Physical, life, and earth science topics are explored with fun experiments aligned with their curriculum. Students gain experience by doing and can develop critical thinking skills along with hands-on projects designed for physical, life, and earth sciences.
By conducting this experiment using dry-erase markers and water, discover whether something is denser than water. It’s an easy and fun way to teach children about density!
Hovercraft
Students gain hands-on STEM experience by constructing a hovercraft. They can experiment with various sizes of balloons to see which allow their creations to stay airborne longer.
Use old CDs (that you don’t mind ruining), glue a sports cap over them and inflate a balloon using one. Pinching or twisting its neck prevents air escaping.
Drag the hovercraft across a smooth surface and observe how easily it flies along with minimal friction between surfaces due to air flowing from its balloon.
Projector
With this easy science fair experiment, kids can create a project to demonstrate how light passes through a prism – almost like magic but teaching students about the scientific concept of refraction!
A classic 4th grade science experiment, this experiment illustrates Newton’s laws of motion by showing how different shaped marbles spin when dropped from equal heights. Children can then compare how each marble spins after they have been dropped.
Make a simple pendulum to demonstrate how the length of an apparatus affects its period, then conduct trials using pendulums of various lengths to see the results.
Machines
Students will get hands-on with this physics project by building their own Archimedes screw to demonstrate air pressure. It is sure to become one of their favorite science demonstrations! This interactive science demonstration is sure to leave them amazed and wanting more!
With this simple experiment, introduce your students to the principles of solar energy. Kids will test different containers to see how well they absorb impact when dropping an egg onto Earth.
Utilizing this classic science fair idea from Scientific American, children will explore how energy transfers. Swabbing saliva from both people and dogs then placing in labeled petri dishes to observe what bacteria grows is one way of studying this phenomenon.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic solids found naturally and with crystalline structures, consisting of various elements in specific arrangements within their crystal and possessing specific chemical components.
Minerals must also have various physical attributes, including hardness, color and streakiness. Some minerals even bend light waves by refraction while others divide it into two rays with double refraction.
Learning about rocks’ physical properties is made more engaging by testing them for hardness and other qualities, like softness. A fingernail or coin are useful ways of doing so.
DNA
DNA (pronounced dee-OK-ribonucleic acid) is our genetic makeup and forms part of what makes us who we are. Unfortunately, DNA is far too small for human eyes to see directly; scientists use special tools to uncover and compare its structure.
This experiment allows students to examine the DNA of strawberries directly, with ingredients most people already possess at home. It makes an engaging science fair project for fifth graders that requires some advanced preparation.
Wind
Use this simple experiment to demonstrate the power of wind and gain an insight into refraction.
Start children on their wind energy exploration with this engineering project! They’ll quickly gain an overview of its use as they compare renewable and nonrenewable power sources while discovering how frame and blade designs affect electrical output.
Model seismometers make an engaging science fair activity for fourth graders that helps them understand how earthquakes work. Constructing one is simple and can be completed using various materials and heights.
Diffusion
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from areas with high concentration to those with lower concentration. Students will see this phenomenon first-hand while creating their own innovative science experiment.
This simple chemistry experiment provides children with an enjoyable way to demonstrate the impact that different ingredients can have on water density, as well as teaching them how to form hypotheses and test them.
Boyle’s Law can be difficult for children to comprehend, so this hands-on demo provides an easier explanation. Plus, this project makes an ideal fourth grade activity!
Ants
Some science experiments can be complex and require numerous materials; others, like this ant experiment are simple and enjoyable!
Test the effects of light and darkness on ants by placing 25 in two observatories filled with soil; place one observatory in darkness for an set period, and observe their activity levels; draw conclusions as to whether they’re more active when working under cover?