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student research and the use of the scientific method in all subject
areas across the curriculum, especially science and math.
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TITLE: Computer Game Prices
STUDENT RESEARCHERS: Kit Salo and Amy Arnold
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHERS: John I. Swang, Ph.D.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
We would like to do a consumerism research project on the cost
of computer games.
II. HYPOTHESIS:
Our hypothesis states that Wal-Mart will have the cheapest
computer game prices.
III. METHODOLOGY:
First, we identified our topic, gathered our materials, and
wrote our review of literature. Then we wrote our hypothesis
and methodology which included the following steps.
1. We went to one of the selected computer game stores.
2. We recorded the prices of the top five computer games.
3. We repeated steps 1 and 2 at other stores.
4. We averaged the prices from each store.
5. We recorded the store with the lowest prices and the store
with the highest prices.
After we wrote our methodology, we gathered our data, conducted
our analysis of data, and wrote our summary and conclusion.
Last, we applied our findings to the world outside the
classroom.
IV. DATA COLLECTION:
Store Games
Myst Flight Riven Quake Tomb Average
Simulator Raider
Wal-Mart $14.96 $49.96 $29.96 $29.96 $29.96 $30.96
Circuit City $19.99 $44.99 $39.99 $39.99 $39.99 $36.99
Comp USA $24.99 $49.99 $29.99 $39.99 $34.99 $35.99
Babbages $29.99 $59.99 $54.99 $54.99 $39.99 $47.99
V. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
During our project, we found out that Myst sold for $14.96 at
Wal-Mart, $19.96 at Circuit City, $24.99 at Comp USA, and $29.99
at Babbages. The second game on the list of the top five,
Flight Simulator, sold for $49.99 at Wal-Mart, $44.99 at Circuit
City, $49.99 at Comp USA, and $59.99 at Babbages. Riven cost
$29.96 at Wal-Mart, $39.99 at Circuit City, $29.99 at Comp USA,
and $54.99 at Babbages. Quake II cost $29.96 at Wal-Mart,
$39.99 at Circuit City, $39.99 at Comp USA, and $54.99 at
Babbages. The last game, Tomb Raider II, sold for $29.99 at
Wal-Mart, $39.99 at Circuit City, $34.99 at Comp USA, and $39.99
at Babbages.
VI. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
In summary, we found that Wal-Mart had the cheapest prices for
computer games. The average price was $30.96. Comp USA came in
second because it's average for computer games was $35.99.
Circuit City had an average of $36.99. Babbages was the most
expensive with an average of $47.99. Therefore, we accept our
hypothesis which stated that Wal-Mart would have the lowest
computer game prices.
VII. APPLICATION:
This project can apply to the real people by explaining to them
the least expensive place to purchase computer games.
TITLE: Pizza Prices
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Genevieve Turco
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHERS: John I. Swang, Ph.D.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
I would like to do a consumerism research project on pizza
prices in Mandeville, Louisiana.
II. HYPOTHESIS:
My hypothesis states that Pizza Hut will sell the cheapest
pizza.
III. METHODOLOGY:
1. I finished my Scientific Research Contract.
2. I picked a research topic.
3. I wrote a Review of Literature about pizza, consumerism,
consumer rights, where pizza originated, what pizza is,
how food gets to stores and sale outlets, and quality
control systems.
4. From the Review of Literature, I developed a hypothesis.
5. Then I developed a methodology to test my hypothesis.
6. Then I started picking pizza outlets.
7. Call chosen pizza outlets and ask for manager.
8. Ask for ounces of cheese, dough and sauce.
9. Record information on data collection page.
10. Analyze data using charts and simple statistics.
11. Accept or reject hypothesis.
12. Write a summary and conclusion.
13. Apply findings to the world outside of our classroom.
V. DATA COLLECTION FORM:
Domino's
Price $7.99 $9.99
Diameter 12" 14"
Weight 26 oz. 32 oz.
Price Per Ounce $0.31 $0.31
Average Cost Per Ounce $0.31
Papa John's
Price $5.99 $9.99 $12.99
Diameter 10" 14" 16"
Weight 19 oz. 42oz. 56 oz.
Price Per Ounce $0.32 $0.24 $0.23
Average Cost Per Ounce $0.26
Pizza Hut
Price $10.59 $12.59
Diameter 12" 14"
Weight 24oz. 35 oz.
