Native American Science Fair Project?

[1320]

I know this thread doesn't belong here and I'll take it down tomorrow, just looking for a quick answer or two.

My 5th grade son would like to conduct this years science fair project with a Native American theme of some sort. I've banged my head for a couple of days but I can't come up with anything for him to run with. Does anyone have a child or know of someone that has tackled such a project? A simple demonstration won't cut it in our neck of the woods, his project has to be honest research which includes a question, trial and variables. Most of the questions that I can think of are above him and his grade level.

One thought that crossed my mind is erosion/depth/age of artifacts but I'm not sure that would fly without carbon dating (out of the question) unless he could "sell" them on typology. Even at his young age, he has a good understanding of something along these lines but I fear that his judges would think the project was more mine than his.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, even if the recommendations suggest steering clear of the subject matter.

 

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[GatorBoy]

I'd go with what they ate and how that changed how and where they lived.

 

[Tnmountains]

You might try showing it in a large chart the levels of occupation

at the bottom early man chasing mammoths show a fluted point

the next level above that guys sitting around a fire making tools.. show a archaic point

Mississippi level growing corn and making pottery and villages... show atlatl and point

late Mississippi towns temple mounds new Gods and the new bow and arrow and a point

Then show a modern city sitting on top of everything

Call the expo the ancient past or Tribes That Slumber or what under your feet,lol. something

I am sure you can come up with a better time line and expound
I am tired and hitting the woods
Cheers

Make sure to post his project

 

[rock]

If you have a pestle you could show how they prepared their food. I know most kids might think that is gross using rocks to grind their food with. And it would probably get some attention. The other would be to show how they started their fires. I would think that would be pretty easy to make. Another interesting thing would be to show the different types of arrowheads from your area. Of course some local crude ones so as they would be able to hold them.

 

[SOHIO]

Since he has to have question, trial, and variables.....I would think something along the lines of migration and cultural dispersal. I would imagine there to be hundreds of questions and variables to factor into project...i cant think of anything trial though right off hand .....

 

[SOHIO]

well my response may not be as good for a science fair project....while migration and cultural dispersion is scientific...maybe something in the lithic technology subject may be better suited. I liked what TN suggested...with timelines....maybe just gear it more to the breakdown and explaination of "lithic technology" leaving the door open to many directions of scientific questions, variables, trails. work off stuff like outcrops...flake patterns, flint types, tools making, sinew hafting, hunting patterns or migrations, geology, zoology of the time..etc hope we put some ideas to work for you. Having 6 kids Ive done the science fair thing too many times and spelling bees, and dc trips, and clothes, and pickups and dropoffs and sleepovers and sports and proms and ahhhhhhhhh...look what you done you stressed me out !

 

[1320]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. All of the ideas presented are excellent. I think my son could go the route of timelines AND lithic technology and blend in the aforementioned suggestions to tie it all together but what would be the question (theory) be? Without some sort of hypothesis, it's a demonstration. What could he attempt to prove or ponder? Dang, this is hard!

He likes shooting his bow & arrow and is leaning towards a project that questions size/shape of points....he could go with areodynamic or penetration questions but again, this could turn out to be more demonstration than hypothesis.

What about arrowhead vs knife? Doesn't everyone think that every point is an arrowhead used in a bow and arrow? lol Project titled "What's The Point?" lol again....

 

[SOHIO]

theories for lithic tech could be, after presenting data, and this could be tied into eating habits migration about anything related because as we know lithic technology or "eating everyday" as the amerinds would have seen it was their whole focus throughout most of their day. So you could create theories as to say how seeking out new materials ie flint came into play with migration and or how a change in weather affected game migration which in turn forced them to create different ways of life like farming and settling which also created different needs for different tools and weapons, or how going to war with another tribe or culture had influence on the types of weapons they made and how they differed from what they used in everyday life hunting food. Of course none of this makes sense after i reread what i just typed but maybe something i said might spark some idea for you about a hypothesis .

 

[1320]

Yes, a spark...thanks SOHIO. That's good stuff.

 

[rock]

You could do all the periods from Paleo to Mississippian as to the start to the finish. He could describe the progress of the Periods. And end up with his bow.