the proper amount of fluoride such as 2 mg daily for 9 – 13 year olds (my age group), it can strengthen teeth, especially new ones that are coming in. The purpose of this experiment is to determine which tooth paste prevents the most tooth decay. It is hypothesized that fluoride could prevent the most tooth decay because it bonds with the Hydroxyapatite in the teeth and it prevents demineralization. Three teeth were placed in test tubes with 10 ml of Coke. Two were taken out once to twice a day, one was brushed with baking soda toothpaste and the other with fluoride toothpaste. Each tooth was brushed for one minute. The third tooth in the Coke was used as a control. After about 6 days, each tooth was measured with an electronic scale and digital calipers. The teeth were placed back in 10 ml of Coke. This process was duplicated for two more trials. Two out of three trials, Control gained 0.10 g. Each trial Baking Soda gained 0.10 g. Two out of three trials Fluoride stayed the same. Control, Baking Soda and Fluoride all lost width 2 out of 3 trials but Fluoride lost the least width. The data supports the hypothesis.
Bread Experiment
Junior Division
Molecular Bio/Chem & Health Sciences
Drake Ollen Martmess & Carter Ollen Ruvalcaba Grade 5 Hazel Grove Elementary JR-MO-008-T
This experiment involves touching bread to 7 door knobs to see which one will grow the most mold. It is hypothesized that the kindergarten classroom will grow the most mold. . A brief procedure of the experiment is as follows: One piece of bread was touched to 6 different classrooms door knobs. Each classroom was different. The grades ranged from kindergarten through sixth. First we put on gloves. Then we touched the bread to each door knob. Next the bread the bread was sealed in a plastic baggy. Finally we waited for mold to grow. The results do not support the hypothesis. Unfortunately the mold did not grow on any bread.
The Effect of Exercise on the Human Heart Junior Division
Molecular Bio/Chem & Health Sciences
Mary Grace Albers Grade 8 John Paul II Catholic School JR-MO-009
The scientist who wrote this paper was fascinated by the human heart. The scientist decided to study the effects of exercise on the human heart. The hypothesis for this investigation is, if the subject runs, walks, or hops 20 meters then the heart rate will go up the most because the subject is running. The scientist used a pulse oximeter, a device that checks the pulse, to measure the subjects heart rate while resting, walking, running, and hopping. The heart rate was found to be highest while running but the scientist could not always get a reading mainly in hopping
What’s Your Number?
Junior Division
Molecular Bio/Chem & Health Sciences
Maddie Bolch Grade 8 St. Peter’s JR-MO-011
The researcher investigated the effect of various sugarsweetened beverages (Sprite, Powerade, and Minute Maid orange juice) upon the glucose levels of individuals with and without Type 1 Diabetes. Due to the health risks of hypoglycemia to individuals with diabetes, and that sugar-sweetened beverages are common options to treat hypoglycemia, the investigation determined which type of sugar-sweetened beverage raised glucose readings the highest. The researcher hypothesized that blood glucose readings of individuals with and without Type 1 Diabetes would be highest after drinking Sprite, the non-caffeinated soda. During three experimental trials, the researcher measured the blood glucose level of participants before and after drinking three different sugar-sweetened beverages. The independent variable was type of sugarsweetened beverage, and the dependent variable was blood glucose levelwas (in participants with and without 1 The control the blood glucose level beforeType and after drinking water. The data Diabetes). showed that for both individuals with Type 1 Diabetes and without, the average rate
of change in blood glucose level readings was highest after drinking Sprite, followed by orange juice and Powerade. The researcher hopes that the results of this experiment will help educate people with diabetes about how to treat hypoglycemia episodes most effectively.
Age, Exercise and Blood Pressure
Junior Division
Molecular Bio/Chem & Health Sciences
Liz Crossett Grade 7 St. James Catholic School JR-MO-013
The problem that was investigated was how does the age after 1 hour and 15 minutes of cardiovascular exercise affect the participant’s blood pressure. The problem was investigated to help people who have high or low blood pressure to be able to know if they should exercise to lower their blood pressure or if it will go too low if they do vigorous exercise. The participant's blood pressure was taken before and after 1 hour and 15 minutes of exercise. Then the systolic and diastolic from before the exercise was subtracted from the systolic and diastolic data the difference between the before and after readings. The after was exercise. The 35-year-old and older had an average of 6.1 / 6.2 which means that the group’s average went up. The 10-11-year-old group had an average of -3.2 / 2.9 mm/HG, this number means that this group average lowered. The hypothesis of if a 10-11-year-old does 75 minutes of cardiovascular exercise their blood pressure will go higher than the 35-year-olds and older people were not supported because the 10-11-year-olds had a lower average.
