“The science fair is coming up and I have NO idea what to do!!” As science fair “writer’s block” creeps in, finding a project and getting started can seem more challenging that it really is… To help kids get inspired, we’ve summarized 100+ winning science fair projects below for 6th graders through 12th grade.
Have you won a science fair project? Interested in sharing your idea?
What we’ve seen in 100s of winning science fair projects
First, some projects are more advanced. Some projects were winners in national science fairs. However, that doesn’t mean a scaled-down version can’t be tried. Or, maybe an alternative approach.
Second, many of these science fair projects were completed through a mentorship program. What’s that?? Many universities offer mentor programs geared towards younger students. These programs pair students with a research lab and faculty member. Students do experiments with faculty members. Check out our STEMium camp listings to see more examples. Typically, programs recruit high school students. However, if your student is in earlier grades, keep this in mind and explore opportunities in your area.
Third, a ton of solutions center on climate/environment science. Very cool!!
Finally, ALL of the projects solve a problem or answer a question. Read through the list and think about your “every day” problems. Could you solve one with your own science fair project?
We don’t provide full experimental details – that’s up to you! Leave a comment below if you’re stuck on how to get started. Still not sure where to start?? Feel free to check out our germiest spot in school experiment, alka-seltzer bottle rockets, or our slime science fair project, which can be done in 1-3 days. Let’s science!
List of winning science fair projects
- Can air quality be measured with an Arduino device?
- Can plants survive without sunlight?
- Effects of ammonium nitrate concentrations on cold pack temperatures
- Effect of wi-fi signals on the growth of peapods
- How does vitamin C concentration change in cut fruits over time?
- Can ocean acidification be lowered with aquatic plants?
- Examining effects of food on glycemic index after eating
- How does air pollution and weather effect solar cell output?
- What is the effect of more turns in the coil on the amount of electricity created?
- How long can a mechanical pencil lead be before it breaks?
- Can forest fires be predicted using artificial intelligence?
- How strong are bioplastic bags?
- How do different fabrics reduce concentration of polluted air?
- Can water be extracted from humid air?
- Which mouthwash is most effective at killing bacteria?
- Which grows faster: sideways plants vs. upright plants?
- How can microplastics be removed from ocean water?
- What blood pressure monitor gives the most consistent readings?
- What works better for memory retention: handwriting notes or typing?
- Does text font/color affect user readability?
- How does weather change mood?
- The effects of listening to music while studying
- How do soil types change plant growth rates?
- Can eggshells make plants grow faster?
- Which liquids evaporate faster?
- How does paper airplane design affect speed and distance?
- Which sunglasses offer the best UV protection?
- How does sleep duration affect the body?
- Apple Watch vs. Fitbit vs. Garmin – which wearable offers the best heart rate accuracy?
- How does dog saliva affect bacterial growth?
- How effective are UV lights at killing bacteria?
- Which stain remover removes stains the best?
- Do all crayons have the same melting temperature?
- Measuring sugar content with a laser pointer
- Do more expensive batteries last longer (and are they worth it)?
- Which sunscreen/SPF level provides the best protection?
- Effects of pH on plant growth rates
- Does exercise change body temperature?
- How does iPad use before bed affect sleep?
- Do video games raise your heart rate?
- How does temperature affect magnetic strength?
- Which nail polish lasts the longest?
- How does acid rain effect plants?
- What types of orange juice have the highest vitamin C concentration?
- Can sugar make you focus more?
- Which diaper is best for your baby?
- Do different types of toilet paper have different absorption properties?
- Effect of baking powder on muffins
- Finding which biofuel has the most energy – vegetable oil vs. algae
- How does the catcher influence the pitcher’s accuracy in baseball?
- Effects of hydrogen peroxide on plant germination and growth
- How C. elegans are effected by anti-oxidants and UV light
- Evaluating the 5-second rule
- Does chewing gum improve your concentration?
- How can you win at rock, paper, scissors?
- Effect of baseball bat material on the distance of a hit ball
- Effect of clothing on perceived intelligence
- Can a low-carb diet change cardiovascular markers?
