AU Scholar’s Fair Science Options

2 MIN. READ 

Anderson University is excited to host the AU Scholar’s Fair for prospective high school students. This is an opportunity for high school students to present samples of their academic work and compete for recognition and scholarships.

Sample Science Topics

Please do NOT choose these exact topics. These are SAMPLES to show the type and scope of projects that are appropriate for the Scholar’s Fair. Please choose a topic of interest to you that can be approached from a scientific perspective and completed before the deadline.

Biology

1. Bacteria Growth in Different Conditions
   Compare bacterial growth in various environments, such as temperature, light, or surface types.
2. The Role of Genetics in Taste Sensitivity
   Explore how genetics influences the ability to taste certain bitter or sweet compounds.

Chemistry

1. The Science Behind Homemade Natural Dyes
   Experiment with different natural materials (like beetroot, spinach) to create dyes and test their longevity.
2. Chemical Reaction Rates in Cold vs. Warm Water
   Study how temperature affects the rate of chemical reactions, such as dissolving sugar or baking soda in vinegar.
3. The Effectiveness of Natural vs. Chemical Household Cleaners
   Compare the effectiveness of natural cleaning products (like vinegar) against commercial cleaners.
4. Electrolytes in Sports Drinks vs. Homemade Solutions
   Test the electrolyte content in sports drinks and compare them to homemade electrolyte solutions.
5. How pH Levels Affect the Environment
   Investigate the effect of acid rain on different types of plants or aquatic life.

Physics

1. How Does the Angle of a Ramp Affect the Speed of a Rolling Object?
   Study how different ramp inclines affect the speed or acceleration of objects like marbles or toy cars.
2. How Do Different Materials Affect Sound Transmission?
   Test how different materials (wood, plastic, glass) affect the transmission of sound.
3. Magnetic Levitation: How Does It Work?
   Build a magnetic levitation model and explain the principles behind how objects float with magnetic forces.
4. The Physics of Roller Coasters
   Explore how potential and kinetic energy are used in the design of roller coasters to maximize speed and safety.
5. The Effect of Weight on Parachute Descent Speed
   Test how the weight attached to a parachute affects the speed of its descent.

Environmental Science

1. The Impact of Different Fertilizers on Soil Health
   Study the effects of organic vs. chemical fertilizers on soil health and plant growth.
2. Water Purification Methods
   Compare different methods of purifying water (boiling, filtration, chemical treatment) and their effectiveness.
3. How Does Plastic Pollution Affect Marine Life?
   Conduct experiments showing how different plastics degrade in saltwater and their potential impact on marine ecosystems.
4. Can Renewable Energy be Generated Using Piezoelectric Devices?
   Build a piezoelectric generator to explore how energy can be generated through mechanical pressure.
5. Composting Efficiency: Comparing Biodegradable Waste Types
   Compare the decomposition rates of different types of biodegradable waste (fruits, vegetables, paper) in a compost bin.

Engineering

1. Building a Wind Turbine to Generate Power
   Design and build a small wind turbine to generate electricity, testing different blade designs for efficiency.
2. Bridge Design: Which Design Holds the Most Weight?
   Build different types of bridges (arch, truss, beam) and test which design holds the most weight before collapsing.
3. How Can Solar Panels Be Optimized for Efficiency?
   Investigate how different angles, shading, or temperatures affect the efficiency of solar panels.
4. Robotic Hand: Can a Robot Hand Mimic Human Movements?
   Create a robotic hand and experiment with its ability to mimic human hand movements.
5. Self-Watering Plant System
   Design and build a system that automatically waters plants when soil moisture is low.

Psychology

1. The Impact of Color on Mood and Productivity
   Investigate how different colors in a room or workspace affect people’s mood and productivity levels.
2. The Stroop Effect: How Quickly Can the Brain Process Conflicting Information?
   Conduct an experiment on the Stroop effect to see how the brain handles conflicting stimuli.
3. Do Video Games Improve Hand-Eye Coordination?
   Test whether playing video games improves hand-eye coordination by comparing gamers vs. non-gamers.

How Does Social Media Use Affect Attention Span?
Study whether heavy social media use impacts the attention span of teens or adults.

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.