Science Fair Project Ideas
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Just a quick note: you won’t find any volcanoes or battery circuits here, and I’ll tell you why. These types of projects have nothing to do with the scientific method. They may not even be teaching your children this stuff yet, but they will be looking for creative projects with multiple variables! That is why a project about how a remoted controlled car works will not get a second look, but something you might think is ultra-basic will! That said, lets take a look at our first project.
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Liquid Densities
Now to you, this setup might seem extremely basic. But to a second grader, this can be a really fun and interesting project. The basic premise is to take 3-5 household substances, and to drop pennis through a tall glass filled with it. Time how long it takes the pennies to drop, and record the results.
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What you will need: One tall (preferably skinny) glass, three to five liquid substances – we recommend water, milk, pancake syrup, and well mixed egg whites, one penny, and a stopwatch. Paper will be needed to record your results.
The Process: Make a line on the glass with tape or a marker, and fill the glass to the line with a substance. Set a stopwatch, and have your child drop the penny into the glass. Repeat this procedure three times and record all three results for the liquid that you are using.�¯�¿�½ Now empty the liquid out, change to the next substance you are using, and repeat the process listed above. Once you have used all substances, help your child draw a conclusion about why certain substances went slower than others, or faster than others. You will both enjoy this project that will cost virtually nothing, and can be completed in just a couple of hours.
Egg Drop
The egg drop is an event that middle schools use to compete in all across the country in Science Olympiad. The premise is simple: build out of a limited number of tools a device that will prevent your egg from breaking at various hights above the ground. So why not take something that is a proven project, and adapt it to something you elementary boy or girl will absolutely love doing, and is a great science project at the same time!
What you will need: Several Eggs, and whatever you decide to make devices out of to keep it from breaking. Your child may enjoy trying to build a parachute, or other type of ultra fluffy box. We recommend you sit down and decide on 3 to 5 different designs, and then make them. You should be able to make them out of things in your home easily.
The Process: Build your contraptions. Make sure everything is exactly to your child’s specifications before preparing to drop your eggs. Now go to a place where you can drop them from about 10-20 feet in the air and onto concrete. You may want to use a ladder in your driveway, or perhaps a second story window. Just make sure if your child is doing the drop his or herself there is supervision at all times.
Drop the eggs in each contraption built. Record whether or not for each one the egg breaks or not. Repeat this step three times for each device, being sure to record the results each time. Hopefully, one or more – but not all – of the devices worked, and kept the eggs safe, even if it was for only one or two of the drops. Sit and talk with your child about why the devices worked, and why the others did not. Then your child can draw a conclusion about what devices are stronger, or more elastic than others and what makes the best egg protection. I know that this is one your child will truly enjoy!
Paper Airplanes
The final project is my favorite, not only because I have always loved airplanes, but because I won the science fair in second grade with this very project. I can say first hand that a child that is interested in school will feel no greater accomplishment than walking around and seeing all the other projects children spent their time and effort on, and know in their minds that they did the best job. For this reason, I give to you the paper airplane project!
What you Will need: Paper and the knowledge of how to fold several types of paper airplanes (see the end of this article for a link), A tape measure, and a stop watch.
The process: Build five paper airplanes of different designs. One they are built, have your child throw each plane, and record how long it stays in the air, and how far the plane travels. Repeat this step for each plane three times. Help your child find the average of the throws, and help them draw conclusions about why one plane will stay in the air longer, but another may fly farther. Be sure to point out to them design features that may be condusive of certain flight elements, ie. a plane with wide winds, but short in length may glide in the air much longer than a plan that is long and skinny. However, the long and skinny plane may fly much farther.
This will help your child to identify the features, and make a reasonable conclusion about the results. If your child likes paper airplanes, or just air toys in general, this is something they will truly love. This project will only take a couple of hours to do just like the others, and has great potential for making a wonderful project your and your child can remember forever!
Final Tips
All schools, and science fairs are different, so make sure you follow the guidelines presented to your child. This means DO NOT do the project for your child. If you do the project for them, they are not learning anything, and don’t even get the enjoyment of the whole process. Help your child to create the project, and encourage them to come up with their own ideas, and designs of the different elements of the project. If you work together with your child, and get creative, it will be a fantastic experience together, and maybe your child could even bring home a colorful ribbon.