The Effect of Vitamin C Concentration on Apple Types
Junior Division
Molecular Bio/Chem & Health Sciences
Gia-Dat Pham Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-MO-016
If the apple that is being tested is a Red Delicious, then the vitamin C content will be the highest because of how common it is in stores. Other types of apples are sold, of course, but the commonness of the Red Delicious can’t be denied. To test the hypothesis, I bought 3 different apples to test, one of them being a Red Delicious. The apples were tested by using iodine, a strong reactant to vitamin C. After testing, I realized that the Red Delicious had the least amount of vitamin C, compared to a Gala apple and Granny Smith. This information provides a better understanding of what apples are best to eat, especially for vitamin C.
The Influence of Genetics on Fingerprint Types
Junior Division
Molecular Bio/Chem & Health Sciences
Elizabeth Anne Furu Grade 7 Home School JR-MO-017
If fingerprint types aren’t genetic, then people who are related would not have the same type. This is because the type of print a person has isn’t hereditary. This hypothesis is based off of genetics and the type of print someone is born with. There are a few reasons why it isn’t hereditary, but the biggest one is types are affected by environmental factors because fingerprint
as well, meaning it’s not entirely genetic. To test the hypothesis, two groups of people ( Related and Non-Related) were studied to see if fingerprint types were hereditary. The data collected showed that loops were common amongst both groups but there was no print that stood out since there wasn’t enough data to come to a conclusion. This experiment is helpful because it could help to determine if the types are inherited and could be applied to real situations/events.
Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
The Effect of More Magnets in a Magnetic Linear Accelerator on the Distance Traveled by a Projectile Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Henry Martin Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-PA-006
Have you ever played with magnets, clicking them together with a satisfying snap? If you have, then this experiment is for you! The experimenter created a magnetic linear accelerator (or Gauss Rifle) that works by pulling balls towards magnets and shooting another ball off. That is one stage of the accelerator. The experimenter measured how far the ball traveled after it left the rail. The experimenter did this with one stage, two stages, three stages, and four stages. The third stage traveled the farthest, while the fourth stage traveled the second farthest. The experimenter believes that this happened because the loss of energy through the transfer of the balls overcame energy gained through adding more magnet stages. This supports the hypothesis that if you add more magnet stages, the projectile will go further. The hypothesis was refuted though because, after the third stage, distance fell off a cliff when the hypothesis said it would go further. Overall, the experiment was very fun to perform, even though the hypothesis was not completely supported.
Timber! Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Noah P. Heinen Grade 7 St. Peter’s JR-PA-008
The scientist investigated the effect of moisture, heat, and freezing temperatures on different wooden boards (oak, cedar, cherry, and pine). This was researched so that people can know the type of wood that can withstand the most pressure. It was hypothesized that pine would be the strongest wood tested. The experiment was conducted by putting the wood samples in specific environments (heat, cold, freezing, and room temperatures) for a week, and then putting them in a jig where they were bolted to metal rods and broken with a pump jack. A gauge was in place to measure the pressure. The independent variable was each type of wood, the dependent variable was how much pressure each type of wood could hold, and the number of tests concluded was four per type of wood, or sixteen tests total. Cherry required the most pressure to break in the control and heat tests, while oak required the most pressure in the freezing and moisture tests. From the data, the researcher learned that oak is a good type of wood to use in cold and wet environments, while cherry is a better type of wood to use in hot and mild environments.
It’s a Wonderful Light
Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Francie Jane Keithline Grade 7 St. Peter’s JR-PA-010
The young scientist investigated the effect of different colored light filters upon the energy production of solar panels. She was interested in the idea of color specific solar panels and if they might be a good option for alternative energy for homes. She hypothesized that the solar panel outfitted with the purple filter would produce the most energy. The experiment was conducted by building a tube, placing light sources and filters at the top and solar panels at the bottom. The independent variable was each colored light filter. The dependent variable was the amount of energy the solar panel received. The control was a test without a filter. The outcome of the experiment showed that yellow filter actually allowed the solar panel to produce the most energy. However, the red filter caused the solar panel to produce less energy, actually taking in more energy and not releasing it. This experiment showed the young scientist that color specific solar panels might be effective, but solar panels that use all colors of the spectrum of the sunlight will also still be effective.
