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The materials required for this science fair project:
- 10 mice, each less than a month old
- 14 apples
- 1 large packet of jelly beans
- 2 mice cages
- 2 feeding trays
- Old newspaper
- 1 digital weighing scale


1. For this science fair project, the independent variable is whether the mice are fed with apples or jelly beans. The dependent variable is the amount of weight gain by the mice in 2 weeks. This is determined by measuring the weight of the mice before and after 2 weeks. The constants (control variables) are the number of mice used, the age of the mice and the period of observation.

2. 10 mice (which are less than a month old) are selected for this science fair project.

3. The mice are separated into 2 groups of 5 mice in each group. They are placed in separate cages labeled “apple” and “jelly”. The initial weight of the mice is checked using the digital scale and recorded in the table given below.

4. The mice in the cage labeled “apple” are fed with an apples everyday for the next 14 days. The apple contains about 50% sugar.

5. The mice in the cage labeled “jelly” are fed with jelly beans everyday for the next 14 days. The jelly beans contain 70% sugar. Weigh the apples and jelly beans and ensure that the mice in the two cages are given the same amount of food (in terms of weight) every day.

6. After  14 days,  the weight of the mice is checked once more using the digital weighing scale and the results  recorded.

7. The weight gain of the mice is calculated by deducting the initial weight of each mouse from  its final weight and the results recorded in the table.

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Complexity level:
Project cost ($):
Time required:
1 hour to prepare, 14 days for the science project experiment
Material availability:
Mice may be purchased at a pet store.
Safety concerns:

Wear protective gloves when handling the mice to prevent being bitten. Adult assistance is required.