High school science fair projects often take more time and experimentation than those for younger students, providing teens with an exciting way to practice the scientific method and discover topics that interest them.
Students can build a balsa wood bridge or use recycled plastic bottles to create an upcycled STEM challenge! Students could also test various antacids to see which works best, or compare Vitamin C levels in raw and cooked fruits and vegetables.
Engineering
Students interested in engineering can explore their interests, apply classroom knowledge and develop real-world skills through hands-on engineering science fair projects. Robotics, renewable energy or space exploration – there’s sure to be projects for any interest or skill level!
Engineers utilize creativity and problem-solving skills to design innovative machines that fulfill specific tasks. High school students can utilize the engineering design process to construct and test their own contraptions in this fun project that explores levers and pulley systems.
Students can build and test the effectiveness of a model wind turbine under controlled conditions – this makes for a fantastic project for kids interested in renewable energy and sustainability. They could also make homemade hand warmers using safe ingredients; compare the effects of classical music on pea plant growth; or uncover how plants interact with nitrogen-fixing bacteria through this experiment.
Optical Illusions
Your eyes take in vast amounts of information in an instant and deliver it directly to your brain, where it attempts to organize it by defining boundaries, comparing areas with contrast, classifying colors and making predictions from experience. But sometimes your brain becomes disorganized; that is when optical illusions may emerge.
These puzzle-solving images offer more than mere amusement; they offer insight into how your eyes and mind work together. Many researchers utilize optical illusions as an opportunity to study human visual systems and how it interprets what your eyes provide them with.
While most optical illusions are digital creations, sometimes one will appear in real life — like this ship that appeared to float in water! While these mind-bending phenomena won’t do any lasting harm to your eyesight, prolonged viewing could cause minor eye strain and cause mild eye fatigue.
Physics
High school science fair projects that illustrate real-life applications or playful demonstrations of physical principles are an excellent way to motivate teens to explore a subject further while simultaneously showing off academic research skills and communication abilities.
Students can explore the science of Tesla coils to amaze fairgoers or develop problem-solving skills by designing and building devices to alert them when someone breaks in to their home or school.
Other physics projects help students better comprehend gravity and force through experiments, like building parachute prototypes to protect an egg. Students can even examine different materials to see which provides superior insulation – for instance comparing different fabrics’ insulating powers or seeing which repels water best. They could even explore what impacts different storage temperatures have on batteries or what makes a ball bounce the highest.
Biology
Science fair projects often center around biology, and a successful one should teach students to test hypotheses, apply scientific research methods and present their findings. A good project must demonstrate how to conduct an experiment that is unique rather than simply replicate another study’s experiment. Furthermore, some schools have regulations regarding using living organisms such as bacteria, algae, insects animals and plants – it is wise to obtain permission before including these organisms in your project.
One engaging biology project explores the myth of the 5-second rule by testing whether food dropped on the floor for less than five seconds is safe to eat; this experiment also allows students to build laboratory skills such as aseptic technique and bacterial culture. Students can compare various disinfectants against germs by conducting tests on various objects or compare how various foods affect our ability to perceive sweet, salty, sour and bitter tastes.