The research plan is required and must accompany Checklist For Student (Form 1A)
RESEARCH PLAN
A. Question or Problem:
There have been no convincing studies demonstrating the effect of
electromagnetic fields on living organisms. There are conflicting claims
regarding the effects of electromagnets on humans and other mammals. Some
of these claims suggest that magnets are hazardous to human health while other
studies say it is beneficial and may have long term health benefits. Since
magnets and electromagnets are so common in our day to day life, it is important
to understand their true impact on our well being. If it is harmful, scientists need
to reconsider where and how they build structures and devices (such as power
lines, generators, cell phones, etc) that produce strong electromagnetic fields. If
it is beneficial, we could use it in ways to improve our health.
B. Hypothesis/Engineering Goals
My hypothesis is that the cricket cage with the highest concentration of
electromagnetic fields will produce heavier and larger crickets.
C. Methods and procedures:
Materials:
150 crickets
Scale balance
3 electromagnets
3 egg cartons
copper wire (30cm)
6 volt AC adaptor
Water gel ( 100 ml)
3 large mouth jars
Procedure:
1. Build or create three separate habitats for crickets using
identical aquarium tanks. Make the habitat by inserting equal
smounts of egg cartons for shelter, cricket water gel in a jar
lid, and food. The top must be vented to allow air to circulate.
label the habitats Control, Mag One, and Mag Two.
2. Construct three electromagnets by wrapping copper wire around
a solid metal conducting core. Connect each end of the copper
wire to a power source (six volt AC adapter). Hang the magnets
in the habitats as described below.
3. The first habitat will serve as the control and will not contain any
magnets. The 2nd habitat (Mag One) will contain one electromagnet, and
the 3rd (Mag Two) will contain two electro-magnets.
4. Using a scale with a covered container---plastic large mouthed jars
work well---weigh 50 small crickets and introduce them into one of
The research plan is required and must accompany Checklist For Student (Form 1A)
the habitats. The weighing container must be “tared” prior to
introducing the crickets so that an accurate cricket weight can be
calculated. Repeat two times for each of the remaining habitats,
so that each aquarium contains fifty crickets.
5. Take weekly weight measurements for a period of five weeks.
count and weigh all the crickets in each habitat, and determine the
average weight per cricket. Also count the number of crickets that
may die as well as the number of moltings that each cage contains.
6. Record and plot the weight measurements, moltings, and death
quantities for each of the three habitats on a weekly basis.

Risk and Safety:

Data Analysis:
The data collected will include the weight of each cricket, the calculated
increase, the number of moltings, and the number of deaths in each
group. Microsoft Excel will be used t analyze the data and to make tables
and graphs. Each of the data points will be compared within each group
(Control, Mag One, and Mag Two)
to see if there is any difference.)
D. Bibliography:
Parker S. (2001). Electricity and Magnetism. Austin: StechVaugh Company.
Kale, PG, Baum, JW (1980). Genetic effect of strong magnetic
fields in Drosophilia melanogaster, II. Environmental
Mutagenesis, pp. 179-186.
Mirabolghasemi, G, Asarnia M. (2002, August 28) Developmental
changes in Drosophila melangastor following exposure to
alternating electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics,
pp. 416-420
Ross ME. (1996). Cricketology (Backyard Buddies). Minneapolis:
Corolrhoda Books.
Moulder J. (2005, April 3) Static Electric and Magnetic Fields and
Human Health. [Online]. http.//www.mcw.edu/gcrc/cop/
static-fields-cancer-FAQ/toc.html#50 (2006, September 27).
The research plan is required and must accompany Checklist For Student (Form 1A)
The items below are additional in your research plan if
applicable---Human Participants
(address all bullets below)
 Participants
 Recruitment
 Methods
 Risk Assessment
Risks:
Benefits:
 Protection of Privacy
 Informed Consent Process
Vertebrate Animal Research:
Address all bullets on Research plan instructions
Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents:
Address all bullets on Research plan instructions
Hazardous Chemicals, Activities, and Devices
Address all bullets on Research plan instructions