8th Grader’s Blood vs. Bandage Project Wins School and County Science Fairs
Horizons in Hemophilia, February 2013
By Christina B. (Gillian’s mom)
 Nurse Mary Ann and Gillian at the school science fair |
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8th grade student Gillian combined her love of science with her von Willebrand Disease to come up with an interesting and exciting REACH Science Fair Project. She tested three different types of bandages to see which one absorbed the most blood. While most people don’t have a preference, those in the bleeding disorder community could use Gillian’s research to their own benefit.
Gillian tested Band-Aid® Brand, Nexcare™ (samples were donated by the company), and American White Cross (used at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, samples donated by the hospital). She carefully created a “fake” blood, similar in texture and weight to human blood, then meticulously dropped one small eye dropper-full of blood until the bandage could hold no more.
The results? Though there was only a small difference, Band-Aid® Brand held the most blood.
- Band-Aid®: 0.28 grams on average
- American White Cross: 0.24 grams on average
- Nexcare™ 0.14 grams on average
Gillian won her school science fair and went on to win first place at the county level for Blood vs. Bandage. She came in third place at the regional science fair held at the University of West Georgia.