Kids Science Projects: or How far will a Trebuchet go?
There are two types of people: those who are absolutely terrified when they hear the phrase “Kids Science Projects” and those who immediately think “Cool!” Let me assure you: I’m firmly lodged in the first category. My husband, an electrical engineer, is in the second category. How do such people end up in marital bliss? God has a sense of humor, and He knew how much we needed each other.
Early in our three kids’ education, we quickly gravitated to a system of sorts. Language arts was all mine, and math and science were all his. (I would like to point out that would include the kids’ science projects, of course.) We overlapped on social studies, and when a foreign language was added to the mix in middle school, I was voted most likely to tutor. Sacre Bleu!
When the third grade science fair rolled around for our oldest son, I made sure my husband got lots of advance notice. Fortunately, he was as intrigued as I was intimidated.
My husband suggested a trebuchet. Although I liked the French sounding word, I was at a loss as to its meaning. According to my American Heritage Dictionary, it’s “A medieval catapult for throwing heavy stones.” The sketch in our dictionary showed a medieval catapult that appeared to be a couple stories high outside a forbidding looking castle. Dwarf-like men were pulling the main levers controlling the spring action. Although such a mammoth creation would certainly have been the talk of our small town, the men in our family made plans for a table top trebuchet that would be practical for throwing small objects without breaking our neighbors’ windows. My husband and son were excited about the prospect of hurling things in our back yard with such a device. If they used a series of objects, they could measure how far the trebuchet could throw said objects and draw their own scientific conclusions.
This project allowed for more father and son bonding time, more trips to Home Depot and more purchased sandpaper than the Boy Scouts’ Annual Pinewood Derby matchbox car competition. Science nerds rock, dude!!
Two years later, our family moved overseas, and it only seemed appropriate that the state-of-the-art, homemade trebuchet should go with us. My husband was a bit disappointed to discover that our local American curriculum-based school didn’t sponsor a science fair for kids. Science projects quickly became a mist in his pleasant memory file. For another 4 years, the trebuchet gathered dust in our garage until one day our ninth grade son had an inspirational moment for his world history project. He dusted off the neglected trebuchet and researched weapons typically used in the Middle Ages. On his appointed day to present, he dressed up as a warrior of that time period and gave a very impressive talk on weaponry of the Middle Ages. His teacher was certainly impressed: he gave our son an A.
You never know where a kid’s science project may take you and your family. It might not be good for two grades in two different countries within six years, but it’s an experience your kid will never forget.
By the way, if you’re in the ‘terrified of projects’ group like I am, grab a copy of 24 Hour Science Projects. The 24 Hour guides have step by step instructions for all sorts of science projects for your kids. It’s almost as good as having an engineer husband with a passion for trebuchets!
“It’s Elementary” Science Projects
Elementary Science Projects are tricky. On one hand, you want a science project that your child can do and understand – so it can’t be too hard. On the other hand, you need a project that your teacher will accept – and it can’t be too easy.
We’ve got a suggestion – Undercover Sneeze! This science project is great for early elementary students. It deals with the health – on a subject elementary kids are very familiar with – covering your mouth when you sneeze.
Undercover Sneeze simulates what happens when someone sneezes. It measures the spread of ‘germs’ with hands and without.
Germs are mimicked by making paper punches and loading them into an inflated balloon. The balloon is popped – which represents the sneeze, and the punches scatter like germs do. Students measure the distance that the punches spread.
Two sets of trials are performed for this science project. For one set, paper ‘hands’ are set up around the balloon, simulating a hand held in front of the mouth.
For a first elementary science project, this is an easy experiment that kids can do on their own. They learn to form an hypothesis, to follow a procedure, to keep up with data (it’s just counting!), and to form a conclusion. The project is easy to do, and although they’ll need an adult to supervise, the kids can do the entire project by themselves. A true example of what you’re looking for in elementary science projects.
PS Get step by step instructions for this project from our 24 Hour Science Projects Package!
Winning Science Projects – A Straight Flush
We’ve got a lot of winning science projects in our collection of guides. One of our favorite winners is A Straight Flush. This experiment compares the biodegradability of different types of bathroom tissue, and can be classified as a consumer or and environmental science project. 