Bouncing Balls: A Rebound of Information
Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Mark Joseph Mallon Grade 6 St. James Catholic School JR-PA-014
The problem that was tested is the height of a tennis ball bouncing on a wood, concrete, and grass surface. This was tested to find out on which surface the tennis would bounce higher on. People could make courts with the one that bounces the highest for kids, because they’re not as strong as adults. The problem was tested by dropping a tennis ball onto a wood floor from 0.9144 m and recording its height with a camera for all bounces, measuring from the bottom of the ball, the same for every test. This process was conducted 20 times on wood, concrete, and grass. The data was an average height of 60 cm for the wood, about 61 cm for the concrete, and about 15 cm for the grass. This means that concrete makes tennis balls bounce higher. The hypothesis was supported in this case. Concrete did make the ball bounce higher, but so slightly it is almost non-comparable.
The Effect of Seams on a Baseball’s Accuracy Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Jase Andrew McDonnell Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-PA-015
If seams on a baseball affect the travel then the accuracy is caused by the seams, because the seams add force to the ball affecting the ball’s travel and accuracy. This hypothesis is mainly based on the way the seams add forces to the balls travel, this force is mostly drag force. This force is added to the ball to make it more accurate and direct. In order to test this, I got seamless baseballs and baseballs with seams. I put a set of 14 of each ball into a jug machine. To test its accuracy I recorded each round of 14 to see where it hit the target. Then plotted it out on an accurate scale of the target and got the results from there. The results showed how the balls with the seams were more accurate. The seamless balls had a wider domain and range than those with seams. This research is helpful because it provides a general understanding of the importance of why baseballs have seams and how they affect its travel.
The Effect of Different Angles on the Number of Goals Scored in Soccer Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Drew Gellhaus Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-PA-016
If the angle shot from is at a 180-degree angle then you would make the least amount of goals because you would have to curve or bend the ball to score. The hypothesis is based mainly on how if you kick a ball with no visibility of the goal you would have to curve the ball to score. If you shoot from straight in front of the goal then it would be easy to score because more of the goal is available to shoot on. In order to test if my hypothesis is correct, I will shoot the ball from different angles and distances away from the goal and record how many shots were made from each spot out of 10. We collected all the data from each location to discover that the more you can see the goal the higher the chance it is to score. This will bring value to many soccer players to help them to have a higher percentage to score goals.
Just “Plane� Fun
Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Jack Martin Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-PA-020
The hypothesis predicts that if I make adjustments to paper airplanes, they will fly further. This hypothesis is based on the idea that there are four different adjustments made to planes. These adjustments will make the plane fly further. In order to test the Hypothesis, I threw paper airplanes with different adjustments, and a control group. There were five different groups, one for each attachment and then a control, and there were six planes in each group. The planes with elevators went the furthest, followed by planes with winglets, planes with a rudder, control planes, and then planes with flaps. This research will help us better understand how airplanes fly, especially how paper airplanes fly.
Does the Construction of an Instrument String Vary the Frequency in its Simple Harmonic Motion Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Sylvia Brown Grade 8 Indian Woods Middle School JR-PA-021
For this science experiment, I investigated the relationship between simple harmonic motion and the construction of an instrument’s string. I gathered strings of different materials to test. Before I measured the actual frequency, I used a mathematical equation to predict the frequency. In order to solve the equation, I measured the mass, length, and tension of the string. I built a structure that acted similar to a cello. It had a weight for the tension, as well as boundary conditions at either end. I would pluck the string and measure the frequency using an app on the iPhone. The data showed that the lower frequency strings measured below the predicted frequency and the higher frequency strings measured above the predicted frequency. This proved that the construction of an instrument string does vary the simple harmonic motion.
