These feelings of apathy are experienced across all subject areas and that means no course is exempt from this situation. Even fascinating subjects such as biology can appear tedious or tiresome at times and in these instances children need to re-familiarise themselves with the interesting aspects of these topics – but how does this make your biology revision more fun?

Real life meets the textbook One of the most common causes of de-motivation is an inability to connect text book studies with real life situations. This inability makes the study appear futile and worthless – lowering the level of focus and drive students have for their biology revision.

The easiest way to overcome this is to spend some time looking for news reports that demonstrate how the study of biology is worthwhile. Back in 2001, biology was named the “ultimate 21st century degree” by The Independent and this opinion is one which has continued to be held since then. Recent news reports have been filled with interesting facts about the study of biology and the developments which have been made. Interesting biology news

•Did you know that “canny fruit flies” are so clever and industrious that they get “drunk” in order to defeat their enemies? The consumption of rotting fruits associated with these insects sees them consume large quantities of fermenting yeast and the alcohol associated with it. This is toxic to most creatures, poisoning any parasites on the fruit fly whilst leaving the host in a good state of health (thanks to some clever enzymes which detoxify alcohol at an incredible speed).

•The study of biology is also inherently linked with technology and recently everyone’s favourite navigational programme, Google Earth, aided the discovery of early African mammal fossils.

•Discoveries of ancient civilisations and animals are not only stumbled across by Google news however and a researcher in America recently helped to discover a 300 million year old rainforest. Located in Northern China, the tropical rainforest was preserved under a layer of ash from a volcanic eruption – much like the ruins of Pompeii were in Southern Italy.

•Being able to speak with animals is something most of would like to do and researchers from the UK and Australia may have found the answer through the discovery of a ‘secret language’ found in the animal kingdom. This secret communication is said to occur using polarisation – a type of light which human eyes are unable to detect. This discovery could have great significance to the modern world with Professor Justin Marshall (the co-author of the report on this discovery printed in Current Biology) revealing that polarisation can actually be used to detect skin cancer.

Share this article on:

Hide Sites

If you’re looking for some suggestions to get your kids on board, check out the following biology related science fair project ideas. They’re projects your children are sure to love.

Moldy Bread

This easy science fair project is one that children of all ages can do. Using a few simple items, your child can demonstrate what conditions are ideal for mold growth on food, and document and explain the different stages and parts of mold and its growth. To do this project, dribble a tiny bit of water onto a piece of bread and place it in an air-tight container or a sealable plastic baggie, and make sure it’s completely closed. Find a dark, warm spot such as a cupboard or pantry, and stow away the slice of bread. Check the bread on a regular basis–at least once a day. Examine it carefully using a magnifying glass, and write down what you see. To enhance this demonstration, take photographs of the mold as it changes. Identify and label the parts of the mold and use notes and photographs to show what you’ve learned.

Balloon Trick

If yeast can make bread rise, why can’t it fill up a balloon? It can! This fun project can be used to show just how it can be done. In an empty plastic water bottle, pour in one packet of yeast. Fill the bottle up about 1/4 of the way with water. Add a spoonful of sugar, and gently mix the contents together by moving the bottle in a circular motion. Take a balloon and place it over the top of the open bottle making sure it’s secure. Place the bottle in a bowl of warm water, and let the yeast work its magic. The carbon dioxide produced by the yeast will fill the balloon up with air right before your very eyes!

Hyper Plant

Another great science fair project is to use two small potted plants and some caffeinated coffee grounds to show whether or not the caffeine makes plants grow faster. Add some caffeinated coffee grounds to the soil of one plant, and just add water to the other. Photograph the plants as they grow and date them so you can show their progress.

Grass House

As long as moisture is constantly present, grass can grow just about anywhere. Using sponges, children can demonstrate just that. Place sponges in bowls of water, and sprinkle them evenly with grass seed. You can use an eating utensil to press the grass seed deeper into the sponge. As the water is absorbed by the sponges or evaporated into the air, add more water to the bowls. In two weeks or so, the sponges will be sprouting lots of grass! Children can use the grassy sponges to build grass houses or any other type of structure they want to make their project even more fun to exhibit.

Ant World

A classic science fair project that always captures attention and interest is an ant farm. Ant farms can be built or bought, and kids can use them to demonstrate how an ant colony works together to survive. An addition, comparisons can be made between the ant colony and our human society to display the many similarities and differences.

Magical Webs

Usually when we discover a spider web, the first reaction is to quickly wipe it away in disgust. If you’ve never closely examined one, you probably don’t realize the work that went into them, and how they help humans by eliminating unwanted insects in and around our homes. Gently remove a spider web at the points where it’s connected to a surface, and carefully spray it with spray paint. Lay the painted spider web on a piece of black-colored paper that has been coated with a layer of hairspray, and allow it to adhere to the paper as it dries. The painted spider webs will allow their intricate patterns to show through, demonstrating just how effective they are in catching a spider’s prey. This in turn might give some onlookers a new appreciation for spiders since their webs help control the bug population.

