Hey!
I've finished! The experiement is done and the report is done. I'm fairly happy with the end result. I got the results I wanted and am content with my science report. Now all there is to do is hand it in. It's been a good experience and has definately made me more aware of the importance of energy efficiency within the home:)

signing off,

Demscience

Hey, so I attempted my experiement again. It went better, but not well enough. there are a couple problems I came across and here's how I plan to fix them:

1. The temperature strips I'm using only measure 35 degrees and higher, so I'm going to heat up my steel samples and then leave them out in the sun.

2. The sun was out, but the air was still cold, so im going to make plastic windows for each house replica to trap the heat.

Meanwhile, in the process of writing my Science report introduction. Going good! No problems there yet :)

SO, ABOUT THAT PROBLEM,

I've come down to three ideas

1. After heating the steel, I will time how long it takes return to normal temperature.

2. Liquid temperature strips - you stick them onto the object you want to measure.

3. Place steel in water, take temperature of water, then time how long the water takes to cool back down.

So, there you have it. Let's just hope we see a bit more sun now!

So, I attmepted part one of my experiment today,

Fail. The weather was all over the place sunny, rainy, sunny, rainy.

But, when it was sunny it was easy to tell, just by feeling, that some of the colours were absorbing the heat a lot faster than the others.

I've also had an idea: When I heat up the steel next time, I will time how long it takes for each colour to return to orginal temperature. Hopefully this will eliminate this problem.

I got my steel samples!! I a lot more than I hoped for which is great.

With the help of colourbond steel centre, I've listed and given a brief description of each colour. But first, here's some basic need to know things about colourbond steel:
Colourbond steel has a low thermal mass, which mean it cools down fast was the sun is off it. Lightweight steel can help minimise the amount of heat radiation into the home.

Surfmist -
One of the most popular colours on the steel palette and is also one of the most thermally efficient. Lighter colours are especially good at radiating less heat during summer.

Windspray -
Windspray is mid-strength, neutral grey with a blue undertone

Shalegrey -

Light grey colour, similar to surfmist.

Sandbank -

Is a versitile shade of yellow, suitable in both summer and winter.

Jasper -

Brown/grey colour, fairly new to the colourbond steel palette, but has proven to be popular.

Bushland -

Bushland is a warm, mid grey/green hue, ideal environmental colour.

Woodland Grey -

Is a dark brown/grey colour that has been consistently popular over the years.

Ironstone -

Is a dark purple/grey colour