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.

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!

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.

For example, we had a heck of a time getting the hair the exact length we needed it. I mean, hair is little, tiny, and hard to grasp. We figured out a way – quite by accident – to get each strand the perfect length. Our other discovery is finding out what sort of stuff is in cosmetology products. We have boys, and they don’t exactly use anything on their hair other than shampoo – and sometimes I have to remind them to use that! Anyhow, I didn’t know about peroxide and lemon juice and the difference between highlighting and stripping color. Thanks to some interviews with real cosmetologists, I’m much better informed.

Of course, we have more fun middle school projects up our sleeve. Right now my kitchen has a slight smell of sour milk and our cabinets are splattered with purple cabbage juice. I’ve got orange pulp in my fingernails, and the taste of club soda in my mouth. (I know, you’re not supposed to taste any of the experiments!)

But we’re sailing toward getting this package of products done! I can’t wait.

PS If you need a science project now, get our free Parent’s Guide to a Science Project at 24 Hour Science Projects.com!

One of the things we’re working on today is our new science project about hair. In the experiment, we’re measuring the strength of hair after it’s been treated with various types of hair products. To do this, we had to find a way to hang strands of hair. The first attempt was to simply tie a knot. That was NOT easy, and after I tried for fifteen minutes, we decided it was too impractical to think that a middle schooler would be able to do it.

So then we thought about tape. First, I used medical tape, because it’s white and you can write on it – important to keep up with the variables. But the medical tape didn’t hold the hair; it just slipped out. Regular cellophane tape wasn’t successful either. I almost gave up, but we finally found a great solution. You’ll have to get the middle school guide to find out!

Experimenting before the science experiment is an important part of our science. We’ll have all the kinks worked out of the hair project (pun intended!) when it is published. Our goal is to take the guesswork out for families, so that they have a step by step list for a cool science project that works!

PS We’re kicking around titles for our science project about hair – “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow”, “Splitting Hairs”, “Hair Conditioning”, and other less catchy attempts. Leave a comment below if you have any ideas.

We’re getting ready to roll out a whole new set of science project with science fair topics that are perfect for middle school! In fact, the projects are called Middle School Science Projects. We’ll be doing some cool experiments, and one demonstration. Here are the topics we have planned:

1. How do different hair products affect the strength of hair. Girls are especially interested in doing a science project about hair. In this project, we treat hair, then test its strength.

2. Does the amount of Vitamin C in Orange juice change over time? This is a slightly more advanced version of our popular Vitamin ‘C’itrus’ project.

3. What liquid is best for growing beans. This experiment involves pH and hydroponics, and you get to make your own litmus paper.

4. What makes yeast grow best? We have another project with yeast as the science fair topic, but its a demonstration. We’re releasing this because so many of our students have asked for a science experiment about yeast.

5. This one is a demonstration/model. We’ll be building a solar heater with cans and a window frame. I plan on using it in our upstairs bathroom, which currently is unheated!

I’m very excited about these projects!! Stay tuned for more information!

PS You don’t have to wait for the new package. Get a free science project guide here.

If you do need an easy science project for school, check out 24 Hour Science Projects.

Most parents and especially homeschoolers are always on the lookout for easy science fair projects to do with the kids. Here is one of our very easy science fair projects to do with the kids. In this project you are going to look at how ships float.

Simple boats such as rafts float because they are made of material that is lighter than the water. Usually materials such as light wood or reeds that are less dense than water are used.

Heave boats works differently as they float because of the upthrust of the water that occurs because of them pushing on the water. The upthrust is their pushing force. By putting something on the water and letting it go, you will see that it is pushing the liquid out of the way. The further it goes the more water it pushes up. Now, when this upthrust becomes the same as the objects weight, the object will float. This is the principle uses for boats.

Now here is a very simple experiment to test upthrust

What you will need for your project:

2 polystyrene blocks, one double the size of the other
A tank or a bowl of water
A wooden block
A Marble

Method for this easy science fair project to do with the kids:

Place the two polystyrene blocks in the water
Notice that they float because they are made of very light material
So, for them to float only a small amount of upthrust is needed
Now you can try and push them under the water
You should be able to feel the upthrust pushing back
Place the wooden block in and you will notice that it floats deeper in the water because it is heavier or denser than the polystyrene blocks
Now drop the marble in, you will notice that it sinks immediately as the upthrust is not enough to keep it floating

When doing a project such as this, remember to make notes of all your steps and to take photos for your display. It is also important to make use of the proper scientific method to ensure you do a good project.

In this project, what would you say is your hypothesis?
Which part of this experiment is your control?
How would you describe your method?

These are some of the things you will have to know in order to do a winning science fair project. Even easy science fair projects to do with the kids, needs to adhere to this as they have to learn from the very beginning to do it correct.

The next easy science fair project to do with the kids..

Making use of the upthrust with a hollow hull

What you need for this experiment:

A pair of scissors
Kitchen foil about 20cm X 15cm
Kitchen paper towels
The same tank of water
Marbles

How to do this easy science fair project:

First of all place the flat piece of kitchen foil in the tank
Give it a slight push and notice that it sinks with the slightest push because it does not replace a lot of water, so the upthrust in minimal
Remove the foil from the water and carefully dry it with the kitchen paper without tearing it
Now you have to carefully, without tearing the foil, model it into a simple boat shape with your fingers
Place your boat in the water
What happens?
Why does it happen?
Now start filling your boat with marbles, as your cargo
What happens now?
Why does it happen?
How many marbles can you place in your boat before it sinks?
Why does it eventually sink?

In answering these questions, think of the experiment above. Now you have demonstrated how a boat works. Even though it is made of metal, it is filled with a lot of air and this creates enough upthrust to make it float. If the boat is overloaded though, it will eventually sink.

These is only two very simple examples of Easy Science Fair Projects To Do with kids, working with boats. For a fun Catamaran one go to Magrietha’s site Easy Science Fair Projects, you will find more interesting science projects on her blog: ScienceProjects.KnackTrack

Here’s a way to understand it better. You’ll need two sandwich size zip close bags and a big bag of cotton. Loosely fill the first bag with cotton. Count how many cotton balls you put in.

The bag is full of cotton, right?

Now, take a second bag, and put twice as many cotton balls into it.

It’s full of cotton, too.

Both of these bags are now full, but the second one is more densely packed than the first. It’s also heavier.

That’s what density is.

Now try this cool science project about the density of liquids. Take a jar, and add 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 cup syrup. Add them all at the same time. What happens? Oil is less dense than water. And syrup is more dense than water. As you can see.

There’s a lot more that you can discover about density. The concept of density can turn into a cool science project. Read about it at Watch This! Science Projects.