The National Student Research Center is dedicated to promoting
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: The Taste Difference In The Type of Coffee
Student Researcher: Tyne Freeman
School Address: Belleville Middle School
Belleville, Kansas
Grade: 8
Teacher: Mrs. Jean Jensby
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis
The purpose of my investigation is to determine whether or not
adults can taste the difference between regular and
decaffeinated coffee. My hypothesis states that more people
will be able to tell that the regular coffee is stronger than
the decaffeinated coffee.
II. Methodology
Manipulated variable: the type of coffee
Responding variable: whether or not they can taste the
difference between the different coffee's.
Controls: types of coffee, measuring cup, data sheet, place to
do experiments, testers, coffee pot.
Materials: Taste testers, coffee, coffee pot, coffee mugs,
measuring cups, place to do experiments.
Procedure:
1. Gather all of my materials.
2. Find a place to do my experiment.
3. Using a coffee pot make five cups of coffee.
4. Pour a half of a cup of coffee into a coffee mug.
5. Have the taste testers taste the kind of coffee you made.
6. Then repeat 3, 4, and 5 using the other kind of coffee.
7. Record which one they could taste the difference in the most
and record their comments. Then do the data table.
III. Analysis of Data
My data shows that more of the people could not detect a taste
difference. The number of people that could tell the difference
between the regular and the decaffeinated coffee was 2 out of 8
on both of the trials.
IV. Summary and Conclusion
Based on my data, my hypothesis was not accepted. My hypothesis
stated that most of or all of the people will be able to tell
the difference between the coffees. Some people thought that it
was easy to tell the difference, but most thought that the
flavors were too similar to tell a difference at all. If I were
to improve my research, I would test more people.
V. Application
My observation clearly indicated that more people might be able
to tell the difference in the coffees by smell rather than by
taste. After the people tasted and told me their guesses, I
then told them how they could have told the difference between
the two kinds of coffee. The decaffeinated coffee had a
stronger smell than the regular coffee did.
I don't really know if my research will help the world or not.
I think that people may be able to tell the difference in
different kinds of pop just as I was able to tell the difference
in the types of coffee. Smell and taste are senses that can add
great pleasure to eating. But we need to also consider
nutritive and health value when choosing our foods and drinks,
not just the smell and taste.
Title: Cat's Choice
Student Researcher: Abby Gottschalk
School Address: Belleville Middle 'School
Belleville, Kansas
Grade: 8
Teacher: Mrs. Jean Jensby
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis
The purpose of my investigation is to determine which kind of
cat food cats prefer most. My hypothesis states that my cats
will prefer the Meow Mix brand of cat food over their other
choices.
II. Methodology
Manipulated variable: different kinds of cat food
Responding variable: the cat's preference of food
Controls: cats, freshness of food, food bowl, amount of food,
feeding one cat at a time with no other cats around
Materials: data sheet, three different kinds of cat food, three
small cat food bowls that are exactly the same, 4 cats, dry
ingredient measuring cups, pencil
Procedure:
1.Gather materials.
2.Using the Lams, Science Diet and Meow Mix brands of cat
food, open and measure 1/2 cup of food from each.
3.Put the 1/2 cup of Lams cat food in one bowl, the 1/2 cup
of Science Diet in another, and the other 1/2 cup of Meow Mix in
the other bowl.
4.Write down the exact time and date you put your food down.
5. Set the three bowls six inches apart in a separate room from
all the other cats. Take one cat and put it in the room where
the food is until you can document the first choice.
6.Remove the cat from the room. Repeat steps two through six
for the remaining three cats.
7. When all cats are tested, put the regular food back in the
normal spot so they may finish eating.
8. Before you have a repeated trial, give your cats a break by
going back to the regular routine for one to two days. Then
repeat steps one through seven with all the cats.
III. Analysis of Data
My data shows that Thunder chose Science Diet cat food one time
and Meow Mix one time. Little Kitty chose Science Diet one time
and Meow Mix one time also. Callie chose Meow Mix both times.
Smokey chose Science Diet both times.
IV. Summary and Conclusion
My data shows that there was a tie between the cats' first bite
choice. The Science Diet cat food was chosen four times and so
was the Meow Mix cat food. Surprisingly, the Lams cat food was
not chosen at all for any of the cats' first bite choices. My
hypothesis stated that my cats would prefer the Meow Mix brand
of cat food over their other choices. My data showed that Meow
Mix and Science Diet cat foods both had the same number of first
bites. My hypothesis was rejected.
If I were to do this science research project again, I would do
more trials.
