Using a single variety of tea bag, brew 5 to 20 cups of tea from fresh tea bags, varying either brewing temperature or brewing time. Make sure to control all variables, including volume of water per cup and starting temperature of the mug or container. Rate the flavor of each cup from 1 to 10 either overall or on several qualities such as darkness of color, strength of flavor and bitterness. Graph the results to find the optimal brewing time or temperature.
Heat water in a flame-proof container with a Bunsen burner. Place a tea bag in one spot while the water is cold and be careful not to move the tea bag or the container as the water heats up. Watch the tea dye the water in patterns as it is drawn along the convection currents that develop. Set up the experiment again using different containers and heat source placements and try to predict what currents will form.
Remove the staples from several tea bags, being careful to keep the tea from each one. Redesign the tea bags using scissors, thread and staples. Keep the same tea leaves in the redesigned tea bags. Possible designs include a pouch gathered at the top; a long, skinny tube; a pyramid; a cube and a thin square. Brew the bags at the same temperature for the same time period and see which design brews the strongest tea.
Clip the top off a tea bag and empty out the tea. Unfold the tea bag. An unfolded tea bag should form into a long, hollow tube. Stand it upright on a fireproof surface far from any curtains, fans and flammable objects. Light the top of the tube with a match and let the tea bag burn slowly down. As the flame reaches the bottom, the convection current caused by the heat should lift it suddenly into the air. The fire should extinguish itself within a few seconds.