Physics · Optics
Measure the speed of light with a chocolate bar
Find the wavelength of microwaves from melt spots on chocolate, then calculate the speed of light.
- Easy
- 1–3 hours
- Under 250
606 projects · 13 streams · every class
Science projects 24
Experiments, working models and investigations in physics, chemistry, biology, earth and space. Most can be done at home or in a school lab, and each one says what it costs and how long it takes.
24 Science projects
Chemistry + Nutrition and Food
Measure the vitamin C in fruit juices
Titrate juices with iodine and starch to compare how much vitamin C each contains.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Physics · Optics
Measure the refractive index of water with a laser pointer
Trace a laser beam entering water at several angles and get the refractive index from Snell's law.
- Intermediate
- 1–3 hours
- Under 250
Biology · Cell Biology
Observe osmosis in potato strips
Soak potato strips in salt solutions and find the concentration at which they neither gain nor lose mass.
- Easy
- 1 day
- Under 250
Physics · Waves
Measure the speed of sound with two phones
Use two phones with an acoustic stopwatch app to time a clap over a known distance.
- Easy
- 1–3 hours
- Free
Physics · Current Electricity
Verify Ohm's law and find where it fails
Plot current against voltage for a resistor and a bulb and explain the difference.
- Easy
- 1–3 hours
- Under 250
Physics · Oscillations
Find g with a simple pendulum and a phone
Time pendulums of different lengths and get the acceleration due to gravity from a straight-line graph.
- Easy
- 1–3 hours
- Under 250
Astronomy and Space + Pure Mathematics
Measure the Earth's circumference like Eratosthenes
Measure a stick's shadow at local noon in two cities and calculate the size of the Earth.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Free
Physics · Optics
Build a spectroscope from a CD and analyse light sources
Split light with a CD and compare the spectra of the Sun, LEDs, CFLs and flames.
- Easy
- 1 day
- Under 250
Chemistry · Electrochemistry
Make an electroplating cell and copper-plate a key
Coat a steel key with copper and find how plating time changes the mass gained.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- 250–500
Chemistry · Thermochemistry
Measure the heat released when salts dissolve
Dissolve different salts in water and classify each as heating or cooling the water.
- Intermediate
- 1–3 hours
- Under 250
Chemistry · Analytical Chemistry
Estimate the calcium carbonate in eggshells
React eggshell with vinegar, measure the mass of carbon dioxide lost and calculate its purity.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Biology · Botany
Investigate transpiration with a simple potometer
Build a potometer from tubing and measure how wind, light and humidity change water uptake.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Chemistry · Medicinal Chemistry
Compare how well antacids neutralise acid
Find which antacid tablet neutralises the most acid per tablet and per rupee.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Biology · Evolution
Model natural selection with coloured beads
Play predator on beads scattered on patterned cloth and watch the population shift over generations.
- Easy
- 1–3 hours
- Under 250
Physics + Astronomy and Space
Estimate the Sun's power with a can of water
Measure how fast sunlight heats blackened water and estimate the solar constant.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Biology · Molecular Biology
Investigate the effect of temperature on enzyme activity
Measure how fast potato catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide at different temperatures.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Astronomy and Space + Photography, Film and Animation
Photograph star trails and find the celestial pole
Take a long exposure of the night sky and measure the Earth's rotation from the arcs.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Free
Chemistry · Food Chemistry
Compare the energy in different foods by burning them
Burn nuts and snacks under a can of water and estimate the energy per gram of each.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Physics · Optics
Measure the wavelength of a laser with a ruler
Reflect a laser at grazing angle off a steel ruler and get its wavelength from the diffraction spots.
- Intermediate
- 1–3 hours
- Under 250
Physics · Waves
Investigate standing waves on a string
Drive a stretched string with a small speaker and find how frequency depends on tension.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- 250–500
Physics · Fluid Mechanics
Measure surface tension by counting drops
Use the drop-weight method to compare the surface tension of water, soapy water and oil.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Physics · Oscillations
Study damping with a pendulum in air and water
Film a pendulum losing amplitude in air and in water and test whether the decay is exponential.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
Chemistry · Electrochemistry
Electrolyse water and collect the gases
Split water with a 9 V battery and show that hydrogen and oxygen form in a 2:1 ratio.
- Intermediate
- 1 day
- Under 250
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