Project
Ideas
This page presents ideas for students to use electronics to
make interesting science and engineering projects. The
ideas are organized by science subject: biology, chemistry,
general science, physics.
Ask me for help on these projects. I already have many of
the parts and I know how to get what we need.
Engineering / Accoustics
Make an acoustic levitator. Here is an example built by Tokyo University
researchers. Another link.
Physics / optical illusions
Make a powerful strobe light to "freeze" high speed events.
Photograph the impact of objects, such as drops of water
onto a liquid, the motion of fly's wings, the bursting of a
balloon. This works even better on events that repeat, such
as a spinning wheel, the pistons of an engine, a stream of
water drops. For repetitive events you can make the action
appear in slow-motion, or appear frozen or seem to run
backwards. Here is an example.
Biology / psychology
Make a "lie detector" (skin conductivity tester) and test
peoples' ability to hide the truth. Test their reaction to
various stimuli. For example, how long does it take for
someone to recognize a picture (1 second? A fraction of a
second?)
Biology/anatomy
Make a reflex timer. How fast can someone respond to catch
a ball? Are athletes faster than "normal" people?
General Science/Astronomy
Using electronics, make a sensor to measure the brightness
of a star. This interesting because certain stars are
variable. They become brighter and dimmer over time. To
work properly, this sensor would be used on a telescope. We
have a telescope available for serious students' use. Extra
challenge: A few stars dim slightly when a
extra-terrestrial planet passes in front of them - showing
that would be a really impressive achievement.
General Science/Seismology
Using electronics, make a seismometer, a device to measure
the earthquakes that happen around the world and right here
in California. Perhaps you can predict when the next
earthquake will hit us? You could show that your
seismometer agrees with the government's network, but then
you could use your device to home in on earthquake activity
under Pico Rivera.
Physics/archeology
Make an advanced ground penetrating metal detector. Use it
to map forgotten underground cables, gas lines. Map
historic sites such as Pio Pico.
Physics/robotics/astronomy
Make a telescope star tracker. Automatically keep telescope
on-target to perform astronomical observations. This
project would involve servo motors, but we can get these
without too much trouble.
Physics and Chemistry
Make an atmospheric aerosol sensor. Using photo sensors,
monitor the pollution level in our region. Compare with EPA
readings. Your measurements are likely to be more timely
and accurate for Pico Rivera than the governments.
Physics and Chemistry
Make an spectroscopic analyzer, a device that identifies
the elements in a chemical sample using the atoms energy
levels. This is where chemistry, physics and electrical
engineering can work together. Use it to analyze samples
from our environment.
Chemistry / thermodynamics
Make a "bomb," a device for measuring the total energy
released in a chemical reaction. It would hold all of the
reactants (so it has to be sealed) and it measures the
precise change in temperature caused by the reaction.
Compare your results with the textbooks. (Often, the
results have surprising differences. Who is right? You or
the book?)
Astrophysics
Build a simple radio telescope. Observe Jupiter, the
"brightest" astronomical object in the radio spectrum.
Astrophysics
Build a cosmic ray detector. Observe high energy particle
from supernovas. Search for sources of high energy protons.
