The National Student Research Center

E-Journal of Student Research: Science

Volume 6, Number 7, May, 1998


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:

John I. Swang, Ph.D.
Founder/Director
National Student Research Center
2024 Livingston Street
Mandeville, Louisiana 70448
U.S.A.
E-Mail: nsrcmms@communique.net
http://youth.net/nsrc/nsrc.html



TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. The Effect of Air Pressure on the Bounce of a Basketball
  2. Does Carbonation Affect The Freezing Of Water?
  3. The Effect Table Salt Has On The Boiling Point Of Water
  4. How Does the Color of Light Affect the Growth of Plants?
  5. The Effects Of Colors On Heat Absorption
  6. Which Substance Can Increase The Life Span Of A Soap Bubble The Longest in Different Atmospheric Temperatures?
  7. Why Do Ice Cubes Have a Whiteness In Them And How Do You.Get A Clear One?
  8. Do Thermostats Accurately Control Room Temperature?
  9. Which Fertilizer Will Make a Plant Grow the Most?
  10. What Part Of Cary, IL. Has The Most Air Pollution?

TITLE:  The Effect of Air Pressure on the Bounce of a Basketball 

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Sara A. Akey
SCHOOL ADDRESS:  Mandeville Middle School
                 2525 Soult St. 
                 Mandeville, LA  70448
GRADE:  5 
TEACHER:  Mrs. Lehman and Mrs. Hulin

I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

Do different amounts of air pressure in a basketball affect how 
high the basketball bounces?  This is the problem that I wanted 
to find the answer to.  I hypothesized that a basketball will 
bounce higher as you increase the air pressure in. 

II.  METHODOLOGY:

The procedure I used to test my hypothesis was to deflate a 
basketball to atmospheric pressure.  I then dropped it from one 
yard high (91.44 centimeters) and measured how high it bounced.  
I repeated this step three times to get an average height.  I 
then raised the pressure in the basketball one p.s.i. at a time, 
testing how high the ball bounced each time.  I stopped after I 
got to ten p.s.i.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

At zero p.s.i. (atmospheric pressure), the basketball bounced an 
average of 39.57 centimeters.  One p.s.i. averaged 54.18 cm.  
Two p.s.i. averaged 58.42 cm.  Three p.s.i. averaged 67.51 cm.  
Four p.s.i. averaged 71.12 cm.  Five p.s.i. averaged 72.16 cm.  
Six p.s.i. averaged 78.74 cm.  Seven p.s.i. averaged 80.42 cm.  
Eight p.s.i. averaged 81.48 cm.  Nine p.s.i. averaged 83.82 cm.  
Ten p.s.i. averaged 85.09 cm.

HEIGHT OF BASKETBALL BOUNCE (cm)

AIR PRESSURE (PSI)  TRIAL 1  TRIAL 2  TRIAL 3  AVERAGE
0                    39.37    40.01    39.37   39.57
1                    53.34    54.61    54.61   54.18
2                    57.79    58.42    59.06   58.42
3                    67.31    67.95    67.31   67.51
4                    71.12    71.12    71.12   71.12
5                    72.39    73.03    71.12   72.16
6                    78.74    78.74    78.74   78.74
7                    80.01    80.65    80.65   80.42
8                    81.28    81.28    81.92   81.48
9                    83.82    83.82    83.82   83.82
10                   83.82    85.09    86.36   85.09

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS:

When the ball was at atmospheric pressure (the same pressure 
inside the ball as outside), it bounced higher than I thought it 
would.  I thought that the ball would look flat, but it was 
still round.

I also found out that when the basketball had just a little bit 
of air pressure in it, it bounced much better, than at 
atmospheric pressure.

When the air pressure was already high there was not much of a 
difference in bounce between 6 and 10 p.s.i.  The manufacturer 
recommends that the ball be inflated to 6-8 p.s.i.  I think that 
they have tested this and there is not much difference in bounce 
after 6-8 p.s.i.

I found that every time I raised the air pressure in the 
basketball, up to ten p.s.i., it bounced higher.  Therefore, I 
accept that my hypothesis which stated that a basketball will 
bounce higher as you increase the air pressure in. 

