Science Fair

Like many other years in Lacey Township High School, the underclassmen were required to complete a Science Fair project for the 2017-2018 school year. Unlike last years, where I simply completed a project just to complete it, I decided to give my all into this project. I was finally in a class where I was very interested in the subject material and plan on pursuing research into the field in the future: Physics. I based my entire project around my career interest at the time: an Aerospace Engineer. There is a very specific process to go through when compelteing science fair and your speed is usually dictated by your class time to get started. First, the class must make it down to the library to begin researching a topic to focus on, then every student must write their research paper with their notes, then all must design a project to complete, and then create a presentation with an experiment to show off at the Science Fair competition within your own class. Throughtout the process, you also must keep a journal of your progress. My science fair project made it further than any other project I've ever done.

Science Fair Journal is available here: Science Fair 2018 Journal

RESEARCH PAPER

My class first made it to the library on December 5, 2017. We were each provided with an APA notes table and many datatbases to access reearch papers and magazine articles written on our chosen topic. Through an hour of researching, I came across the topic of the mechanics of the Mars rover, Curiosity and how each engineering decision was made.

My paper focuses on the conditions of Mars, how we on Earth simulate these conditions on our constructions, and some of the mechanics within Curiosity. My main question was, "How does NASA build its rovers to survive the conditions of Mars and how do those machines differ from that of Earth?" I focused on how each choice had a specific reasoning behind them. The only choice that didn't have a good enough explanation was the choice to use solid aluminum wheels rather than rubber wheels. I wanted to base my project into exploring this choice and one prospective aspect of this choice.

APA Notes Table is available here: APA Notes Table (Science Fair 2018)

Research Paper is available here: Research Paper (Science Fair 2018)

PLANNING THE EXPERIMENT

My project ended up including three parts: building the R/C, find the coefficient of friction, and using theoretical calculations to determine which material is more efficient on Mars. I planned to modify an R/C to accomodate for aluminum wheels as well as rubber wheels, making the two wheel materials easily interchangable. This R/C would then be run across a certain distance and timed to find all sorts of kinematic values. These kinematic values and the known coefficient of friction between rubber and asphalt would lead to the discovery of the coefficient of friction between alminum and asphalt. This value can help with some theoretical calculations in finding the friction output of aluminum wheels on Mars. Comparing the values of friction output can determine which material is more efficient on the other planet.

My research that brought me to this plan is available here: Experiment Planning (Science Fair 2018)

EXPERIMENT AND PRESENTATION

After completing the project, I compiled all of the information I researched, tested, and collected into a powerpoint presentation as well as the required tri-fold board. This included all three parts and how each part was completed. This information can also be read in the journal I kept while completing this project.

Science Fair Journal is available here: Science Fair 2018 Journal

All of the parts of the tri-fold board can be found in the following links:

After presenting this project in my classroom, I was among a few that were chosen to move onto the next round. I presented to local science professionals and prestigeous science teachers within our school at the library in our school. I competing the Experiment B category with other Juniors and Seniors that accomplished similar experiments. I received the first place awad for this category and was among the seven to move onto the state competiton in the Jersey Shore Science Fair at Stockton University. I competed in the physics category, presenting my project and its implications to two physics professors there. I received fourth place in my category, going up against Seniors from MATES, a specific school for science, and High Tech High, an engineering school of advanced minds.

All of the information about the Jersey Shore Science Fair at Stockton can be found at the following link: JSSF Stockton

Science Fair 2018

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