Science Fair Center FAQ

Other water related information can be found on
sciencefairwater.com for water Basics 101

Water Projects and Water AnswerPack Kits Frequently Asked Questions

Science teacher recommended your website as a place to get information for a water-related science fair idea/kit.
Hi,My daughter is in the 7th grade and her science teacher recommended your
website as a place to get information for a water-related science fair
idea/kit. My daughter wants to test our own well water against a popular
bottled water and possibly also against the school water sample to see which
is the most healthful.

However, she isn’t sure how to pose that as a scientific question for her
fair. Also, which kit makes the most sense if she wants to test 2 or 3
samples. How does her idea incorporate an independent variable or state a
hypothesis?

Can you please help suggest a kit which would provide the testing materials
she needs, as well as help point her in the direction of what types of
questions make the most sense to be answered for a science fair? Since her
whole class won’t be doing the test, it will just be for her own samples –
and those are the three drinking samples she came up with.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated; once I hear from you about which kit makes
sense, I’ll order immediately. I’d help her more, but science is not my
strong suit.

Thanks so much,

Hello,

I have a lot of helpful information on the website. www.sciencefaircenter.com
Scroll down the main page and you will find
the center column is an outline for a science fair and the right hand
column are some helpful pointers for non science parents.

We have several kits that could apply to your daughters idea, but it
might be much better to chat about these over the phone so you can
choose one that also meets the teachers requirements.

Give me a call and we can chat 206-440-3008, please leave your number
so I can call you back…

Gordon

 

Drinking water questions
QUESTION?
I’m hoping you could answer a couple of questions.
What would be a good range for alkalinity, dissolved metals and
hardness in city drinking water? Is there a level that these would be
best for drinking water? What pH is the best for drinking water?
Thank you so much for your help. We tested 11 different waters and got
some great data with your test kits!ANSWER…
Hello,

Sounds like your deep into the project and making good progress. It would be much easier for you to give me a call so we can chat about your questions. I’ll be around the phone later this afternoon and most of the day tomorrow.

Give ma a call or drop another email to me,

 

Drinking water questions
QUESTION?
Thank you for your fast delivery of the drinking water full panel and
bacteria test kit. I’m hoping you could answer a couple of questions.
What would be a good range for alkalinity, dissolved metals and
hardness in city drinking water? Is there a level that these would be
best for drinking water? What pH is the best for drinking water?
Thank you so much for your help. We tested 11 different waters and got
some great data with your test kits!ANSWER…
Hello,

Sounds like your deep into the project and making good progress. It would be much easier for you to give me a call so we can chat about your questions. I’ll be around the phone later this afternoon and most of the day tomorrow.

Give ma a call or drop another email to me,

We ship out the test kits by US Mail usually within 1 day —- Priority Mail (2-4days) or Express Mail (1-2days).

 

Science fair project measuring the difference in quality of water
QUESTION?
My name is Zak and I am in 5th grade. I would like to do my science fair project measuring the difference in quality of
1-water that you drink from a faucet,
2- purchased bottle water, and
3-filtered water.
What tests are available to do this testing and where would I get these tests? Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.ANSWER
Hello Zak,

Sounds like you given some thought to your sciencefair project. A couple of test kits would fit your project idea. Check these out.

http://sciencefaircenter.com/category.tpl?BizLine=sciencefaircenter.com&Category=Science%
20Fair%20Project%20Water%20Test%20Kits&Vendor=&Certification
Check these kit in the second column:
524 – Compare Drinking and Bottle Water – Beginner
OR
594 – Evaluate Water Filter Performance

You probably should ask your science teacher about whether you should take duplicate or triplicate samples for your experimental testing.

You should choose a kit based on the number of samples and replicates (i.e. choose 6 sets of tests to do your 3 types of samples in duplicate). Just scroll down list of tests to get the correct number.

 

We are merely his parents who have no clue
QUESTION?
We bought your beginner compare drinking and bottled water kit for my 4th graders science fair project.
We have a couple of questions.Why are we only testing for the parameters – alkalinity, pH, water hardness, free chlorine and total chlorine?
What is the difference between free chlorine and total chlorine?
What is the importance of the parameters tested?

We originally titled his project “Drinking Water: Can you drink it?”. We tested tap water, snow, rain, water fountain, and bottled water.
How do we answer our question? Can we answer it based on the tests we performed using your kit?