V.  APPLICATION:

People should realize that what the manufacturer recommends for 
the air pressure in a ball is the best pressure for the safest 
and best performance of the equipment.  I also think that these 
findings can be applied to make sports equipment work better and 
for helping athletes in their sports. 



TITLE:  Does Carbonation Affect The Freezing Of Water?  

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Max Edelman
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  4
TEACHER: Gayle McCants

I.STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

I wanted to find out if carbonation would affect how water 
freezes.   My hypothesis stated that carbonation will make the 
water freeze faster and harder.

II.METHODOLOGY:

First, I stated my purpose.  Then I conducted library research 
on my topic and developed my hypothesis.  The materials I used 
to test my hypothesis included seltzer water (water with carbon 
dioxide and no salt), water, two clean clear plastic cups, a one 
cup measuring cup, clock, and a freezer.  I set up my materials 
on a counter and then poured one cup of water into a clear 
plastic cup.  I then poured one cup of seltzer into a clear 
plastic cup.  I placed both cups of liquid into the freezer at 
the same time and checked the liquid in the freezer every hour.  
Every time I checked the cup of water and the cup of seltzer I 
would write down on a piece of looseleaf paper what I saw.  I 
checked how frozen each cup was every hour.  Everything was 
controlled for except that one cup had pure water and the other 
cup had carbonated water.  I conducted three trials of my 
experiment.

III.ANALYSIS OF DATA:

I found that, at the beginning of the experiment, both the water 
and the seltzer were freezing alike.  But as the hours went by, 
the water froze faster and harder.  The seltzer always had some 
bubbles and slush on top of the cup and when the water was 
frozen the seltzer still was mushy.  I found out that water 
freezes faster and harder without carbon dioxide mixed in.

IV.SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

I found out that pure water froze faster than the carbonated 
water.  The pure water froze solid, without slush.  The 
carbonated water always had slush and did not freeze fully.  I 
therefore reject my hypothesis which stated that carbonated 
water would freeze faster than pure water.

V.APPLICATION:

It is very useful to know about freezing water or freezing 
carbonated water because these substances are used in foods and 
drinks and it might be important to know whether these foods or 
drinks will freeze well or not.



Title:  The Effect Table Salt Has On The Boiling Point Of Water

Student Researcher:  Matthew Newman
School Address:  Mandeville Middle School
                 Mandeville. Louisiana
Grade:  4
Teacher:  Mrs. Patterson

I.   Statement of  Purpose and Hypothesis

The purpose of my experiment is to determine if table salt 
raises or lowers the boiling point of water.  My hypothesis 
states that the more salt I add to the water the lower the 
boiling point will be.

II.   Methodology

I wrote my statement of purpose.  I developed my hypothesis 
thinking that people add salt to water to make it boil quicker.  
I researched the topic and wrote my review of the literature.  
The literature review made me think that my hypothesis might be 
wrong.  

I set up my experiment to determine if higher amounts of salt in 
the water made the boiling point rise.  I measured 250 
milliliters of water into a flask and measured the boiling point 
with a thermometer.  I used boiling chips to help me see when 
the water began to boil.  I did the same experiment with 12.5 
grams, 25 grams, and 62.5 grams of salt in 250 milliliters of 
water.

I collected the boiling point data and made a data table showing 
the boiling point of the water at the different salt additions.  
I calculated the average of each boiling point.  I had to 
convert my temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius because we 
were using grams as a measurement and we used a thermometer in 
Fahrenheit.  My dad helped me make a graph that showed the 
boiling points at the different salt amounts.

III.   Analysis of Data:

The water with no salt began to boil at 100.4 degrees Celsius.  
The water with 12.5 grams of salt began to boil at 101.5 degrees 
Celsius.  The water with 25 grams of salt began to boil at 102.6 
degrees Celsius.  The water with 62.5 grams of salt began to 
boil at 108.6 degrees Celsius.

