9th grade Pre AP Biology Science Fair Project--Need ideas ASAP!

[EMom]

DD needs a Pre AP Biology science fair project idea by Friday! The teacher has given no guidelines at all. None. Please throw some ideas my way because we are all clueless.

BTW, the parents will not "help" on this project. It's her task to complete. She is not good at coming up with ideas, though, so we need help. She is not destined to be a Nobel Prize winner, bear that in mind.

Thanks!

 

[lillygator]

google science fair ideas and a top of stuff will pop up.

 

[EMom]

I have been googling, but hoped for some real life experience/advice with specific projects. I never had to do a science fair project.

The one she did last year was a hot mess. I kept my mitts off but looked it over once she and her partner were finished. (no partner this year) I have no idea HOW they came up with the conclusion they did, because it was the dead opposite of what it should have been. I was sure she'd fail, but she got an A. I truly do not know how.

 

[lillygator]

in science there really is no "right" conclusion, just depends on what your trials, observance etc are. My daughter has done different blood spatter analysis for the passed 2 years and made it to the county both times. This year she wants to do something wiht hydroponics I think

 

[EMom]

in science there really is no "right" conclusion, just depends on what your trials, observance etc are. My daughter has done different blood spatter analysis for the passed 2 years and made it to the county both times. This year she wants to do something wiht hydroponics I think

Believe me, in this one, there was a correct conclusion. An OBVIOUSLY correct answer. I think their biggest problem was that they did not compare apples to apples, so to speak. If they were comparing 4 items, those 4 items needed to weigh exactly the same or it would mess up the results. They did not do that. So their results were based on a faulty experiment. Again, I expected an F. I don't know if the teacher neglected to see the "not" in their conclusion and read it as if it was correct or if she just graded VERY leniently.

Blood spatter sounds like my kind of experiment.

 

[DopeyDame]

Surely there's something related to the human body, plants, animals, or any sort of life that she's interested in or curious about.

If it's a pre AP class (not really sure what that is or what it means, but I'm assuming an honors level), then she should really be doing this on her own in high school. Part of the experience of a science project is to formulate the question. It's the first step in the scientific method. Google is good for brainstorming, but the best projects are ones that are actually driven by genuine curiosity.

 

[diznygirl]

Believe me, in this one, there was a correct conclusion. An OBVIOUSLY correct answer. I think their biggest problem was that they did not compare apples to apples, so to speak. If they were comparing 4 items, those 4 items needed to weigh exactly the same or it would mess up the results. They did not do that. So their results were based on a faulty experiment. Again, I expected an F. I don't know if the teacher neglected to see the "not" in their conclusion and read it as if it was correct or if she just graded VERY leniently.

Blood spatter sounds like my kind of experiment.

Around here they tend to grade on the process (doing the experiment, taking notes, etc) rather than the content. If you do X Y and Z, present it the way the teacher wants and get it in on time then you get an A.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DD needs a Pre AP Biology science fair project idea by Friday! The teacher has given no guidelines at all. None. Please throw some ideas my way because we are all clueless.

BTW, the parents will not "help" on this project. It's her task to complete. She is not good at coming up with ideas, though, so we need help. She is not destined to be a Nobel Prize winner, bear that in mind.

Thanks!

That is a tough one since your dd needs to pick something that interests her.

My interests are microscope projects, plants, soils, insects or animals.

First thing that comes to mind is bacteria. As gross as it sounds, I would like to gauge bacteria under a microscope.

The blood splatter thing sounds really cool.

 

[KerryCM]

My grandson did one last year and won a prize. he did it on running, do you run faster with or without shoes. It really was quite interesting. He did test a specific age group.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

Give your daughter this link

http://www.education.com/science-fair/life-science/

 

[EMom]

Thanks for the link. I'll look at it. Projects with humans are out since they require 25 subjects. That sounds as if it could go south quickly.

Maybe a previous poster was correct and she was graded more on the process instead of the outcome last year. That would explain a great deal. As I said, I stayed out of it and when she turned it in I really expected a bad grade. So when an A came home, I did not look a gift horse in the mouth.

She's decided to turn in an idea tonight, because if it is rejected as being too easy, she must submit another one. She needs a yes/no ASAP so she can get a move on.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My Honors Bio Science Fair project was the effects of magnetism on seed germination. First time I cared to do one with proper planning. First time I took it seriously. First time I didn't have a lame idea. First time I enjoyed doing a project that had real and obvious results.

Lame teacher scored everyone hard and I got a C. Other bio class toured our projects (and we toured theirs) and they were shocked that all the grades were low. So teacher graded us all again and I got a B. I think the other teacher spoke to him.

I still think it was a pretty cool idea.

Here is a sample for you to preview.http://www.all-science-fair-project.../50/615/62083a31f18dac1b3809ac4acf02aca7.html


I did mine with 2 separate seed trays with the clear kids that permit self watering, one had magnets and one did not. It might be need and go old school and use clear glass containers to be able to observe from the seed coating coming off to the roots growing and then into the plant.

Just providing that because there are different ways to test any given hypothesis.

At another high school, a young lady on swim team tested nutrition. The hardest part to her was getting enough subjects willing to eat healthy.
There were enough humans for the project to count. And of course the healthy eaters performed better.

 

[OurBigTrip]

What the heck is "Pre AP" Biology? Is that what, in the old days, would have been called "Biology"?

 

[Hrhpd]

My kid did his science research project on RNAi. However, don't ask me what or how he did it. He was responsible for finding his own mentor, writing up and presenting his project. Far beyond my talents or skills I do know it involved plants and lots of pvc pipe.

