Science fair projects are a wonderful way to get elementary school students interested and involved in science in general. Elementary science fair projects should be centered around basic scientific principles and practical applications in order to introduce younger students to experimental science and the scientific method in a way that is age and knowledge appropriate. Here are 5 great elementary science fair project ideas that will do just that:
Which laundry detergent fades colors the least?
For this experiment you’ll need 4 new black t-shirts, 3 different brands of laundry detergent (they can be liquid or powder, but all 3 must be the same), and a clothes washer and dryer. An adult will need to help the child set the load and measure out the detergent. Just determine a set number of washes you want to test the detergent for (10, 20, and 30 work well) and then wash 3 of the shirts in the different detergents and note the degree each one has faded after 10, 20, and 30 washes. Use the 4th t-shirt as your control. This experiment is great for kids because it has a very practical, real-world impact on their daily lives and the results are visual and easy to interpret. It also will help to teach kids to investigate claims that brands make for themselves instead of relying on advertising. I actually did this experiment when I was in elementary school and placed in the school science fair!
Which diaper absorbs the most liquid?
Kids will love this experiment, especially those with baby brothers or sisters. All you’ll need are a few different types of diapers and water. Pour a small, measured amount of water into each diaper and continue adding measured amounts until one diaper leaks. Continue until there is only one diaper left. This is a simple experiment that has a very concrete objective that elementary age children will understand and find interesting. Children will benefit from the experiment by learning that not all diapers are the same and that each brand uses different designs and absorption materials.
Which potato chips have the most grease?
In an age where childhood obesity is on the rise, this experiment is particularly relevant for elementary school children. For this experiment you’ll need several different brands of potato chips, paper towels, and a ruler. Crush up the same number of each type of chip (10 of each type of chip will give you good results) and place them in the center of their own labeled paper towel. Let the crushed chips sit for several minutes and then remove the chips and measure the diameter of the grease spot left behind. Whichever brand of chips left the largest grease spot is the greasiest, and most unhealthy, brand of potato chips. Children can learn from this experiment that all chips are not the same and that they should read nutrition labels and ingredient lists to determine fat content and what types of oils are used to make the foods they eat. This experiment is great for helping kids to be more aware of the types of foods they are eating and how healthy or unhealthy they are.
Do plants grow better in sunlight or fluorescent light?
This experiment is a good one for any budding botanists out there. I did this experiment several different times using many different types of light during my own science fair years, and it really does help kids to learn more about a plant’s needs and ideal conditions for growth. I always cut off little parts of a Wandering Jew plant and planted them in Styrofoam cups with potting soil. Then you just set one outside in the sunlight and one under fluorescent light for a set length of time (2 weeks is good). At night make sure to turn off the fluorescent light so that each plant has an equal amount of light per day. Water each plant the same amount. At the end of the 2 weeks measure the growth of each plant to determine which one grew more. Elementary school students will enjoy watching their little plants grow and noting the subtle differences in each plant due to the lighting conditions.
What brand of popcorn pops the best?
This experiment is great for young kids new to the scientific method because it involves something they really like (popcorn!) and its results are very easy to interpret. When I did this experiment (a long time ago) I used the traditional popcorn that you cook on the stovetop, but obviously nowadays you could just use several different brands of microwave popcorn. Make sure each package weighs the same amount to ensure reliable results, and then heat each package for the same amount of time (this will vary for everyone depending on their microwave settings). After the microwave turns off, an adult will need to help the child transfer each bag to its own bowl. Then the child can separate popped kernels (and even eat them!) from unpopped kernels. Write down how many kernels were left unpopped by each brand to determine which popcorn pops the best. Elementary age children can learn from this experiment that different companies use different quality kernels and this can affect the amount of popcorn they can get out of each bag. It’s also a great time to learn about how heat causes the kernels to pop in the first place.
These are just 5 science fair project ideas that are suitable for elementary age children. Children will learn a lot from each of these projects, but most importantly they will be introduced to the scientific method and the practical applications of science in a fun experiment all their own!
