AboutDan Fink Expertise Though my experience is mostly in the fields of electricity, magnetism, and physics, I have a broad science background. My career is in the field of alternative power sources -- solar, wind, water and battery power. But any questions about electricity, magnetism, energy conservation, power generation, electric motors, and even general physics are very welcome--especially from kids. They ask the best questions of all! I pride myself in answering science questions accurately, with ideas for SAFE, easy experiments that kids can perform by themselves--and that let them prove the answers to their own satisfaction. I think science should be fun, and available to everyone, regardless of age.
Experience I have volunteered in our local public schools for 5 years. I currently make presentations at our schools about electricity and magnetism, with a focus on solar, wind, water and other alternative power sources. I try to demonstrate at our schools how easy it is to make electricity, with simple devices using spinning magnets and coils of wire--powered by wind, water, bicycles, gerbils...etc. And of course solar panels! I am the webmaster of Otherpower.com, an alternative energy website. I have lived 10 miles from the nearest power pole for 11 years--I make all my own electricity from scratch with sun, wind and water.
Expert: Dan Fink Date: 1/20/2008 Subject: dog food project ideas
Question my son wants to do a project about which dog food do dogs prefer ? dont know what dog food to test its so many different brands please help
Answer Hi Janice. This kind of statistical experiment is always tough....to really get a good sample to put together the statistics for your results, you need a lot of dogs and a lot of time.
I consulted MY dog, and she confirmed this. Her favorite dog foods are the most incredibly stinky and nasty ones that I open the cans for. The yuckier, the better, she says.
SO -- for your experiment, try it on as many different dogs as you can, and compile the results. You'll be relying on observation, or maybe timing how long it takes them to find the food and eat it.
And try some VERY different dog foods....my dog says she would not notice much difference, UNLESS it was between (for example) diet dog food for elderly hounds, and stinky puppy chow for the little tykes. The diet, old-dog type chow is much more bland and less smelly than the puppy stuff.
Sorry I can't be of much more help -- you'll need to compile a bunch of statistics by observation. But the difference in my dog's behavior between eating a fresh ham bone and diet 'senior protection formula' dog food is noticable.