                            Amount of Salt in Water

Boiling          No Salt   12.5 Grams    25 Grams    62.5 Grams
 Point                      of Salt      of Salt      of Salt 
 
Trial 1          100.3 C     101.5 C      102.6 C      108.6 C         
Trial 2          100.4 C     101.5 C      102.5 C      108.6 C
Trial 3          100.4 C     101.5 C      102.6 C      108.6 C

Average          100.4 C     101.5 C      102.6 C      108.6 C

IV.   Summary and Conclusion:

I found that the more salt I added to the water the higher the 
boiling point rose.  This agreed with the literature review I 
did.  Therefore, I rejected my hypothesis which stated that the 
more salt I added to the water the lower the boiling point would 
be. 

V.   Application:

If you wanted to boil some food at a higher temperature, you 
could add salt to the water so the water would boil at a higher 
temperature and the food would get hotter and cook faster.  



Title:  How Does the Color of Light Affect the Growth of Plants?

Student Researcher:  Shelley Evans
School Address: Mandeville Middle School
        Mandeville, Louisiana
Grade:  4
Teacher:  Ms. McCants

I.  Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:

I wanted to find out which color of light makes a plant grow 
tallest: regular, red, green, and yellow.  Regular light is full 
spectrum light composed of all the different wavelengths or 
colors of visible light.  My hypothesis states that regular 
light will make plants grow the tallest. 

II.  Methodology: 

First, I wrote my statement of purpose. Then I reviewed the 
literature on plants and developed my hypothesis.  Then I 
designed my project.  I collected my materials: four different 
colors of Cellophane cut 40 centimeters long: clear, red, green, 
and yellow, a wooden box with four sections open at the top, 
twelve plastic cups, twelve beans, soil, a ruler, a record 
sheet, and a pencil.  I made a wooden box with four sections 
opened at the top.  At the top of every section, I put a 
different color of Cellophane.  Next, I filled each cup with 
soil.  Then I planted one seed in each cup two inches deep in 
the soil.  I put three cups under each color of Cellophane.  I 
placed the plants in front of a large window.  Each morning, at 
7:00 AM, I made sure that they had sunlight by opening the 
shades.  Then every night, at 6:00 PM, I measured them and 
watered them as needed.  Then in three weeks I calculated the 
average heights.
  
III.Analysis of Data

              Average Height of Plants (cm)

COLOR          CUP 1       CUP 2       CUP 3     AVERAGE

Clear          49          41          45          45
Red            36          39          36          37
Green          41          38          36          38
Yellow         37          36          37          36

I found out that the plants growing under the clear Cellophane 
grew tallest with an average height of 45 cm.  

IV. Summary and Conclusion

I found out that the plants under the clear Cellophane grew 
tallest because the clear Cellophane let in the full spectrum of 
light which plants need in order to grow best.  I therefore 
accept my hypothesis, which stated that regular light will make 
plants grow the tallest. 

V. Application

It is very useful to know which kind of light makes a plant grow 
best.  People who build or use greenhouses would know what color 
of glass (clear) to use to get plants to grow taller.



TITLE:  The Effects Of Colors On Heat Absorption

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Timothy Grzych
SCHOOL ADDRESS:  Mandeville Middle School
     2525 Soult St. 
                 Mandeville, LA 70448
GRADE:  5
TEACHER:  Mrs. Santangelo

I.    STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS

The purpose of this research is to determine whether different 
colors of a material affect its absorption of heat.  My 
hypothesis states that when testing different colors of a 
material, the darkest colors will absorb the most heat.

II.   METHODOLOGY:

To conduct my research I used five pieces of fabric.  The fiber 
content of the fabric was 65% Polyester and 35% Cotton.  Each 
piece of fabric was 12" X 12".  I used five different colors of 
fabric: Black, Green, Blue, Yellow, White.  I also used five 
thermometers and one watch.

Test the five colors of fabric under the same conditions at the 
same time.  This will control for the different weather 
variables such as wind, temperature, and sun conditions which 
may be present during the outdoor testing.

The pieces of fabric need to be the same size and have the same 
fiber content and thickness.  The five thermometers must have 
the same temperature reading when the test begins.

