Science fairs have strict rules on the type of projects students should enter. Students must have a hypothesis that they try to prove via experiments. The application of the scientific method is important in evaluating the data from the experiments. For the science fair, students document the process, prepare a poster board with information such as the hypothesis, details about the experiment and the conclusions. Entries are judged on originality, methodology and comprehension. The judges interview each student to get an idea of the participant's grasp of the topic.
Bulletproof glass is made from two pieces of thermoplastic or glass that sandwich a layer of polycarbonate. This process is called lamination. Together, the layers are transparent and are only around 70 millimeters thick. When a bullet is fired at the glass, it goes through the first layer, but is stopped by the strong center layer, leaving the back glass intact. Bulletproof glass falls under the broader category of laminate glass, which has a range of characteristics, such as soundproofing.
Students can prepare a science fair project that determines if layering components is the reason that bulletproof glass is stronger than plain glass. Using paper in place of glass, students can test the impact of a projectile, such as a paintball or BB gun, on a single piece of paper, two pieces glued together and three pieces glued together. Any experiment involving projectiles should be done with children wearing protective eyewear. Students can also experiment to see if bulletproof glass blocks more sound waves than regular glass. Using a sound-level meter, students can measure how much sound penetrates different kinds of barriers, including bulletproof glass.
Older children can include bulletproof glass as one of several materials that undergo impact-resistance tests. Using a projectile like a paintball, students can test bulletproof glass, plastic foam, regular glass or heavy-duty nylon. Students should wear protective eyewear, long sleeves and gloves to prevent injury. Another science fair project older students can perform is to experiment on the strengthening effects of laminated materials by layering those materials. Students should glue pieces of balsa wood together in different combinations and layers that equal the same height and width. Suspending the different pieces of laminated wood between two chairs, they can test the weight each one holds to determine the strongest.