When your science teacher announces that your next assignment is to design a project for your school’s science fair, remember that the lame mouse-in-a-maze experiment belongs in the Dark Ages. Wow judges with a humane science project that teaches about life—without taking it or hurting it. Here are a few ideas to rattle around the ol’ brainbox:

• Start a compost pile and study the bugs who live in it—without "bugging" them!

• Study your buddies. Test the relationship between their senses of smell and taste—is it harder to tell the difference between pineapple juice and apple juice if your nose is plugged? How about if you're blindfolded? Test growth rates of your hair and nails, or study heart rates, reaction times, and memory.

• Study school skippers. During which season are the most kids staying home sick and zoning out to Nickelodeon? Compare contagious versus noncontagious illnesses.

• Discover the wonderful world of mold. Vary foods and growing conditions—does mold grow faster in the cupboard, fridge, freezer, or your brother's sock drawer?

• Collect, grow, and study bacteria from garbage cans, doorknobs, under your nails, or in your mouth. Compare bacteria in your mouth before and after you brush your teeth. Compare different growing conditions—how do temperature and humidity affect growth rate? Marie Curie, eat your heart out!

Want more ideas for animal-friendly science projects? Write to Humane Science Projects, c/o PETA, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510, or log onto PETAKids.com.

Project Pigeon Watch
Study urban birds in your neighborhood—find a spot where pigeons flock to eat and track them by recording their different colors. You can also watch for birds who are courting a mate and note their colors. Check out Project Pigeon Watch for more information at http://birds.cornell.edu/ppw/.