Some students choose to compare brands of tissue, and others choose to compare types – like one or two ply, scented or non, or pre-moistened. To do this project, you need tissue samples, a scale with close tolerances (that means it shows the weight in very small increments – like ounces or milligrams), jars, water, and a screen. We used the scale at the post office, and yes, we did get some funny looks weighing toilet paper tissue. You could possibly also use the scale at the grocery store or pharmacist if you ask nicely and flash a winning smile.
To do this, you weigh the tissue samples, soak them in water for a period of time, ‘flush’ them through a funnel, let the non-flushed tissue dry, then compare the weight of the pre-soaked tissue to the post-soaked tissue. It’s a very easy and inexpensive project to do. It’s fun and you’ll learn a lot. And, yes, it has been a winner at the science fair!
To get step by step instructions for this experiment – plus reference materials and pre-formatted graphs/charts, get our package of science project guides. Our guides can’t guarantee you’ll win at the science fair, but if you ask us – any time you learn something and learn to love science more – you have a winning science project!
PS Note that this is a 24 Hour Science Project. Get yours now here, and be finished by this time tomorrow!
Creating an Experiment from a Model, or Demonstration
Elementary and middle school science projects almost always have to be done in the form of an experiment. The trouble for most students is that most of the time, projects that are on the internet or in books are either demonstrations or models. Since they don’t follow the scientific method, neither of these meet the qualifications of the school science fair.
The good news is that many times, a model can be used in an experiment, and variables can be added to a demonstration, so that it can be one, too. Here are five examples of projects that are modified to become an experiment.
- How hot can a solar heater get? – First of all, finding the answer to this question may result in a fire! Make it an experiment by testing two different solar heater models. Construct two identical heaters, one with a glass front, and the other with a plexiglass front. (The instructions are live here.) Measure the temperature over several days, and see which one got the hottest.
- How can you make a potato canon? – This is a fun activity, and it demonstrates how cool science can be, but it doesn’t test anything. How can you turn it into an experiment? Vary the trajectory, and ask, “At which angle will a potato canon launch a potato the farthest?”
- What happens when you mix chalk and lemon juice? – Studying acids and bases is fascinating, but there are no variables – so it’s not an experiment. Change it up. Soak pieces of chalk in water, a basic solution, and an acid, and note the variance in the weight.
- What happens when bean seeds germinate? – This is a great lesson, but what are kids comparing? Turn it into an experiment by testing “At which temperature do bean seeds germinate the best?” Use different watt bulbs to vary the temperature.
- How do bones change when soaked in vinegar? – This is close to an experiment, but the project I saw didn’t have a way to measure the change. The results of a true experiment must be measurable. Come up with a weigh to measure the amount of weight the bones can support before breaking, and you may just win your middle school science fair.
Remember, an experiment is a test of the relationship between two variables that have measurable results that can be replicated. It amazes me that reputable science publications will label any sort of science activity as an experiment. It doesn’t matter that you’re still in middle school type of project isn’t right. You can do better than ‘real’ scientists! Turn a ‘non-experiments’ into middle school projects that will amaze judges, your teachers – and yourself!
If you’re looking for a ready made experiment, get one of our Science Project guides. They’ll take you step by step through the experiments, all of which follow the scientific method.
The Coolest of our Cool Science Experiments
All of our science experiments are cool, but you’ll have to agree that A Slice of Ice is the coolest of our cool science experiments. You see, A Slice of Ice is an experiment that finds out if the surface area of ice affects its melting time. 
Surface area is what’s on the outside. Image you make two cubes out of playdough – measuring 1 inch on each side. There will be six square inches on the outside of the cubes. Then image you flatten one of the cubes, and make it as thin as possible. Way more than six square inches will be on the outside. There is more surface area in a ‘puddle’ of playdough than in a cube.
Now imagine that the playdough is frozen water – a frozen cube and a frozen puddle. Which do you think will melt faster?
That’s what A Slice of Ice will tell you. See what a cool experiment it is?!
The first thing you’ll have to do is make ice of different shapes, but containing the same amount of water. Our experiment guide tells you an easy (and cheap!) way to get ice containers. Then you have to calculate the surface area. Depending on the type of object you have, there are different formula to calculate surface area. Our science project guide has the formula you need built into a spreadsheet. You just measure and plug in the numbers – and it will be calculated for you!
| “We saw how easy it was to go into the little boxes and change the wording to ml instead of ounces.” – Deisy, parent |
Purchase our package of guides here, and you’ll get step-by-step instructions for this project, a list of online and offline references, and photographs. Plus, you’ll get four more guides to cool science projects.
