Biyernes, Agosto 26, 2011

Science Fair Project for 8th Grade


Generators have always been a big help in terms of electrical crisis. Making an electric generator is a good way of learning the principles of generators. It also is an exciting science project. In this science experiment, we will make a different type of generator, a wooden generator

Hypothesis

A wooden generator is possible.

Material

Following are the material that you need in order to construct the 8th grade science fair project:

  1. Wood dowel 3/8" diameter
  2. Wood Dowel 1" diameter.
  3. 1/2 Square foot Balsa wood (1/8" diameter)
  4. Rod magnet 3" long
  5. Insulated copper wire 27 AWG, 200 feet
  6. 1.2 Volt Screw Base light Bulb
  7. Base for the light bulb
  8. Small sand paper
  9. Wood Glue

Procedure

  1. Prepare all the materials needed.
  2. Cut two square pieces from the balsa wood (3.5" x 3.5").
  3. Make a 3/8" hole in the center of each square.
  4. Cut four 1" x 3 7/16.
  5. Cut a 3/4" piece from the 1" wood dowel.
  6. Make a 3/8" hole in the center of it. Insert a 6" long 3/8" wood dowel in the hole
  7. Apply some glue.
  8. Center it and wait for it to dry.
  9. Make another hole with the diameter of your rod magnet in the center of the larger wood dowel piece for the magnet to go through.
  10. Wood dowels after completing the step 4
  11. Wood dowels after completing the step 5.
  12. Insert the magnet in the hole of the wood dowel.
  13. Center it and use some glue to secure it.
  14. Use one large square balsa wood and four smaller rectangular balsa woods to make a box.
  15. Insert your wood dowel into the hole in the center of the box. At this time the magnet is inside the box.
  16. Place the other large square to complete the box.
  17. Apply some glue to the edges and wait for the glue to dry. By now, you have a box and inside the box you have a magnet that can spin when you spin the wood dowel.
  18. Wrap 200 turns of copper wire around the box and use masking tape to secure it.
  19. Remove the insulation from the ends of the wire.
  20. Connect it to the screws of the bulb holder or base.
  21. Insert the light bulb.
  22. Spin the wood dowel fast to get the light.

Results / Analysis of Data

You can answer the following questions:
  1. How does the speed of turning affect the production of electricity?
  2. How does the diameter of wire coil affect the amount of electricity?
  3. How does the number of loops of wire in the coil affect the amount of electricity?
  4. How does the diameter of coil wire affect the electric current?
  5. How do the material used in the construction of an electric generator affect the production of electricity?

Conclusion

Indeed, a wooden generator is possible to make. It is recommended to have an adult supervise or hlp you while doing the project. You can add your conclusion through the results and analysis of data.


Science Fair Project for 8th Grade


In fall, we observe that trees change their colors. In this science fair experiment for 8th grade we will determine the reasons why leaves change their colors in the fall. Maybe they stop making food so the green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. As the bright green fades away, we begin to see yellow and orange colors. Small amounts of these colors have been in the leaves all along. This may be the reason leaves change color in the fall.

Hypothesis

Since leaves do not have the materials they need to survive in the winter and fall, their leaves die and loose the green color.

Materials

  1. leaves, small jars
  2. rubbing alcohol, paper coffee filters
  3. covers for jars or aluminum foil or plastic wrap
  4. shallow pan, hot tap water, tape, pen
  5. plastic knife or spoon, clock or timer.

Procedure

  1. Collect 2-3 large leaves all from different trees.
  2. Cut the leaves into very small pieces and put them into small jars labeled with the name or location of the tree.
  3. Add enough rubbing alcohol to each jar to cover the leaves.
  4. Using a plastic knife or spoon, carefully chop and grind the leaves in the alcohol.
  5. Cover the jars very loosely with lids or plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
  6. Place the jars carefully into a shallow tray containing 1 inch of hot tap water.
  7. Keep the jars in the water for at least a half-hour, longer if needed, until the alcohol has become colored, the darker the better.
  8. Twirl each jar gently about every five minutes.
  9. Replace the hot water if it cools off.
  10. Cut a long thin strip of coffee filter paper for each of the jars and label it.
  11. Remove jars from water and uncover.
  12. Place a strip of filter paper into each jar so that one end is in the alcohol.
  13. Bend the other end over the top of the jar and secure it with tape.
  14. The alcohol will travel up the paper, bringing the colors with it.
  15. After 90 minutes, the colors will travel different distances up the paper as the alcohol evaporates. You should be able to see different shades of green, and possibly some yellow, orange or red, depending on the type of leaf.
  16. Remove the strips of paper.
  17. Let them dry.
  18. Tape them to a piece of plain paper.

Results and Analysis of Data

By separating the colors of a green leaf using chromatography, list down all your observations.

Conclusion

With the interpretation of results and analysis of date, you can come up with your own conclusion.

Biyernes, Agosto 12, 2011

Family and Science Fair


In our world nowadays, it is a fact that kids do spend more time with computers, laptops, or any any kinds of gadget. Spending time with their parents at home has lost its popularity anymore. Gone are those days when parents and child sit sown together, laugh together, or even make a little discovery out of simple things together.

Science fair is an annual activity in school. It is when a student or a child makes and presents a science fair project. It is when a student or a child gives his or her best shot to win such contest. And behind all of these are the parents who has the 'all-out' support for their child.

Why such in a moment parents and child become science buddies? It is because of the science fair. How did science fair make them as science buddies? It is because of the following:
  • Parents are their 1st cheerers and audience.
  • Parents supports their child all the way.
  • Parents give their child motivation.
  • Parents allow them to be positive in thinking.
  • Parents listen to their ideas and explanation.
  • Parents will help their child discover their own intrests rather that the parents' interests.
  • Parents teach them how to get things right.
  • Parents make science projects so simple.
  • Parents help their child win but already declared them as the winner in their own way.
Science fair is known to be a fearful activity for some students. But for others, it is not and should be not because it is just the time when a child showcases his or her talents with the help of their parents.

Somehow, science fair helps in family relationships. It gives time for parents and kids to talk and share ideas together. It makes parents and child makes great discoveries from simple things. It makes parents and child as science buddies.