An annual science fair marks an important milestone in many children’s development; it offers them their first experience at designing and completing an independent project outside of classroom instruction.
This article presents several easy and enjoyable projects designed to teach scientific concepts through hands-on activities. These experiments may even inspire future scientists!
1. Crystals
Students can explore the properties of crystals through these fun science experiments. They’ll gain insight into their atomic and molecular structures while discovering various shapes and sizes of crystals available.
Students will explore how speed of cooling affects crystal sizes and clarity during this chemistry science project, creating a model seismometer to demonstrate earthquake mechanics! They’ll also create an earthquake demonstration model seismometer!
2. Pipe Cleaner Names
Pipe cleaners are an irresistibly fun craft project for kids of all ages, as they allow them to bend, shape and twist them into anything their imagination may conjure up. Plus, they make for an educational tool when used to form letters of the alphabet!
Investigate biology concepts through this exciting experiment which uncovers the components of blood. Children will enjoy creating glittery letter crafts!
3. Bacteria
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms found throughout our environment – in soil, on our skin, or elsewhere. As they make great subjects for science fair experiments, bacteria make ideal subjects.
Children can use water samples from various sources to compare bacteria levels or test different hand sanitizers to see which kill the most germs. Be sure to document their results and follow scientific methodology when documenting results.
4. Projector
Kids can perform an engaging and satisfying experiment by showing how light travels through a projector they built from cardboard box – it will surely spark their interest in STEM studies and spark imagination! This affordable project will pique kids’ curiosity!
Engineering activities never cease to engage students, and this hands-on project offers them the chance to learn about mechanical advantage and work by designing their own pulley system.
5. Elevator
Elevators transport people and cargo up and down via a system of spindles, strings, and counterweights. Students can demonstrate Newton’s Law of Motion through this easy model elevator project by showing its operation firsthand.
Materials needed include a small box, string, two nails, and a spring scale to record the weight of a counterweight. Mechanical sensors like reed switches may also be an option.
6. Seismometer
Discover how to construct a seismometer and study earthquakes through this hands-on science project for 4th graders! This experience offers students a chance to gain hands-on experience learning about mechanics advantage and labor!
As your helper jumps up and down near the seismograph, its pen will record squiggly lines on paper. Repeat this experiment with different helpers of varying weight to see how their jumps affect the seismograph.
7. Magnets
Magnets can help children learn all sorts of scientific concepts, from levitation and acceleration to separating mixtures. Magnets can even model DNA copying and oil spill cleanup!
Kids can explore the invisible world of magnetic forces using iron filings and bar magnets. They can go on an “item hunt” using these magnets, seeing what sticks to or repels from them.
8. Colored Sugar Water
Colorful and engaging, this engaging sugar water experiment provides children with a simple yet engaging way to learn about density. Furthermore, they can discover things that dissolve in water as well as color mixing!
This fun science project uses food color to demonstrate how plants absorb water, making an excellent demonstration of diffusion. Plus, you can easily modify it to incorporate white flowers! Oobleck makes an entertaining variation on this experiment!
9. Light Refraction
Demonstrate light refraction with this simple yet enjoyable science experiment! Your children will absolutely adore this cool trick!
Learn all about Earth with this hands-on experiment, perfect for teaching kids about gravity and erosion.
Physics and engineering combine in this engaging science activity. Students can build their own catapult while discovering more about mechanical advantage and work.
10. Edible DNA
Kids love hands-on science experiments they can consume! In this activity, kids will explore DNA and its helix structure using licorice, candy and toothpicks to build a model of its backbones that represent sugars such as deoxyribose and phosphate.
Go Science Girls offers this edible experiment using gummy bears to demonstrate how water expands or contracts and also shows how osmosis works!