Thursday, May 28, 2009

Science Fair Project Ideas About Rocks

Science projects about rocks help teach students about geology.


Science fair projects about rocks help teach students about mineralogy, geology and several basic scientific concepts. A science fair project requires certain steps. You must ask a question, form a hypothesis about the answer, test your hypothesis with an experiment and record the results. You need to make a visual display that presents your hypothesis, experiment and results. You also need to propose a conclusion about why and how you received your results and how they relate to your original hypothesis.


Water Erosion Project


Demonstrate the effects of water on small rocks for an easy science project about erosion. The project involves different types of rock in separate jars of water. The rocks sit for 24 hours and then are shaken vigorously. The water from each jar is filtered to discover how much sediment each rock lost. Before performing the experiment, try to make a reasoned prediction about which rocks will lose the most and least sediment . Explain your results with graphs and a systematic recount of your experiment.


Acid Erosion Project


Explore the effects of acid rain on different types of rocks for a moderately complicated erosion science project. The project requires two samples of each type of rock. One sample sits in a jar of water and the second sits in a jar of vinegar. Hypothesize the effects of each liquid and estimate which rocks will lose the most sediment.


The rocks remain in liquid for at least 24 hours and then each jar is shaken. The water from each jar is filtered and the sediment is measured. Display your results with charts and graphs that explain the effects of each liquid on each type of rock. Detail each step in your experiment and explain how the results relate to your hypothesis about how water and acid affect different rocks.


Moisture Retaining Project


Check the porous and moisture retaining properties of different rocks for a complicated science fair project. The experiment uses different types of rock of about the same size. Weigh the rocks and place them in a jar with one cup of water. Mark each jar's waterline. After 6 hours, check the waterlines to see which one dropped the most. Remove each rock from the water, wiped with a towel and weighed again to check how much water the item retained.


The project requires one hypothesis about which rock will absorb the most water and a second hypothesis about which rock will retain the most water. Use charts and graphs to help explain your hypotheses, experiment and results. Detail why certain rocks did or didn't absorb or retain water.







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