Honors Earth Science Symposium Project
Each project group will select three (3) research questions, ranked in order of preference from 1 (first choice) to 3 (last choice). There is no guarantee that you will
get your first choice, be we will make an effort to accommodate as many groups’ preferences as possible. If you would like to research a question that is not on this
list you must contact your teacher for approval.
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1
Research Question
Does particle size determine porosity? Are coarse-grained soils (sand) able
to hold more water than fine-grained soils (silt or clay)?
Suggested materials list
Samples of silt, clay and sand, oven-safe pans for drying soil, balance or scale
2
Which textures of earth materials (soils) will have a steeper angle of repose
when poured into a pile, coarse- or fine- grained materials?
Sample of silt and sand, a screen filter (to separate clumps), oven-safe pans for drying soil,
protractor
3
Why does limestone chemically and mechanically weather faster than
granite, sandstone, and shale?
Samples of granite, sandstone, shale, and limestone, plastic jars, small quantity of sand (for
abrasive), stopwatch, triple-beam balance
4
Do earthquakes occur randomly on Earth’s surface?
Mapping program, data on earthquake activity across the globe
5
Does particle size determine permeability? Do coarser particles (sand) have
a higher permeability than finer particles (silts, clays)
6
Does the rate of evaporation affect the size of growing crystals?
Clear plastic tubes (poster mailing tubes would work if they are plastic), a sealable valve for the
end of the tube, filter fabric screen (available at home improvement stores), samples of sand and
silt
Salt, sugar or Epsom salt; several glass jars; heat lamp or clamp-lamp with light bulb
7
Does the Earth –Sun distance affect mean temperature on Earth?
Weather data website, latitude and longitude measurements for numerous locations on Earth
8
How would global temperatures respond to an increase in the angle of the
tilt of Earth’s axis?
Globe (or other round object), several thermometers, heat lamp, electric motor and a way to
make the globe spin at a uniform and controlled rate.
9
What characteristics of the shoreline would cause the force of impact and
wave height of a tsunami?
Aquarium, sand, metric rulers, wood to build wave-maker within tank
10
What characteristics of a meteorite and its impact will have a greater effect
on the diameter of the impact crater?
Pie pans, cornstarch or cake mix, “Meteors” of different diameters, metric rulers
11
How does topography influence the rate and amount of erosion?
12
How does infiltration through topsoil affect groundwater acidity? Is there a
difference in acidity when water infiltrates inorganic material?
San, water, large tub or stream-table to crate simulated “stream” (do not wash sand or other soils
down you bathtub drain!), oven-safe pans to dry out soil, triple-beam balance, water
tubes/hoses, large bucket, filters, (coffee filter or filter fabric), metric rulers, protractor
Samples of topsoil (organic) and inorganic soils, filter fabric, large-diameter PVC pipe(s), pH
test strips or an electronic pH meter
13
How does acidity of a solution affect the rate of weathering of limestone?
14
Has there been an increase in the number of annual category 3+ hurricanes
over the last 15 years, as opposed to the previous 15 years?
15
Has the amount of snowstorms (or other storms) in Loudoun County
decreased or increased due to population (urbanization) increase?
NOAA weather data center, Virginia weather data center
15.
Is there a relationship between seismic activity and the water depth of
Yellowstone lake?
USGS data center
Rock samples (several similar rocks), plastic jars, small quantity of san (for abrasive),
stopwatch, triple-beam balance
Hurricane data center