Science fairs give 7th graders an exciting opportunity to engage in authentic scientific experiments. After identifying an area of inquiry, students will conduct library and Internet research in order to formulate their hypothesis and create their experiment design.
Explore density with a water-bending experiment, which allows students to design their own rainbow of colors. Or try this chemistry experiment that investigates how different substances influence rusting rates.
1. Plant Growth
Plants play an essential role in our environment and food supply, and provide life-giving oxygen. Plant projects provide students with an opportunity to discover how biology ties in with chemistry, engineering and physics.
Try this fun experiment to determine the optimal water amount needed for seed germination, or compare their growth across various soil types or light conditions.
Kids can easily create slime with this fun chemistry lab! While learning the water cycle, kids will also discover how combining ingredients affects slime properties ranging from magnetic to glow-in-the-dark!
2. Salt Water
An easy yet fascinating science experiment for children that illustrates evaporation, condensation and precipitation processes is quickly done at home using items you likely already possess.
This engaging science fair project allows students to explore mixtures, as well as demonstrate that experiments don’t need expensive lab equipment for effective execution.
Students will love this hands-on experiment that shows how temperature affects bubble life. For safety purposes, it should be conducted outdoors.
3. Static Electricity
7th graders don’t just need test tubes, beakers and Bunsen burners for experiments – they can use common household items like potato batteries to gain greater understanding about electricity, atoms and matter. A potato battery creates energy through chemical reaction between metal electrodes and moisture contained within its roots (known as an electrolyte).
Young engineers can use kinetic energy to design and engineer balloon cars that use kinetic energy for propulsion; then experiment with wheel and balloon sizes to see how far or fast it goes. Students can also engineer geodesic domes out of basic materials like paper and masking tape in order to explore geometric concepts.
Exploratory experiments are those without any predetermined plan and are best suited for students interested in a particular topic. On the other hand, prescribed investigations typically follow a predetermined plan such as baking from a recipe and may be more suitable for younger learners.
4. Bubble Life
Students often utilize spray cans filled with flammable substances like cleaning products or hairspray to create bubble mixes, and when blown upon and moved away from, will cause the bubbles to explode into a fireball!
Help kids discover that oil floats on water with this fun experiment! They will observe and record a miniature water cycle through this project, which can also be replicated at various temperatures to add further complexity.
Students learn about centripetal force with this engaging science fair project. By swinging glasses of water over their heads and trying to catch them without spilling, students gain insight into how moisture affects bubble holding abilities. They’ll also get to experience the magical display of ethereal fog-like bubbles. Prepare yourself for an amazing display as children witness this science fair project’s results!
5. Cellular Mitosis
Students’ science fair experiments will have a direct bearing on their success at competition. The more familiar a topic is to them, the harder it will be for them to create something novel that demonstrates their expertise on that particular area.
Students can quickly explore the greenhouse effect using only a Ziploc bag, food coloring and water for this hands-on project. They can also discover Linnaeus’ system of taxonomy through an easy bean experiment.
Research projects can make excellent science fair projects; however, they often do not. While scientific research typically involves original work, 7th graders could take an existing idea and customize it themselves with help from tools like Science Buds’ Topic Selection Wizard to discover several topics to work on.