Science Buddies
Science Buddies: It's Raining, It's Pouring: Chemical Analysis of Rainwater
Here is an interesting project that could be approached from several different scientific angles: Environmental Science, Weather & Atmosphere, Chemistry, or Plant Biology. You can probably think of your own variations to emphasize...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Getting Carried Away: Measuring Soil Erosion
When you think of environmental challenges facing the world, the first things that come to mind might be global warming, or loss of biodiversity, since these are often in the newspapers. A serious problem that you may not have heard...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Home Sweet Biome: How Do Plants Grow in Different Environments?
In this science fair project you will learn about biomes and how different climatic conditions affect plant growth. This can explain why some plants and animals are similar in different areas of the country, and in other parts they are not.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Are There Bugs Under Your Feet?
Within the grass there are millions of micro-invertebrates. Learn how to catch them by making a Berlese funnel in this fun project that will teach you about soil.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Air Particles and Air Quality
What does the phrase, "Like a breath of fresh air," mean to you? This common phrase can have different meanings: calming, relaxing, invigorating, energizing or clean. In this experiment you will test the quality of air by measuring the...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: The Big Dig
Even though many cities have recycling programs, a lot of trash still ends up in the dump. Find out which materials will break down and which materials won't. Will the results of this experiment change which products you often buy?
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Does Soil Affect the P H of Water?
Did you know that soils can be alkaline, neutral, or acidic? Most plants grow best in soil near neutral pH, but some plants prefer slightly acidic and others slightly alkaline soil. What is the pH of the soil in your garden? What happens...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: I'm Trying to Breathe Here! Dissolved Oxygen vs. Temperature
To survive, we need oxygen in the air we breathe. Oxygen is also essential for most aquatic organisms, but there is much less oxygen available in water than in air. Learn how to measure dissolved oxygen and then see how oxygen...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Recycling Greywater: Can Plants Tolerate It?
Water is a valuable resource many often take for granted. This exercise however gives you the opportunity to learn about and discover how greywater (water that has been used for washing or bathing) can be used for watering ornamental...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Can Your Faucet Save Water?
Experiment with low-flow faucets and see how much water you can save in your home. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction, followed by a section on terms,...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Alternative Sources for Paper Fiber
If you're interested in arts and crafts, you might like this project. It uses several alternative, renewable sources of fiber to make paper, and compares the resulting papers for strength and writing quality.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Rooftop Gardens: Are They a Cool Idea?
Around the world, rooftops are being transformed into living green expanses. Besides beauty, rooftop gardens have a number of advantages, including growing food and taking carbon dioxide out of the air while releasing breathable oxygen....
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Harbor Porpoise Movement
In this project you can use archived satellite tracking data to learn about activity patterns of harbor porpoises. How far do they travel? Can you find patterns in the routes individual animals take? Can you correlate their route with...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: A Matter of Degrees: Tilt of Earth's Axis Affects the Seasons
In this science fair project, use a globe and a heat lamp to investigate how the angle of the Sun affects global warming. This project includes the objective, background questions, a list of all the materials you'll need, and the...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Bug Vacuums: Sucking Up Biodiversity
In this science fair project you can take on the role of a wildlife biologist by examining the biodiversity of insects in your own backyard. To do this, you will follow the directions to create a homemade bug vacuum.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Cold Room? Heat It Up With a Homemade Solar Air Heater
Humans need food, water, and warm shelter to survive. But a lot of humans depend on fossil fuels to supply gas and electricity to heat our homes. But burning fossil fuels to create energy is harmful to the environment. In this science...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Spinning Your Wheels: Pinwheel Sensitivity
So you've just heard the "Happy Birthday" song and now it's time to blow out the candles. If you are sitting far away from the candles, you know you'll have to blow harder to get them all out than if you were sitting closer. In this...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Spare a Watt, Save a Lot
In this science fair project, you will investigate the different uses of electricity in your home. By identifying appliances, and determining how much energy they use, as well as which are phantom loaders, you can determine if there are...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Can the Color of Your House Reduce Your Energy Bill?
Did you know that the color of your house could save money? Do this experiment to see which colors regulate temperature best in different environments. Learn how painting the house can save money on the energy bill.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Plants Are on the Move! A Study of Gravitropism
As we humans zip from place to place, we often forget to stop and smell the roses. Compared to our fast-paced lifestyle, plants seem rooted to the spot. Don't be deceived by appearances however, plants are on the move. This experiment...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Environmental Issues Scrapbook and Podcast
Over the duration of a semester learners will collect newspaper and magazine articles related to environmental issues. Students will compose a scrapbook of articles. Learners will choose two topics to record and share with the class.This...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Set Your Table for a Sweet and Sticky Earthquake Shake
Earthquakes can have different affects depending on their location. This week long exercise asks you to build a model house and a special table to shake it on, and see how different soil types can amplify shaking.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: The Tragedy of the Commons
Tragedy of the Commons is the mind set: "If I don't use the resources then someone else will." This is a simulation that allows students to explore how the common usage of a potentially renewable resource can lead to its exploitation....