Science projects
Your Science Exhibition Guide
Choose a project, build it, present it and answer the judges with confidence
Science project idea finder
1028 science project ideas, from class 1 to college.
Find a project by class, subject and type. Every idea explains the science it shows, what you need, how long it takes and how to stay safe, with free ebooks and ready-made kits if you need them. 929 ideas have numbered steps and viva questions on their own page.
Every idea by class: Class 1 to 5, Class 6 to 8, Class 9 and 10, Class 11 and 12, College and diploma.
Want a complete build with diagrams? 16 free detailed project guides
- Class 1 to 5Simple, safe models made with help at home.224 ideas
- Class 6 to 8Working models of the science you learn in class.485 ideas
- Class 9 and 10Energy, electricity, light and first robots.467 ideas
- Class 11 and 12Investigatory projects for the practical exam.331 ideas
- College and diplomaArduino, IoT and sensor projects.119 ideas
Idea finder
Find your project
Choose your class and what interests you, or search for a word such as magnet, solar, heart or robot. Open any card for a summary, or its title for the full page with the science, the steps and the viva questions.
PhysicsMedium
How many clear layers does a solar heater plate need? Glazing test
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A clear cover over a black plate lets sunlight in and slows heat from escaping. Testing zero, one and two layers shows the benefit and the point where extra layers stop helping.
You will need
- Three identical shallow cardboard trays
- Black paper and foil for lining
- Clear plastic sheets or a transparent file cover
- Three thermometers
- Water and a measuring cup
- Tape and a wooden board
Safety: Handle cut plastic edges carefully. An adult must supervise testing near a roof edge or a hot surface. Do not leave water in a sealed container; let air escape.
Take it further: Place a layer of foil under the black paper and see if the extra insulation helps.
PhysicsEasy
Vertical Savonius turbine from two halves of a plastic bottle
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A vertical-axis wind turbine spins whichever way the wind blows. The curved half-bottle blades catch more push on the open side than the round side, so the rotor keeps turning.
You will need
- One 1 litre plastic bottle
- Two round cardboard discs 12 cm wide
- A bamboo skewer or thin dowel as the axle
- A bottle cap or small bead for the bearing
- Strong tape and glue
- A table fan for testing
Safety: An adult must cut the bottle and the skewer ends. Keep fingers and hair away from the spinning blades and from the fan guard.
Take it further: Add a small DC motor on the axle and measure the voltage across an LED at each fan speed.
PhysicsMedium
Two, three, four or six blades: which rotor turns a dynamo best?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The number and angle of blades change how much electricity a small wind rotor makes. Measuring voltage for each design under the same fan shows the best design for a fixed wind speed.
You will need
- A small DC motor to act as a generator
- A plastic hub or bottle cap
- Stiff card or plastic blades
- A multimeter or LED
- A table fan with three speeds
- A stand made from a ruler and clay
Safety: Keep fingers and hair away from the fan and spinning blades. An adult must supervise cutting. Test indoors with a battery-powered fan if possible.
Take it further: Test blade shape: flat strips against slightly curved ones from cut plastic bottle.
PhysicsMedium
Overshot against undershot water wheel lifting the same load
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Water can turn a wheel by weight from above (overshot) or by push from below (undershot). Timing how fast each wheel lifts a small weight shows which uses water more efficiently.
You will need
- Two plastic or card discs 12 cm wide with 8 spoon-shaped cups each
- Two skewers for axles
- A bottle with a tap hole to supply water
- Thread and a paper clip as the load
- A tray to catch water
- A stopwatch and a measuring cup
Safety: Work over a tray or outdoors to avoid slipping. An adult must cut plastic and skewers. Keep electrical items away from the water.
Take it further: Vary the number of cups to find which count gives the quickest lift.
EnvironmentMedium
Paper and sawdust briquettes: how long do they burn compared with wood?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Waste paper, sawdust and crop leaves can be pressed into fuel blocks. Burning equal masses under adult supervision and timing a water boil shows the energy in each fuel.
You will need
- Old newspaper torn into bits
- Sawdust or dry crop leaves
- A bucket of water and a cloth to squeeze
- A tin can with holes as a mould
- A kitchen scale
- A small steel pot of water and a thermometer
- A safe metal tray
Safety: An adult must do all burning, outdoors, in a metal tray with a bucket of water and sand nearby. Never use plastic or glossy paper. Do not burn briquettes indoors, and keep hair and clothes away.
Take it further: Try different ratios of paper to sawdust and decide which gives the longest burn.
BiologyMedium
Balloon biogas digesters: kitchen waste against cow dung slurry
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Microbes break down organic waste without air and release biogas, mostly methane and carbon dioxide. Measuring balloon size over days compares how much gas different feedstocks give.
You will need
- Three 500 ml plastic bottles with caps
- Three balloons
- Fresh cow dung or buffalo dung slurry
- Chopped vegetable peels and cooked rice
- Warm water and a measuring cup
- A tape measure and a notebook
- A warm shaded shelf
Safety: Wear gloves and wash hands after handling dung or waste. Keep the bottles outdoors or in a ventilated area, away from flames, because biogas is flammable. Never light the gas, and an adult must dispose of the contents.
Take it further: Keep one bottle in a warm place and another in a cool place to see the effect of temperature.
