{"title":"Geology Science Fair Projects","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"measuring-amp-comparing-salinity-in-different-aquatic-environments-a2784","title":"Measuring \u0026 Comparing Salinity in Different Aquatic Environments","description":"\u003cfigure class=\"caption\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"size-medium wp-image-47 \" alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/supplyme-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/post\/Ocean-Mist-Vince-Alongi.jpg\" data-pin-hover=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003ePhoto © 2006 D. Vincent Alongi, Flickr\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost of you have learned in life science or through experience that there are two main types of aquatic environments - saltwater and freshwater. Oceans, bays, gulfs, and seas are examples of saltwater habitats, while lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, etc. are bodies of freshwater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is, however, a third type of water habitat - a mixture of both salt and fresh water - found where rivers meet, or flow into, the ocean. These aquatic environments are known as estuaries. The distinguishing characteristic in each of these water habitats is the amount of dissolved salt found in the water, known as the \u003cstrong\u003esalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e. In this fun science fair project, designed by Dr. Sara Agee of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sciencebuddies.org\/science-fair-projects\/project_ideas\/OceanSci_p009.shtml?fave=no\u0026amp;isb=cmlkOjc0MjAxMTQsc2lkOjAscDoxLGlhOk9jZWFuU2Np\u0026amp;from=TSW\" data-ad-id=\"post-content-link\"\u003eScience Buddies\u003c\/a\u003e, students will collect and test several water samples from various fresh water and salt water aquatic environments to determine the difference in salinity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials You'll Need\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGlass canning jars with lids (12 oz.)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetric scale (weight in grams, g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetric measuring cup (volume in liters and milliliters, L and mL)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCookie sheet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOven\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProject Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cimg class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-42\" alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/supplyme-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/post\/Salinity-Lab-Data-Table.jpg\" data-pin-hover=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreate a data table like the one shown above (or to download a copy). (NOTE: Accurately recording all pertinent data throughout the experiment is very important. When in doubt - write it down! You can sift through the information later when you compile your findings.)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrainstorm aquatic locations in your vicinity. Include both fresh water and salt water environments. (If you live near the coast, don't forget any estuaries!) Making a prediction as to their salinity, rank the locations from least salty to most salty. Choose five or more environments to visit and collect samples.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollect your water samples. Make sure to follow the correct procedure. (NOTE: For accuracy, each sample will need to have the same volume of water. Use a metric measuring cup to collect 300mL of water from each location. This will be more precise than 'eyeballing' the water levels in each jar.) Don't forget to create a negative control with distilled water!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeasure and record pre-evaporation and control weights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvaporate the water in each sample. Measure and record the post-evaporation weights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse the following formulas to compute the amount of salt (in grams), and finally the salinity of each sample:\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg title=\"Salinity Calculations\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-41\" alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/supplyme-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/post\/Salinity-Calculations1.jpg\" data-pin-hover=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvaluate findings and report significant relationships, conclusions, etc.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFor more background and experiment information be sure to check out the full post at Science Buddies!\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"wp-table-reloaded wp-table-reloaded-id-2\" id=\"wp-table-reloaded-id-2-no-1\" cellspacing=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"SupplyMe","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":1734089408537,"sku":"A2784","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1418\/0968\/products\/Ocean-Mist-Vince-Alongi.jpg?v=1522781605"},{"product_id":"the-effect-of-acid-rain-on-aquatic-life-a2796","title":"The Effect of Acid Rain on Aquatic Life","description":"\u003cfigure class=\"caption\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\" wp-image-495 \" src=\"\/\/supplyme-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/post\/15504803_66c89de5f5_b.jpg\" alt=\"Elementary Environmental Science Fair Project\" data-pin-hover=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003ePhoto © 2005 Rick Smit, Flickr\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike smoking, pollution has \"second-hand\" effects. While it's easy to understand how disposing chemicals directly into the local lake, chucking a plastic bottle out of a car window into the ditch, or even how the release of chemical emissions into the atmosphere can be harmful to the health of the planet and its inhabitants, the idea that these chemicals, after being released into the atmosphere, can be altered (by nature!) to form other - \"second-hand\" and equally harmful substances - may not be so straightforward. Budding environmental scientists will appreciate this practical approach to one such second-hand substance - acid rain!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcid Rain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcid rain is formed when nitrogen oxide (present in car exhaust among other sources) and sulfur dioxide (used in many manufacturing processes and present in industrial emissions) released into the atmosphere are absorbed by water droplets in clouds. When the chemicals mix with the hydrogen and oxygen of the water, they form an acid. During periods of precipitation, this acidic substance falls to the earth, not only affecting physical structures in its path, but the chemical balance of freshwater bodies and soil.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProject Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this science fair project, created for upper elementary students by Dr. Sara Agee of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sciencebuddies.org\/science-fair-projects\/project_ideas\/EnvSci_p016.shtml\" data-ad-id=\"post-content-link\"\u003eScience Buddies\u003c\/a\u003e, students interested in environmental science will explore the effect of acid rain on aquatic life - specifically algae, worms, snails, and plants - in controlled aquatic environments. [NOTE: If you desire to use fish or any other vertebrate animal for this experiment, you will need approval from the Scientific Review Committee (SRC)!]