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.
For more information contact:
Title: Blazin Raisins
Student Researcher: Aimee Nilson
School: Shepherd Elementary
Shepherd, Montana
Grade: 1st
Teacher: Mrs. Sharon Cline
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:
What brand of raisin cereal has the most raisins. I think the
Post brand will have the most raisins.
II. Methodology:
First, I chose three brands of cereal: Flavorite, Kellogg's,
and Post. All were 20 oz. boxes. I counted the raisins in each
box. Finally, I recorded the results.
III. Analysis of Data:
The box of Flavorite cereal had 253 raisins, Kelloggs had 244,
and Post had 267 raisins.
IV. Summary and Conclusion:
Raisin cereal would not always have the same number of raisins.
The raisins are counted or weighed by a machine, not by hand.
V. Application:
I will let my mom (and other moms, too) know which has the least
amount of raisins because I don't like a lot of raisins in my
cereal.
TITLE: Which Window Cleaner Works Better - Generic Or Direct
STUDENT RESEARCHER: (Ivan) Shayne Rulison
SCHOOL ADDRESS:Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, MI 48842
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: Barbara Lindquist, M.A.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS
I wanted to find out more about window cleaner. Specifically, I
wanted to discover which of those window cleaners - generic or
Direct - would clean windows better. My hypothesis stated that
it would take 15 wipes with news paper.
II. METHODOLOGY
First, I gathered my materials. My materials were: small bar of
soap, generic window cleaner, Direct brand window cleaner, news
paper, paper towel, napkins, and a mirror. Then I put two
swipes of soap on the mirror. Then I put one squirt of generic
window cleaner on the mirror and wiped it until it was clean
with a newspaper. Next, I did the same thing with Direct window
cleaner. Each time, I counted how many wipes it took to get the
mirror clean.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA
After my investigation, I found that there was not a difference
between generic and Direct. My graphs and charts show that it
took me 5 wipes to get the mirror clean with both generic and
Direct. Therefore, my hypothesis was rejected.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
In summary, I learned that it takes 5 wipes with newspaper to
clean a mirror. Newspaper is better than paper towel, but it
did not make a difference if I used generic or Direct window
cleaner. If I did this over, I would try different mirrors and
see if that made a difference.
V. APPLICATION
What I learned can affect the world because people can buy
generic brand window cleaner. It is cheaper than name brand
cleaners and it works just as well. My findings can help people
save money and have cleaner mirrors.
Title: How Strong Are Two Different Kinds of Paper Towels
Student Researcher: Sherri Powers
School: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, Michigan
Grade: 6
Teacher: Mrs. Barbara Lindquist
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:
I wanted to find out more about how strong two different kinds
of paper towels really were. In commercials, they make it look
like different kinds of paper towels are stronger than other
kinds of paper towels and I wanted to find out if this was true.
My Hypothesis stated that Bounty would be the strongest because
it's a higher price brand.
II. Methodology:
The items that I used were a large plastic bowl, a roll of
Bounty paper towel, a roll of Sparkle paper towel, apples,
rubber bands, a pen, some paper, and a squirt bottle full of
water. I used these things for three different kinds of
experiments, one was how many apples could a dry paper towel, a
damp paper towel, and a wet paper towel hold.
I took a large bowl and placed a piece of paper towel over it.
I then put a rubber band over the paper towel and around the top
of the plastic bowl. This was to keep the paper towel in place.
For the first experiment, I wanted to know how many apples a dry
paper towel could hold. I just started placing apples on the
paper towel until it tore.
For the second experiment, I wanted to know how many apples a
damp paper towel could hold. I sprayed each paper towel 15
times before placing apples on it.
For my third experiment, I want to know how many apples a wet
paper towel could hold. I sprayed each paper towel 50 times
before placing apples on it.
III. Analysis of Data:
The data that I collected indicated that Bounty was indeed
stronger than Sparkle. I thought that the Bounty paper towel
would be the strongest because it is a higher price brand than
Sparkle is. My charts and graphs all indicated that this was
right.
IV. Summary and Conclusion:
What I found out was that Bounty was a stronger paper towel than
Sparkle was. I accepted my hypothesis because it said that
Bounty was a stronger paper towel than Sparkle and that was what
I found out by doing this project. Some limitations were that
it couldn't be that accurate because one apple could have been a
little bigger than another apple or one paper towel could of
gotten a little bit wetter than another paper towel.
V. Application:
My inquiry question could help save trees because if everybody
started buying just Bounty paper towels instead of Sparkle paper
towels than we wouldn't have to make as many paper towels.
Also, the trees that we save could help us to breathe.
