An engaging science fair can be an excellent way to spark future scientists’ imaginations, but students require an organized plan and practice sessions in order to succeed. Here are some ideas to get them going!
Demonstrate magnetism using this engaging experiment using ice cubes. Not only will it amaze and educate kids about chemical reactions, but this simple science trick will be sure to impress.
1. Catch and Release Cockroaches
As they advance to fourth grade, kids become increasingly sophisticated in their science experiments and begin describing data quantitatively as well as participating in scientific debate.
Cockroaches feature thorny legs that send signals directly to their nervous systems when touched, so using a small circuit, you can briefly stimulate these nerves to see how the insect reacts.
Students will love experiencing how inertia and gravity work with this hands-on experiment, plus they get to eat their masterpiece!
2. Build a Hovercraft
Science fair projects provide students with a great opportunity to move beyond textbook learning, and gain hands-on experimentation experience. Such projects often include researching, formulating an hypothesis/question, conducting an experiment and then analyzing and recording results.
Explore the science of friction with this unique experiment using a hovercraft! Students can also discover how different tire sizes affect how far a balloon car travels.
Students can explore nonrenewable resources and sustainability with this energy game made of Skittles. Or they could create their own seismometer model and study how earthquakes are measured.
3. Make Your Own LED Flashlight
Students can build an LED flashlight using common supplies to explore electricity. A handy slideshow provided through the link makes this fun experiment an effortless undertaking for teachers!
Plastic milk may appear like a magical trick, but it’s actually an excellent science experiment that shows the chemical reactions between acid and water. Plastic milk also teaches children about how adding salt or sugar affects water density.
4. Build a Projector
These science fair experiments for 4th graders help children demonstrate scientific inquiry while practicing and perfecting the scientific process, including formulating hypotheses, conducting an experiment and providing evidence in support of their claims.
Introduce the magic of magnetism with this easy yet engaging demonstration that shows just how close objects must be to magnets for them to attract. Plus, kids learn about gravity! This project also serves as an invaluable learning opportunity!
Teach children about food decomposition through this gross but engaging experiment using a plastic bag, mold and food items.
5. Build an Elevator
Science fair projects may seem intimidating at first, especially with hectic family schedules and limited free time. With proper planning in place, however, the process becomes manageable and successful completion becomes possible.
Explore gravity, friction and magnetism with this exciting fourth grade science experiment! Kids can test various materials before creating an elevator capable of transporting weight safely.
Prescribed experiments are like following a recipe. They involve replicating another scientist’s results, and should not be undertaken for a science fair by students.
6. Build a Seismometer
As many projects involve math, it is wise to review your teacher’s guidelines and instructions prior to beginning work on any project.
Avoid experiments that yield predictable outcomes; while such exercises may provide valuable practice, they do not make for good science fair experiments.
Research projects require access to professional journals and advanced statistical analysis skills that most students lack. Instead, encourage your child to conduct an experiment that showcases scientific processes: brainstorming, experimentation, data analysis and presentation.
7. Build a DNA Strand
Students can create a DNA model using strips of paper, tape, and toothpicks. This project helps children understand that DNA has two complementary strands that entwine like a ladder – helping them gain insight into its composition.
Start by drawing two parallel lines representing the sugar and phosphate backbones of DNA, using toothpicks to attach nitrogenous bases for each long strand; these bases represent one of four possible combinations adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine found within someone’s DNA strands.
8. Build a Model Ocean
No list of 4th grade science experiments would be complete without one of the classic experiments: growing crystals. Children love participating in this engaging activity that introduces supersaturated solutions while giving it a fun flair by shaping pipe cleaners into their names first!
This experiment might appear more like magic than science research, yet it demonstrates how insoluble markers float on water and makes for an astonishing demonstration of diffusion. Furthermore, it serves as an excellent demonstration of scientific method that helps students practice making observations and conducting experiments.