Discovering Exoplanets Orbiting Nearby Sun-like Stars in the Habitable Zone Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Hannah Marie White Grade 8 White Trinitarian Academy JR-PA-022
*Problem: Exoplanets are planets orbiting stars outside of the solar system. Humans long to explore and discover new worlds. As the population increases and land on earth depletes, we want to discover new worlds that can provide us with a second home. Also, we want to know if another life form exists in our universe. By finding nearby habitable exoplanets, I strive to learn more about the universe and find planets that could host life. Question: Are there planets orbiting nearby sun-like stars in the habitable zone? Hypothesis: There are planets in the habitable zone orbiting nearby sun-like stars.
Delusions of Glass
Junior Division
Physics and Astronomy
Alejandro Fair Adam Champagne Grade 7 St. Andrew the Apostle JR-PA-025-T
The Infinity Mirror shows you two parallel mirrors and a screen of any LED lights that together, produce what appears to be an endless void that seems to reach to the edge to infinity. It takes the boring topic of physics of slanted mirrors- something that people have all seen, every morning before they pay their dues and get their business finished for the day. To find out how the infinity mirror works, build two mirrors at right angles to each other. Seeing how the number of images formed increases as the angle decreases will give your eyes a solid understanding of how the infinity mirror produces its amazing effect... to infinity. Our hypothesis says that the infinity mirror is made by many reflecting beams of light, also known as the LEDs. The car tint made the plexiglass much darker and therefore creating a mirror that looks as if it could go on forever. It also makes it look super cool. Our hypothesis was correct that the lights reflected off themselves and bounced back into the mirror. The light reflects off the mirror at the bottom and into the glass. The darkened glass makes it look infinite to the naked eye. No, you cannot make your hand disappear into oblivion. The mirror bounces light into the glass, and then the glass bounces back into the mirror and then into your eye, and then the process repeats.
Junior Division
Plant Science
Does Grey Water Affect Turnip Height? Junior Division
Plant Science Madeline Elizabeth Gale Steiger Grade 8 Saint James Catholic School JR-PS-001
Could there be a way to save water by watering turnip plants? Does greywater (laundry water, dishwater, and bathwater) affect growth in turnip plants? This project looks at why certain types of water aid the growth of a turnip plant and others can ruin the growth of a turnip plant. Four different types of water were tested (laundry water, dishwater, bathwater, and freshwater) to see which type of water would be more beneficial to a turnip plant. The experiment was tested by germinating seeds with different types of water. Then they were transferred to containers so that they could grow and were watered by different types of water (laundry water, dishwater, bathwater, and freshwater.) The experiment had 10 trials for each type of water. Laundry water had an average height of 8.14 cm. Bathwater had an average height of 7.69 cm. Freshwater had an average height of 6.47 cm. Dishwater had an average height of 3.93 cm. This means that the laundry water was the most beneficial to the growth of a turnip plant (8.14 cm). It was hypothesized that if one of the three types of greywater is used to water a turnip plant, then only laundry water will allow the height of the turnip plant to grow. This is because what makes up the laundry water is the least harmful to plants. The experiment results were concluded that the hypothesis was completely true because the laundry water was the most beneficial to the growth of a turnip plant.
Biochar: Early Plant Food for the Future
Junior Division
Plant Science Elliott Osman Grade 6 Barstow JR-PS-007
The purpose of this experiment is to determine what combination of biochar and potting soil will have the greatest impact on the plant health of early stage bean growth. A total of 50 bean seeds were planted in groups of 5 identical individual plastic pots using varying mixtures of potting soil and biochar, ranging from 0-20% biochar. Each plant received the same amount of water and sunlight during the 2-week experiment. The first group had no biochar added to the potting soil and served as the control group. The remaining groups added increments of 5% additional biochar, up to 20%. At the end of the 2 week period, the beans were measured for length and tested for pH levels within the soil. Only 2 of the control group beans sprouted, with an average length of 4.5 cm for those beans. The experimental group average bean growth ranged from 6.9 to 13.48 cm, demonstrating more development and faster growth rates than beans in the control group as well as a more balanced pH. The data was analyzed and the conclusion was drawn that the while all groups with biochar added had greater plant growth and health than the control group, the 15% biochar and potting soil combination had the most improvement of health and early stage growth compared to all other mixture levels tested. In conclusion, the addition of biochar did improve the early stage bean growth and plant health more than potting soil alone.
