Science fairs provide an exciting and innovative way for children to engage in STEM topics. Whether it is their first science fair experience in elementary school or competing against top students from across the nation, these amazing projects will turn heads and foster creativity.
Unlearn gravity with this hands-on project that shows air pressure forces at play or explore what factors contribute to evaporation with this engaging chemistry experiment!
1. Magnifying Glass Experiment
Pupils will explore how magnifying lenses can make small objects appear larger, as well as discovering that magnifying glasses are simply simplified forms of microscopes.
Have pupils draw a circle using pencil on the back of a microscope slide or clear plastic ruler (which can serve as an effective lens), drop a water droplet onto it, and observe.
2. Lifting an Ice Cube with String
Young forensic scientists will enjoy this exciting project that allows them to discover how to dust for prints. The results may surprise even them!
Assemble a string across an ice cube and sprinkle it with salt. Wait one minute, then lift up on it to see what happens.
Salt lowers the temperature at which ice melts and water freezes, so ice naturally forms around the string.
3. Light Refraction Experiment
Display how plants search out sunlight with this fun experiment that also teaches about photosynthesis! Ideal for students interested in the environment and human impacts on Earth’s resources.
Watch as a straw appears crookedly in water due to light’s refraction! This experiment shows how objects can be magnified. Add variety by trying different glasses and jars for additional fun!
4. Air Pressure Experiment
Students of any age will enjoy this engaging science activity that illustrates air pressure. It also serves as an excellent way to demonstrate how pressure changes with altitude changes.
Air pressure on Earth typically averages 14.7 psi; however, this can vary depending on various factors. This experiment helps children understand these concepts more easily.
5. Bernoulli’s Principle Experiment
Students will discover Bernoulli’s principle (which states that as speed increases, pressure decreases) through this fascinating experiment. They’ll be amazed to watch a candle move towards a straw!
Young forensic scientists will love this experiment that shows them the differences in fingerprints on different surfaces, and can even use this data to detect soil pollution! A perfect 8th grade science fair project!
6. Barometer Experiment
Students use a simple barometer to study air pressure. They observe how its pointer rises with high air pressure and decreases with low pressure.
Tinkering with chemistry can be fun. Eighth graders can try the acid rain experiment to see how its acidity impacts statues and other structures, while simultaneously exploring water molecules’ properties in this engaging experiment.
7. Water Density Experiment
Students can use this experiment to explore how density of liquids varies with its temperature. As more solute is added to a solution, its density will increase, making the liquid denser.
Fill two cups with water and drop a drop of food coloring in each. Watch as the color spreads differently across hot and cool waters due to different molecular spacing – hot water molecules are further apart than cold ones!
8. Root Beer Experiment
Root Beer Floats provide an engaging way for students to observe a reaction between liquid and solid substances that releases gasses using simple ingredients such as an ice cream scoop (solid) and cup of root beer (liquid).
Watch as foam rises up the riverbanks, discuss your observations with classmates, then relax on a peaceful river float! Perfect for all ages with picture support for special learners.
9. Acid Rain Experiment
Experiment to examine the effects of acid rain on plants using household vinegar is a great way to introduce young learners to both chemistry and biology!
Make a kaleidoscope as part of this cool science project for kids to explore how shapes affect colors through this exciting science experiment! Plus, this experiment serves as an effective introduction to physics for younger learners!
10. Chemistry Experiment
Beginners in forensic science can explore the chemistry behind detecting invisible fingerprints with this fun experiment.
The Expanding Ivory Soap Experiment is an engaging and educational way to demonstrate how chemical reactions can lead to spectacular outcomes.
This classic chemistry experiment helps students grasp the concept of moles. They can vary their experiment by changing materials or temperatures to explore how outside factors can alter reaction rates.