Science fairs provide children with an engaging opportunity to get hands-on with science. Kids often select their own topic and experiment to test a hypothesis.
Conduct these fun experiments to help your students discover the fascinating worlds of physics, biology, engineering, and chemistry. Create a teleidoscope and demonstrate light refraction by making one with two mirrors; or cultivate salt crystals overnight in your refrigerator!
1. Colored Sugar Water
Colorful, straightforward and entertaining – this science activity introduces children to density.
Explore a chemical reaction while creating vibrant art at once with this fun science experiment!
Students use simple materials to investigate what causes ocean currents. This serves as an excellent opportunity for them to practice using Petri dishes and swabbing different surfaces.
2. Sundials
Sundials provide an engaging way for students to demonstrate the Earth’s rotation and how shadows change throughout the day. Students will observe their stick’s shadow at various points throughout the day and report back what they find.
These fourth grade science experiments rely on known laws or observations, and can be completed quickly. This is the perfect opportunity to teach children how to organize their results and draw meaningful conclusions based on observational data.
3. Milk Plastic
Milk plastic may appear modern today, but its application dates back many years ago for making buttons, decorative buckles, beads and jewelry such as fountain pens or even fancy combs. Children can explore this casein plastic and learn about density!
Encourage your kid to exercise their engineering abilities by creating a working seismometer model – this science experiment is engaging, simple and impressive! Plus it teaches about gravity.
4. Earthquake
Earthquakes can wreak havoc, but with the right building materials they can be minimized. This experiment tests various materials’ strength in earthquake-prone regions to see which one works best.
Students test how easy it is to topple Lego structures built on gravel, clay and sand soils. They record and plot earthquake depth and location data.
5. Chocolate Chips
An engaging experiment to teach children the importance of food safety.
Behold your kid dazzle their classmates with this simple yet captivating science fair project.
Helping your child prepare for a science fair can be an excellent way to connect and teach valuable life lessons. Make sure you attend their presentation day – it could be the spark that ignites their desire to pursue science as a career!
6. DNA Strand
Construct a DNA model using just some candy! It’s a fun STEM project that helps children understand the double helix structure and basic genetics principles.
Divide students into teams of two. Give each team a set of DNA identity cards, and have them collaborate together to identify whose DNA they possess. This exercise provides an excellent opportunity to review complementary bases, DNA replication and cell process terminology.
7. Diet Soda and Mentos
Mentos geyser experiments are timeless hands-on science experiments and an ideal way to introduce children to the scientific method. By isolating one variable and monitoring their progress through observation and recording results, this hands-on experiment helps kids explore and demonstrate it all at once!
As this activity can get messy, be sure to do it outside in an area that can get dirty. Test various variables such as whether the soda is cold or warm and how many Mentos fall from being dropped on the ground.
8. String of Beads
This classic experiment is an engaging way for 4th graders to explore gravity. Additionally, it makes an easy science fair project idea!
Explore physics with this classic balloon rocket experiment! Students will discover that different materials possess differing levels of kinetic energy.
Take your child on an educational magnetic attraction adventure! They’re sure to love this simple but impressive experiment that shows their powers of magnetism! Kids will especially enjoy this fascinating feat!
9. Wigglebot
With this motorized contraption designed and constructed by children, this easy science experiment will introduce them to wave properties as well as engineering design practices.
One of the girls’ greatest difficulties with this project was finding an appropriate location for their Texta “legs.” Unevenly spaced or misbalanced legs prevented movement or simply fell off altogether, creating much trial and error and collaboration throughout this endeavor.
10. Volcano
Kids love volcanoes and this engaging science project will give them a deeper understanding of this fascinating natural feature. Plus, it could spark their interest in geology!
Chemical reactions between vinegar and baking soda cause volcanoes to erupt. Kids will have great fun participating in this simple experiment! Our kit provides everything necessary for multiple eruptions!