Title: Which Daily Shower Cleaner Leaves Less Soap Scum?
Student Researcher: Kaylee Kellogg
School: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, MI
Grade: 6th
Teacher: Mrs. Lindquist
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:
I wanted to find out more about daily shower cleaners. Daily
shower cleaners are supposed to keep an already clean tub and
shower from collecting soap scum. I wanted to know how well 3
different brands of daily shower cleaners really clean. My
hypothesis states that Tilex will clean best because of all the
TV advertising they do on it.
II. Methodology:
I first developed my statement of purpose and we purchased 3
different brands of daily shower cleaner. I divided the tub and
shower walls into 3 different sections. We sprayed the 1st
section with Shower Shine by Scrubbing Bubbles, the 2nd section
with Tilex Fresh Shower, and the 3rd section with Shower Magic
by Scot's Tuff. I left them all on for 10 minutes. Then I
rubbed all 3 sections with a wet sponge and waited for them to
dry completely.
III. Analysis of Data:
In all 3 sections, the cleaners all appeared to look very
similar while setting on the wall and tub. They are very easy
to clean with the sponge with no scrubbing. They all smelled
fresh and clean, no harsh odor or skin irritation.
IV. Summary and Conclusion:
The Tilex Fresh Shower section looked cleaner than the other 2
before I rubbed them with the sponge. The Shower Magic appeared
to still have a rough surface of soap scum on the tub wall and
the Shower Shine also left a slightly streaky tub wall. After
rubbing them with the sponge, all three sections were smooth and
clean. All three cleaners cleaned the tub and wall surface
almost equally. They all ate away any scum or tub ring that may
have been there. The final test was after it dried. The Tilex
Fresh Shower section dried with no soap scum or residue on the
wall, while the other 2 left some streaking.
V. Application:
The Tilex Fresh Shower cost $2.69 for 32 oz. The Shower Shine
cost $2.89 for 32 oz., and the Shower Magic cost $2.39 for 32
oz. It is important to get the most cost effective cleaner for
your money. Even thought the Shower Shine is the most expensive
it doesn't mean it cleans the best. I found that it didn't. On
the other hand, to buy the least expensive shower cleaner on the
shelf isn't always the best choice either. The least expensive
cleaner didn't clean as well as the midrange priced one. It
would be very expensive to buy 3 of every cleaner in your house,
just to find out which one works the best. We have to rely on
commercials and possibly information from friends that have
already tried products.
TITLE: Which Bubble Bath Makes The Most Suds?
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Nick Duley
SCHOOL ADDRESS: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, MI 48842
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: Barbara Lindquist, M.A.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS
I wanted to find out more about which brand of bubble bath makes
the most suds - Mr. Bubble or Star Wars. Specifically, I wanted
to discover how much suds each brand would make. My hypothesis
stated that Star Wars Bubble Bath would make the most bubbles.
II. METHODOLOGY
First, I gathered my materials. My materials were: a clock,
water, a tub, containers of bubble bath, and measuring caps.
Then I prepared the tub, got the desired temperature of water,
and poured 2 capfuls of bubble bath into the water. I swished
the water for more suds and watched the bubbles grow and then
disappear.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA
After my investigation, I found that Star Wars Bubble Bath was
better than Mr. Bubble. My graphs and charts show that Mr.
Bubble was bad, compared to Star Wars, which was great.
Therefore, my hypothesis was accepted because Star Wars Bubble
Bath had better bubbles.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
In summary, I learned that different kinds of bubble bath can
make different kinds of bubbles.
V. APPLICATION
What I learned can affect the world because the world can have
cleaner people living in it. My findings can help people to buy
a great bubble bath product.
Title: What Are My Dog's Food Preferences?
Student Researcher: Maria Courtier
School Address: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, MI 48842
Grade: 6
Teacher: Barbara Lindquist, M.A.
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:
I wanted to find out more about my dog's eating preferences. My
hypothesis stated that my dog would like bagged food better than
canned food because that is what she eats every day.
II. Methodology:
The materials I used were Puppy Chow bagged food, Purina Puppy
canned food, measuring cup, spoon, clock, dog dish, and dog.
First, spoon out 1/2 cup of canned food in the measuring cup
then into the dog dish. Wait 3 min. Then when it has been 3-
min. spoon the rest of the dog food back in the measuring cup.
There was 1/3 cup of food left. The next day measure out 1/2
cup of bagged food then put it in the dog dish. Wait 3-min.
When the three-min. is over measure how much is left of the
food. Which was 1/3 cup.
III. Analysis of Data:
The data I collected indicated that my dog liked canned and
bagged food equally. My data showed that she ate about the same
amount of each kind of food.