- Which fruit generates the most electricity?
- Are fingerprints hereditary?
- How much fat is in your food?
- Detecting and removing of pesticides from produce
- Which accent is most appealing?
- Which travel mug keeps liquids hot the longest?
- Which brand of bath bomb dissolves the fastest?
- Dog or human: who has the cleaner mouth?
- How salty does water need to be to make an egg float?
- Effect of fabric softener on the flammability of fabric
- Which propeller is best at harnessing the wind?
- How does music type effect customer purchases in a store?
- Can bacterial strains be used to degrade plastics?
- Effects of heat on enzyme activity
- An affordable Braille embosser
- Using a Raspberry Pi-based solar tracker to improve solar panel output
- Pill case reminder system
- Computerized signal for students with ADHD
- Engineering algal bioscrubbers to prevent global warming
- Removing impurities from ground water
- Bacterial strains to create fuel cells
- Facial recognition alert system for Alzheimer’s patients
- Do air temperatures affect candle burning rates?
- Effects of lead in water on yeast
- Testing antimicrobial effects of spices
- Are all forms of phone distraction equal while driving?
- How do shellfish adapt to new environments?
- Are kids that eat school lunches more likely to be obese than students that eat food from home?
- How much bacteria is on your orthodontic retainer?
- Who’s more addicted to a smartphone: parents or kids?
- Do introverts have better memories than extroverts?
- How does color affect eyesight?
- How does noise pollution effect plant growth?
- How effective are homeopathic mosquito repellents?
- Does breakfast improve student performance in the first hour of school?
- What type of dog is most likely to be adopted?
- Effects of sugar/sugar substitutes on yeast energy output
- Hydro-focused battery charging station
- Do deflated footballs go further than fully inflated balls?
- AI-powered tornado detection system
- Effects of sugar on children with ADHD
- EEG-powered remote control car
- How does color affect memory recall?
- Improving conduction in a solar-powered oven
- Smartphone-powered disease diagnostic device (many of these!)
- Adapting window blinds for solar panels
Still not sure what to do?? Look at The Simpson’s science fair projects!
After literally decades on the air, The Simpson’s even covered the science fair! Plenty of projects to inspire you such as…
Duffless (Season 4, Episode 16)
In our first example, Lisa grows a gigantic tomato with anabolic steroids. Unfortunately, Bart intervenes, tomato gets destroyed and Lisa must come up with another project. Her solution: is my brother dumber than a hamster?
The Genesis Tub (Season 8, Episode 1)
Another Bart/Lisa science fair rivalry, but this time with a Halloween twist. Her initial project idea is pretty good! Can soda dissolve a tooth? However, things go off the rails from there.
E-I-E-I-Annoying Grunt (Season 11, Episode 5)
Final example: Less of a “traditional” project, but as the Simpsons are hiding out on a farm, Homer decides to try planting crops. When Marge suggests fertilizer, Homer borrows plutonium from the power plant. The result – a new hybrid tomato is born!
CONCLUSION: It’s not whether you win or lose… it’s how you do your science!
I’ll never forget my younger daughter’s second science fair experience. She and her partner did a great job brainstorming ideas. Then, the enthusiasm waned a bit. Then, it came back! After ~3 weekends the final project came together. Overall, the parents really stood back and let them run with things.
While I helped construct a demo volcano, the board was entirely done by them (3rd grader style complete with Christmas lights!). You might imagine that it might not have been as sharp in quality as others that had more parental assistance. 🙂
You know what? It didn’t matter…
At the presentation, they knew their stuff!
They clearly communicated their hypothesis, their experimental design, results and conclusions.
Then…
THEY BLEW UP A VOLCANO!! WOOHOO!!
When they came back to find a 1st place ribbon, the smiles were ear to ear! Tons of shrieks and giggles! Winning science fair projects don’t always start that way. In the end, what’s most important — have a positive experience.
If you’ve won a science fair competition, share your project in the comments and what your winning strategy involved! Or, if you’re struggling to narrow it down, share some ideas.