Please help! We are merely his parents who have no clue! Thank you!
P.S. His project is due on Friday

ANSWER…
I’m back in my Office. I think it would be best if you called me so we can discuss your questions
and come up with some answers.

Gordon

 

Test the basic water chemistry of 2-3 area lakes vs. our local drinking water
QUESTION?
My son is 11…in the 6th grade. He loves camping and visiting various area lakes. He would like to test the basic water chemistry of 2-3 area lakes vs. our local drinking water. Basically, his project would be to compare and contrast the water chemistry of 2-3 outdoor water sources vs. our local drinking water.I thought the series “538 Out 4-4” environmental and outdoor water test kit might be just right for his experiment. Do you agree? Are there any test kits that might be better? The color/number test strips seem like they might be easier for his age vs. more complicated kits. I would like him to keep it relatively simple and straightforward and thought this kit might be just right…also needs to be affordable.

Does the 538 Out4-4 kit contain just the strips? Does it also contain vials and lids to store small water samples or should these be purchased separately? How soon can these kits be mailed after purchase?

ANSWER
Sounds like your on the right track with your science fair project. The only thing you might think
about is whether the samples need to be done in duplicate or tripilcate. Maybe your science
teacher would be one to check with….

As for the test kits, they come with the chosen number of sets (samples) of tests, sterile water
sample bags, instructions and links back to the sciencefaircenter.com website for reference and
information PDF files for downloading.

 

Science fair project measuring the difference in quality of water

QUESTION?
My name is Zak and I am in 5th grade. I would like to do my science fair project measuring the difference in quality of
1-water that you drink from a faucet,
2- purchased bottle water, and
3-filtered water.
What tests are available to do this testing and where would I get these tests? Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.ANSWER
Hello Zak,

Sounds like you given some thought to your sciencefair project. A couple of test kits would fit your project idea. Check these out.

http://sciencefaircenter.com/category.tpl?BizLine=sciencefaircenter.com&Category=Science%
20Fair%20Project%20Water%20Test%20Kits&Vendor=&Certification
Check these kit in the second column:
524 – Compare Drinking and Bottle Water – Beginner
OR
594 – Evaluate Water Filter Performance

You probably should ask your science teacher about whether you should take duplicate or triplicate samples for your experimental testing.

You should choose a kit based on the number of samples and replicates (i.e. choose 6 sets of tests to do your 3 types of samples in duplicate). Just scroll down list of tests to get the correct number.

 

What is better well water or city water
QUESTION?
My son is wanting to do a science project on what is better well water or city water (public water). He wants to test the water but not for sure what type of water kit and what he should be looking for. Any help would
be very appreciated.ANSWER…
I’d be glad to help. It would be best for us to talk about your project by phone.

Give me a call (206) 440-3008….we are in Seattle and I usually am available from 10 to 2, then a mad rush to get all the kits out til 3, and I’m usually back in the office until about 7 or forever depending on the project.
So just give me a call and hopefully I’m around, if not leave a message and I’ll call back.

 

Bryant Elementary school science fair
QUESTION?
I just spoke with you on the phone about ordering some water test kits for the Bryant Elementary school science fair. Our school is in Seattle, near the University of Washington.Per our conversation yesterday, I have ordered six sets of water test kit #540 (environmental plus bacteria) and four sets of kit #140 (dissolved phosphate). We appreciate your offer of a seventh “practice” set.

Thanks for your help.

ANSWER…
Be sure to go back online to our website for the additional information links and PDF downloadable
files supporting your kits.

We are now setting up links to schools that want to reference our website. If you would like to
include a link to our website, let me know and I’ll send you the link code for your website

 

What is the delivery time
QUESTION?
I have a student interested your water kits, grade level is 7 th grade.If I purchased one of your water kits, what is the delivery time?

ANSWER…
We have several kits that 7th graders use for science fair projects.

We usually mail the kit within the next day or two depending on Post Office. We send by Priority Mail (2-4 days) and Express Mail (1-2days).