IV. Summary and Conclusion:
I found out that my dog likes both foods equally. I accept my
hypothesis because she didn't like one more than the other. I
had a little difficulty with my dog because she would always run
away from the food.
V. Application:
Since she likes both of them, when you go camping instead of
trying to find the travel sized bagged food you could take
canned food. Depending on the kind of bagged food, it could be
cheaper to buy canned food.
Title: What Floor Cleaner Will Clean The Linoleum Best?
Student Researcher: Keegan Long
School Address: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, MI 48842
Grade: 6
Teacher: Mrs. Barbara Linquist
I. Statement of purpose and Hypothesis.
I wanted to find out if I was using the right floor cleaner or
not. My floor is white and is hard to keep clean.
My hypothesis stated that Pine-Sol was the best. It left a
great smell and did not leave any suds.
II. Methodology
First, I gathered my materials. My materials were a pail, a
rag, The Works Glass & Multi-surface cleaner, Lysol cleaner,
Murphy's soap, Lemon Pine-Sol, Windex, Scrub Free, Water, Xtra-
Lemon cleaner, Soap & water.
Then I started to see which one was going to do well on the
floor by using all of the above products while I scrubbed a
section of my kitchen floor.
III. Analysis of Data
After my investigation, I found that my family uses the right
kind of cleaner floor.
My data show that one did better than the others. As an
example, my bar graph shows that Pine-Sol works best. My other
charts show the same thing, but in a different way.
IV. Summary and Conclusion
In summary, I learned that my family is smart and was using the
right stuff. We must have a pretty clean floor.
If I did this over I would do the following things different:
Test more products and test more than one time.
V. Application
What I learned can affect the world because something might
smell more than others and might affect their living space. My
findings can help solve the above problems by helping others
keep their floor clean, too.
Title: Does The Brand, Size And Type Of A Battery Make A
Difference On How Long It Last?
Student Researcher: Jessica Merriott
School Address: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, MI 48842
Grade: 6
Teacher: Barbara Lindquist, M.A.
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:
I wanted to find out which battery lasts the longest out of
three different brands: Energizer, Rayovac, and Duracell. My
hypothesis stated that the Energizer battery will last the
longest because their advertising claims that they, "Keep going
and going and going." I wanted to see if the Energizer Bunny
was right.
II. Methodology:
I used three of the same type and size flashlights. I used two
AA-sized batteries of each type: Duracell, Energizer, and
Rayovac. All three batteries were mercury-free, alkaline
batteries. At 8:00 a.m., I turned on all three flashlights at
the same time and left them on. I watched the flashlights until
they went out and recorded the time.
III. Analysis of Data:
The results of my experiment showed that the Energizer batteries
did outlast the others tested, but not by much. The most
significant difference was between Energizer and Rayovac, with
the flashlight with the Energizer batteries staying on for
nearly an hour longer. The difference between the Duracell and
Energizer batteries, however, was only 18 minutes. All three of
the flashlights got dimmer before they went out. Final results
were that the Duracell batteries lasted 4:47 minutes, the
Energizer batteries lasted 5:15 minutes, and the Rayovac
batteries lasted 4:25 minutes.
IV. Summary and Conclusion:
My hypothesis that the Energizer batteries would last the
longest proved correct. I came to this conclusion based on my
observation that, of the three brands of batteries tested,
Energizer lasted longer. This proves that, at least for this
experiment, the Energizer does keep going and going ... but only
for about an hour longer than the less expensive Rayovac. So,
if you compare the cost by the actual time, the value for your
money would be about the same. The batteries I tested did not
all have the exact same expiration date (they differed by a
couple of months), meaning that some might be a little "fresher"
and this might effect my results.
I could do this experiment over in several different ways to
further test these results. I could use different brands of
batteries for comparison, I could use different types of
batteries (non-alkaline vs. alkaline), or I could test
flashlights that used a different size battery.
V. Application:
I learned that Energizer works better than Durracell and
Rayovac, but it also costs more. If you buy Rayovac, you will
get your money's worth because it didn't last as long as
Energizer and Duracell, but Rayovac also was the cheapest. My
research can help the world by helping people save their money
and invest in something else.
Title: Which Paper Towel Holds Up Best?
Student Researcher: Jamie Dadd
School: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, Michigan
Grade: 6
Teacher: Mrs. Barbara Lindquist
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:
I wanted to find out more about what paper towel holds up the
best. My hypothesis stated that Brawny paper towel would soak up
the most water.
