STYROFOAM-WHITE POLLUTION

Project Information Page

GRADE GROUPING: GR 8

TEAM SIZE: 1       

SUBJECT AREA: ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT TYPE: EXPERIMENTAL

PROJECT LEVEL: STANDARD

PROJECT FORMAT: TRADITIONAL

SUMMARY OF PROJECT: MULTIPLE EXPERIMENTS TO INVESTIGATE THE COMPRESSION, REUSE AND RECYCLING OF STYROFOAM: AIR WAS REMOVED FROM STYROFOAM. PLASTIC MOLD OF DE-AIRED STYROFOAM WAS MADE. d-LIMONENE WAS EXTRACTED FROM ORANGE PEELS. DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF STYROFOAM WERE USED TO CREATE PLANT GROWTH MEDIUMS. CONCRETE BRICKS WERE MADE USING DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF STYROFOAM. BRICKS WERE TESTED FOR STRENGTH BY HYDRAULIC PRESS.

SOFTWARE TOOL: MICROSOFT FRONT PAGE 2002

                               KODAK EASY SHARE SOFTWARE

HARDWARE TOOLS: AZURA PENTIUM 3 DESKTOP

                                 KODAK EASY SHARE CAMERA

SOURCE OF IDEA: I LIVE ON THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS WHERE STYROFOAM IS NOT RECYCLED BECAUSE IT TAKES UP TOO MUCH SPACE ON THE TRANSPORT TRUCK AND SO IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO SEND IT OFF FOR RECYCLING. I THOUGHT THAT IF I COULD REDUCE THE VOLUME OF STYROFOAM IT COULD BE SENT OFF ISLAND TO BE RECYCLED.

SPECIAL SKILLS: SUPERVISED USE OF A HYDRAULIC RAM

LIST OF AWARDS: SIERRA CLUB ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

                              SILVER MEDAL AT NORTH COAST REGIONAL 2004           

                              SCIENCE FAIR

LINK TO VIRTUAL SCIENCE FAIR: http://www.virtualsciencefair.com