Science fairs often represent students’ first opportunity to design and conduct scientific experiments outside of teacher-led lab classes. For the best science fair projects, which serve both learning and understanding objectives within school curriculums.
Engage students in measuring with this introductory laboratory exercise that employs a graduated cylinder for volume measurements and ruler or meter stick for length. Encouraging them to represent their data quantitatively via tables or graphs will further their education in this subject area.
Magnet Attraction
Magnets provide an ideal opportunity for children to gain insight into science concepts like attraction and repulsion. Furthermore, these simple experiments help children experience magnetic levitation.
Have students complete a worksheet and compile a list of objects attracted by a magnet and those that don’t, along with those which they think might not. Kids could then go on a magnet hunt around their house in search of magnetic objects.
Magic Marker Floating
Physical science experiments for fourth graders examine balance and unbalanced forces, patterns in motion, static electricity and magnetism. Furthermore, they explore forms and transfers of energy such as sound waves, light waves, heat currents and collisions.
Children gain an understanding of density with this Valentine-inspired liquids experiment that illustrates Boyle’s law (which connects pressure and volume of gasses). Plus, this model seismometer project lets them see Boyle’s law at work!
Wigglebot
Introduce children to robotics through this engaging introduction for kids! Students design and construct robots from recycled bin materials as well as extra TeacherGeek components. This project serves as an excellent way to teach concepts such as vibrational energy, center of gravity and simple wave patterns.
Kids will have fun conducting this simple experiment to test cockroaches’ direction preference and opening up discussions about animal behavior!
Grow Your Own Bacteria
Petri dishes and agar provide the ideal environment for children to experience how bacteria develop. Kids will take part in testing toilet handles, doorknobs and more surfaces for bacteria in order to find out which have the highest concentrations – making this experiment an invaluable opportunity to teach about proper sterile technique!
Kids of all ages will enjoy watching this simple chemical reaction take place with just a few inexpensive supplies! This activity provides a wonderful introduction to Boyle’s law and other concepts related to chemistry.
Coastline Erosion
Erosion is one of nature’s most forceful forces. Witnessing how rivers erode the canyon walls at Grand Canyon National Park is truly spectacular; let your students understand its effects with this easy classroom experiment!
Test various types of ground to see which erodes faster, then record your findings on a lab sheet for discussion and draw diagrams depicting them.
Elevator Design
Nothing gets kids more engaged with science than engaging them in hands-on engineering projects like this elevator project, where students will learn about pulleys while also demonstrating gravity and Isaac Newton’s second law of motion.
Students constructing an elevator will require a sheet of plywood, six spindles, strings and counterweights. By turning one spindle, their box car can move either up or down depending on where its attached to the spool.
Penny Green
Pennies can often be found in purses and pockets, but did you know they can turn green? This classic science experiment shows children how copper reacts with oxygen to form a green patina on its surface.
Test out which solution cleans a dirty penny the best with this fun chemistry experiment, while simultaneously learning about density. Kids will love comparing results across solutions!
Boyle’s Law
Students learn the science behind Boyle’s Law, which states that as pressure increases a fixed quantity of gas increases with temperature. They also apply this knowledge in solving gas law related problems.
This simple experiment helps children gain knowledge about energy transfer by comparing salt water with fresh water in a glass. They will gain the skills needed for comparison, prediction, observation and measurement essential in scientific endeavors.
Seismometer
Earthquakes occur around the globe and can be studied using special machines. Students can construct their own seismometer to explore seismic waves and how they move.
This engineering project is fun and interactive! Kids will witness Boyle’s Law at work as they design a pulley system to lift specific weight. Students also use this experiment as an engaging way of learning about plate tectonics and the San Andreas fault.
Elephant Teeth
Kids of all ages love this fun foamy STEM experiment! Safe to conduct with 3% hydrogen peroxide, it serves as an important lesson about why safety goggles should always be worn when performing chemical reactions.
This experiment illustrates how catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water, creating bubbles. You can perform this experiment using various containers and food color to observe how it affects its reaction.