This Week in Evolution

This is part of a series (copyright R Ford Denison) on the secrets of winning science fair projects. Click "science fairs" under Categories (at right) for more.

It is quite possible to do good experimental science fair projects using only everyday materials (rulers, paper cups, etc.). However, a small investment in inexpensive scientific apparatus can greatly expand the range of feasible experiments. For a fraction of the cost of a desktop computer, you can measure weight (mass), volume, temperature, acidity (pH), and light, all with sufficient accuracy to generate useful data. Unlike a computer, this equipment won't be obsolete in two years, or in twenty. These prices are old, so it might be a $275 science lab by now. On the other hand, these are all new prices; used would be cheaper. Items earlier on the list are most widely useful. Add an inexpensive microscope and you'll be about as well-equipped as Darwin. Aside from the boat, gun, greenhouse, and assistants, of course.

Compare with this much more ambitious home lab. Before spending that kind of money, I would wait and see what direction my research was going.

Item.................................................................Price

Triple beam pan balance (600 g x 0.1 g).......$ 93.00
Graduated cylinders (100 mL).................2 for 11.00
Multitester (use with sensors below)..............24.99
Mini-hook adaptors for above.............................2.59
Thermistors, for temperature (2 @ 1.99)...........3.98
Photocell assortment, for light............................1.98
Red-fluid thermometers (2 @ $6.50)................13.00
Acid/base pH indicator paper...........................13.30
Range extension set for balance (2 kg) ........24.95
Stopwatch.......................................................10.00

Continue reading "Science fair secrets 3: The $250 science lab" »

Posted by R. Ford Denison at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is part of a series (copyright R Ford Denison) on the secrets of winning science fair projects. Click "science fairs" under Categories (at right) for more.

Like the first secret, this one is spelled out in the instructions to judges, but it seems to be a secret from the students. Don't tell anyone I let it out!

Continue reading "Science Fair Secrets 2: Repeat Your Experiment" »

Posted by R. Ford Denison at 05:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This blog is usually about the latest research on evolution, but this is the first in a planned series on the secrets of winning science fair projects. Click "science fairs" under Categories (at right) for more on science fairs.

This week's "secret" isn't secret from the judges -- it's right in the judging instructions -- but students don't seem to know about it. The secret is to use scientific magazines and books (not just web pages) in designing and explaining your project. This will automatically raise your score a few points, in addition to improving the project itself.

Continue reading "Science Fair Secrets 1: Use Scientific Sources" »

Posted by R. Ford Denison at 04:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have some comments on a recent paper that's only tangentially related to evolution. Actually, it's more relevant to science fair projects, the topic of my last post.

One type of science fair project my fellow judges and I are really sick of is "The effect of X on plants", where X is mouthwash, vinegar, cola, etc. The obvious question, which we always ask, is "how often are plants in the field exposed to high concentrations of mouthwash?" Unfortunately, whoever reviewed this paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, claiming that "Pesticides reduce symbiotic efficiency of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and host plants" apparently failed to ask this question.

Continue reading "Rhizobia, pesticides, and peer review" »

Posted by R. Ford Denison at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I have linked to Terence Tao's blog for some time, because a surprising number of people come here from there. But, although I am more comfortable with math than some biologists, I don't have any idea what most of his posts are about. On the other hand, his career advice seems good and widely applicable. A recent post on gifted education seems like good advice both for parents and for any gifted students who might be reading this.

I've always been annoyed by the competitive aspect of science fairs. I worry that students who do a really good project are going to feel like they wasted their time if they don't win a particular prize. In Oregon, where I went to high school, there was an annual scientific meeting for high school students. It was considered an honor to have your talk or poster accepted for presentation, but it was an honor within the reach of any reasonably smart student who worked for it. It was great talking to other students about their projects, without worrying about winning or losing. Sure, a student thinking about grad school needs to know that competition for research faculty positions and grants is intense, but why kill the joy of science at an early age?

Posted by R. Ford Denison at 08:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)