Awards Earned:
 2nd Place, Physical Science, PCA Science Fair
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Problem to be Solved:
What method of repair works best for sinkholes?
Hypothesis:
I think that the method of repair for sinkholes with rocks will work best because the rocks will fill in the majority of the hole and the plaster of paris will fill in the cracks between the rocks.
Procedure:
1st Fishbowl (soil, rocks and plaster):
1. I will cut a hole in the bottom of the fishbowl
2. Then place fishbowl in a cardboard box lid
3. I will pack 1.375 liters of soil into the fishbowls
4. Then, poke a hole, with my finger, from the top in the soil
5. I, then, gently add rocks over the top of the hole
6. Make the plaster of paris
7. Pour it over the rocks
8. Let shape and dry
9. Measure 1.4 liters of water
10. Place the fishbowl over a bowl to catch the water
11. Time how long it takes for another sinkhole to open or something to fall
12. Record it in my logbook
The 2nd fishbowl (soil and plaster):
1. Repeat steps 1-4
2. Repeat step 6
3. Pour over the hole
4. Let shape and dry
5. Repeat steps 9-12
The 3rd fishbowl (soil alone):
1. Repeat steps 1-4 for the first fishbowl
2. Repeat steps 9-12 from the first fishbowl
Materials:
· 3 fishbowls
· soil
· rocks
· plaster of paris
· bowl
· cardboard box lid
· water
· stopwatch
Control Group: Fishbowl with sinkhole
Variables: Fishbowls with repair methods
Results:
Results when 0.5 liters of water was added every 3 minutes:
| Soil alone |
Hole enlarged |
| Soil and Plaster of Paris |
Plaster of Paris moved down |
| Soil, Rocks and Plaster of Paris |
Nothing happened |
Conclusion:
My hypothesis was correct because the rocks do fill the majority of the hole and the plaster of paris filled in the cracks between the rocks.
Further experimentation would be to pour water into each bowl and time how long it would take to have a disaster occur.
Unanswered question- would the type of repair hold up on an actual sinkhole if rain were to occur for several days?
Biblical Application:
In my project, I studied sinkholes and that sinkholes are most likely to occur in limestone regions. This type of land does not make a good foundation on which to build.
Matthew 7:24, says, "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rocks." This verse means that whoever hears God and acts upon what He says has a firm foundation for life. The wise man builds his house on the firm ground because he knows that the firm ground will hold the house when it rains. For those who have built a firm foundation, God can fulfill His plan in their lives .
Matthew 7:26 says, "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand." This verse means that many people hear God's words and do not go out and do them. This makes a foolish man and God can not trust them to carry out His work. This verse says that the foolish man will build his house on the sand and when hardships come they will turn away from God and just collapse. In the Bible God helps us and tells us that we need to be prepared for the hardships that will come in our lives. God tells us where to build our foundations.
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