PS Parents, this science project can be done for almost no cost, if any at all. Don’t wait! Go to 24 Hour Science Projects today, and get your guide to cool science experiments!
The Most Popular of our Science Project Ideas
Experiments with Vitamin C are among the most popular of our science project ideas. Our Vitamin “C”itrus project is part of the 24 Hour Science Project package. It’s a cool chemistry project that is really impressive, but is really easy to do.
Most ideas for experiments involving chemistry require expensive and hard to find supplies. Experimenting with Vitamin C isn’t like that. In addition to foods containing Vitamin C, you will only need iodine, cornstarch, water, a pot, and a medicine dropper.
First you’ll extract juice from your fruits or vegetables, then you’ll make what is called a ‘titrating’ solution with cornstarch and water – a very easy process. You’ll add the titrating to your juices a drop at a time, and count the number of drops it takes until the solution turns blue. This will indicate how much Vitamin C (did you know it’s really called ascorbic acid?!) is in the juice you are testing. It’s a cool process that is fascinating to watch and do.
You can also use your own ideas to change our experiment up a bit. We give you instructions on how to do that in the expanded version of this experiment in our Middle School Science Project package.
We get notes all the time from kids who have used our Vitamin C science project ideas and have won their science fair.
| “I enjoyed doing this experiment with my son. It was very interesting and it turned out real well. You made it so easy for us. We are so glad we found you website!” – Shannon from Hawaii |
Purchase our package of guides, and you’ll get step-by-step instructions for this project, a list of online and offline references, and photographs. You can enter your information into our charts, and the graph of your data is created automatically! Plus, you’ll get four more guides – so your science project ideas can really multiply. Get your guide at
24 Hour Science Projects today!
PS I didn’t mention that this science project idea can be finished in 24 hours? In fact, you can start any all of the projects in our 24 Hour Science Project package today and be finished by this time tomorrow! Get your package NOW!
At a Glance – All of our Science Fair Topics
People often ask me for an entire list of all the science fair topics we have. Here’s a list of each project topic, and along with a link where you can get instructions on how to get the topic turned into something ready for your science fair!
24 Hour Science Fair Topics:
• Does the shape of ice affect melting time?
• Does covering the mouth really help prevent the spread of germs?
• Which toilet tissue is most biodegradable?
• How does salt affect the boiling point of water?
• Which citrus fruit has the most Vitamin C?
These experiments are available here: 24 Hour Science Projects
Weekend Science Fair Topics: 
• Take the shell off an egg without boiling, and find out if water will go through the membrane.
• Use toy cars to find out about friction!
• Are two ears better than one? Get a group of friends to find out the answer.
• Which brand cereal stays crunchy longest? You’ll love this tasty experiment.
• Feeling a bit warm? Which type of insulation works best?
Turn these topics into experiments here: Weekend Science Projects
Watch This! Science Project Topics:
• Demonstrate that yeast is alive by watching it blow up balloons!
• Show how one Lego sinks, and another one floats in this amazing lesson on density.
• Show off how static electricity works – you’ll make aluminum foil dance!
• Prove that chemical reactions can be sped up – right in front of your friends.
• Make oil and water mix.
Get these demonstration science fair project here Watch This! Science Project Topics.
Middle School Science Project Topics:
• Experiment to find the effect different hair products has on hair.
• Analyze soil, then test its water carrying capacity.
• Find out what makes yeast grow the best.
• Test and see if the amount of Vitamin C in juice diminishes over time.
• Make a solar heater from inexpensive (or recycled!) products.
Get all five Middle School Science Project Topics.
!– Signature –>
PS Each of our Science Fair Topics are great for the science fair. They’re educational, affordable, and fun! AND they can all be finished by this time tomorrow!
They’re LIVE – Middle School Science Projects!
We’re happy to report that Middle School Science Projects are now live! As you know, we’ve been working like – well – mad scientists at our house, and we can’t wait for you to choose your favorite project and start experimenting!
Here are the five projects in the Middle School Science Project package:
• Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow – Experiment to find the effect different hair products has on hair. You can test different conditioners or different ways to color hair. Most of the supplies for this project are as close your bathroom – and the head on your head!
• “C” You Later – This project teaches you how to make an indicator, and then use it to see if the amount of Vitamin C in juice diminishes over time. There are a ton of variations for this science project, and we tell you about them in the guide. This project has already won awards at science fairs.
