The Power of the Mind - Physic Science Fair Projects

VI. Science Fair Book of the Month

I. What the Bleep #$*! Do We Know!?
I just had to write about his film again, especially since it is out on DVD. What the Bleep #$*! Do We Know!? is a combination of quantum physics and fun entertainment at it's best!

This is the most extraordinary film that I have ever seen. During each of the 4 times I went to see the movie a profound learning experience occurred. University and high school classes were sitting in the audience with their teachers / professors. I was not the only crazy one who saw this film several times. Before the film began strangers were sharing thoughts and experiences with each other. Don't miss this experience! And the film will give you lots of ideas for science fair projects.

I repeat... don't get the idea that it is boring. Nothing could be further then the truth! It is entertaining and fun! What the Bleep #$*! Do We Know!? is part documentary, part story, and part... visual effects and animations.

If saw the movie and liked it, you are ready to try and put to the test some of the extraordinary and bizarre concepts presented there by the group of scientist and friends. You are going to be blown away by Create Your Day: An Invitation To Open Your Mind from Mark Vicente, Director of "What The Bleep Do We Know!?"

II. Special Fact File.

If a starfish was cut up into pieces (Don't do it!) Each piece will grow into a completely new starfish.

It is estimated that a single toad may catch and eat as many as 10,000 insects in the course of a summer.

Giant squids have eyes as big as watermelons.

The Earth’s magnetism has existed for 3 billion years and is generated 3,000 kilometres under our feet by the stirring of our planet’s liquid iron core. This liquid iron core causes the Earth to act like a giant magnet; the magnetic lines are organized on a bipolar basis, more or less in alignment with the Earth’s rotational axis.

Sometimes magnetic north and south switch, so the magnetic north pole is suddenly near the geographic South Pole, and the magnetic south pole is near the geographic North Pole. This is called magnetic reversal and has happened hundreds of times over millions of years.

Pigeons, especially those bred for their homing instincts, seem to be able to detect the Earth’s magnetic fields. Cornell University pigeon researcher Dr. Charles Walcott says that magnetic sensitivity, along with an ability to tell direction by the sun, seems to help pigeons find their ways home.

III. From NASA
Researchers agree that space radiation can cause cancer. They're just not sure how. FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/09may_mysteriouscancer.htm?list60350

IV. New Science Discoveries

Researchers Closer To Learning The Underlying Logic Of The Olfactory System.
Researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute have succeeded in mapping the unique patterns of neural activity produced by a wide range of odors, including vanilla, skunk, fish, urine, musk, and chocolate. The studies showed that found that, despite very complex patterning of neural activity, the odor representations are very similar among individuals. full story

Astronomers, Amateur Skywatchers Find New Planet 15,000 Light Years Away
An international collaboration featuring Ohio State University astronomers has detected a planet in a solar system that, at roughly 15,000 light years from Earth, is one of the most distant ever discovered. In a time when technology is starting to make such finds almost commonplace, this new planet -- which is roughly three times the size of Jupiter -- is special for several reasons. full story

V. Science Fairs In the News
The following news-press releases will give you ideas for a science fair project.

Kids showcase inventions at fair.
San Diego Union-Tribune
To build a better solar energy cooker, La Jolla High School freshman Megan Teachworth lined a funnel with aluminum foil so it would reflect more sunlight on water or food to heat it faster.

Valley students shine in Intel science fair.
Lexington Herald-Leader
Six of nine Bay Area student entries won prizes at the 56th Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix.

Project catches NASA's eye.
Press-Citizen
Putting a Silver Lining on Solar Disinfection: The Additive Effect of Silver Nitrate on a Solar Disinfection Model" -- earned him another $3,000 in four categories.

Intel fair a thrill for T-Bird duo.
West Valley Republic
Can bubbles make things sink?

Students capture awards at science fair.
Winona Daily News
The Weegmans' project analyzed the nutritional value of zebra mussels as compared to more traditional invertebrates consumed by Lesser Scaup.

2005 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Awards Announced.
PhysOrg
Projects on a navigational system for the blind, possible discovery of an ancient coastline on Mars and a lower-cost technology to analyze compounds used to protect against disease were the student projects that won top awards today at the 2005 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF).

VI. Science Fair Project Book of the Month

Chemistry Science Fair Projects Using French Fries, Gumdrops, Soap, and Other Organic Stuff (Chemistry! Best Science Projects)