Nothing engages kids more about science than performing hands-on experiments. These simple yet enjoyable projects make ideal science fair projects!
Science fairs play an essential part of student education. By giving them an opportunity to generate questions, research them extensively, conduct experiments and present their results, science fairs teach formal scientific methodology in a fun and interactive format.
1. Growing Crystals
Crystal growing is an engaging chemistry experiment for kids that teaches them about solutions, molecular bonds, and patterns. They can use table salt, sugar, Epsom salts or non-household chemicals like alum and borax.
This simple chemistry experiment can also serve to demonstrate Boyle’s Law, which establishes the correlation between pressure and volume of gasesses. Plus, adding food coloring gives this experiment an extra pop!
2. Pipe Cleaner Names
As busy schedules and parent commitments make it hard for students and their parents to add yet another major project, science fair experiments offer students the perfect opportunity to compare, predict, observe and measure (using tools such as graduated cylinders for volume measurements).
Research can include library and online research as well as the formulation of hypotheses. Once they conduct an experiment, describe its results, and present them at an educational fair, students can present them publicly.
3. Magnets
Utilize household materials to unleash the imagination of your little Einstein with experiments that investigate magnetic forces. Create an easy homemade compass or magnetic maze game using magnets so your child can control magnets in an interactive game!
Magnets attract iron-containing objects via an invisible force called their magnetic field, so use paperclips and iron filings stored in an unzipped Ziploc bag as examples to demonstrate this phenomenon.
4. Floating Markers
Kids of all ages will love this easy experiment which teaches them about refraction using dry erase markers and water. Discover which markers are erasable or permanent before creating designs that float.
Explore what causes things to float or sink with this straightforward chemistry science fair project suitable for 4th graders. All that’s needed are a few supplies!
5. Sunscreen
Sunscreens differ not only by ingredients but also in their sun protection factor (SPF), which measures how quickly sunburn occurs. Students can conduct this simple experiment to put different sunscreens to the test.
Students could expand the investigation by changing other factors, such as sunscreen brand or expiration date, then compare their results. This provides a great way for teaching kids about chemical reactions.
6. Sidewalk Chalk
Children can explore water, chemistry and gravity through this simple sidewalk chalk experiment. Plus, they will get to create their own washable chalk for outdoor fun!
This classic fourth grade science experiment helps kids grasp Newton’s third law of motion using balloons and beads, providing them with an immersive learning experience while developing concentration and focus skills – plus they’ll have loads of fun doing it!
7. Chocolate Chips
Kids will have fun applying the scientific method with this engaging, hands-on experiment that explores chemical energy and reactivity. Plus, it makes an excellent science fair project!
This straightforward yet impressive experiment shows students that adding items to water changes its density. Furthermore, this project incorporates elements from chemistry, engineering and physics for maximum impact.
8. Milk Plastic
Before plastic was made from petroleum, people created it from milk! This easy, but impressive experiment teaches children about the chemical process involved with polymer formation.
Children love growing crystals, while also learning about supersaturated solutions through this timeless science project. Kids can explore energy through applying their findings to mood rings; perhaps even discovering why their colors change!
9. Earthquake Simulation
Earthquakes can be devastating natural events that impact all regions of the globe, yet students can safely experience their effects with this useful STEM project.
Encourage groups to document how long their structures withstand shaking and what heights they reach during tests – this provides an excellent opportunity for reinforcing that testing-improving is an integral component of engineering design cycle.
10. Hovercraft
This science experiment is an engaging way for children to demonstrate air pressure and learn about friction.
The classic balloon rocket experiment takes on an entirely new dimension with this variation that shapes pipe cleaners into names of participants. Kids love this engaging activity that helps teach about supersaturated solutions!
This non-Newtonian fluid science activity will captivate elementary students. With no equipment necessary for operation, children can do this experiment themselves at home or school.