Perform the test by placing the thermometers on a flat outdoor 
surface.  When all temperatures on the thermometers are the 
same, place the pieces of fabric over the them.  After fifteen 
minutes, remove the fabric from the thermometers and record the 
temperatures associated with each color of fabric.  Perform four 
tests at different times of the day and under different weather 
conditions.  After the tests, let the thermometers return to the 
current temperature and check to make sure they all have the 
same temperature.  Record all data during each test. 

Remember, all five thermometers and fabrics must be kept in the 
same conditions during each test. 

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

I performed the test four times.  The results of the first test 
were discarded.  This was because I could not get the same 
temperature readings on the five thermometers prior to starting 
the test.  When I finally found a testing location that allowed 
all thermometers to have the same reading, I began the test.  
During the test, the trees put shade on some of the 
thermometers.  All of the temperatures decreased.  The changing 
conditions in sunlight and wind resulted in my data being 
ruined.

I was able to accomplish the remaining three tests with constant 
weather conditions on all five thermometers.  The results of 
these three tests show that the thermometers covered by the 
darker materials had the largest increase in temperature. (See 
Data Table)

Data Table
(All temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit.) 

Test 1 - January 16, 1998
Conditions - Clear sunny sky, direct sunlight, medium wind.
Start Time - 3:05pmStop Time - 3:20pm

              Black   Green   Blue   Yellow   White 
Start Temp.    64       64     64      64      64
Stop Temp.     76       70     69      63      61

Test 2 - January 17, 1998
Conditions - Clear sunny sky, direct sunlight, no wind. 
Start Time - 12:40PMStop Time - 12:55PM

              Black   Green   Blue   Yellow   White 
Start Temp.    90       90     90      90      90
Stop Temp.    109      100     99      86      82

Test 3 - January 18, 1998
Conditions - Cloudy, no direct sunlight, light wind.
Start Time - 11:52am Stop Time - 12:07pm

              Black   Green   Blue   Yellow   White 
Start Temp.    74       74     74      74      74
Stop Temp.     77       75     75      73      72

IV.   SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

I found out that temperature is affected by things such as wind, 
shade, and color.  In order to correctly test the effects of 
colors on the absorption of heat, all conditions must be the 
same except for the change of colors.  I conclude that dark 
colors absorb more heat than light colors; therefore, I accept 
my hypothesis as stated.

V.   APPLICATION:

Knowing that dark colors absorb more heat will help people make 
many decisions.  They can decide what colors of clothing they 
should buy for the different seasons of the year.  Darker colors 
should be worn when the weather is cold because more heat will 
be absorbed through the fabric.  Lighter colors should be worn 
when the weather is warm because of less heat absorption through 
the fabric.  People can also buy light colored automobiles if 
they want to feel cooler while inside the vehicle.




Title:  Which Substance Can Increase The Life Span Of A Soap
        Bubble The Longest in Different Atmospheric
        Temperatures? 

Student Researcher:  Troy T. Bennett 
School Address:  Cary Jr. High School  
                 233 Oriole Tr. 
                 Cary, IL 60013 
Grade:  7 
Teacher:  Mrs. Nancy Schietzelt

I.  Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis

My topic is about soap bubbles and the substances that could 
increase their life span.  I want to find out witch substances 
could increase the life span of a soap bubble the longest in 
different atmospheric temperatures.  My hypothesis states that 
aftershave in a warm atmosphere will increase the life span of a 
soap bubble the longest.

II.  Methodology

The materials I used were 40 milliliters of liquid soap, 20 
milliliters of aftershave, 20 milliliters of food coloring, 20 
milliliters of witch hazel, 20 milliliters of vanilla extract, 
90 milliliters of water, 5 straws, 4 pop cans, and a stopwatch.

I first mixed 15 milliliters of water and 10 milliliters of 
liquid soap into a pop can. This was my control.  I then blew a 
bubble bubbles lasted a straw in room temperature and timed how 
long it lasted.  I did the same procedure in a cold atmosphere 
and a warm atmosphere.  I recorded all the times.  I then added 
20 milliliters of food coloring to my soapy water.  I repeated 
my process in all atmospheric temperatures.  I then disposed of 
my mix and mixed the same amount of water and soap into a new 
pop can and also added 20 milliliters of vanilla extract.  I 
then repeated my testing process. Then I repeated the mixing, 
blowing and timing process with aftershave and witch hazel. 