Piggy Power Junior Division
Plant Science Klaira Groom Grade 8 West Platte Jr. High JR-PS-010
This project is about animal manure and its effect on plant growth. The hypothesis stated that the type of animal manure used throughout the plants, will change the height of the plant. Ten soils were mixed with cow manure for one week, ten soils were mixed with pig manure for one week, ten soils were mixed with chicken manure for one week, ten soils were mixed with horse manure for one week. One set of ten soils was not mixed with anything, it was just plain soil. Each plant was watered everyday for one week. The Experimenter measured the height of each plant after the week was over. Each plant was given the same amount of water everyday for the total week. Each plant was about the same for each, but the Experimenter reached an answer and it turns out the manure that most people think works actually got second place.
Junior Division
Plant Science Melena Davis Grade 6 Heritage Middle School JR-PS-011
The Effect of An Aquaponics System on Species of Mint Percent to Terminal Growth I am making an aquaponic system to find out which species of mint (out of the four that we have) will grow best in an aquaponics system. I will assemble the aquaponic system, plant the mint, and watch it grow! I will measure the percent of terminal growth. I don't have any data or conclusions yet because I haven't started testing yet.
Boney Beans Junior Division
Plant Science Miles Jacob McHenry Grade 8 West Platte Jr. High JR-PS-017
This project tested how the amount of bone meal affected the height of lima beans. The hypothesis stated the more bone meal added to the soil, the more the plants will grow. Ten plants with 3.7, 7.4, 11.1, 14.8mL of bone meal, and a control group were grown for 3 weeks then measured. The average plant height of the group that was not treated with any bone meal (control group) was 8.39 centimeters, The average growth of the ten plants treated with 3.7mL of bone meal was 8.65cm, The average growth of the ten plants treated with 7.4mL of bone meal was 4.64cm, The ten plants treated with 11.1mL of bone meal was 0.35cm, The average growth of plants treated with 14.8mL of bone meal was 0.05cm. The statistics applied indicated that the hypothesis was not supported.
Egg-shell-ent Growth Junior Division
Plant Science Norah D. Heise Grade 7 St. Peters JR-PS-023
The purpose of the investigation was to determine the effect of egg water upon the growth (height) of bean plants, and to see if there could be an inexpensive or easy growing solution. The researcher’s hypothesis stated that the bean plants grown with egg water would experience more growth (height) than the plants grown with tap water. The bean plants were grown in alternating rows of five, 40 plants in all. Twenty plants were grown with egg water (independent variable), the other twenty with tap water (control). The bean plants received ten hours of light every day. The plants’ heights were measured (dependent variable) when the plants were watered, every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday for five consecutive weeks. The bean plants watered with egg water did not experience any noticeable difference in height compared to the plants grown with tap water. What can be attained from this experiment is that bean plants grown in either egg water and tap water may reach the same average height.
How Does the Seed Coat Affect Germination? Junior Division
Plant Science Linus McDaniel Stella McDaniel Grade 6 Home School JR-PS-025-T
The purpose of this experiment is to nick the seed coat to see if it will germinate more quickly than the control. The procedure is to soak twenty pinto beans overnight in water. Nick the seed coats of ten of the beans. Leave the remaining pinto bean seed coats intact. Place them on a moist paper towel then place the paper towel in separate ziploc bag. Label them control and variable. Make daily observations on what we can see and record it. Repeat the experiment three times. Hypothesis: Overall, the beans with the nicked seed coat will germinate more quickly than the control.
To Grow or Not to Grow? Junior Division
Plant Science Nora J Kramer Grade 7 St. Peter’s JR-PS-027
In this investigation, the height of bean plants grown using conventional and organic fertilizer was studied. If the best type of fertilizer could be determined, then the quantity of crops could be increased. The researcher hypothesized that the bean plants grown with organic fertilizer would reach a greater height. To conduct the experiment, the researcher set up six rows of ten paper pots on a table in her basement, two rows dedicated to each type of fertilizer and two rows for the control. The researcher watered the plants every two days and measured the plants every two days, starting on day ten. The independent variable was each type of fertilizer; the dependent variable was the height of the bean plants; and the control was the height of the bean plants grown without fertilizer. The researcher conducted 60 tests. The bean plants grown with organic fertilizer grew taller than the plants grown with conventional fertilizer, but not as tall as the plants grown with no fertilizer. After conducting the experiment, the type of fertilizer that helped the bean plant’s growth most was not able to be determined because only seven out of 60 bean plants grew.
