APICS Best Communicated Project

Sponsored by the Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences

Awarded to the project that best demonstrates excellence in communicating science to the public. $50.00

Project Information:

Project: Is your hair as strong as it should be?

Division: LS (Life Science)

Category: I (Intermediate)

Purpose

To find out if the pH levels in shampoos affect the tensile strength of hair. We predict that it will have an effect and that the shampoos with the high basic levels will be the worst and the ones with a more neutral pH will have the best results. We also predict that the shampoo Pantene Pro V will be the best.

Outline We took 4 different kinds of shampoos and one kind of dye, and we washed 17 hair samples to find out if there was a difference between using shampoo, conditioners, and dyes. We next went to the lab, using a pH sensor we tested pH levels in the shampoos, conditioners, and the dye. Once that was completed, we tested the strength of the hair of the hair using weights, measuring in grams, and the ring stands.

Results In conclusion, we found out that the shampoo Pantene Pro V was the best to use and it was best when used in the combination of shampoo, conditioner, with no dye. The hair washed in Pantene Pro V was the strongest and it had a pH level close to neutral, but it was slightly basic. We found out that the worst one to use was herbal essences. It had a very basic pH level and the hair was very weak. Dye, we found out was not good for your hair because it was very acidic.

Language: E

Student(s): Sheri O'Keefe and Melanie Plowman, Roncalli Central High