Add interest in science to kids’ lives through hands-on experiments that teach them about the world around them, with experiments covering biology, physics, engineering, and chemistry as topics of focus.
Demonstrate energy transference using this simple and engaging experiment involving cockroaches! Sure to make an impressionful display at any science fair!
Projector
Few things excite students more about science than hands-on experiments. These 4th grade science fair projects give kids the opportunity to experience all aspects of physics, biology, chemistry, and engineering first-hand.
An easy project for children to explore density with homemade lava lamps! Crystals with their names on pipe cleaners allow for an engaging learning experience while Boyle’s law, which connects pressure and volume of gases, is illustrated.
Elevator
Elevators provide an efficient means of moving between floors in tall buildings. This science fair project provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge on how elevators function by creating their own model of an elevator.
To create this challenge, use two large boxes as “buildings,” with another smaller box serving as an elevator car. Thread string through u-bolts and tie one end to a smaller boxcar and the other end to a counterweight.
Seismometer
Milk plastic may seem modern, but people have been using casein plastic for centuries to craft buttons, decorative buckles and fountain pens – not forgetting buttons used as buttons! Students can explore this intriguing material while learning about its density.
This engaging science fair project allows children to investigate the effects of tectonic plate movement on an area’s surface. Students create their own seismometer, recording squiggly lines on paper to form an earthquake graph.
Wiggle Bot
Introduce kids to engineering with an engaging project they design and construct themselves. Watch their eyes widen as their creation moves – an example of vibrational energy and basic wave concepts!
Teach 4th graders how earthquakes form with an easy model seismometer they can make themselves at home – it will also demonstrate gravity! Plus, this jelly-filled experiment shows how earthquakes work!
Assemble some gummy bears to demonstrate osmosis’ workings and show how liquids of different densities separate and stack, providing an interactive demonstration of density.
LED Flashlight
The LED Flashlight science experiment shows students the fundamentals of electricity. Students create their own flashlights using index cards, LED bulbs and button cell batteries – an interesting science experiment!
Plastic milk may seem like a simple trick, but it can actually provide children with an engaging way to learn about physical properties of matter as well as an introduction to the inverse square law through this simple experiment.
Hovercraft
Display the science of gravity through this engaging experiment! Students assemble a string of beads and watch as they defy gravity to see inertia and motion’s laws at work.
Boyle’s Law (which correlates pressure and volume of gasses) becomes much simpler to comprehend with this 4th grade science project that puts its theory into action, offering both educational benefits as well as delicious treats!
Magnets
Magnets captivate kids and are an effective way to introduce concepts of attraction and repulsion. Explore magnetics with hands-on experiments such as making a magnetic field viewing bottle, magnetic compass or magnetic art.
Make children go on a magnet hunt and make lists of items attracted by magnets as well as those not. Help them learn about magnetic polarity by conducting experiments with two bar magnets with like poles facing each other.
Dry-Erase Marker
As part of a hands-on investigation of bacteria, have your students take samples they regularly use and place them in Petri dishes to observe any growth which reveals where germs may be hiding around their home.
An erupting lemon volcano is an ideal way to demonstrate the chemical reaction between acids and bases, as well as capillary action and color mixing with just cups, paper towels and food coloring! To learn about capillary action and color mixing this experiment will only require cups, paper towels and food coloring!
DNA
DNA, the hereditary material that makes us all unique, is an engaging concept for students to study. With this science experiment, they can build their own DNA models from everyday materials found around their homes.
All living organisms contain DNA within their cells. Help your students understand how scientists extract it for study with this simple chemistry project from Little Bins for Little Hands.
Boyle’s Law
Discover how gravity influences object movement with this hands-on science experiment! Students will learn all about gravity while engaging their creativity and problem-solving skills during this engaging project.
Demonstrate Newton’s Law that every action leads to an equal and opposite reaction with this interactive experiment that shows off simple catapults’ power.
Watch as students’ eyes light up with wonder as they watch glycerin soap bubbles expand layer by layer, providing an understanding of this remarkable phenomenon and also serving as an introduction to capillary action. This project makes an engaging lesson plan!