Science fair projects should engage children in hands-on activities related to what they’re studying in class. Such fun experiments help kids learn physics, biology, chemistry and engineering concepts.
Cluttered investigations with predictable outcomes rarely impress judges. For the 4th graders in your classroom, let these experiments put the scientific method into action by teaching them about its concepts through fun experiments that apply the scientific method.
Projector
At 4th grade, students begin to express their data quantitatively through hands-on experiments. Science fair topics provide ample opportunity for practice!
Discover the effects of pressure on temperature with this simple experiment, use iron filings to visualize magnetic fields, learn about refraction and dispersion through this rainbow experiment and use a projector to present your findings.
Machines
Simple machines captivate kids, making them an indispensable component of any science fair project. Try this engineering activity to test how much weight an elevator can carry or this fun strider experiment that tests surface tension with items already found in your classroom.
Kids enjoy the fun of launching paper airplanes, so why not turn this hobby into an interesting scientific experiment? This one tests wing shape and flight speed with just a few basic supplies.
Earthquakes
Earthquake experiments allow children to explore physics concepts and how buildings are affected by an earthquake, as well as learn about the San Andreas fault and other seismic activities.
HubPages offers this exciting energy transfer science experiment for students to experience the scientific method first-hand. Kids also love this sports drink versus water taste test!
Seismology
Students will enjoy these fun science projects that introduce plate tectonics and the San Andreas fault, from building earthquake-proof buildings to simulating tsunami waves in bottles. They’ll gain valuable experience!
Students participating in this activity will utilize the engineering design process and build their own model seismograph before presenting it at a mock town meeting to the town engineers for review.
Magnets
Magnet science offers engaging 4th grade experiments for kids of all ages. Beads dancing along strings or using wands to lift paper clips are two popular magnet science activities for 4th grade. Students can test their knowledge of Newton’s laws while playing with gravity using Wingardium Leviosa or an alternate version featuring ghosts instead of butterflies can all be explored through magnet science experiments.
Other magnetic experiments involve measuring the strength of various materials and discovering how close objects must be for creating magnetic attraction.
Floating Markers
At first glance, this may appear to be an intriguing trick, but in actuality it’s an easy science experiment! Children can draw pictures on plates or bowls using dry erase markers before adding water and watching their drawings float! This activity provides an excellent way to teach adhesion and solubility concepts to young minds.
This awesome 4th grade science project provides children with an engaging way to learn about density. They’ll enjoy watching how layered liquids stack up beautifully Valentine-esque colors!
Electricity
Many science fair projects requiring electricity involve 4th graders, so here are a few easy electricity experiments they can complete without difficulty.
Instead of engaging kids in STEM challenges that focus on product testing (like measuring how well laundry detergents remove stains), try encouraging energy exploration with these fun science fair activities!
Amp up static electricity demonstrations by making cornstarch “goop” leap from one balloon to the next using positive and negative electrical charges, before learning more about conductivity with play dough circuits.
Hovercraft
This hovercraft provides children with an engaging hands-on experiment to teach aerodynamics and friction.
Use a CD and the pop-top lid from a plastic sport drink bottle to construct a miniature hovercraft. Slip a balloon over the cap, and blow air into it to test how far your hovercraft will travel.
Crystals
No science fair project would be complete without crystal experiments! Kids love growing crystals, which teaches them about supersaturated solutions. For quick science in a jar fun try this epsom salt crystal experiment or create borax crystal wind catchers.
Are You Passionate About Biology? Experiment With Tires In A Balloon Car Experiment OR Create Bioplastic from Milk, Gelatin & Other Household Items.
Pipe Cleaners
Children usually first encounter pipe cleaners through arts and crafts activities. Constructed of cotton or polyester material, pipe cleaners feature long lengths of wire twisted together with fiber in between each wire strand to form long spiral shapes.
Help kids explore astronomy with this engaging hands-on STEM activity! This simple constellation craft can get them excited about stars while working their fine motor skills!