II. Methodology:
The first thing that I did to test my hypothesis was getting my
materials. I used a bowl, paper towel, measuring cup, water and
scissors. I than cut the paper towels all the same length (so
they would be equal). After doing the first step, I folded the
paper towels twice. Then I filled the glass bowl with water. I
gently laid the paper towels into the bowl for 30 seconds each.
After pulling them out, I squeezed all the water out into a
separate bowl. After doing that I took the measuring cup and
pored all the water I could get into it. When I was finished I
recorded the data.
III. Analysis of data:
The data that I collected indicated that Mardi Gras paper towel
could soak up the most water in 30 seconds from the three
brands. Mardi Grais soaked in an outstanding 80.2 ml. Brawny
soaked in 72.5 ml and Bounty soaked in 56.0 ml. My bar graph
shows that Mardi Grais can hold the most water, Brawny can hold
almost as much, and Bounty held the least.
IV. Summary and Conclusion:
My conclusion was that Mardi Grais is definitely the best paper
towel to soak up water in. I also concluded that Bounty is not
as good a paper towel. Therefore I reject my hypothesis because
my hypothesis stated that Brawny would soak up the most water.
V. Application:
What I learned in this research was that even though
advertisement may say that their brand is the best, you just
have to test it sometimes to find the real answer. If people
were to know that Mardi Grais is the brand that can hold up the
most water, it could save them a lot of money.
Title: Which Wrigley's Chewing Gum Lasts The Longest?
Student Researcher: Brice Dawson
School Address: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, MI 48842
Grade: 6
Teacher: Barbara Lindquist, M.A.
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:
I wanted to find out which Wrigley's chewing gum lasts the
longest. The first chewing gum was made in the early 1860's.
Before chewing gum people chewed flavored wax. My hypothesis is
that Wrigley's Big Red will last the longest.
II. Methodology:
To test my hypothesis, I got 5 flavors of Wrigley's chewing gum:
Doublemint, Big Red, Juicy Fruit, Spearmint, and Winterfresh.
To help with my experiment, I had my mom chew the gum also.
First, we chewed each brand of gum and wrote down the time for
each one. After that we compared our times to see if they were
close to each others.
III. Analysis of Data:
Mint flavors which are Doublemint, Spearmint and Winterfresh
lasted longest for my mom. Doublemint lasted 42 minutes,
Spearmint lasted 35 minutes, and Winterfresh lasted 49 minutes.
The other 2 flavors were Big Red and Juicy Fruit. Big Red
lasted 34 minutes while Juicy Fruit only lasted 15 minutes. For
myself, Doublemint lasted the longest at 24 minutes, next came
Big Red with 20 minutes, Spearmint was third with 19 minutes,
Winterfresh lasted 17 minutes, and last was Juicy Fruit lasting
only 14 minutes.
IV. Summary and Conclusion:
I found out that mint flavored Wrigley's gum lasted the longest
for us. I reject my hypothesis that Big Red last longest
because mint flavors last longer. For the longest flavor,
Doublemint chewing gum would be your best buy.
V. Application:
I now know that Wrigley's Doublemint lasts longer than the other
flavors. Chewing Gum can help the world be a better place to
live because gum chewing can help stop smoking and relieve
boredom. It can also help when you are on a diet. It can
replace in between meals.
Title: What Kind Of Cleaner Works Best To Clean Carpets?
Student Researcher: Katie Denyes
School Address: Washington Woods Middle
Holt, MI 48842
Grade: 6
Teacher: Mrs. Barbara Lindquist, M.A.
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:
I wanted to know if bathroom cleaner works as well cleaning
carpet as a regular carpet cleaner? I wanted to find out more
about carpet cleaners. My mom was always telling me that our
carpets were dirty, especially when there is mud. I want to
help out around my house, so I thought that I could find out
which works best. My hypothesis stated that I thought that the-
bathroom cleaner would work better.
II. Methodology:
I tested my hypothesis by using Scubbie Bubbles (bathroom
cleaner) and Carpet Cleaner & Deodorizer. Other materials used
were things that could easily be spilled on carpet.
On a piece of carpet, I put tape to divided it into halves
length wise. Then I divided the carpet into three width wise.
So I had three rectangles for each product.
I used good old mud, HI-C fruit drink, and Hershey Strawberry
Syrup to dirty the carpet. First, I put mud, HI-C, and syrup
on the piece of carpet. Then I put the Carpet Cleaner on and
eft it on for one hour as the directions said.
Then, as the directions said, I vacuumed dirt away. With the
Scubbie Bubbles I sprayed the product on the carpet. Then,
after a couple of seconds, I used paper towels to clean the
stains off.
