All parents are faced with the task of selecting a topic for their science fair project. It doesn’t have to become overwhelming if you choose something that’s entertaining to your child and a topic that you know he/she can complete. Here are 3 easy science fair projects that your child will enjoy:
How Flowers Drink Water
Elementary School Science Project: This is an easy science project, beginner level for 1-3 graders. This science project details how flowers provide water throughout their system, from stem to petal to keep the flower healthy. Both my son and daughter presented this project in his 1st grade and her 2nd grade classes. They are three years apart so no one mentioned anything about her sibling presenting the same project. It is an easy science fair project for a 1st grader because they can do a lot by themselves. My son won 1st place and my daughter won 4th place on this project.
Materials: 3 white carnations; 1 box food coloring; 1 vase filled half way with water; 1camera
Place 3 carnations into a vase filled with water. Take pictures of how the flowers look before the project begins. Next, select a food coloring, Then place 3 drops of the food coloring into the vase. Check the vase within 2-3 hours to see how far the dye has traveled, if any, up the stem. If the dye has begun traveling up the stem, take new pictures to document this. Leave overnight.
Check the flowers the next morning to see how far the dye has traveled up the stem. Take pictures. Continue checking throughout the day, approximately every 2-4 hours to document the progress of the dye. You will want to take pictures at every interval for your presentation.
Continue the process of checking and taking pictures until the dye makes its way into the petals. The dye will finally turn the petals the color of the dye.
The Mystery of Fingerprints
Elementary School Science Project: This is an easy science fair project that can be altered for Middle School and High School Students. The project outlined is a beginner level for 3-6 graders. My son presented this project in the 3rd grade and won 2nd place in his school.
Materials: 1 ink pad, 1 magnifying glass, few sheets of white paper; 1 notebook
Begin by doing basic research on fingerprints. The child should understand that all fingerprints are unique. They have unique ridges and swirls and this is the one thing that is uniquely identifiable.
Next, take a thumb print by rolling child’s thumb onto the ink pad and place print onto paper. Label it so s/he knows that print is her/his. You want to take to a copy place and enlarge to place on science board to show the ridges, outlines and detail what onlookers will see on the board.
Next, take some prints of siblings, parents, grandparents and the teacher. The teacher is always a good choice because you show that the child is really involved in this project and doing research.
Next, observe the different prints. Copy and increase the size to show differences. Show any similarities among family members and differences between child and teacher.
Last, you can take a fingerprint from another finger of the child and compare it with the thumb print. Do they match? What differences do you see?
The Effects Caffeine has on Plants
Middle School Project: This is an easy science fair project that can be altered for High School students. My daughter used this project in the 8th grade. This is a great project that does not require much work, that’s why we chose it! My daughter did not win any award but she did receive a grade of “A” from the teacher.
Materials: 3 small plants (must be the same plant); Decaffeinated coffee; Caffeinated coffee; water; teaspoon; coffee cup; 1 camera; 1 notebook
Begin this project by labeling each plant with their control, i.e., one should say caffeinated coffee, the next decaffeinated coffee and the last water.
Note: a small plant will only require ½ cup of liquid, every other day. Do not over water. A medium sized plant will require 1 full cup of liquid.
Next, you should make a cup of coffee each for the caffeine and for the decaffeinated. Use 1 teaspoon of the coffee(s). Pour the ½ cup into the labeled plants. Follow the same directions for the plant receiving water.
Monitor the plants day by day and make notes. Which is growing faster? Which is not growing at all? Do you notice any difference among the plants?
Take pictures each time you give liquids to the plants to show their progress.
Everyone wants to be a winner, somewhere in the top 3. Competition is always high so you may want to tweak the projects some and add to the difficulty level. Good Luck!