III.  Analysis of Data

At room temperature, aftershave bubbles lasted 36 seconds, 
vanilla extract bubbles lasted 19 seconds, food coloring bubbles 
lasted 15.7 seconds, witch hazel bubbles lasted 15 seconds, and 
my control bubbles lasted 4.6 seconds.

In the cold atmosphere, aftershave bubbles lasted 1 seconds, 
food coloring bubbles lasted 28.3 seconds. witch hazel bubbles 
lasted 21 seconds, vanilla extract bubbles lasted 13.7 seconds, 
and my control bubbles lasted 11 seconds.

In the warm atmosphere, witch hazel bubbles lasted 7 seconds, 
aftershave bubbles lasted 6.7 seconds, food coloring bubbles 
lasted 2.7 seconds, and my control bubbles lasted 2 seconds.

IV.  Summary and Conclusion

I found out that my hypothesis was wrong. The aftershave bubbles 
at room temperature lasted the longest because the alcohol.  
Therefore, I reject my hypothesis which stated that aftershave 
in a warm atmosphere will increase the life span of a soap 
bubble the longest. 

V.  Application
 
I don't think these findings are useful in the real world 
because soap bubbles can't change anything at all.  One way a 
person could expand on this experiment is by using glycerin.



Title:  Why Do Ice Cubes Have a Whiteness In Them And How Do You
        Get A Clea  One?  

Student Researcher:  Mike Che 
School Address:  Cary Jr. High School  
                 233 Oriole Tr. 
                 Cary, IL 60013 
Grade:  Seventh 
Teacher:  Mrs. Shietzelt 

I.  Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis: 

My topic is about why some ice cubes have a whiteness in them.  
I want to find the reason of the whiteness.  I also want to find 
out how you get a clear ice cube.  My hypothesis states that the 
whiteness is a combination of gasses that come from the air.  I 
also believe that if you boil the water, or heat the water 
almost as hot as boiling, you can actually get a clear ice cube.  
I think that Hinkley and Schmitt water will provide the clearest 
ice cubes since it is purified and clean because it is made for 
you to drink. 

II.  Methodology: 

I tested my hypothesis by setting up an experiments involving 
the following items: 3-12 cubed ice cube trays, 1 freezer at 0 
degrees Celsius or less, 1 liter of Hinkley and Schmitt water, 1 
liter of distilled water, 1 liter of tap water, 3 glass cups, 
and 1 refrigerator.  Since I did a multiple experiment of using 
different waters at different temperatures, all the waters and 
temperatures were variables.  I had no controls, unless you 
count the same water at different times.  As I started this 
experiment, I labeled all three of my ice cube trays with the 
kind of water in each: Hinkley and Schmitt bottled water, 
distilled water, and tap water.  After that, I labeled every 
three cubicles warm, cold, room temperature, and hot since there 
is 12 cubicles.  I first started with the Hinkley and Schmitt 
water.  I poured 120 milliliters of room temperature water in 
the three cubicles labeled "Room Temperature".  Then I poured 
another 120 milliliters into one of my glass cups and put it 
into my refrigerator to be in there for 15.  While I was 
waiting, I took another one of my glass cups and poured 120 
milliliters in it and put it into the microwave for 5 minutes on 
high.  After the microwave rung, I put on my heat mittens to 
make sure I didn't get burnt and took the cup out of the 
microwave.  I then poured the water into 3 more cubicles labeled 
"Warm".  So after that, I  poured 130 milliliters of water (in 
case of boiling) into my third glass cup and put it into the 
microwave for 10 minutes also on high.  By then, the water in 
the refrigerator was about ready to be taken out, so I took it 
out and poured the water in three other cubicles labeled "Cold".  
After the microwave bell rung for the final time, I put on my 
heat mittens again and was extra careful (because the water was 
steaming hot) and poured it into the three final cubicles 
labeled "Hot".  I did the exact same thing using the distilled 
and tap water.  After that was over, I put the water in the 
freezer over night and took data on the ice in the morning. 

