Science fair projects provide students with an opportunity to conduct experiments outside of a teacher-led lab period. With seven projects that span everything from investigating whether peppermint candy improves memory to investigating salt water’s effect on rusting, 7th graders gain the tools to explore and discover their surroundings.
Now is an excellent opportunity to experiment with the principles of physics and engineering with a Rube Goldberg machine.
1. Water Density
Students learn that water has an approximate density of 1 gram per cubic centimeter or 1000 kg per m3. (While this value is often quoted, its density varies with temperature; to ensure accurate results when conducting experiments near water’s boiling and freezing points).
Students use a graduated cylinder to measure water volume and mass. They then compare these measurements with density measurements from various volumes of water, finding that any mass measurement matches up. They should record their results and plot them on graph paper.
Encourage kids to learn about corrosion with this engaging chemistry experiment using copper strips and 9V battery snap connectors with alligator clips (found on Amazon). They could even turn it into an electroplating activity by testing out different chemicals to see what type of plating results.
2. Sound Waves
Students can explore STEM concepts with hands-on projects such as this colorful density experiment. Students learn about layers of materials and the physics of wave action as they create rainbow colors from liquids such as oil, water and others.
Sound waves are vibrations that travel through air, water and solid objects. To explore sound physics through hands-on experience, children can make noise using glass bottle xylophones or cardboard tube kazoos constructed out of bottles or cardboard tubes as xylophones or cardboard tubes as kazoos; building simple guitars also offers them the opportunity to see how changing string length affects both intensity and pitch of sound waves.
As part of an advanced science fair project, you can have your kids measure the loudness of sound in decibels. They can compare this measurement against friends whose voices register normally within a room before at greater distances.
3. Plants to Music
Seventh grade students can go beyond traditional science fair projects such as baking soda and vinegar volcanoes or potato batteries to explore more unique experiments ranging from glow-in-the-dark experiments to exploring human digestion systems in creative, engaging ways.
Example of Music as a Growth Promoter” For instance, they could test the impact of music on plant growth – something studies have proven can accelerate germination and speed up transfer of nutrients. While plants cannot hear music directly, their protoplasm can detect vibrations. Therefore a soothing classical or jazz piece could promote plant growth while discordant rock music would stymie it.
Students can build a water filtration system using charcoal and learn about its effectiveness at filtering out impurities from drinking water. They can also explore how bacteria play a part in plants by collecting and measuring biofilm on school supplies or household objects.
4. Water Filtration
Students who love water will appreciate this simple experiment! By testing different materials’ ability to insulate against temperature changes and measuring any fluctuations with just a few materials and supplies available.
They will gain knowledge of density with this colorful experiment that layers liquids in perfect rainbow order, then apply this knowledge to identify suitable materials for water filter.
Eighth grade science students put their engineering skills to the test with this simple project that tests them by building a paper cup structure to support its weight. It provides great practice with measuring, physics, and teamwork!
Coffee may increase concentration and response time, but is peppermint just as effective? In this eighth grade science fair experiment, students investigate that theory. Furthermore, they gain experience in microbiology by testing detergents’ ability to remove bacteria from surfaces.
5. Texting
Many children want to experiment with products, like batteries and detergents, in an effort to determine their lifespan or which work better than the others. Although such tests may be acceptable in school projects, they’re not ideal choices for science fair projects since testing already available products is too similar to following a recipe without providing room for creativity and problem-solving.
Instead, students should strive to gain an understanding of an intriguing scientific concept before using their own ideas to find ways to explore it. While coming up with original ideas may not be easy, seeing one on display board makes the effort worth their while! Parents should provide assistance during planning and experimentation stages but shouldn’t do all the work themselves.