Cool science fair projects for kids range from demonstrations that are simple for them to accomplish to experiments requiring greater scientific rigor. These ideas also serve as great starting points for budding scientists as they begin asking questions about the world around them.
Explore water density through this simple experiment involving adding different food colors to hot and cold water, or build a Rube Goldberg machine and gain engineering insights in the process!
Spherification
Young food scientists can experiment with spherification, an emerging trend in molecular gastronomy. The process transforms liquid foods into semi-solid balls that pop when eaten. Students can test how adding sodium citrate or altering pH affects food’s ability to undergo spherification.
Food science can also serve as an excellent means for exploring molecular chemistry. Students can conduct this spherification experiment to make delicious popping boba with just three simple ingredients, and also explore reverse spherification to encapsulate calcium-containing foods, like yogurt.
Test the ability of different materials to retain heat with this mouse trap car experiment! This could open up discussions about potential and kinetic energy.
Hydraulics
8th grade science students can hone their engineering skills with this fun project that challenges them to design a structure to support their weight. It provides a great opportunity to learn about hydraulics and gravity!
Hydraulics are used in many machines around you, making learning about them indispensable. In this project, we explore how to build a hydraulic lift.
Density experiments provide a fun, easy way for students to understand why oil floats on water, while also showing buoyancy and buoyant force. Kids can experiment with various liquids to see which ones float the most effectively.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are chemical elements which naturally contain either a positive or negative electrical charge, making them ideal for creating science fair projects that use salt water to generate power. This makes electrolyte solutions the key component in any successful salt water-powered science fair project.
Discover potential and kinetic energy with this engaging rubber egg experiment that children love! Or give Newton’s Cradle a new spin.
Investigate how plants move water to their leaves with this simple science fair project from Scientific American or explore capillary action with a fun art meets science wow experiment involving colored paper.
Fidget Spinners
Know Your Fidget Spinners Can Also Serve as Fun Science Experiments? Fidget spinners are popular toys used by children to keep their minds busy while working or sitting in class, but did you know they can also serve as exciting science experiments?
Children can easily demonstrate Newton’s first law of motion by spinning these toys – making this project both engaging and educational! This makes a fantastic science fair project!
Kids will discover more about the water cycle with this fun science fair idea that shows where rainfall originates and travels to. Your next science fair won’t go amis!
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant found in beverages such as coffee, black tea, green tea, cocoa, non-prescription energy drinks and some over-the-counter cough syrups and slimming tablets.
Create a catapult from inexpensive materials to explore how far different weights travel. This simple science fair project provides children with an introduction to basic physics concepts while adults can assist in this project.
Discover which household items float with this interactive density experiment by Scientific American or investigate how balloon’s shape impacts flight with this project idea from LiveScience.
Pinball Machines
If you love playing pinball, build a working model of one for your science fair project! Steve Spangler Science offers this STEM project with step-by-step instructions and printable worksheets.
Little Bins for Little Hands has created another engaging science fair project by conducting this hands-on experiment that measures how long it takes for an egg to be squeezed with this interactive hands-on experiment, complete with follow up questions – making this an excellent project choice for an elementary school science fair!
Build a lemon battery to explore electricity – it is an easy science fair idea that requires math skills!
Classification
Classification is the process of organizing things into groups based on their shared characteristics. For instance, fruit can be classified based on color while geometric shapes can be organized based on size or dimensions.
Kids can gain an understanding of this scientific concept by building a zip line from LEGOs and investigating gravity and friction effects. Or they could conduct an experiment on density by stacking different liquids to test buoyancy.
High school science fairs give students the chance to showcase their scientific interests through projects. Here are 10 cool project ideas they can use at these fairs to explore those fields further, practice using scientific method and build critical thinking abilities.