III.  Analysis of Data: 

My charts and graphs showed that Hinkley and Schmitt water came 
out the clearest overall for all temperatures.  I thought that 
tap water would come in second.  Instead, distilled water came 
in second.  

IV.  Summary and Conclusion:

My hypothesis or educated guess was right on what kind of water 
came out the clearest when frozen.  The reason why Hinkley and 
Schmitt water came out the clearest is because it had less gas 
bubbles in it.

The whiteness in ice cubes is caused by gasses in the air like 
oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide becoming trapped in the 
ice. 

V.  Application: 

With more tests, I can find out the amount of gas that is in 
different kinds of waters.  I would like to test salt water, 
sugar water, and other brands of drinking water.  Some people 
may prefer to drink water with less gas in them.



Title:  Do Thermostats Accurately Control Room Temperature? 

Student Researcher:  Kelley Mullaney 
School Address:  Cary Jr. High School  
                 233 Oriole Tr. 
                 Cary, IL 60013 
Grade:  Seventh 
Teacher:  Mrs. Schietzelt

I.  Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis:

The purpose of this experiment was to see if thermostats 
accurately controlled room temperature.  My hypothesis stated 
that thermostats did not accurately control room temperature 
because I sometime feel hot or cold even if the temperature is 
set just right.

II.  Methodology:

The materials I used to do this experiment were my house, my 
thermostat, and three thermometers.  I put one thermometer in my 
living room, one thermometer in my kitchen, and one thermometer 
in my family room.  Then I set my thermostat to a certain 
degree, waited until the heat went on, then waited two more 
minutes exactly, and took the readings in Celsius degrees from 
the three thermometers.  I had no control in this experiment.  
The only things that varied were the thermometers and the size 
of the room.  I did five trials with each thermometer, making a 
total of fifteen trials.

III.  Analysis of Data:

In trial number one, I set the thermostat to 19 degrees Celsius.  
The readings I got from the thermometers were 19, 18.5, and 20.5 
degrees Celsius.  In trial number two, l set the thermostat to 
20.5 degrees Celsius.  The readings I got from the thermometers 
were 20.5, 20.5, and 20.5 degrees Celsius.  In trial number 
three, I set the thermostat to 22.5 degrees Celsius.  The 
readings I got from the thermometers were 22.5, 22, and 22.5 
degrees Celsius.  In trial number four, I set the thermostat to 
23 degrees Celsius.  The readings I got from the thermometers 
were 22.5, 22.5, and 22 degrees Celsius.  Finally, in trial 
number five, I set the thermostat to 22 degrees Celsius.  Before 
this trial, I let the house cool down because it was getting 
hot.  That is why it goes back to 22 degrees Celsius from 23 
degrees Celsius.  The readings I got from my thermometers were 
21.5, 22, and 22.5 degrees Celsius.

IV.  Summary and Conclusion:

In conclusion, my hypothesis was wrong. The thermometers were 
never off by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius from what I had set 
the thermostat.  So this means that thermostats do actually 
control room temperature very well.

V.  Application:

My finding that thermostats work can be important information 
for certain laboratories with particular experiments that are 
sensitive to temperature.  It can also be important for house 
and business owners who want to be comfortable at home and work.



Title:  Which Fertilizer Will Make a Plant Grow the Most? 

Student Researcher:  Mark Samelson 
School Address:  Cary Jr. High School  
                 233 Oriole Tr. 
                 Cary, IL 60013 
Grade:  7 
Teacher:  Mrs. Nancy Schietzelt

I.  Statement of Purpose and Hypothesis: 

The purpose of this experiment is to find out which fertilizer 
makes a plant grow the most.    My hypothesis stated that the 
plants fertilized with Shultz Fertilizer will grow to be the 
tallest.  I think this because this fertilizer has the most 
minerals inside of the fertilizer.

