Science Fair projects allow students to address an inquiry or test an hypothesis. Students typically conduct library and online research before devising an experiment to gather data.
Create an easy and fun experiment to teach children about the water cycle or density. By testing whether oil and other liquids float or sink, this experiment offers kids an engaging opportunity for exploration.
Pinball Machine
Pinball machines feature metal balls rolled along a playfield inside a cabinet, where when they encounter obstacles they activate an electrical switch to add points to a player’s score.
Conduct this experiment to gain more knowledge on the types of bacteria found on common objects, and use its results to find ways to minimize build-up.
Helicopter
Students can engage in this hands-on experiment by measuring the speed of rotor rotation and seeing how different variables impact its flight path.
Have students predict the number of turns their helicopter will make when dropped from various heights, recording their estimates and graphing the results.
Encourage them to make various modifications to their helicopter designs before dropping it from a higher spot (climb a step stool or stairs) and counting rotations to determine which design rotates fastest and slowest.
Electric Generator
Discover the wonders of electricity with a motion-powered generator! Students build coils of wire around magnets, then conduct experiments to see whether adding more magnets increases how much electricity the generator can produce.
Magnets feature distinct poles that push or pull against one another. Students learn that when similar poles meet each other, they attract while opposite poles repel.
With this easy, hands-on lab, children can test the effects of acid rain on plants while engaging in an educational STEM challenge. This project also doubles up as a great STEM challenge!
Balloon Car
Students use recycled materials to construct a car powered by air escaping an inflated balloon. This activity helps them understand Newton’s law of motion – that every action has an equal and opposite reaction – better.
To build the car, place two plastic bottle lids with axles together and stick skewers through them for axles. Duct tape or other adhesive may be used to secure them to cardboard; students in your class or group can race each other to see who can travel the farthest distance with their car.
Geodesic Dome
Geodesic domes are structures made up of interconnecting triangles to form an approximate sphere-like shape, used for many different applications including playgrounds and climbing domes.
Students participating in this project can construct a dome out of newspaper struts and tape, and test its strength as well as determine its mass.
This experiment provides an ideal way to understand centripetal force while simultaneously testing various materials to determine which are the best insulators.
Cellular Mitosis Models
Mitosis, the process of duplicating cells, can be confusing to students, so this science fair project provides them with an ideal way to gain understanding of this phenomenon and what occurs during each stage.
This kit provides students with a model to demonstrate the stages of mitosis. This cellular mitosis model shows how DNA moves from interphase through prophase, metaphase, anaphase/telophase and finally anaphase/telophase/cytokinesis. Use the modified lesson and tactile graphics from APH Life Science Tactile Graphic Set as they assemble their model.
Water Filtration
Science fair projects for 7th graders looking for something a bit more complex should take note of this science fair project that compares insulating powers between various materials. Plus, this activity provides a fun opportunity to learn about centripetal force!
Students can make electricity with potatoes by following this chemistry experiment that uses them as electrodes and vinegar as an electrolyte.
Bacteria are present everywhere, and students can use this simple experiment to examine which household surfaces have the highest bacteria counts. They can also test various bodies of water by making an egg float or sink.
Texting Glossary
Parents looking to help their children develop a winning science fair project should encourage them to investigate an event or create something entirely new. Both projects will teach their child to use the scientific method in real-life settings while providing invaluable experience that will prepare them for college-level research.
Your child needs to present their experiment confidently when the time comes; here, the Texting Glossary comes in handy as it explains all of the abbreviations used by kids and teens across social media, video games and text messaging platforms.