Overview

This project allows you to play a little with chemistry at home. You will will choose a chemistry experiment from those available on the web. You will be required to write a lab report.

Background

For this project you will choose your own chemical adventure…within limits. Please visit and choose one of the experiments at the following page: http://www.scifun.org/HomeExpts/HOMEEXPTS.HTML. You may choose a project you would like to do from the following on that page:

1. Chemiluminescence
2. Floating and Sinking Bowling Balls and Soda Cans (you must do both)
3. Layered Liquids
4. Remove Tarnish from Silver

5. Build an Electric Motor
6. Candy Chromatography
7. Soft Water and Suds
8. Blue Sky, Red Sunset

Limit the experiment you choose to one of those described on the web page unless you discuss your plans in detail with your teacher first. If you would like to do an experiment that is not described on the page it must be pre-approved or you will receive a zero for the project.

Experiments may be extended but if the extensions may involve additional safety risks they must be pre-approved by your teacher. You are encouraged to extend the experiments.

Above all: safety first. Follow proper safety procedures at all times. If you need safety glasses you may sign out a pair from the classroom.

You must register your choice with your teacher before starting the project. The teacher reserves the right to request that you choose a different project. Failure to register will result in a zero because your project will not be accepted.

The Report

Follow the description of a regular lab report which was handed out at the beginning of the year.

Be sure to include a Bibliography. Further research will be required for you to fully understand and explain the phenomena you explore in your experiment. Record your sources in standard format.

A Few Tips

• Be sure to do additional research in your text and on the WWW to get a good understanding of the science behind your experiment(s). Remember, deeper understanding requires thought. You do not learn anything if you do not Figure It Out.
• Choose something you are interested in. If you are not excited to learn something about the science in your experiment you should consider trying a different one. If none of them appeal make an appointment to see your teacher to help you to think of alternative.
• Be creative. Think beyond the experiment to what it might tell you about how the world works. Make this an opportunity to learn something just for the fun of learning it.

See other side for Above & Beyond

Above & Beyond

To earn a 3 you must write a no-frills report that shows that you fulfilled the minimum requirements of the project. To earn a 4 you must write a complete lab report including a high-quality explanation of the science involved in your experiment. This explanation should go beyond what is offered on the web page. To get an Above & Beyond grade you should do one of the following:

1. Design, perform and report on additional experiments, describing what you did and why. Explain the science behind the original experiment and report your additional results as an extension of the science you learned. Discussion of your plans with your teacher will be helpful in determining whether your plans are truly above and beyond.
2. Create a report of flawless design and utility. Include pictures and clearly written directions as well as a high-quality explanation of the science involved in your experiment. Decoration and professional quality presentation are key.
3. Design a completely novel experiment to explore a scientific topic you are interested in. A high-quality explanation of the science involved in your experiment will be essential and will require more work than the other experiments. You will have to do all the research to provide a good scientific explanation. This option requires pre-approval!