Science Experiments

Archive for February, 2010

Question: Science Experiment Notebook Title?

I am creating a book of Science Experiments for use in an elementary school classroom. This is a project for my physical science lab, although the experiments are not limited to physical science. The book is being made from craft foam, but I am drawing a blank for the title. Any ideas? I am re-posting this question in this category because I haven’t gotten any replies in the homework section.

Answer: How about Elementary Research Methods or some variation of this synonym.

Science Experiment Gone Wrong [part 1/3]

Question: What science fair project can I do involving Betta fish or guppies?

I was thinking I could show how a male Betta could over time live with other fish and get over it’s aggression. I did this once before and my Betta lived with two large goldfish. I put the Betta in floating separator in a large tank with the goldfish every day for about 2 hours a day. Then when it stopped freaking out, I let it in the tank without the separator for half an hour with supervision. Finally, the fish stopped being aggressive toward the goldfish. I was wondering if there is another short-term project I could do involving the two fish and if it is safe to us guppies in the place of the goldfish in the experiment I just described. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
Got it, this is a bad idea. Thanks. Btw, I already own a Betta and I’ve had him for over a year but you’re right, I don’t want to stress him out. Thanks.

Answer: Uh, you know an adult Goldfish would have eventually eaten the Betta right? And that they are not compatible for a dozen other reasons? I’ve only had one or two genuinely aggressive (as in territorial) Bettas, all my others have been big wimps, more likely to get bullied than be the bully!

Using live fish for Science Fair projects is dodgy really, they’re living sensitive creatures with long life spans, what happens after the project is over?

It would be more fair to use something that doesn’t require such a stable environment as fish do. They are not short-term animals.

Maybe see which bit of java moss grows the best, one on a window sill, one under a regular aquarium lamp, or one with all sorts of things, such as lots and lots of aquarium light and CO2 injection. The one with everything should grow fastest.

Making a CO2 System for our planted goldfish tank