It’s All Coming Up Basil! Junior Division
Plant Science Mario Weber Trozzolo
Grade 7 St. Peters JR-PS-028
The young researcher investigated the effects of four different liquids (tap water, white vinegar, Trader Joe’s pH 9.5+ Water, and Gatorade Ice Punch Sports Drink) on the sprouting and growth of basil seeds. He was interested in discovering whether or not there is a better liquid than tap water to grow plants such as basil. The young researcher hypothesized that Trader Joe’s pH 9.5+ Water would cause the basil plants to reach the greatest heights. The experiment was conducted in the young researcher’s basement with grow lights shining on the plants for seven hours a day, and each plant receiving two tablespoons of water every other day. The independent variables were the white vinegar, Trader Joeś pH 9.5+ Water, and Gatorade Ice Punch Sports Drink; the control was tap water. The dependent variable was the height the basil reached. 100 tests were conducted, 25 tests for each liquid. The basil plants given Trader Joe’s pH 9.5+ reached an average height of 1.7 cm and the basil plants given tap water reached an average height of 1.6 cm. Plants given Gatorade Ice Punch Sports Drink and white vinegar experienced zero growth. Therefore, the young researcher discovered that Trader Joe’s pH 9.5+ Water caused the basil plants to reach the greatest heights.
Vitamins and Plants Junior Division
Plant Science Shannon Rose McMahon Grade 8 Saint James Catholic School JR-PS-033
The problem that was investigated was if watering plants with vitamins make the plants grow higher. The problem was being investigated because it could be useful to gardeners or farmers who want to grow their plants faster or taller. The problem was tested by watering 4 plants, one plant for each kind of vitamin used. Tap water was used as a control in this experiment. There were two trials tested. There were four different vitamins used in this experiment (vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E), to see if they affected the plant’s height. The height of the plant was measured in this experiment. The data showed that tap water and vitamin E helps the plants grow the highest, with the tap water plant height at 15.16 cm, and vitamin E plants height at 15.21 cm. The plants that grew the least were the plants watered with The hypothesis that the plants watered with vitamin B and C will grow the tallest, was not supported. The outcome was the plant watered with vitamin E and water grew the tallest.
The Effect of Caffeine on Plants Junior Division
Plant Science Matthew Dennis Burns Grade 7 Indian Woods Middle School JR-PS-037
The Hypothesis predicts if the amount of caffeine given is zero grams then the plant will grow more. This hypothesis is based mainly on the facts that show plants produce caffeine and then use it to eliminate other plants around it. So if a plant is given caffeine that is dissolved in the water will it affect the growth of the plant? In order to test this hypothesis, we grew 30 plants and gave each one a different amount of caffeine over a span of 14 days. We collected the height of each plant every day and the data showed there is dose-response showing that the more caffeine that was given to a plant the less it will grow.
Extracting Onion DNA Junior Division
Plant Science Emily Anne Drottz Grade 6 Heritage Middle School JR-PS-038
My project for the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair is extracting onion DNA. My essay will explain what DNA is, the steps used to extract DNA, and whether or not I could clone an onion using the DNA I extracted. Hypothesis: If DNA is extracted from an onion then you will be able to visualize the long strands of DNA.
Got Sodium
Junior Division
Plant Science Kaitlyn Mae Reinke Grade 8 West Platte Jr. High JR-PS-039
The project studied the effects of different salts on the growth of plants. The hypothesis stated that the use of salt, no matter the type used, will make the plants die and that the plants that were controlled would be the only one living and the growth would be higher than the other plants. Ten plants were treated with epsom salt four times a week for eight weeks, ten plants were treated with sea salt four times a week for eight weeks, ten plants were treated with road salt four times a week for eight weeks, ten plants were treated with kosher salt four times a week for eight weeks, and ten plants were treated with controlled four times a week for eight weeks. The growth of the plants were measured in centimeters. The average growth of plants treated with sea salt was 0.45 centimeters, during the same testing period. The average growth of plants treated with road salt was zero centimeters, during the same testing period. The average growth of plants treated with epsom salt was 1.6 centimeters, during the same time period. The average growth of plants treated with kosher was 5.25 centimeters, during the same time period. The average growth of plants treated with controlled was 16.25, during the same testing period. The statistics applied indicated that the hypothesis was supported
A-Mazing Photopism Junior Division
Plant Science Corbin Potts, Alex Althoff & Isaac Bailey Grade 6 Liberty Middle School JR-PS-040-T
For our project we are studying how phototropism affects plants. We are studying phototropism on the bean, pea, and zucchini plant. We are building a structure to help us see which plant can get through the maze first. In this experiment we are measuring the speed of the plants’ growth.