III. Analysis of Data:
After I finished cleaning the carpet, I looked to see what
percentage (%) of the stains were left. My observations showed
that there was 55% of the mud left, 20% of the HI-C left, and
92% of the Strawberry Syrup left on the Scubbie Bubbles' side.
On the Carpet Cleaner side, 45% of the mud was left, 35% of the
HI-C was left, and 85% of the syrup was left.
IV. Summary and Conclusion:
I found out that, if I want to help out with cleaning the
carpet, I should use the product called Carpet Cleaner &
Deodorizer. My analysis of data explains about what percentage
of the stain was cleaned by both cleaners. I reject my
hypothesis because the carpet cleaner worked better.
V. Application:
What I learned from my research will help me to clean up after
myself. My findings indicate that the best thing to use to
clean carpet is a carpet cleaner. My research can help solve
the problem of cleaning dirty carpet.
Title: What Facial Tissue Should You Use?
Student Researcher: Alex Erhardt
School: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, NO 48842
Grade: 6
Teacher: Barbara Lindquist M.A.
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis
I wanted to find out more about what facial tissue I should use.
I picked this topic because I wanted to know what facial tissue
was softest to use. My hypothesis states that the softest brand
of facial tissue is Kleenex.
II. Methodology
I tested my hypothesis by doing two experiments. The three
brands of facial tissue I used were Soft & Gentle, Puffs, and
Kleenex. On my first test I put 15 facial tissue in a shoebox.
When I was done doing that I dropped an egg in the box until it
cracked. Than I recorded the data. For Soft & Gentle, it took
6 drops for the egg to break. For Puffs, it took 17 drops. For
Kleenex, it took 16 drops. In this test Puffs was the softest.
On my second test, I used humans. I used the same brand facial
tissue. I put a number on each facial tissue and the box. Then
I gave a facial tissue to 6 members of my house. After that I
told them to rub lightly on their nose and tell me which was
softest. My mom chose Puffs. My dad chose Puffs. My two
brothers chose Puffs. Even my sister chose Puffs. The only
person that didn't choose Puffs was me. I chose Kleenex.
III. Analysis of Data
In both my experiments, Puffs was the softest. Therefore Puffs
is the softer facial tissue out of the three I used. My
hypothesis was incorrect. I stated that Kleenex was going to be
softest, but Puffs was. Also my data shows Soft & Gentle is not
as soft.
IV. Summary and Conclusion
I found out that Puffs is a better brand to use. I also learned
that, if a product has a name like Soft & Gentle, it does not
mean it is soft and gentle. I found this out by looking at the
data and seeing that Soft & Gentle was not the softest. I
reject my hypothesis because I said that Kleenex was going to be
the softest, but it was not. I even learned that the texture
and pattern of a facial tissue make a big difference. That is
probably why Soft & Gentle did so badly because it had a tough
texture and pattern.
V. Application
I learned that you don't have to buy the most expensive brand
name to get a good facial tissue. I also showed that the
pattern and texture of a facial tissue can make it rough. I
learned this by studying Soft & Gentle and observing that it
felt rough. This could make the world a better place by helping
people to know what facial tissue to buy.
Title: Do Name Brand Paper Products or Store Brand Paper
Products Absorb Better?
Student Researcher: Courtney Grafuis
School Address: Washington Woods Middle School
Holt, MI 49942
Grade: 6
Teacher: Mrs. Barbara Linquist, MA
I. Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:
I wanted to find out which paper towel is the best to buy and
most absorbent. My hypothesis states that Bounty paper towel
would be the best one to buy.
II. Methodology:
First, I filled a measuring cup with 80 ml of juice. Then I set
the timer for 15 seconds and when I pushed "Start" my mom shoved
the paper towel into the measuring cup. When the timer went off
I took it out and dumped out the leftover juice into the sink.
After it was dumped out, I squeezed as much juice as possible
out of the paper towel into the measuring cup. I measured how
much was left, wrote it down and did it all over again with the
same exact ingredient and a different brand of paper towel.
III. Analysis of Data:
The data I collected is as follows: Bounty absorbed 46 ml, Mardi
Gras absorbed 44 ml, Brawny absorbed 40 ml, and Meijer brand
absorbed 38 ml. The data indicated that Bounty was the most
absorbent.
IV. Summary and Conclusion:
I found out that Bounty is the most absorbent paper towel and
you should buy it more than the others. I also found out that
the best one is only $1.64 for a jumbo sized roll, not on sale
that is. I accepted my hypothesis because Bounty was the best
to buy and it is the most absorbent.
V. Application:
My research can help the world be a cleaner place and it can
help you save money by buying a big roll for a cheap price and
not having to use as many paper towel as some other brands.