One word for you: Arduino.  Definitely fits the bill of open source (both hardware and software).  Easy to grasp.  Easy to use. <a href="http://www.arduino.cc/">http://www.arduino.cc/</a> <a href="http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKARDIE">http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKARDIE</a> <a href="http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=0596510519&Show=ExtInfo">http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=0596510519&Show=ExtInfo</a> And don't forget to stop by <a href="http://www.instructables.com/">http://www.instructables.com/</a>. -Dale <div class="gmail_quote">On Feb 4, 2008 10:08 AM, Jim Hutchinson <<a href="mailto:jim@ubuntu-rocks.org">jim@ubuntu-rocks.org</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> Greetings Ubu-dudes, The science fair is approaching and my kid needs an idea. Naturally, my first thoughts turn to FOSS and Ubuntu. What I can't envision, however, is how to tie FOSS or Ubuntu into a science project. Because most students don't grasp the concept of an experiment, schools are now dividing projects into two categories: demonstrations of concepts and true experiments (i.e. have a control and experimental group). My daughter wants to do a real experiment. Any thoughts on a topic using FOSS in an experimental situation - one that is doable for a 6th grader? Thanks. -jim -- Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments. See <a href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html" target="_blank">http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html</a> -- Ubuntu-us-co mailing list <a href="mailto:Ubuntu-us-co@lists.ubuntu.com">Ubuntu-us-co@lists.ubuntu.com</a> Modify settings or unsubscribe at: <a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-co" target="_blank">https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-co</a> </blockquote></div> -- All creativity is an extended form of a joke. - Alan Kay