Price Per Ounce $0.44 $0.36
Average Cost Per Ounce $0.40
Via Roma Cafe
Price $6.75 $8.74 $10.37
Diameter 12" 14" 16"
Weight 26 oz. 35oz. 44 oz.
Price Per Ounce $0.29 $0.27 $0.24
Average Cost Per Ounce $0.26
VI. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
From my research, I found that Pizza Hut sold the most expensive
pizza in Mandeville. Their price was $0.40 per ounce. Domino's
sold the second most expensive at $0.31 per ounce. Papa John's
and Via Roma Cafe were the cheapest with a low price of $0.26
per ounce.
VII. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
From my research, I found that Via Roma Cafe and Papa John's
sold the cheapest pizza. Therefore, I reject my hypothesis which
stated that Pizza Hut would be the cheapest pizza parlor.
VIII. APPLICATION:
Now that I have learned that Via Roma Cafe and Papa John's sell
the cheapest pizza, I will go there from now on and post my
research on the Internet. I will also try to tell my friends
and spread the news around at community organizations.
TITLE: The Lowest Priced Computer In Mandeville
STUDENT RESEARCHERS: Francesca Lee, Andrew Parish and Chris
Kennedy
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHERS: John I. Swang, Ph.D.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
We am doing a consumerism research project on the cost of multi-
media computers.
II. HYPOTHESIS:
Our hypothesis states that I.B.M. will sell the lowest priced
computers.
III. METHODOLOGY:
1. We decided on a topic.
2. We wrote a statement of purpose.
3. We research our topic. We wrote a review of literature.
4. Then we wrote our hypothesis and designed a methodology to
test it. First, we chose a computer design from the following
manufacturers: I.B.M., Gateway, Hewlett Packard. Then we went
to the following stores: 1. Office Depot, 2. Circuit City, 3.
Campo's, 4. Computer Shoppe, and 5. Wal-mart. Next, we searched
the Internet at the following addresses: 1. Mac Warehouse, 2. PC
Warehouse, 3. Gateway, 4. Compaq, and 5. Acer.
6. Then we wrote an analysis of data.
7. Next, we wrote a summery and conclusion.
8. Last, we wrote an application.
IV. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
Comparing prices of similarly equipped computers, we found out
which computers had the highest and lowest price. The most
expensive computers were the Gateway G6-400 at the price of
$2,098, the Gateway G6-450XL at the price of $3,045, the Compaq
5660 at $2,999. The lowest price computers were the iMac which
was $1,299, Acer which was $998, I.B.M. Aptiva which has the
cost of $1,399, Hewlett Packard Pavillion 8370 at the price of
$1,399, and the Hewlett Packard Pavillion 8360 at the price of
$1,299. The computers in the midrange are the Hewlett Packard
6350 with a price of $1,629, Hewlett Packard 8380 with a price
listed as $1,799, Gateway G6-350 at a listed price of $1,698,
Compaq 5610 at a price of $1,799. The highest priced computer
had higher all ran a faster operating speeds (MHz).
V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
In summary, we found that the most expensive computers were the
fastest computers with the largest amount of RAM, memory, and
the biggest monitors. We reject our hypothesis because Acer had
the lowest price.
VI. APPLICATION:
This project helped us understand that the faster the computer
that you want, the more you will have pay.
TITLE: The Cost Of Orthodontic Treatment
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Christian Gregory
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHERS: John I. Swang, Ph.D.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
I would like to do a consumerism research project on the cost of
orthodontic treatment in Mandeville, Louisiana.
II. HYPOTHESIS:
My hypothesis states that Dr. Robert V. V. Hurst has the lowest
priced orthodontic treatment in Mandeville, Louisiana.
III. METHODOLOGY:
Step 1: First, I chose my topic and constructed a Review of
Literature.
Step 2: I then I wrote a statement of purpose and hypothesis.
Step 3: Next, I wrote my methodology.
Step 4: I then found seven orthodontists and asked their prices
for braces (upper and lower). I also asked them if they had
some sort of payment plan.
Step 5: After collecting my data, I made a data collection chart
and filled it in with the prices I received during Step 4.
Step 6: Next, I analyzed the data and accepted or rejected my
hypothesis.
Step 7: I then wrote my summary and concluded my project.
Step 8: Last, I applied what I found to the real world.
