Comments on: Science Project Ideas for Middle School?

By: CURIOUS SID_B

CURIOUS SID_B — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 07:22:59 +0000

BEST PROJECT THAT CAN BE MADE AT HOME—-
1)
TAKE TWO FORKS AND A COIN. FIX THE COIN IN BETWEEN THE NEEDLES (WHAT SO EVER IT IS CALLED) OF ONE FORK . DO THE SAME WITH THE OTHER FORK AND THE SAME COIN WITH THE ATTACHED FIRST FORK. NOW, YOU MAY BALANCE THE CENTRE OF THE COIN UPON ANY OF THE POINTED OBJECTS LIKE NEEDLE OR TOOTHPICK.

2)
When inserting a needle between the prongs so that it holds both forks together intersects the prongs of two forks and get interlocked, we are able to balance the needle and forks on a point. The entire weight of both forks appears to be on the outside the needle but the forks and needle don’t fall. This seems to be a magic and it is a magic but magic of physics .The reason is because the heavy handles of the forks curve inwards towards the needle; hence this shifts the centre of gravity of the entire structure to a point directly on the pin top of the needle which rests on point. This results in the forks and needle attaining a state of stable equilibrium through their center of gravity.
References :
SID*

By: Larry R

Larry R — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 07:06:59 +0000

http://www.redstoneprojects.com/trebuchetstore/build_a_catapult.html

Build a catipult or trebuchet.

Since you don’t have a lot of time you will have to download the plans, I sent you a link but you can google up others.

Then you can do a ton of experiments. You can take projectiles of a particular weight and see how the distance they do varies with diffrent values (like how much counterweight you have in the trebuchet, or how much tension you put on the catipult, or see how distance varies with the same tension/coutnteweight but with different projectiles). Then you just go out into the yard and shoot the thing for an hour or so. Measure your results and make a chart.
(Science Fair Judges love charts). Then you can show that

"Over 100 shots, if I used the 8 oz rock it traveled an average of 19ft. 6 1/2 inches. If I used the 6 oz rock it went 24 ft, 9 1/4 inches, and if I used the 12 oz rock it went 12 ft. 4 1/3 inches."

Sounds super scientific.

Good luck
References :

By: PcH

PcH — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:20:59 +0000

place a lit match inside a bottle then quickly place an egg on top of the bottle. one the match will be put off the egge will sink…
explanation:
when the fire was put off, there was cool air. as it rises it causes the egg to go in the bottle.
References :

By: A.Ganapathy India

A.Ganapathy India — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:48:59 +0000

Just construct a wind mill with the help of cycle wheel and funnel on its circumference. This will drive a small generator. You can use any toy motor and connect it via belt to increase the speed. You can connect LED to show the illumination.
References :
My knowledge in using renewable energy.