any hot tub/Science Fair experiment ideas??!!

[kervis]

My 6th grade daughter wants to do an optional Science Fair project in order to get even more extra credit that she does not need.  They are required to use the Scientific Method.

As I ordered more Taylor kit refills today, I got to thinking about any potential experiments that we (she) could do using the hot tub and chemicals.

We have searched many websites, but so many projects that are at her elementary/middle school level are so not interesting.

If anyone has an idea to share, that would be great!  Thanks!  

[drewstar]

Magic Voodoo beads, signiuficant water sanitation, or jsut a cash cow for dealers?  

[thearm]

Maybe she could prove/disprove that age old question on full foam versus thermal for overall heat loss. Just find a tub w/o FF and borrow a Thermal imaging camera and get to work. Most volunteer and paid departments have these cameras and if asked nicely might be willing to help out on a project. Most are community oriented and are glad to get some good press. A local dealer in hut tubs might be able to help also if they have both kinds of tubs in the store.

[Brewman]

I know- Put out a challenge to all spa manufacturers and offer to hook up their spas and run a test to see which one is most efficient.  Of course each participant would have to pay you at least $5000, plus they'd have to cover the cost of getting the spas to you and back, and all other related expenses.  
 The winner could be crowned king of the spas.  Think of the advertising leverage the winner would have.  

[Vinny]

You can make your tub into a science project! I do it all the time.

Possibly the effects of bacteria on an untreated spa water and the benefits of chlorine.

Take a soak in the tub and take photos of the water as it ages and eventually gets clouded up. Dump a set amount of chlorine (say 6 PPM) and see how long it takes to clear up, maybe taking chlorine readings every 12 hours, taking photos.

Chlorine is the miracle drug of water purification and has wiped out a lot of diseases since it's use.

[Micah]

I got the perfect one for you.  It goes back to when I was about 15 working at a pool supply house. I was stacking chlorine and acid bottles.  A couple of the bottles still had some left inside.  So I thought I would pour everything into one bottle...
Next thing I know I'm looking up at one of my co-workers as he drags me away from the trailer.  Haz mat team came and evacuated 3 city blocks.  

Ingredients:
1 gal. liquid chlorine
1 gal muratic acid
= 2 gal of nasty mustard gas

P.S. hold your breath!

[Bonibelle]

Kervis,
My husband was a judge today in the Delaware Valley Science Fair.
He purposed the same idea as Vinny did. Have your daughter think up a question and then develop a hypothesis. For sixth grade you would probably have to limit the parameters. Maybe an example would be:
If I soaked in my hot tub for 1/2 hour and did not treat the tub with chlorine (sanitizer) it will become cloudy and unsafe for use in (1) day.
The experiment would be how long it takes the tub to show visible contamination without treatment. Using your Taylor tesk kit, you can measure the amount of chlorine present when the tub is perfectly clear and the amount when it begins to cloud.
Science teachers love when the child continues the experiment to answer the next question that would logically follow...in this case, like Vinny suggested, demonstrate how long it takes to clear up again and how much sanitizer was required.
Be sure to have her write her procedure in past tense. good luck, this sounds like fun!