Need help with a science fair project

K&P414 · January 2012

Emma has decided that she wants to do a science fair project (individual projects are optional, they are already doing a class project). My only problem is that she had this **brilliant** idea while she was taking a bath the other night when it occurred to her that shampoo burns if it gets in your eyes but conditioner does not. I have scoured the internet trying to turn that into a topic that meets the guidelines but so far have come up with nada. This is the requirement for the topic:

Your problem or purpose has to be a testable question that leads to an experiment, not to a report or demonstration.

Any ideas or suggestions how I can help turn her idea into a 3rd grade science fair project? One of my biggest question marks is how she would test any of the theories, I mean, it isn't like she's going to purposefully put soap in her eyes to see if burns or not.

Thanks ladies, and please don't fail me now

myrall · February 2012

You may be SOL on that one. Because the only experiment I could think of would be putting it in her eyes or her sister's.

I wonder if you could do something like testing skin reactions from regular shampoo and tear-free shampoo? Or maybe examining the different ingredients in different shampoos to figure out what might make one shampoo burn and the other not?

I'm pretty sure the reason conditioners don't burn is because they're missing some sort of cleansing agent. Anyhoo, good luck!!

kep · February 2012

What about testing different shampoos by putting various things in them to see what kind of reaction results? Or trying different shampoos on stains (on clothing or carpet)? Sorry, those don't really go along with the pain factor and her idea.

yellowtulips80 · February 2012

The only thing I can think of is to test the Ph of the shampoos. You can get litmus paper and dip the strips into the shampoo. She would have to do a write up about Ph and what it indicates. Then discuss why ph level creates a burning feeling.

K&P414 · February 2012

yellowtulips80:
The only thing I can think of is to test the Ph of the shampoos. You can get litmus paper and dip the strips into the shampoo. She would have to do a write up about Ph and what it indicates. Then discuss why ph level creates a burning feeling.

Great idea! I think you are on to something!!! Thanks!!!

HappyIAm · February 2012

Sorry I can't help ya on this one. We are currently wracking our brains on SS science fair project. Nothing like a little 4th grade homework to make you feel like a total idiot! I am presently well versed in the Revolutionary War though.

BottomStar · February 2012

Another thing I'm not looking forward to with school-aged kids, I loathe science fair! Perhaps you could do something about whether or not tear-free shampoo cleans hair as well as regular shampoo? Although the only way i can think to test that theory would be to have subjects test various products and give personal opinion.

K&P414 · February 2012

Have I mentioned that my husband is a freaking environmental biologist and there are 50 bajillion resources on hand to do something in that subject?!? But no, I'm dealing with a 9 year old teenager who would rather drink pond water than run an experiment on it.

Need help with a science fair project

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