Janice VanCleave's A+ Science Fair Workbook and Project Journal, Grades 7-12

by VanCleave, Janice

• ISBN13: 9780471467199
• ISBN10: 0471467197
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-02
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

Your all-in-one resource for science fair successDon't wait till the last minute to start preparing for this year's science fair. This book makes it easy and fun to complete a project that you can take pride in, and maybe even take to national and international competitions. You get expert guidance in creating a great project from start to finish, with information on basic science fair procedures, tools, and techniques. You'll also find background experiments to try, pages for taking notes on each topic, and a personal project journal to help you keep track of every step as you choose your project, gather your data, report your findings, and prepare to make a spectacular presentation.The topics covered span the science curriculum and include topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics. All the activities can be done either at home or in the classroom with inexpensive and easy-to-find materials. So find out how enjoyable and rewarding completing a science project can really be, and have a great science fair experience!

Author Biography

Janice VanCleave is a former teacher whose science experiment books have sold over two million copies. Students and teachers alike have come to love her unique combination of serious education and hands-on activities.

Table of Contents

How to Use This Book	p. 1
A Guide to Science Fair Projects
The Scientific Method	p. 5
Topic Research	p. 9
Categories	p. 11
Project Research	p. 13
Project Overview	p. 15
Experimental Data	p. 17
Project Summaries	p. 20
The Display	p. 24
Presentation and Evaluation	p. 27
55 A+ Science Fair Project Ideas
Astronomy
Solar System Scale: Miniature Model	p. 32
Barycenter: The Balancing Point	p. 37
Orbital Eccentricity: How Circular a Celestial Body's Path Is	p. 42
Angular Separation: Angular Distance between Celestial Bodies	p. 47
Orbital Period: Time of Revolution	p. 52
Artificial Satellites: Man-Made Orbiters	p. 57
Rotation: The Spinning of Celestial Bodies	p. 61
Apparent Magnitude: Apparent Star Brightness	p. 65
Parallax: Apparent Shift of an Object	p. 69
Sunspots: Cooler Surface Regions	p. 74
Galilean Satellites: Jupiter's Largest Moons	p. 78
Meteors: Streaks of Light in the Sky	p. 82
Biology
Meristematic Region: Growth Zone	p. 88
Seed Parts: Exterior and Interior	p. 93
Autotrophs: Food Builders	p. 98
Hydroponics: Growth without Soil	p. 103
Apical Dominance: Growth Inhibitor	p. 108
Geotropism: Plant Movement Due to Gravity	p. 112
Responses of Annelidas: Segmented Worms	p. 117
Aquatic Respiration: Breathing Rate of Goldfish	p. 122
Operant Conditioning: The "Aha!" Response	p. 127
Ecosystem: Interactions	p. 132
Preservatives: Food Additives	p. 137
Chemistry
Phase Changes: Effects of Solutes	p. 144
Crystals: Natures Jewels	p. 149
The Best Plant Food: Nutrient Differences in Soils	p. 154
Acid-Base Indicators: Color Changers	p. 158
Enzymes: Chemical Controllers	p. 162
Triglycerides: Saturated and Unsaturated	p. 167
Vitamin C Content: Analysis of Food by Titration	p. 172
Minerals: Chemicals Needed for Life and Good Health	p. 177
Viscosity: A Difference in Stickiness	p. 182
Carbon Dioxide: Its Production and Uses	p. 186
Earth Science
The Hydrologic Cycle: The Movement of Water from Place to Place	p. 192
Minerals: Distinguishing Physical Characteristics of Minerals	p. 196
The Rock Cycle: Processes That Change One Rock Type into Another	p. 201
Soil Texture: Effects of Regolith Size	p. 205
Crustal Bending: Deformation of the Earth's Crust	p. 209
Faulting: The Earth's Crustal Breaking Point	p. 213
Plate Tectonics: Floating Crustal Structure	p. 218
Topography: Highs and Lows of the Earth's Surface	p. 223
The Greenhouse Effect: Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere	p. 228
Barometric Changes: The Cause and Measurement of Air Pressure	p. 233
Soundings: Mapping a Profile of the Ocean Floor	p. 238
Physics
Resonance: Sympathetic Vibration	p. 244
Thermal Conduction: Transfer of Vibrational Energy	p. 249
Static Electricity: Stationary Charges	p. 254
Series Circuit: Sequential Path	p. 260
Parallel Circuit: Divided Pathways	p. 266
Electromagnetism: Magnetism from Electricity	p. 271
Static Fluids: Fluids at Rest	p. 276
Friction: Force that Resists Motion	p. 281
Work: Force through a Distance	p. 286
Newton's Third Law of Motion: Action-Reaction	p. 291
Polarization: Vibrations in One Direction	p. 296
Random Error of Measurement	p. 301
Relative Error: Percentage Error	p. 302
Planet Facts and Figures	p. 303
Random Sampling in an Open Ecosystem	p. 304
Cross-Staff	p. 305
Preparing Test Solutions	p. 307
Manometer	p. 309
Trigonometric Functions	p. 310
Science Project and Experiment Books	p. 311
Sources of Scientific Supplies	p. 313
Project Journal	p. 315
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