Kilauea
Did you know that our Club awards a $100 gift certificate for Barnes and Noble for outstanding projects related to earth sciences at the Northwest Regional Science Fair. Well we do, and the recipients receive their awards and display their projects at a general club meeting.
We invite Club members to volunteer to serve as judges on behalf of the Club. Being a judge is fun, educational, and rewarding! You will be working with veteran judges from the Club that know the ropes, talking with kids that restore your faith in America's youth, and receive free snacks and refreshments to boot.
So, do your self a favor and contact Hank Miller at a Club meeting or by phone at 255-7218, or e-mail rgmhgm2@qwest.net and help the AGMC encourage local students to continue their interest in geology. See you at the Science Fair.
For More Information see Northwestern New Mexico Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
A great Student's Guide to Science and Engineering Fair Projects has been put out by the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM). The information can be printed and copied for students or classroom use. PNM holds the copyright on this booklet. Copies may not be sold.
“Are Meteorites and Rocks Really Different?”
Angie ("Angel") C. Rynne, 8th grade, Our Lady’s Assumption
“Erosion Factors”
Ian J. Moore, 7th grade Jefferson Middle School
Annual NWNM Regional Science & Engineering Fair
March 2009 Winners of Club Certificate
Sarah J. Burford
Aragonite Crystals: How do They Grow?
Queen of Heaven School, Grade 7
Purpose:
My purpose is to discover what Aragonite crystals are, where are they found and what is the best method to grow them at home.
Hypothesis:
I can grow Aragonite crystals better with white vinegar than flavored vinegar or water.
Results:
My results were surprising. My research told me that vinegar would grow crystals better than water. However, I was sure that both the apple cider and white vinegars would grow crystals. However, this did not happen. Only the white vinegar grew crystals.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, my hypothesis was correct. I did grow better crystals in white vinegar. However, I learned that all vinegars do not grow crystals. There is something in the apple cider vinegar which did not allow crystals to grow at all.
If I would do this experiment again, I would find out why apple cider vinegar did not grow crystals. Or, I could use other types of vinegar to see if they grew crystals, too.
Andrew L. Sword
Rusting Metal
McKinley Middle School, Grade 6
Abstract:
A chemical reaction can accelerate the rusting process of steel. Which chemical will accelerate the rusting of steel wool the most? My hypothesis is that vinegar will accelerate the rusting of steel wool faster than bleach or normal water. Steel wool pads were placed in 12 jars all filled with tap water. 3 jars had a solution of bleach and water, 3 jars had a solution of vinegar and water, 3 jars had a solution of bleach, vinegar and water, and 3 jars had water only. The jars with bleach had consistent visible change on the steel wool pads. The bleach and vinegar solution had the quickest visible rusting process and had the most change. The jars with vinegar did not have visible change. With the water, there was a slight change after one hour and did not change after that point. My hypothesis was incorrect. My data clearly shows that vinegar was not the best chemical to rust steel wool. Rust forms when iron is combined with oxygen and water. The vinegar strips the protective coating off the steel wool and the oxygen in the bleach combines with iron in the steel. The jars with vinegar only did not have enough oxygen in the solution to cause rusting of the wool. The jars with bleach only did cause rusting, but the jars with vinegar and bleach had the most rusting because the vinegar stripped the protective coating off the steel wool.