Category+Descriptions


 * Category Descriptions **
 * __ Behavioral and Social Sciences __**__ : __ Human and animal behavior, social and community relationship – psychology, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, animal behavior, learning, perception, urban problems, public opinion surveys, educational testing, etc. When working with humans or animals you must get PRIOR approval from your teacher.
 * __ Biochemistry: __** Chemistry of life processes – molecular biology, molecular genetics, enzymes, photosynthesis, blood chemistry, protein chemistry, food chemistry, hormones.
 * __ Botany __**__ : __ Study of plant life – agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc.
 * __ Chemistry __**__ : __ Study of nature, composition of matter and the laws governing it – physical chemistry, organic chemistry (other than biochemistry), inorganic chemistry, materials, plastics, fuels, pesticides, metallurgy, soil chemistry, etc. You may test some consumer products here. Some examples would include testing the effectiveness of detergents, waxes, cleaning products. Testing physical and chemical changes is appropriate for this category. Ideas: how to prevent rust, mildew, mold.
 * __ Earth and Space Science __**__ : __ Geology, mineralogy, physical oceanography, meteorology, seismology, geography, topography. (You can’t really test planets or comets or the moon and stars – so no solar systems please). Ideas: test weather tools, test the causes of earthquakes, test the strength of rocks.
 * __ Engineering: __** Technology projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses – civil, mechanical, aeronautical, chemical, electrical, photographic, sound, automotive, marine, heating and refrigeration, transportation, environmental engineering. Ideas: What structures are the strongest (test shapes) – think of bridge designs. Why are cars made in different shapes? Will a “Hummer” go as fast as a “Corvette?” – test the design.
 * __ Environmental Science __**__ : __ Study of pollution (air, water, and land) sources and their control, ecology, waste disposal, impact studies. Ideas: ways to prevent erosion, study on decomposition (this takes a while so get started right away). How about studying air pollution from different pollutants: cars, buses, trucks – be careful, wear protective covering over you own nose. Test things marketed as biodegradable.
 * __ Medicine and Health: __** Study of diseases and health of humans and animals – medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, pathology, veterinary medicine, nutrition, sanitations, pediatrics, allergies, speech and hearing, etc. Be careful with this section. You must get approval from your teacher when working with people or animals PRIOR to starting your project.
 * __ Microbiology: __** Biology of microorganisms – bacteriology, virology, protozology, fungi, bacterial genetics, yeast. Remember to take pictures. You can’t display these organisms because someone may be allergic to them.
 * __ Physics: __** Pertaining to the part of the Physical Science Strand: Energy (light, sound, heat, and electricity) – Think of something with light waves (light bulbs, sound waves (IPods), radio waves, materials that protect us from heat (oven mitts) electrical circuits (What about those Christmas tree bulbs and if one is burned out?), force (gravity, friction, magnetism) and motion. Ideas: roller coaster, design of airplanes, rockets as it affects motion and or speed, type of materials used that may affect physical laws: type of pavements, type of baseball bat, football other sporting equipment. How about a study on equipment used in the winter Olympics such as skates, skis, snowboards?