No matter whether a student is planning an experiment for the science fair at school or simply wanting to expand her knowledge about an intriguing topic, starting with an excellent concept is key to successful project completion. Provide assistance as necessary while gradually giving more autonomy throughout the project process.
1. Sunscreen Experiment
Students can gain knowledge about sunscreens and how their SPF number translates to sunburn protection, testing different brands and expiration dates of sunscreens to see which works best.
This experiment may look more like magic than science, but it helps kids understand light refraction. Watch as beads seem to disappear and then reappear again, or change from white to rainbow colors! This experiment helps kids understand light refraction.
2. Sundial Experiment
Sundials are used to measure time over a 24-hour period. Students can participate in this interactive experiment to become the gnomon and chart their own shadows to measure how time passes over 24 hours.
Communicate clearly with your students what is expected from them throughout their project, such as brainstorming time, research/experimental periods and class presentations.
3. Mineral Experiment
Rocks make for fascinating science fair projects. This experiment shows students how to test the specific gravity of minerals using a streak plate and scale.
This experiment has long been a favorite at science fairs. Children of all ages love this classic experiment – its results will surely leave an impression!
4. Chocolate Chip Experiment
Learn to make milk plastic with this fun science fair project, while exploring key chemistry concepts like solutes and solvents.
Research projects involving gathering information and analyzing studies are ideal projects for science fairs, just be wary to avoid selecting experiments which include personal opinions or potential sources of bias, which is often done unknowingly by some students.
5. Water Density Experiment
Utilizing only common household ingredients, this colorful density experiment shows how objects and liquids float on higher-density substances and also educates children about those which dissolving in water.
This easy science experiment demonstrates how colder water is more dense than warmer waters, while also teaching students to recognize various types of water.
6. Colored Sugar Water Experiment
If you’re searching for an easy science fair project that teaches students about chemistry, this one utilizes food coloring to demonstrate how sugar dissolves in water.
Watch students discover density with this simple experiment by layering different colored sugar solutions in a baster. As more sugar is added, its density increases and thus it rises above lower-density solutions and floats on top of them.
7. Crystal Experiment
Learn the science of crystallization with this timeless experiment, lasting approximately an overnight period but proving incredibly worthwhile!
Uncover why salt crystals appear differently when they’re cooled slowly or quickly with this chemistry project that also investigates temperature’s effect on supersaturated solutions.
Plastic milk might seem like a modern invention, but this 4th grade science experiment shows how people have been making casein plastic for centuries – plus, it serves as an engaging way to demonstrate erosion!
8. Pipe Cleaner Experiment
Children love this fun science experiment that teaches them about surface tension. Additionally, they gain knowledge about gas molecules and what happens when different types of soda mix.
Create a model seismometer as part of this entertaining engineering project to explore elasticity. Easy setup makes this exciting undertaking ideal for students interested in earthquakes or gravity.
9. Water Cycle in a Jar
Students can use this fun spring science experiment to witness the water cycle at work. They can draw a wave or ocean on the bottom portion of their jar to demonstrate how water evaporates into clouds, forms raindrops, and returns back into bodies of water on earth.
Science fair projects present students with unique challenges: unlike class lab experiments which are performed collaboratively in groups, science fair projects must be designed and completed individually by each student. This can make it a daunting undertaking!
10. Balloon Car Experiment
Use this easy balloon experiment to help kids understand the power of air pressure. Additionally, this project demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Cars move forward due to escaping air that contains potential energy that transforms into kinetic energy as it exits a balloon. Challenge your friends by racing different cars against one another to see who can get theirs the furthest!