II.  Methodology: 

I used the following materials in my research project:  three 
white flower boxes, Scott's Vegetable Food, Scott's Potting 
Soil, Better Homes and Garden General Purpose Potting Soil, a 
grow light, Burpee long red Cayenne pepper seeds, and Schultz 
Fertilizer.

After purchasing the materials, I planted the seeds in the 
starter potting soil.  When there were 24 plants poking out of 
the soil, I divided them evenly into three groups.  I 
transplanted these into flower boxes filled with potting soil.  
I had a Control box of plants which did not receive any 
fertilizer; a Fertilizer 1 box of plants which received Scott's 
Fertilizer; and  a Fertilizer 2 box of plants which received 
Shultz Fertilizer.  I watered each flower box evenly every day 
with twenty-five milliliters of water, exposing them to equal 
amounts of  sunlight and growlight.  I measured the height of 
each plant daily.  I recorded my data by box.

III.  Analysis of Data:

Schultz fertilized plants grew the tallest.  They grew on 
average about six and a half centimeters a day.  Scott's 
fertilized plants were mainly in second place the entire 
experiment and grew the second tallest during the entire 
experiment.  The plants with no fertilizer grew nearly a 
centimeter a day. 

IV. Summary and Conclusion: 

My hypothesis stated that the fertilizer with the most minerals 
(Schultz) would grow the tallest plants.  This hypothesis turned 
out to be true.  The Scott's fertilizer came in a close second 
because it had less minerals than Shultz.

I would like to test many other fertilizers and see which one 
works the best.  I would also like to take this project and test 
other plants instead of just Cayenne peppers.

V. Application: 

I did this experiment because I wanted to see which fertilizer 
will make a plant grow the most.  I can use that fertilizer on 
my plants at home.



Title:  What Part Of Cary, Illinois Has The Most Air Pollution?  

Student Researcher:  Kelley Mullaney 
School Address:  Cary Jr. High School  
                 233 Oriole Tr. 
                 Cary, IL 60013 
Grade:  Seventh 
Teacher:  Mrs. Shietzelt 

I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS: 

My topic is on air pollution.  My hypothesis states that the 
middle of town will have the most air pollution because there is 
a train station, a stop light, a bank, and shops there that 
people drive to.

II.  METHODOLOGY: 

I tested my hypothesis by putting 3" by 5" index cards out in 
five locations around the town.  The materials that I used were 
2 jars of Vaseline, 1 roll of duct tape, 12 thumb tack, 54 3 by 
5 index cards, and 1 jar.  I put the Vaseline coated cards all 
around town and I put one card in an air tight jar for a 
control.  First, I measured 1/2 of gram of Vaseline.  Then I 
drew a perfect circle on 45 of the cards.  Then I smeared the 
Vaseline evenly on all 45 cards.  Then I asked my parents to 
drive me to five locations in town.  I left each cards outside 
for 48 hours and then picked them up and put new cards out.  I 
put out a total of nine cards in each location.  When I got home 
I counted the particles of air pollution on each card and 
recorded the data.  Finally, I put the cards in a safe place 
where no one could bother them.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA: 

The total number of air pollution particles for all 9 trails in 
the north part of town was 192.  The total number of air 
pollution particles for all 9 trails in the south part of town 
was 147.  The total number of air pollution particles for all 9 
trails in the east part of town was 196.  The total number of 
air pollution particles for all 9 trails in the west part of 
town was 215.  The total number of air pollution particles for 
all 9 trails in the central part of town was 1324.  The total 
number of air pollution particles for the control was 1.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: 

I found out that the central part of Cary has the most air 
pollution.  My data led me to accept my hypothesis because the 
total number of air pollution particles there were significantly 
higher than anywhere else in town.

Further research could be done where I put the cards out in 
different locations around town to see what air pollution is 
like there.  Also, I would count the air pollution particles 
with a microscope instead of a magnifying glass to get a more 
accurate indication of the amount of air pollution.

V.  APPLICATION: 

My findings can help our town solve its air pollution problem 
because the town now knows where most of the pollution is 
occurring.

© 1998 John I. Swang, Ph.D.