Science Project!

So for my 8th grade science project I decided I actually wanted to TRY this year and get into the science fair They award up to $22,000 in scholarships... so yeah I knew that most kids would be doing something like "what melts ice the fastest?" and such, and I knew I could do better than that. I also knew that with my 1+ year researching on corals and saltwater, as well as having my own 20 gallon nano, I feel I am pretty well educated on the topic. I decided I wanted to do something within my element, and I immediately thought of corals, since we can't do any vertebrates.

So I have narrowed it down a fewish ideas. Tell me what you think? Thanks Note how I might throw in the scientific names/ words to make it sound better...hehe...

1.) If the color morph of an actinodiscus species changes, then will the regeneration growth after fragmentation of the coral increase, decrease, or stay the same?

Independent Variables (Thing you change to effect the outcome) In this case, color morphs.
1.) Red
2.) Green
3.) Blue.

Dependent Variable (Desired effect, depends on the independents for the outcome)
>Growth rate after fragging.

Constants (Things that stay the same ALWAYS)
1.) Water parameters (They'll be sharing a 20G tank, any who.)
2.) Lighting (24" 48W T5 fixture)
3.) Temperature

I figured I frag cut all the color morphs in half and gradually measure the size of growth, I realize this can be tricky if the mushrooms shrivel up and such. The first one to completely heal would be the winner.

The only problem I see with this project is that I have no idea what the control would be. A control is something that is treated the same as all the rest of the samples except that it is not exposed to manipulated variables. For example, in a project where you want to see whether sand or salt melts ice faster, the control would be Nothing.
So I have no idea what my control would be ):
As an add on to the project, I thought about doing the same thing, except different types of mushrooms... I.E Ricordea, Rhodactis, and Actinodiscus. AGAIN, I have no idea what the control would be. Sad face.

Another project has to do with xenia.
-If the nitrate levels in an aquarium rise, then will the growth of pulsing xenia increase, decrease, or stay the same?
I won't go as much in depth as I did the last one, but I would basically count polyp buds and such. I think I like the first one more still.

Suggestions and input is encouraged, as I am in a bit of a predicament here Thanks in advance.

 

Wouldn't your control be an uncut mushroom of each color and measure growth? Also be careful with your wording with color morph change sounds like when you cut it the coral is changing color. Sounds like a very cool idea, nice way to turn your hw into a hobby. Best of luck, i hope some more intelligent people can chime in with better ideas.

 

You could also spot feed one and not the control to see if it makes it grow quicker/healthier .

 

Wow thanks guys, a lot! I do realize my wording is a little off, as I didn't really proofread it, so thanks for that! Now I'll be sure to double check my actual presentation! And Yeah the growth of an uncut one.. how did I not think of that! Thanks

That's also a really good idea as well... which food grows shrooms quicker, frozen brine, mysis, and maybe cyclopeeze. Then of course, no food is the control! Ah, genius!
Thanks guys for all the ideas and input, I'm putting them on my science fair list C:

 

Also make sure that you define what "completely healed" means, sometimes it can be a little bit tricky when it comes to shrooms. I know I'm nitpicking but the judges will be too. Good Luck, wish my science fair projects were this cool!