Also never heard of any Pre-AP classes. Our kids in the district went right from regular classes, usually the honors track into the AP classes.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What the heck is "Pre AP" Biology? Is that what, in the old days, would have been called "Biology"?

Not speaking for the OP, just what I experienced...

It is just a tiered system of grouping kids AND a way for kids to boost GPA's.

"Pre AP" was offered in TX schools when we lived there and my oldest dd did take those classes. She enjoyed them.

The student body was huge in the HS my older dd went to and it was a way for students to take a science class that planned on taking reg. AP Biology.

They also had "Honors AP" for some classes as well. Those were the kids that were in the top 1%. They just walked right into AP classes starting their freshman yr.

Kids fought for their GPA in TX due to the 10% rules with colleges. Also their classes were accelerated and 1 semester equaled 1yr. So they were able to cram in at least 8 credits a yr. So you could take PRE AP Biology and then turn around and take AP Biology in your freshman yr.

Here in MO, there is no "Pre AP". You are lucky if you have AP classes in your district and the amount offered are no where near the amount they offered to my other dd when we were in TX.

Anyway that is my summary of what I experienced.

 

[lillygator]

the blood spatter is really cool, in 4th she presented it doing different surfaces and different distances, the science teacher told her one or the other then for fifth she did the other one and combined them.

 

[EMom]

What the heck is "Pre AP" Biology? Is that what, in the old days, would have been called "Biology"?

Not here. Honestly, it seems to vary from school to school. Here, Pre AP Biology is the hardest class you can take as a freshman. It's that or regular Bio. There is no AP Biology. Next year, she will take Chemistry and I think that jumps to as high as AP.


As freshman, she could only take one AP course that earned college credit and since it was in social studies...her least favorite course...we stuck to regular level as there was no Pre AP offering.

The way it seems to work is that 9th and most 10th grade classes can take regular level or Pre AP. Once you hit 11th grade, you can take AP, take a test and get college credit if you get a high enough score. Pre AP and AP courses get one extra grade point. So an A in regular Bio is the same as a B in Pre AP.

The real difference, as far as the students are concerned, is that regular Bio doesn't have to do a science fair project, while Pre AP does. I told DD tonight that there is too much personal opinion involved in choosing a project and she needs to find her own.

 

[EMom]

That is a tough one since your dd needs to pick something that interests her.

My interests are microscope projects, plants, soils, insects or animals.

First thing that comes to mind is bacteria. As gross as it sounds, I would like to gauge bacteria under a microscope.

The blood splatter thing sounds really cool.

That's why I told her to find one that suited her. From experience, I know that what what interests me may not interest her. Again, the blood spatter sounds great to me, but I am certain she wouldn't care for it. I thought if someone mentioned something their 9th grader had liked, it might be more appealing to her or at least lead her down a rabbit trail to something she would like.

The idea she and her partner came up with last year was a good one and I have no idea how they decided on it. They did 90% of the work at the partner's house and only worked at our house on their project trifold poster board. When they finished, they wanted to show it to me and I had to keep a straight face while I looked at it and thought, "Oh, crap. That result is the complete opposite of what it should be." Even if I had said that, it was too late to remedy the problem, so I just kept a poker face and let them haul it to school.

When she got an A, you could have knocked me over with a feather, but again, maybe a PP is right and they grade more on the process. I wouldn't have given it an A, but I wasn't the teacher.

BTW, for those who asked, there are no "honors" classes at her high school. They don't use that term. It's on level classes or you take Pre AP for most 9/10 classes and AP for 11/12 classes. They can take a test and get college credit for an AP course. The Pre AP/AP classes earn one more grade point than on level courses. So as a freshman, you take on level Bio or Pre AP Bio. Those are your only choices.

Although her graduating class has technically been dropped from the 4 x 4 requirements, (4 years each of math, science, social studies and English) for many students, the reality is that they will still take 4 x 4. I know DD will. Next year, it's chemistry of whatever level, then physics of whatever level and after that I don't know. I'd take Forensic Science, but that is not her area of interest.

For those who are not Texans, they also must now select an "Endorsement" at the end of 8th grade, which is sort of like declaring a major. It sets in motion what courses, including electives, they will take for the next four years. I don't know a lot of 8th graders who are ready to commit to that, but commit she did. I wonder if any other states have the endorsement? Oh, the fun.

So, has she chosen a science fair project? I have no idea.

 

[declansdad]

I have been googling, but hoped for some real life experience/advice with specific projects. I never had to do a science fair project.

The one she did last year was a hot mess. I kept my mitts off but looked it over once she and her partner were finished. (no partner this year) I have no idea HOW they came up with the conclusion they did, because it was the dead opposite of what it should have been. I was sure she'd fail, but she got an A. I truly do not know how.

And you still shouldn't have to do a science fair project; your daughter is the student.

 

[EMom]

And you still should have to do a science fair project; your daughter is the student.

Why on earth should I have to do a science fair project? I took high school biology and college biology years ago, so my work is done. True, I didn't have to do a project then, but it wasn't required.

She chose to take Pre AP Bio knowing there was a science project. She could have always taken the on level version. She selected a project yesterday, turned in the idea and it was approved. Only one of us needs to do this project, and it's not going to be me. Sorry to disappoint you.....You can always do one if it makes you feel better.

ETA: Thanks to the poster who suggested flowers and the effect magnets have on them. She didn't use that idea, but it made her think about various projects she could do with plants and she wound up going with one of those.