IV. DATA COLLECTION FORM:
| Braces |
Dr. Robert VV Hurst | $3850 |
Dr. William Ledoux | $3675 |
& Dr. McMunn | |
Dr. Frank Groziono | $3200 |
Dr. Roy L Grob | $2900 |
All prices vary depending on the patient
All prices of braces include all appliances needed.
V. ANALYSIS OF DATA
After analyzing the data, I found that Dr. Robert V. V. Hurst is
the most costly orthodontist in Mandeville with a price of three
thousand, eight hundred fifty dollars on average. His payment
plan was to pay over the length of the treatment. Dr. William
Ledoux and Dr. McMunn were the second most costly orthodontists
in Mandeville. They had an average price of three thousand, six
hundred and seventy-five dollars. Their payment plan was a ten
percent down payment, then pay no interest for two years. Dr.
Frank Groziono was the second least expensive orthodontist in
the Mandeville area. The average cost for braces at his office
was three thousand, two hundred dollars. The payment plan he
suggests is a down payment of six hundred dollars and then pay
monthly over the rest of your treatment. The lowest priced
orthodontist in Mandeville was Dr. Roy L. Grob. The average
price for braces there is two thousand, nine hundred dollars.
The payment plan that you would use at his office is to pay the
total cost over thirty months.
VI. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
In my report, I found that Dr. Robert V. V. Hurst is the most
costly orthodontist in Mandeville, while Dr. Roy L. Grob has the
lowest priced orthodontic treatment in the area. Therefore, I
reject my hypothesis stating that Dr. Robert V. V. Hurst has the
lowest priced orthodontic treatment in Mandeville, La.
VII. APPLICATION:
I will apply my findings to the real world by informing parents,
who need orthodontic treatment for their children, what it will
cost to get braces in Mandeville, La..
TITLE: Which Stain Remover Works The Best?
STUDENT RESEARCHERS: Justin Beitzel and Rudy Odom
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: Tammy Gendusa
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
We would like to do a scientific research project on which stain
remover works the best. Our hypothesis states that Castrol
Cleaner will be the best stain remover for Grape Juice and that
409 would remove the Coke stain the best.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, we bought the stain removers and then we bought the Coke
and the grape juice. Second, we bought a large piece of white
carpet. Third, we poured a cup of Coke into a measuring cup.
Fourth, repeat 3rd step with the grape juice. Fifth, place 3
tbsp. of Coke on the carpet all in the same spot, repeat 2 more
times. Sixth, do the same with the grape juice. Seventh, let
the stain soak in. Eighth, then spray one type of cleaner on
one coke stain, and one grape juice stain. Repeat for the 2
other stain removers. Ninth, let the stain removers soak into
the stain. Tenth, we rubbed each stain. Eleventh, take a
picture of the stain and record the results. Twelfth, clean up.
The materials we use included: 1 white 4 foot by 4 foot piece
of carpet, 1 bottle of 409, 1 bottle of Castrol Cleaner, 1
bottle of Resolve, 1 cup of grape juice, 1 two liter bottle of
coke, 1 measuring cup, 1 tablespoon, and 1 camera.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
This experiment was conducted on 3/8/99. Three trials were
conducted with the same results every time. During this
experiment we tested three brands of stain cleaners: 409,
Castrol Super Clean, and Resolve.
We poured Coke onto a piece of white carpet. Resolve cleaned
the Coke stain up the best leaving no part of the stain there.
Castrol Super Clean came in a close second leaving just a little
part of the Coke stain left on the carpet. 409 came right behind
Castrol and Resolve in third place, leaving just a little bit of
the stain left. Therefore, Resolve is the best Coke stain
remover.
The test we ran with the grape juice was the same thing we did
with the Coke. The Castrol Super Clean got most of the stain
out of the carpet, there was only a little left. 409 came in
second cleaning some of the stain and last was the Resolve; it
barely did anything to the carpet, it just faded the stain.
Therefore, Castrol is the best grape juice stain remover.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
After doing the experiment, it was determined that Resolve was
the best cleaner to use to remove Coke stains. Castrol was the
best cleaner to use to remove grape juice stains. Therefore, we
accept our hypothesis that states Castrol will clean the Grape
juice stain the best, but we reject our other hypothesis which
stated that 409 would clean the Coke the best because Resolve
cleaned it the best.
V. APPLICATION:
The reason we decided to do this project is because we wanted to
know which stain remover would work the best on coke stains and
grape juice stains. We can now recommend which product should
be purchased and used for the removal of Coke stains and grape
juice stains.