 

Water test for third graders science fair.
QUESTION?
Looking for Water test for third graders science fair. Going to get samples from 4 states, some in the country and some in city. Please suggest the best (and cheapest) test for us.ANSWER…
We have a couple of test kits that may work for you:

500 – Drinking Water Basic Tests
514 – City Water Profile
518 – Well Water Profile

You can find these on our website:
http://sciencefaircenter.com/category.tpl?BizLine=sciencefaircenter.com&Category=Science%
20Fair%20Project%20Water%20Test%20Kits

 

Why sould we pay
QUESTION?
hi this is kaila im 11 but i was thinking if u go online and ur looking for a science fair project why sholud we pay for i mean its just to look at and get info right .so why sould we pay?ANSWER…
You do not have to pay to use our website. We have lots of free information, guideline and links for you and your parents to use. Please just reference sciencefaircenter.com in your bibliography.

You only have to pay if you decide to buy one of our test kits to do a sciencefair project.

 

Water kits for my daughters third grade elementary class
QUESTION?
I am interested in your water testing kits for my daughters third grade elementary class. I am doing a science enrichment activity for 22 students. Please forward the information, cost and availability.
Thanks.ANSWER…
I usually make up the treatment kits to match the class project. Can you give me a description of what you have planned for the studens? Or if you prefer give me a call at 206-440-3008 so we can come up with some alternatives for you to consider.

 

Science project to test the minerals in water
QUESTION?
I am doing a science project to test the minerals in water. I am going to test water from a sink, a filter, a well, and rain water. What kit do you think I should have for this project? Any other suggestions you have would be
appreciated.
Thanks. TylerANSWER…
Check out these kits on these website links:

City Water Profile
http://sciencefaircenter.com/product_line.tpl?command=ShowPage&BizLine=sciencefaircenter.com&Category=Science%20Fair%20Project%20Water%20Test%20Kits&ProductLine=City%20Water%20Profile

I would also add the Total Dissolved Solids test at this link
http://sciencefaircenter.com/product_line.tpl?command=ShowPage&BizLine=sciencefaircenter.com&Category=Science%20Fair%20Project%20Water%0Test%20Kits&ProductLine=Total%20Dissolved%20Solids

Be sure to check with your science teacher about running duplicate or triplicate tests.

 

Water standards for testing
QUESTION?
We purchased a test kit for my daughter, we are having a hard time finding the water standards for testing pH, alkalinity, water hardness, free chlorine and total chlorine.I see you have standards on your site for some items but these are not included and with kit it does not say or include the safe range of all of these in the water and we need to find out if not in safe range and what could be the side affects.

ANSWER…
Many of the references on water standards are national levels from EPA. However, water represents the local and regional geology and climate plus any effects from human habitation. For this reason, you need to relate your study to local water quality results when applicable. I suggest you contact your local water supply district to obtain copies of the water quality data. You might also look to your state agency in charge of drinking water for more information.

 

How do the Bacteria strips work
QUESTION?
Do you have any information about what bacteria the bacterial growth indicator test strips test for and how the strips work? I am doing a science fair project and I would like the information to put in my project. Using your strips, I am testing different types of water for bacteria.ANSWER…
The media technique is a colormetric test using Brain / Heart Infusion media for the detection of
fastidious micro-organisms on a test strip incubated for 48 hours at room temperature.

 

Daughter is ten years old and in the fourth grade
QUESTION?
I could really use your help. My step-daughter is ten years old and in the fourth grade. They have a science fair project to do . The topic chosen for her grade is Consumer Study. She wanted to compare Ovaltine vs. Nesquick chocolate powder, unfortunately I cannot find much information for her. Her first step is Purpose: what she wants to find out about this topic? Step 2 is the Research…. Step 3 Hypothesis… Step 4 Experiment….. Step 5 Analysis… Step 6 Conclusion… I know one student is comparing different brands of stain stick. I need any suggestions you could give me on another topic.Looking forward to hearing from you.

ANSWER…
Hello,
A perfect project for fourth graders is to compare bottled water you buy with the tap water at
home, the school , the mall etc. You can find them on our website
www.sciencefaircenter.com then click on the “Science Fair Project Water Test Kits”.

Compare Drinking and Bottle WatersCeck out test kit #524 – Compare Drinking and Bottle Water – Beginner and
¬†#526 – Compare Drinking and Bottle Water – Advanced

There are a couple of other similar kits on this list if you are thinking of another comparison.

I hope this helps, if you have more questions, drop another email to me,

Gordon