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy creating several substances of differing acidity using household vinegar and testing them on identical aquatic environments, students will:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHypothesize about and discover the effects of altering the chemical balance in an aquatic environment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHypothesize about and determine the pH range at which acid rain affects an aquatic environment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHypothesize about, then observe and record how acid rain affects different organisms in the ecosystem, determining similarities and differences.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor background information on the formation of acid rain (including a helpful diagram), a discussion of pH and other important terms, a list of materials and equipment, a step-by-step procedural guide (including example data tables), several experiment extensions or variations, and a list of resources to help you discover how to reduce acid rain, be sure to visit Agee's full post at Science Buddies!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mpm-adbox\"\u003eVisit our online \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.mpmschoolsupplies.com\/\" data-ad-id=\"post-content-link\"\u003eteacher supplies\u003c\/a\u003e store, mpmSchoolSupplies.com where we offer over 25,000 educational products including everything from \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.mpmschoolsupplies.com\/c-432-dramatic-play.aspx\" data-ad-id=\"post-content-link\"\u003epretend play toys\u003c\/a\u003e for kids to \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.mpmschoolsupplies.com\/c-67-mathematics.aspx\" data-ad-id=\"post-content-link\"\u003emath teaching supplies\u003c\/a\u003e!\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SupplyMe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":1734094618649,"sku":"A2796","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1418\/0968\/products\/15504803_66c89de5f5_b.jpg?v=1522781637"},{"product_id":"speed-of-seismic-waves-a2818","title":"Speed of Seismic Waves","description":"\u003cfigure class=\"caption\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/supplyme-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/post\/seismograph.jpg\" alt=\"seismograph\" data-pin-hover=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cfigcaption\u003ePhoto Source: www.sciencebuddies.com\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\n\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those students who enjoy research and historical data, here's a geology science fair experiment created by Dr. Andrew Olson of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sciencebuddies.com\/science-fair-projects\/project_ideas\/Geo_p016.shtml?fave=no\u0026amp;isb=cmlkOjk1MTM5NTksc2lkOjAscDoxLGlhOkdlbw\u0026amp;from=TSW\" data-ad-id=\"post-content-link\"\u003eScience Buddies\u003c\/a\u003e. Using data collected and archived by the Berkeley Digital Seismic Network, students will be able to measure how fast seismic waves travel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportance of Seismograms\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA seismograph detects and records ground motion caused by earthquakes and even large explosions. The output, called a seismogram, displays this movement as a function of time - in short, it shows how long it takes each seismic wave to travel from the earthquake epicenter to the recording station. Using historical seismograms of past earthquakes, students will be able to calculate the wave speed of the quakes by measuring the distance between the two points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProject Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Olson suggests brushing up on some background terms and information before beginning, learning about tectonic plates, seismology, coordinated universal time, and even the physics of waves. Next, students should begin researching past earthquakes, recording the magnitude, time (in coordinated universal time), and epicenter location. They'll need to find ten to twenty quakes in roughly the same location in order to make a complete analysis. From the seismogram created using the recorded data, students can then find the average velocity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor tips on using the Berkeley Digital Seismograph Network, reading a seismograph, making proper calculations, drawing conclusions, project variations, and other pertinent details, be sure to visit the full project description at Science Buddies!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SupplyMe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":1734104219673,"sku":"A2818","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1418\/0968\/products\/seismograph.jpg?v=1522781696"},{"product_id":"how-clean-is-the-air-you-breathe-a2874","title":"How Clean is the Air You Breathe?","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-802\" alt=\"Environmental Science and Geology Science Fair Project\" src=\"\/\/supplyme-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/post\/6588131357.jpg\" data-pin-hover=\"true\"\u003e\nWhile it may seem to the naked eye that the air we breathe is clean and clear, the reality is, whether they're tiny particles or in gas form, most air pollutants are invisible. For those students interested in ecology and environmental science, this project from Alexa Bach McElrone, independent contributor to \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.education.com\/science-fair\/article\/dirty-air\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ad-id=\"post-content-link\"\u003eEducation.com\u003c\/a\u003e, is sure to make an interesting study!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe best part is the project can be as simple or as complex as you make it. For younger students, the petroleum jelly sensor offers a great opportunity to check various areas in the neighborhood and community for the presence of particulate pollution. For older students, we highly recommend expanding the project to include a study of gas pollutants. If you're tech-\/electronics-savvy, consider creating your own gas pollution sensors to measure carbon monoxide, diesel fumes, exhaust, etc. You can find a great tutorial for creating air quality balloons over at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instructables.com\/id\/Air-quality-balloons\/?ALLSTEPS\" target=\"_blank\" data-ad-id=\"post-content-link\"\u003eInstructables\u003c\/a\u003e and there are plenty of other tutorials online as well!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAs with many things, when it comes to air quality, looks can be deceiving. We're certain you and your classmates will be amazed at results of this project!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SupplyMe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":1734188335129,"sku":"A2874","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1418\/0968\/products\/6588131357.jpg?v=1522782198"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1418\/0968\/collections\/Ocean-Mist-Vince-Alongi.jpg?v=1530027889","url":"https:\/\/www.supplyme.com\/collections\/geology-science-fair-projects\/grade-8.oembed","provider":"SupplyMe","version":"1.0","type":"link"}