V. Application
People spend billions of dollars on cat food every year. By
knowing which brand of cat food cats prefer most, if it is a
cheaper brand, people can save money. It may not seem like a
lot when only saving a few dollars between brands, but if you
were to add the year's total spent on cat food, there would be a
big difference!
Cat food manufacturers do these kinds of test themselves so they
can get an edge on the market.
Title: Bacteria Clean Up
Student Researcher: Ryan Moravek
School Address: Belleville Middle School
Belleville, Kansas
Grade: 8
Teacher: Mrs. Jean Jensby
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis
I investigated which household cleaner kills bacteria on the
kitchen counter the best. My hypothesis stated that 409 Kitchen
Cleaner will kill bacteria the best.
II. Methodology
A. Independent variable: Household cleaners
B. Dependent variable: Growth of bacteria
C. Controls: Water, hamburger, temperature of incubator
D. Materials:
Incubator with thermometer
Masking tape
Kitchen counter
Small amount of hamburger
Sterile cotton swabs
Sterile pads
TSA plates (Tryptic Soy Agar)
5 cleaners (liquid) to wipe down kitchen
counters, as follows:
1. Water
2. Ultra Spic and Span (nonionic &
anionic surfactants)
3. Soft Scrub Liquid Gel with Bleach
(contains surfactants and hydro-
chloride bleach
4. Lysol Antibacterial kitchen cleaner
(contains biodegradable cleaning
agents)
5. Pro Formula 409--Now Antibacterial
Rubber gloves
Dial Antibacterial Soap (kitchen formula)
Paper towels
Scissors
Pen, pencil, paper
Camera
E. Procedure:
The first step is to acquire the use of an incubator with
thermometer and the necessary petri dishes. I contacted our
High School and located the petri dishes and was told that I
could use the school's incubator. However for research
purposes, I felt that if I could have the incubator at home, I
would be able to record the data in a more time-related manner.
Therefore, I borrowed an incubator with thermometer from our
local veterinarian, Dr. Rick Holloway. I set this up in our
office at our home.
Then I gathered the materials necessary. We had a piece of
countertop from when we did some recent remodeling, so this
piece was used. I sectioned off the countertop with masking
tape into 5 equal sections.
After the hamburger has set out at room temperature for
approximately 30 minutes, I will put on the rubber gloves and
conduct the experiment. I will wipe the countertop with the
meat.
Then I will use a separate swab for each section and take a
smear of each section and put it on an agar plate.**
Then, I will use a separate sterile pad with a particular
cleaner on it for each section. I will then wipe that section
of the counter with that pad. Then, I will smear a section of
the countertop with separate swabs and I will place that on an
agar plate.**
I will put the agar plates in an incubator at 350C. The plates
will be checked for bacteria growth at certain hourly and daily
intervals. I will document the process by taking pictures and
recording data.
**NOTE-I will wash my gloved hands with Dial Antibacterial soap
(Kitchen formula) and then dry them with a paper towel between
each square cleaning to prevent cross contamination.
III. Analysis of Data:
Data
Bacteria #1: On December 30th, after 5 hours, there was no
growth. On December 30th after 11 hours there was a faint
growth. On December 31st after 18 hours, there were small dots.
On January l st, after 30 hours, there was good growth. On
January 2nd after 60 hours, there was solid growth.
Cleaner #1, Water: On December 30th, after 5 hours, there was no
growth. On December 30th after 11 hours, there was no growth.
On December 31st after 18 hours there were small dots. On
January lst after 30 hours, there was good growth. On January
2nd after 60 hours, there was solid growth.
Bacteria #2: On December 30th, after 5 hours, there was no
growth. On December 30th after 11 hours, there was faint
growth. On December 31st after 18 hours, there were small dots
and streaks. On January 1st after 30 hours, there was good
growth. On January 2 after 60 hours, there was solid growth.
Cleaner #2, Ultra Spic & Span: On December 30th, after 5 hours,
there was no growth. On December 30th after 11 hours there was
no growth. On December 31st after 18 hours, there were tiny
dots. On January 1st after 30 hours there was a small amount of
growth. On January 2nd after 60 hours, there was intermediate
growth.
Bacteria #3: On December 30th, after 5 hours, there was no
growth. On December 30th after 11 hours, there was faint
growth. On December 31st after 18 hours, there were many very
small dots. On January 1st after 30 hours, there was good
growth. On January 2nd after 60 hours, there was solid growth.
Cleaner #3, Soft Scrub Gel w/bleach: On December 30th, after 5
hours, there was no growth. On December 30th after 11 hours,
there was no growth. On December 31' after 18 hours, there was
no growth. On January 1st after 30 hours, there was very little
growth. On January 2nd after 60 hours, there was very little
growth.