• Yeast – Rising to the Occasion – Find out what makes yeast grow the best. Sugar, wheat, or maybe dog food!? This easy experiment always is amazing to do – and sharing it makes it even more fun. Hint: It would make a wonderful video to go along with your science board.
• Cheap Heats – You’ll get plans on how to make a solar heater from inexpensive or free products. We actually made one version of this project for zero dollars – scavenging in our attic and recycling bin for supplies! It was loads of fun to do, and we were warmed by the results.
• The Dirt on Dirt – Dig up some soil from your yard, analyze it, then test its water carrying capacity. We loved doing this earth science project! To do it, you only need dirt, water, nylon stockings, one tin can and some jars. We learned a ton doing the research for this project – and you will too!
But you shouldn’t take our word for it. Grab your copy of Middle School Science Projects today and get started on your next science experiment.
PS You can also find out how to get five MORE science project guides – a bargain if there ever was one.
Science Project Application – Or How to Cool Turkey Broth
It’s always great when you come across a really great science project application. And today, I cooked up a great one. (Pun intended – sorry!)
We had our big Thanksgiving meal over the weekend, and I’m just getting to making broth from that huge turkey carcass. I covered it with water, added a couple of onions and garlic…and simmered away. I needed the broth to be ready quickly, so after it cooled a bit, I got ready to put it into the refrigerator.
So I grabbed a pot. And then saw a second pot. Hmmm. One pot was tall and thin, another was wider at the base. Which one would allow the broth to get cold the fastest?
Then I remembered the science project, A Slice Of Ice, where you experiment to see if ice melts faster at a high surface area or a lower one. I knew that the opposite was true, too, so I looked at the two pots, and realized that the one with the wide base had a greater surface area than the tall and skinny one.
Who says science can’t be applied to everyday life?! I love it.
PS So – with my science project application hat on – which one did I choose? Get your copy of A Slice of Ice here – and find out!
Elephant toothpaste on the David Letterman show – by Rajeev Goel
A couple of weeks ago — Nov. 12 to be exact — David Letterman had Kid Scientists on his Late Show. This is something he does once every few months, and in this case, the Kid Scientists were his first guest on the show, coming on even before his A-list movie star, Amanda Peet. I applaud The Late Show for doing this, and I just think it’s an amazing idea. I love the fact that ordinary school kids are getting their chance at five minutes of fame. In a world where science isn’t considered the most glamorous of professions, these kids are basically selling scientific exploration as being fun, cool, and something to aspire to. It’s also noteworthy that the kids chosen to be on the program are diverse in terms of gender and race. On Nov. 12, he had a boy and two girls, one of whom was Asian Indian. You can watch the full episode is here.
Many would agree that the first girl, “Heather”, had the most exciting demonstration. The video of her demo is here:
Once they have their bright yellow glowing liquid, Heather asks Mr. Letterman to pour it into the giant graduated cylinder, which appears to already contain about half a liter of liquid dishwashing soap. Then, she asks him to add the manganese dioxide:
Since manganese dioxide is actually a black powder, I can only assume that the black liquid in the measuring cup is actually a water-based manganese dioxide solution. When Mr. Letterman adds this to the giant cylinder, the crowd goes wild. As Heather explains, ”The manganese dioxide will act as a catalyst and break down the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas. The oxygen gas bubbles will get caught in the soap, and it will also get very hot.” The chemical reaction is as follows:
As you can see, the manganese dioxide is not actually part of the equation. That’s because it’s only a catalyst, and doesn’t actually get consumed as part of the chemical reaction. Anyway, resulting the water and oxygen gas (and heat) all get mixed up in the dishwashing soap causing it to create enormous amounts of suds, enough to overflow the giant graduated cylinder.
Sometimes this demonstration is known as “elephant toothpaste” (for obvious reasons), and you can find numerous examples on the web of this experiment being performed by kids in their school chemistry labs. For example, check out this video.
Well, I hope that helps clear things up, and now you know enough to try this out yourself, assuming you can get a hold of the chemicals. If you do, please follow all appropriate safety precautions … these chemicals are dangerous, and the chemical reactions produce a lot of heat.
Please leave a comment if you enjoyed this post. Teachers and science fair coordinators: don’t forget to get your free science fair website at OurScienceFair.com.
–Rajeev Goel