Encourage students to start researching their science fair topic early. Remind them that research is about discovering answers rather than simply repeating what has already been found by others.
This classic seventh grade science fair project allows kids to investigate the relationship between temperature and chemical reaction speed – as measured by temperature gauges – and chemical reaction speed (measured in seconds). Plus it makes Mentos and Coke fizz!
1. Plants
Plants make for excellent science fair experiments and offer insight into a wide array of scientific disciplines – biology, chemistry and physics among them. Kids can explore how plants grow; explore water usage in plants; and how pollination occurs.
Make an easy plant science project fun for kids by having them water different types of liquid, like rainwater, tap water, salt water and soda to observe how each type of water affects the plant. They can also learn more about photosynthesis by coloring in and labeling this printable leaf worksheet.
An ageless science fair experiment, this balloon experiment from All Science Fair Projects illustrates how centrifugal force impacts paper airplane flight. KiwiCo offers another fun paper airplane experiment by testing how weight affects an object’s ability to fly. Kids can even engineer a balloon-powered car project idea as another fun science fair experiment idea!
2. Hydraulics
Science Fair Projects for 7th Grade can involve many topics, but choosing one that interests your student is key for staying engaged and motivated throughout their project.
Students can create and build a hydraulic arm to move and lift an empty soda can using centripetal force concepts. Students work in small teams on this project: one team designs and constructs the grasping hand; another builds the lifting arm; while a third designs and constructs a rotation base.
Chemistry experiments for kids can use simple materials to introduce them to spherification (forming spheres from liquids). Or they could try an oxidation experiment by dropping metal objects in water and watching how conditions affect rusting. A classic physics experiment for kids is a Rube Goldberg machine; this helps them understand centripetal force while entertaining them at the same time! Another innovative science experiment uses balloons and mirrors to test how room shape affects sound levels.
3. Biofilm
Biofilms are thick layers of bacteria that adhere to and cover surfaces, often teeth. Once attached to their host surfaces, biofilms protect themselves from immune systems and other microorganisms by creating their own slime matrix and hiding within its slimy pores – this makes the bacteria inside less vulnerable against immunity or attack from other microbes. Biofilms may form on natural surfaces like teeth but also medical devices such as catheters and artificial joints and are difficult to treat with antibiotics.
Children can explore condensation and dew formation with this exciting science project from National Energy Education Development. Another fascinating experiment involves comparing the smell of garbage to a nearby park; this provides seventh graders an easy way to explore waste’s impact on society.
Steve Spangler Science offers this classic experiment for helping students grasp gravity by showing how objects move under various conditions. Seventh graders can also explore how helium affects our voice with this fun balloon experiment and, as part of their forensic project, explore fingerprints and DNA through this genealogy-related activity which incorporates science with detective work.
4. Balloons
Kids become mad scientists of buoyancy when using simple tools to discover what causes a balloon to rise or sink, also learning about distributed pressure with this experiment.
Fill two balloons – one filled with air and the other filled with water – with different amounts of heat-trapping material and hold them over a lit candle to test which balloon is better able to resist its heat. This experiment is quick to set up and makes an effective demonstration of thermal conduction for students.
Give kids an opportunity to experience static electricity with this balloon experiment! They will discover how rubbing hair causes balloons to pick up electrons, as well as how opposite charges attract while like charges repel.
Students explore how their favorite sports drinks compare in terms of electrolytes with this straightforward experiment that requires only minimal supplies and materials. Plus, they’ll even get to taste some of their results!