Ace Your Ecology and Environmental Science Project: Great Science Fair Ideas

by Robert Gardner, Phyllis J. Perry, Salvatore Tocci

Overview

How many different organisms can you identify in a square meter of earth? What happens to plants if they don't have enough sunlight? Readers will learn the answers to these questions and more with the fun ecology and environmental experiments in this book. Young scientists will explore interactions of organisms and their environments. Many experiments include ideas students can use for science fairs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780766032163
Publisher:	Enslow Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	08/16/2009
Series:	Ace Your Science Project Series
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	10 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 5

The Scientific Method 6

Safety First 8

Chapter 1 Ecology and Environment 11

1.1 The Diversity of Life in a Square Meter 14

1.2 Mapping the Location of Grasses and Weeds 16

1.3 Identifying Consumers That Live on Trees 17

1.4 What Is The Effect of Light Intensity on Photosynthesis? 19

1.5 What Is The Role of Decomposers in the Soil? 24

1.6 Watching Things Decay 26

1.7 What Is the Effect of Water on the Decay Process? 27

1.8 Are Organisms Needed for Decay to Take Place? 28

1.9 Yeast: A Decomposer 31

Chapter 2 Organisms and Their Environments 34

2.1 What Is the Effect of Fertilizer on African Violets and Geraniums? 36

2.2 What Is the Effect of Tannic Acid on Seed Germination? 38

2.3 What Is the Effect of Heat on Seeds? 41

2.4 Will Roots Respond to Substances in the Soil? 44

2.5 What Is the Effect of Darkness on Plants? 47

2.6 What Is the Effect of Artificial Light on Plant Growth? 48

2.7 What Is the Effect of Different Soils on Plant Growth? 51

2.8 What Is the Effect of Air Pollution on Lichen? 53

Chapter 3 Cycles in the Global Environment 56

3.1 A Miniature Water Cycle 60

3.2 Make a Cloud 62

3.3 What Is the Effect of Temperature and Wind on Evaporation? 65

3.4 A Model Aquifer 66

3.5 A Miniature Greenhouse 72

3.6 What Is the Effect of Heat on Decomposition? 74

Chapter 4 Population Ecology 77

4.1 Gestation and Longevity 78

4.2 Population, Predators, and Prey 80

4.3 World Population 83

4.4 What Is the Effect of Overcrowding on Marigolds? 86

4.5 Dandelions: Built for Survival 87

Chapter 5 Humans and the Environment 89

5.1 How Much Waste Is Produced by Food Packaging? 91

5.2 Acid Rain 94

5.3 CopingWith a Warm Environment 96

5.4 Water Woes 99

5.5 How Can You Turn Garbage Into Fertilizer? 103

5.6 Are Pheromones an Effective Alternative to Pesticides? 106

Further Reading and Internet Addresses 109

Index 110

Editorial Reviews

These three series offer a wealth of information and differ only in the topics they include. All begin with an introduction that discusses science-fair projects and the scientific method and lists safety tips. The texts consist of five chapters of themed experiments—for example, some of those in Animal Science Project are "Clever Lab and Field Studies" and "Studying Human Behavior." The chapters introduce the concepts and the experiments that follow demonstrate them. Many entries conclude with ideas for science-fair projects; as in the publisher's "Score! Sports Science Projects" series, they are indicated by a trophy symbol.

From the Publisher

Gr 4-8–These three series offer a wealth of information and differ only in the topics they include. All begin with an introduction that discusses science-fair projects and the scientific method and lists safety tips. The texts consist of five chapters of themed experiments–for example, some of those in Animal Science Project are “Clever Lab and Field Studies” and “Studying Human Behavior.” The chapters introduce the concepts and the experiments that follow demonstrate them. Many entries conclude with ideas for science-fair projects; as in the publisher’s “Score! Sports Science Projects” series, they are indicated by a trophy symbol. Each experiment includes a materials list, steps to follow, questions to consider, and diagrams that clarify the directions. When something potentially dangerous is involved, an adult is listed as the first material in the list and a reminder is included in the experiment. Worthwhile purchases.

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