Life of an Egg

Under the close supervision of a responsible adult, kids can demonstrate the growth process of a fertilized egg. A few fertilized eggs and an incubator are needed, as well as some general knowledge on the use of the incubator. Each day, have your child document changes as they closely monitor the eggs. This project is an exciting one for kids as they observe the growth process of the eggs until they are ready to hatch. Just remember to be prepared to care for the chicks as they hatch by making sure they have the proper environment to thrive.

These biology related science projects will undoubtedly motivate and inspire your kids to seek answers to the questions they have about living things and how they grow and survive. Displaying what they’ve learned at a science fair will give them an exciting opportunity to share their newly acquired knowledge with others.

Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes for Best Online Colleges.

Share this article on:

Hide Sites

 One of the problems that a lot of students face when they enter a science fair for the first time is that their project is just like a dozen other students’ projects. This happens because students generally focus on the same science concepts and issues, and because many students turn out basic projects that are based on previously entered projects. While this may be a disadvantage for most students you can turn it into your advantage by producing an uncommon science fair project.

Dispute Known “Facts”

 A good way to develop an uncommon science fair project is to dispute an existing theory, such as global warming or evolution. In order for these types of projects to be effective you will need to present a counter-hypothesis and evidence that supports your position. For example, if you do not think that global warming is a real phenomenon then you will need to develop a counter-hypothesis, such as greenhouse gasses are not contributing to the warming of the earth. In order to test this hypothesis you will need to collect data that creates a time line for temperature trends on the earth, as well as data that outlines the production of greenhouse gases over the last several centuries.

Tackle Emerging Science

 Another option that you have for producing uncommon science fair projects is to develop one around emerging science and technology. Here you will need to browse through science journals to find new discoveries in science, such as the newly discovered properties of super-cooled water which include both characteristics of solids and liquids. These projects will be unique because they deal with concepts that most students will not be aware of, and potentially concepts that will be novel to judges.

Use Your Sense of Humor

A lot of winning projects not only present good science, but they also present a humorous angle on that science. Humorous science fair projects can take an otherwise boring topic or science concept and turn it into something unique and uncommon. Humorous science fair projects can focus on anything from methane emissions to snot.

From Left Field

 The final option for producing an uncommon science fair project is to approach a common science concept from a new angle. For example, you can approach the subject of botany from a communications angle. Here you will want to see if you can determine if plants communicate and if so how they communicate. You can even try to find a way to translate their communication system so that you can communicate with them or record their communications.

Share this article on:

Hide Sites

There are 7 other million cones that cluster in the middle of the retina. When either fails, people lose sight in all or part of the visible spectrum.

Good news: In a recent study adult male squirrel monkeys, with gene-therapy, were able to gain their vision. This brings hope to those who have congenital vision disorders for both adults and children.

Share this article on:

Hide Sites

1. Ask your teacher if you can take 15 mintues to do a quick one questionnaire for your science fair project with the class.

2. If yes, ask the students to write on a piece of paper their first name and what color they think their first name represents. There is no right or wrong, just fun to do.

3. Then have them go to My Color and have them insert their name. See what happens to the background color of the page!

4. Ask each student to then write the background color of the page after they inserted their first name and Amaze Me button.

5. You may even want to hand out a form for your friends to fill out.

6. Remember to write your hypothesis before you do the survery.

Share this article on:

Hide Sites

To do this field experiment all you need is a notebook, a pencil or pen, a camera (still or video) and a location that has birds. Locations can include your backyard, a park, a botanical garden and your schoolyard. To set up this project you will first want to decide what type of bird behavior you are interested in studying. For example, you can observe what types of food your local birds eat, you can observe what types of bird species are at your target location or you can observe when different types of birds arrive at the location to eat.

After you make your initial observations you will want to translate your findings into a great science fair idea. For example, you can design a project that explores how birds help or add to the science of common lawn problems. The objective of this project is to learn how to set up a field experiment, how to make field notes and how to translate one research project into a winning science fair projects.

Do you have an idea for other bird related science fair projects or experiments? Do you have questions about setting up a field experiment? Post your questions and answers below and let’s start a discussion.

Share this article on:

Hide Sites

A recent study that involved hair samples taken from 65 cities revealed that the composition of a person’s hair was related to the certain chemical ratios found in their home town. It is a known fact that water molecules separate into hydrogen isotopes and oxygen isotopes as they accumulate in your hair. Researchers studying this phenomenon have found that the concentrations of these isotopes and their ratio to one another are similar to the concentrations and ratios found in the water supply of the area where a person lives.

Right now this discovery is being applied to forensic science. Hair samples can now be used to link certain people to crime scenes or to help track down criminals.

If you are looking for a unique biology science fair projects then consider elaborating on this discovery. Hair is a great material to experiment with because it is easy to collect, it is free and collecting the hair doesn’t hurt the person the hair is harvested from. Possible school science fair projects you can conduct with hair include:

The possibilities are limitless. Return to this science blog each Friday for more science fair project suggestions.

Share this article on:

Hide Sites