Rain Rain Go Away Junior Division
Plant Science Luke William Hamilton Grade 8 West Platte Jr. High JR-PS-042
This project studied the effects of different acid concentrations in water on the growth height of plants. The hypothesis stated that if the concentration of acid changed, then the height of the Phaseolus Vulgaris would change. Ten plants were treated with five percent acid concentration once a day for five days, ten plants were treated with ten percent acid concentration once a day for five days, ten plants were treated with fifteen percent acid concentration once a day for five days, ten plants were treated with twenty percent acid concentration once a day for five days, and ten plants were left untreated with acidic water. Height of the plants was measured each day for five days. The average height of plants treated with five percent acid concentration was seventy-six millimeters. The average height of plants treated with ten percent acid concentration was 50 millimeters, during the same testing period. The average height of plants treated with fifteen percent acid concentration was 55 millimeters, during the same testing period. The average height of plants treated with twenty percent acid concentration was 55 millimeters, during the same testing period. The average height of plants in the control group was 132 millimeters, during the same testing period. The statistics applied indicated that the hypothesis was supported.
Got Vitamins? Junior Division
Plant Science Julia Pattison Grade 8 West Platte Jr. High JR-PS-044
This project studied the effects of different types of vitamins on the growth of plants. The hypothesis stated that if the type of vitamin changed, then the growth of Phaseolus Vulgaris would change. Ten plants were treated with vitamin C three times a week for three weeks, ten plants were treated with vitamin D three times a week for three weeks, ten plants were treated with vitamin b6 three times a week for three weeks, ten plants were treated with vitamin b12 three times a week for three weeks, and ten plants were left untreated with water. Growth of the plants was measured (cm) each week for three weeks. The average growth of plants treated with vitamin C was 3.25 centimeters during a three week period. The average growth of plants treated with vitamin D was 1.2 centimeters , during the same testing period. The average growth of plants treated with vitamin b6 was 0.8 centimeters, during the same testing period. The average growth of plants treated with vitamin b12 was 0.8 centimeters, during the same testing period. The average growth of plants in the control group was 2.95 centimeters, during the same testing period. The statistics applied indicated that the hypothesis was supported.
Blood Clotting Junior Division
Plant Science Solina Tsegai Grade 6 Heritage Middle School JR-PS-047
The purpose of my experiment is to determine water quality. I will be growing duckweed and testing it with water highly concentrated with fertilizer run-off, and water that is pure. I have no data, I haven't started, and I haven't got a conclusion. I have just restarted my project, so that is why.
The Effects of Soil and Organic Fertilizer on the Growth of Plants
Junior Division
Plant Science Sarah Nielsen Grade 7 Hocker Grove Middle School JR-PS-048
What are the effects of soil and organic fertilizer on the growth of marigold plants? The purpose of this is to see if growing marigolds in plain soil and in soil with compost have different effects on the growth (height) of the plants. The information gained from the results could be used for gardeners around the world to have more success with their gardens during the year. For this experiment, the height of marigolds growing in plain soil and in soil with compost was recorded by using a ruler in metric measurements and was tested by measuring the heights at the same time for each section. There were two sections of five pots (10 trials in total) and each had 6 marigold seeds in them. The dependent variable in this project was the marigolds and their heights, while the independent variable is the soil in which is both with added compost, and without it. The hypothesis of this experiment was supported. The hypothesis was supported because what the hypothesis stated, matched up to the final results. This happened because, in the hypothesis, it said if marigolds were to be planted in soil with added compost, then they would grow to be taller and stronger than ones grown in soil by itself. This information matched up to the results due to the extra nutrients added in the soil by the compost.