Bacteria #4: On December 30th, after 5 hours, there was no
growth. On December 30th after 11 hours, there was faint
growth. On December 31st after 18 hours, there were many small
dots. On January 1st after 30 hours, there was good growth. On
January 2nd after 60 hours, there was solid growth.
Cleaner #4, Lysol Kitchen Cleaner (antibacterial): On December
30th after 5 hours, there was no growth. On December 30th after
11 hours, there was no growth. On December 31st after 18 hours,
there was no growth. On January 1st after 30 hours, there was a
minute amount of growth. On January 2nd after 60 hours, there
was a minute amount of growth.
Bacteria #5: On December 30th after 5 hours, there was no
growth. On December 30th after 11 hours, there was faint
growth. On December 31st after 18 hours, there were many small
dots. On January 1st after 30 hours, there was good growth. On
January 2nd after 60 hours, there was solid growth.
Cleaner #5. Pro 409: On December 30th, after 5 hours, there was
no growth. On December 30th after 11 hours, there was no
growth. On December 31st after 18 hours, there was no growth.
On January 1st after 30 hours, there were a few dots (2). On
January 2nd, after 60 hours, there was very little growth.
IV. Conclusion:
My hypothesis was partially correct. Pro Formula 409 did a
really good job, however it was slightly beat out by the Lysol
Antibacterial kitchen cleaner, and tied with the Soft Scrub Gel
w/Bleach. All three of these cleaners did an excellent job on
the countertop food bacteria. I found that you definitely leave
a lot of bacteria on your countertop surfaces if you merely use
water.
V. Application:
For everyone's health protection, I would strongly recommend
that consumers use an antibacterial cleaner in the kitchen after
handling food. They may also choose to use a cleaning product
containing bleach, like the Soft Scrub. The only precaution
they might take is to be sure that your surface is bleach safe.
It may cause the color to alter otherwise.
TITLE: Which Paper Towel is the Most Absorbent?
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Laurel Arnold
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, LA 70448
GRADE: 4
TEACHER: Ellen Marino, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I wanted to find out which brand of paper towel absorbs the most
liquid. I wanted to find this out because I wanted to know how
to clean up a mess without using too many paper towels. My
hypothesis states that Bounty will absorb more liquid than
Brawny, Sparkle or America's Choice paper towels.
II. METHODOLOGY:
I stated my purpose, reviewed the literature, and stated my
hypothesis. I gathered my materials: four rolls of paper towels
(one roll each of Bounty, Brawny, Sparkle, and America's
Choice), 4 bowls large enough to hold a liter of fluid, a set of
metric measuring cups and spoons, one pair of sharp scissors,
six liters of water, a thirty centimeter ruler, a pencil, a data
collection form and the kitchen counter to set up the experiment
on.
I made sure all the sheets of paper towels are the same size by
measuring, marking and trimming with scissors so they were all
equal size. There were three sheets of each brand.
I put five hundred milliliters of water into each of the four
bowls. I then placed one sheet of each brand into each bowl
until they were saturated with water. I lifted each sheet out,
holding it over the bowl until draining water was dripping every
two seconds.
Carefully, I measured the amount of water that was left in the
bowl. The difference in the amount left in the bowl and the one
half liter that was in the bowl to start with was the amount
absorbed by the paper towel. I then recorded the amount of
water absorbed by the paper towel on the data collection form.
I repeated the procedure for each brand two more times. Then I
analyzed the data, wrote my summary and conclusion and applied
my findings to the real world.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA
In Trial 1, Bounty paper towels had absorbed 15 ml. of water.
Bounty absorbed 35 ml. of water in trial 2. 30 ml. was absorbed
by the Bounty in Trial 3. The average amount of water absorbed
by the Bounty was 26.67 ml.
In Trial 1, Trial 2 and Trial 3 for Brawny, the amounts absorbed
were 18 ml., 25 ml., and 20 ml. The average amount of water
absorbed by the Brawny paper towels was 21 ml.
Sparkle paper towels absorbed 22ml. in Trial 1. This brand
absorbed 15 ml. of water in Trial 2 and 24 ml. of water was
absorbed by Sparkle in Trial 3. The average absorption of
Sparkle brand paper towels was 20.33 ml.
The three trials for America's Choice absorbed 10 ml., 24 ml.,
and 24 ml. This averaged 19.33 ml. of water absorbed by the
America's Choice paper towels.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Bounty paper towels absorbed 5.67 ml. more than its nearest
competition, Brawny. Sparkle and America's Choice absorbed 6.34
ml. and 7.34 ml. less than the Bounty towels did. I therefore,
accept my hypothesis that Bounty is the most absorbent of the
four brands of paper towels tested.
