81 Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair Intermediate
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81st Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair Intermediate Division Student Project Abstracts March 25, 2020 Notes to Judges Students prepare Abstracts limited to 100 words that include the following: • Purpose of the experiment • Procedures used • Data • Conclusions • Possible research applications • Minimal reference to previous work • For continuation projects, the abstract should focus on work done since the last PRSEF • Should not include: a) acknowledgments, or b) work or procedures done by the mentor Many students continue their research after the Abstract is submitted, and therefore the Abstract may not fully represent the Project. Abstracts are available to the Judges prior to the Science Fair as an aid in pre- screening the Projects. Judging is to be based on the actual Project as presented by the student. Project Numbers are assigned as XYYABC • X: M – Intermediate Division (7th and 8th grade) • YY: Category Name ▪ BS – Behavioral and Social Science ▪ BI – Biology ▪ CH – Chemistry ▪ CM – Computer Science and Math ▪ CS – Consumer Science ▪ EE – Earth & Environment ▪ ER – Engineering/Robotics ▪ MH – Medicine/Health/Microbiology ▪ PA – Physics & Astronomy • ABC: Project number ▪ 1xx or 2xx – Individual student projects ▪ 3xx – Team projects (2 or 3 students) PRSEF Student Abstracts Page i Table of Contents Table of Contents ...........................................................................................................ii Behavioral and Social Science (MBS) ............................................................................. 1 Biology (MBI) ................................................................................................................. 12 Chemistry (MCH)........................................................................................................... 22 Computer Science / Math (MCM) .................................................................................. 34 Consumer Science (MCS) ............................................................................................. 36 Earth & Environment (MEE) .......................................................................................... 40 Engineering / Robotics (MER) ....................................................................................... 48 Medicine / Health / Microbiology (MMH) ........................................................................ 56 Physics & Astronomy (MPA) ......................................................................................... 63 PRSEF Student Abstracts Page ii Intermediate – Behavioral and Social Science (MBS), 7th & 8th Grade Behavioral and Social Science (MBS) MBS100: The Effect of Personality Type on the Occurrence of Chromesthesia The purpose of this experiment was to determine if introverted or extroverted individuals had a higher incidence of a type of synesthesia called chromesthesia. It was predicted that introverts would show a higher occurance of chromesthesia. To perform this experiment; participants were given a Briggs-Meyer personality test; then tested to see if they associated certain pitches of sound with colors. Final results available at the fair. MBS101: The Effect of Gender on Pixel Shade Determination The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether males or females would be more accurate at identifying shades of pixelated color. The hypothesis was that females with normal color vision would be able to see shades of color better than males with normal color vision. To perform this experiment; participants were recruited to complete a survey of gender; eye color; and age. Next; participants were given a colorblindness test to ensure that only participants with normal color vision were used. Finally; the participants took 2 online color quizzes to see how well they could distinguish pixelated hues. Final results available at fair. MBS102: The Effect of Eye Color on Light Perception The purpose of this experiment was to determine if the color of an individual's iris has an effect on perceived color. It was predicted that individuals with blue or gray colored eyes would be able to identify the greatest range of color shades. To perform this experiment; participants were recruited and eye color was recorded. A colorblindness test was conducted to eliminate any individuals without a full range of color vision. Full color vision participants were then asked to complete 2 color identification tasks on a computer. Accuracy of these tasks were recorded and eye color groups were compared. Final results available at the fair. MBS103: The Effect of Storytelling on Memory Retention The purpose of this project was to determine if information presented in a storytelling format is more easily recalled than information presented descriptively or only visually. It was hypothesized that hearing information in a story would lead to better short term memory recall than presented without storytelling. To test this hypothesis; human participants were shown a picture of an underwater scene under one of three conditions: visual information only; visual information with description of scene read aloud; or visual information with an accompanying story of scene read aloud. After observing the image; it was removed and participants were asked recall questions about the scene. Participants were scored for correctness of recall questions and experimental condition performances were compared. Final results available at the fair. MBS104: Meowster Maze Cats make chirping and chattering noises when they see birds. This happens because birds are cats' natural prey. Cats have not heard all bird calls and might be confused if they hear an unknown bird call or a predatory bird call. However; do cats respond differently to native bird calls or non-native bird calls? Cats would naturally respond do a predatory animal; how would they respond to a predatory bird call? MBS105: Do We Rely on Visual or Auditory Memory? Do we rely on visual or auditory memory? Memory is one of the most significant functions of the brain; for people of all ages. Numerous researches are ongoing to preserve/magnify memory functions. The purpose of my experiment is to see what age group relies on visual or auditory memory the most? To do that; I approached nearly 200 individuals from ages 6 to >65 years and was successful in collecting data from 111 participants who agreed to participate. Informed consent was obtained in individuals younger than 18 years of age. To test short-term visual and auditory memory; I showed them an image and read a story and asked to answer questions based on the image and the story. Data collected based on their accuracy of the correct answers. I analyzed further; and my results supported my hypothesis. By learning more about this; schools can create ways to teach students in ways that are effective. I would like to expand this current project even further by testing school curriculum by auditory learning as well as testing long term memory in ways to help Alzheimer's Disease. MBS106: Does Creative Thinking Decrease with Age? Participants will be asked to view inkblot drawings and write down what the inkblot appears to be. PRSEF Student Abstracts Page 1 Intermediate – Behavioral and Social Science (MBS), 7th & 8th Grade MBS107: What Test is Best? In my experiment; I gave both middle schoolers and adults a math test using an IPad and a piece of paper on basic multiplication and division concepts. I calculated the results and found the average score of both tests for each age group. Then; I used those averages to determine which test-taking platform produces higher test scores: my experiment's purpose. My hypothesis was - If I give middle schoolers and adults a test on both an iPad and a piece of paper the participants who took the test on paper will score a higher average because taking a test on paper may be more familiar to the participants then taking the test on an iPad. I gave each participant both tests and eight minutes to complete each. My results are not yet finalized but they will be available at the fair. MBS108: The Effect of Video Games On the Body My project is The Effect of Video Games on the Body. My hypothesis is that when the person plays the videogame; their heart rate will go higher. I did my experiment by having people play Mario kart and checked their heart rate ever so often. My results supported my hypothesis because in general; the heart rate of the participants went up. MBS109: Anole Nocturnal Hunting In recent science fairs anoles have only eaten live food. They also respond to different vibrations. However; very little information can be found on how well anoles hunt their prey at night. Most predators hunt during the day; but anoles eat crickets which are prevalent during the nighttime. How well would the non-nocturnal anoles hunt if there was not light to see their prey? MBS110: Fire Alarms: Now you hear me; now you don't The main objective of my project is to find out if fire alarms can be harmful to students because of the loud noise they produce. In order to find this out; I used a decibel meter to measure the decibel levels produced by the fire alarms. Using the data I determined that the decibel levels generated by the alarms are too loud and could cause permanent hearing damage. This could mean that thousands of American kids a day and roughly 56.6 million students a year nationwide are exposed to potentially harmful sound waves. Given the risk that fire alarms used in schools could be damaging children's hearing; they