Winning Science Fair Projects on Buoyancy

Winning science fair projects on buoyancy can be a lot of fun. Buoyancy is a science concept that deals with the relationship between mass, density and surface tension. Because there are so many variables involved, there are a lot of great science experiments and science projects that can be created using buoyancy as the theme.

Before you tackle more complex winning science fair projects on buoyancy it is a good idea to tackle a simple project. The following sample experiment will demonstrate some of the properties of buoyancy. To complete this project you will need:

Aluminum Foil Boat Buoyancy Experiment

Hypothesis

Discuss with your group (and justify) a hypothesis to the question stated in the problem.

Procedure:

1) construct 5 boats using aluminum foil. Each boat should have a height of 1cm. The base of each boat should be a square with dimensions shown below.

NOTE: Try to construct the boats using the least amount of aluminum foil and NO scotch tape. Refer to you class notes. Remember a boat that is 3 x 3 x1 cm. requires a piece of aluminum foil that is 5 x 5 sq. cm. Then fold up the sides (each 1 cm.) to give the boat a height of 1 cm. Discuss this with your group.

2) Start with the smallest boat. Fill the 1000 ml. beaker 2/3 of the way up with water. Float the boat. Start adding pennies, one at a time. Make sure not to put all the pennies in one location of the boat.

3) Count how many pennies it takes to sink the boat. Repeat this for each boat.

Now that you have completed your first buoyancy experiment you are ready to design winning science fair projects on buoyancy. A winning project will need to apply the basic concepts learned in the above project to a current problem or issue. For example, you can design a project that explores how buoyancy can be used to create more efficient water transportation methodologies and technology, or better recreational vehicles.

To ensure that your physics science fair projects do well at a science fair you need to make sure your experiment design is flawless and your presentation is entertaining as well as educational. To make your presentation educational you will need to make sure you include information on all six steps of the scientific method and that it includes important background information on buoyancy that is accurate and current. Finally, to make your project entertaining you will want to include attractive design elements on your project board, you will want to practice your presentation and you will want to include humor and enthusiasm where appropriate in your oral presentation.

Maglev trains student science fair projects are very interesting. They take a look at the various ways to levitate a train using the power of magnets. If this is an area of science that interests you then you have several great electronics science experiments to choose from. Here are just a few options.

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