V. APPLICATION:
Bounty is the best paper towel to clean up spills around the
house. I can tell my mom and friends to use Bounty because it
will help save time, energy, and money by using less paper
towels
TITLE: Where Do You Like to Eat Out?
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Kristina Houghton
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle school
Mandeville, LA 70448
GRADE: 4th
TEACHER: Ellen Marino, M. Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I would like to do a survey research project to find out if
students like to eat out, how often they eat out, and where.
My hypothesis states that a majority of 4th and 5th graders
surveyed at Mandeville Middle School will chose Rally's as their
favorite fast food restaurant and Applebee's as their favorite
restaurant. I also think that they will eat out at least once a
week.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I stated the purpose of my project. Next reviewed the
literature and stated my hypothesis. I developed a
questionnaire then drew a random sample to administered the
questionnaire to. When they were returned, I scored them. I
analyzed the data and wrote a summary and application. Then I
turned my report in, wrote an abstract, and sent it to the
national journal.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
I handed out 27 questionnaires and 26 were returned. All but
one person stated that they like to eat out. 46% said they eat
out once a week and 42% said they eat out twice a week or more.
Eleven people said that they like to eat out at Rally, seven
people said that they like to eat out at McDonalds, five said
Burger King, and three said Wendy's. Of the people surveyed,
23% chose Outback, 20% chose Trey Yen, 12% chose Shoney's, 12%
chose Semolina's and the rest chose other as their favorite
restaurant in the Mandeville area. 15 different places were
chosen as mom and dads favorite place to eat out. Semolina's
was chosen by 23% surveyed. 58% disagreed with the statement
that Rally's was the best place to eat out. A majority of
students agreed that parents should let their children pick
where to eat out. There were 16 different places kids said they
liked. Trey Yen, Outback, and McDonalds were mentioned more
than once as their favorite restaurant in the whole Mandeville
area. 46% said they eat out on Friday, 23% said Saturday and 19%
said Sunday. 13 different places where chosen by kids that they
would like to take their parents there for their birthdays but
Semolina's, Outback, Trey Yen, Shoney's, and De Angelo's were
chosen more than once.
IV. SUMMARY OF CONCLUSION:
88% of the kids surveyed said that they eat out at least once a
week. 42% said that they like to eat out at Rally's. 8% said
they like to eat out at Applebee's. Therefore I partially
accept my hypothesis witch stated that a majority of students
would eat out at least once a week and a majority of students
would like Rally's and Applebee's.
V. APPLICATION:
I can apply my findings to the world outside my classroom by
sharing my information with my family and friends. I can also
share it with the restaurants listed.
TITLE: Video Games
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Jeff Grady
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, LA 70448
GRADE: 5th
TEACHER: Ellen Marino, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS
I would like to do a scientific research project on video games.
My hypothesis states that of the 4th and 5th grade students
surveyed at Mandeville Middle School, the majority's favorite
game system is Nintendo 64 and that about 25% of the students
have more than one game system at home.
II. METHODOLOGY
I chose a topic and wrote my statement of purpose, a review of
literature and a bibliography to find information on video game
systems. Then I developed a hypothesis and a questionnaire.
After I drew random sample of people, I administered the
questionnaire to them and scored the returned surveys. Next I
analyzed the data, wrote my summary and conclusion and my
application. Then I turned in my complete report, and sent my
abstract to national journal for publication.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
Out of the 27 surveys I handed out, I received all 27 back. All
but one of the students has a game system. More students have a
Gameboy, PlayStation, or N64 than any other game system. About
48% of the kids surveyed had 5 or more games. Most students
said that they spent less than 45 minutes playing video games.
A majority of the students surveyed answered that PlayStation
has better graphics than N64 or Sega Saturn does. About 56% of
the kids surveyed felt that PlayStation is better than N64.
Only 5 of the 27 felt that there is too much violence in video
games. The majority of the students surveyed said that they do
rent video games. About 56% of the kids surveyed agreed the
ratings on the video games are accurate. Less than half of the
kids surveyed said that they have games rated T for teens or M
for mature.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
I found out that more students have a PlayStation than a N64. I
also found out that about 96% of the students surveyed have a
system. Therefore I reject my hypothesis which stated that of
the 4th and 5th grade students surveyed at Mandeville Middle
School, the majority's favorite game system is Nintendo 64, and
that about 25% will have more than one game system at home.
V. Application
I can apply my findings to the real world by sharing this info
with my family, and friends. I can also share this info with
video game stores.
TITLE: What Kids Buy With The Money That They Have
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Aditi Mondkar
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville LA, 70448
GRADE: 5
TEACHER: Ellen Marino, M.Ed.
I STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I would like to do my survey research project to see what kids
buy with the money that thy have. I am interested in this topic
because I would like to know what they are willing to buy with
the money they have. My hypothesis states that the majority of
the 4th and 5th grade kids at Mandeville Middle School spend
their own money on junk food and video games.
II METHODOLOGY:
First, I picked my topic and stated my purpose. Next I reviewed
the literature and stated my hypothesis. Then I developed my
questionnaire. When I was done with that, I drew a random
sample population and administered the questionnaires. After
that I scored the questionnaires and analyzed the data. Next, I
wrote my summary and conclusion and application. Then my
complete report was due and so was the abstract. Then I sent it
to the national journal for publication.
III ANALYSIS OF DATA:
Out of 27 questionnaires that I handed out, all of them were
completed. Exactly half of the kids surveyed got an allowance.
67% felt that parents should give their kids allowance. Nine
people got their money from allowance, nine get their money by
earning it, and eight get their money from gifts. A majority of
the kids surveyed, spent 2 or more dollars a week. 89% of the
kids I surveyed said that they should be able to choose what to
spend their money on. 11% of the kids surveyed, spent their
money on food, 15% brought or rented video games, 19% brought
clothes, 33% put it in the bank, and the rest chose other. Only
two people spend their money on snacks out of 27 kids. 33% of
the kids surveyed said that their friends influenced them to buy
things that they have and 19% said commercials influenced them.
More kids said that their parents were cautious about what they
spent than not. 23 kids said that they have to save their money
to buy what they want. All but two disagreed with the
statement, "Kids should spend all their money and save none."
IV SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Of the 27 questionnaires I handed out, all of them came back.
11% of the kids surveyed spent their money on food and 15% spent
their money on video games. Therefore I rejected my hypothesis
that stated the kids surveyed would spend most of their money on
junk food and video games.
V APPLICATION:
I can apply my findings to the world outside my classroom by
giving this information to family and friends. I can also share
information with the 5th grade student council at Mandeville
Middle school and the video store.
TITLE: Paper Towel Picker Upper
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Chelsey LeMaire
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, LA 70448
GRADE: 5th
TEACHER: Cherie Erkel, MED.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE & HYPOTHESIS
I want to find out which paper towel absorbs the most water. I
think that BOUNTY paper towels will absorb the most water
because it is said to be the "quilted, quicker, picker upper."
II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
I am doing a project on the absorbency of different brands of
paper towels. Knowing which brand absorbs the most liquid can
help you make better choices and spend your money wisely. In
many projects that I have found on the Internet, they claim that
Bounty is the best paper towel. Paper towels are "graded" on
absorbency, strength, durability, and softness. Paper towels
have three different kinds of thickness, 1 ply, 2 ply, and the
newest kind, 3 ply. The first 2 ply paper towel was introduced
in 1965 by Bounty Paper Towel Co. They also have some brands
that are quilted. Bounty is one of the brands and is 15%
thicker and 35% stronger when wet. Some paper towels
also have some special features such as rinse & reuse and select
a size. Most paper towels have brightly colored patterns
according to the current holiday or season.
III. METHODOLOGY
First, I picked my topic and stated my purpose. Next, I
reviewed my literature, wrote down my resources, and developed
my hypothesis. Then I wrote my methodology. Next, I made my
data collection form and got my materials. Next, I took the
three brands of paper towels (Bounty,Brawny, & Sparkle) and
laid one of each on the counter. Then I poured cup of water on
the Bounty paper towel, lifted the paper towel, and squeezed
the water into a plastic measuring cup. I recorded the results
and repeated my procedure with the other two brands. I repeated
this experiment 2 more times. Next, I analyzed the data, wrote
my summary and conclusion, and applied my findings to the real
world. Finally, I wrote my abstract.
IV. ANALYSIS OF DATA
In trial 1, Brawny absorbed 2 oz. of the water, Bounty picked up
2 oz. of water, and Sparkle picked up 2 oz. of water.
In trial 2, Brawny picked up 2 oz., Bounty picked up 2 oz., &
Sparkle picked up 2 oz. of water.
In trial 3, Brawny picked up 2 oz., Bounty picked up 2.67 oz., &
Sparkle picked up 2 oz. of water.
V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
In this experiment, I compared which paper towel absorbed the
most water out of Brawny, Bounty, & Sparkle. Out of those three
brands, Bounty absorbed the most water. I therefore accept my
hypothesis, which stated that Bounty would absorb the most
water.
VI. APPLICATION
I think my findings will apply to the real world by helping
people clean up messes faster and easier.