EnvironmentChallenging
Tin-can rocket stove model that boils water with a handful of twigs
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A rocket stove has an insulated chimney and a small fuel feed so the fuel burns hot and clean. Comparing the boil time against a three-stone fire shows how a design change saves fuel.
You will need
- One large tin can and one medium can
- Sand or ash for insulation
- A metal grill or three nails for the pot rest
- Dry twigs
- A steel pot and 500 ml water
- A thermometer and stopwatch
- A metal tray and sand bucket
Safety: An adult must cut the metal and do all burning, outdoors on bare ground, with a bucket of water and sand ready. Wear closed shoes, keep children and pets away, and never use fuel indoors.
Take it further: Change the feed-hole size and find the best opening for a fast, clean flame.
PhysicsMedium
Hand-crank generator: voltage against cranking speed
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Turning a small DC motor by hand makes a voltage, so the motor acts as a generator. Faster cranking gives higher voltage and brighter light, showing that mechanical energy changes into electrical energy.
You will need
- A small DC toy motor
- A cardboard or plastic wheel as the crank
- A wooden or cardboard base
- Two LEDs
- A multimeter
- Wires and tape
- A small handle made of a bolt or pencil
Safety: Use only the motor and LEDs; never connect mains. An adult must supervise soldering and cutting. Do not spin the crank with wet hands near loose wires.
Take it further: Add gears from bottle caps to raise the motor speed and see the extra voltage.
EnvironmentMedium
Classroom lighting audit: lux readings and how much LEDs would save
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Measuring light levels and counting lamp hours shows where electricity is wasted. Comparing old tube lights with LED tubes on paper gives the units and rupees saved per year.
You will need
- A phone lux-meter app or a light meter
- A notebook and a floor plan sketch
- Wattage labels read from the lamps
- A calculator or spreadsheet
- The school’s electricity bill (ask the office)
- A ruler and a tape measure
Safety: Do not touch lamps or fittings; an adult must climb any ladder and switch off at the board before reading labels. Never open a lamp or fitting.
Take it further: Repeat for the whole school and suggest three changes with their payback time.
PhysicsMedium
Small solar cells in series and in parallel, with one cell shaded
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Joining cells in series adds voltage, while joining them in parallel adds current. Shading one cell shows why a single shaded cell can cut the power of a whole panel.
You will need
- Three small solar cells (0.5 V to 2 V, from solar garden lights or a kit)
- A multimeter
- Alligator clips or wires
- A small DC motor or an LED
- Cardboard to shade a cell
- A protractor and a wooden board
Safety: Do not use mains-connected panels. An adult must supervise soldering. Use only low voltage cells, and do not stare at glare from the cells.
Take it further: Plot the current against the shaded fraction of one cell for the series arrangement.
PhysicsEasy
Pot-in-pot clay cooler that keeps vegetables fresh without electricity
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Water evaporating from wet sand between two clay pots cools the inner pot. This is how farmers can store vegetables cooler without a fridge.
You will need
- Two clay pots, one that fits inside the other with a 2 to 3 cm gap
- Clean sand
- Water
- A wet cloth for the top
- Two thermometers
- Tomatoes or leafy greens for the test
Safety: Wear gloves while handling wet sand and wash hands after handling vegetables. Do not eat produce kept in an experiment longer than a day or two.
Take it further: Compare the cooling in dry summer weather and in the humid monsoon.
BiologyMedium
Compost heap temperature log: heat from living microbes
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Microbes breaking down garden waste release heat, so a compost heap warms up. A daily log of temperature shows the stages of composting and the effect of turning and moisture.
You will need
- A bucket or drum with holes for air
- Dry leaves and green kitchen waste
- A long stem thermometer (0 to 110 C)
- A trowel
- Water in a spray bottle
- A notebook for daily readings
Safety: Wear gloves and a mask when turning compost, and wash hands afterwards. Keep the bin away from food, and do not use meat, dairy or oily food scraps.
Take it further: Add finely chopped waste to one bin and coarse pieces to another to see which heats faster.
PhysicsChallenging
Windmill pump model that lifts water with a crank and syringe
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A windmill pump turns the spin of its blades into an up and down stroke that lifts water. It shows how farmers use wind to irrigate fields with no electricity.
You will need
- A multi-blade rotor from card or plastic bottle
- A cardboard crank disc and a stiff wire connecting rod
- A large syringe (20 ml) with two small tubes
- Two simple one-way flaps made from balloon pieces
- A bottle as the water tank
- A wooden frame and a table fan
Safety: An adult must cut wire and plastic. Keep fingers away from the moving crank and blades. Do not use a mains fan near water; place water below and use a battery fan.
Take it further: Change the crank radius and see how the stroke length and flow rate change.
ChemistryEasy
pH of garden, farm and roadside soil using red cabbage indicator
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Soils can be acidic, neutral or alkaline, and crops grow best in a suitable range. A homemade indicator sorts soils from different places by colour.
You will need
- Red cabbage leaves and warm water
- Five clear cups or jars
- Soil samples from a garden, a farm, a roadside, a pot and a lawn
- Distilled or boiled and cooled water
- Coffee filters or cotton cloth
- Lemon juice and baking soda for colour reference
Safety: Wash hands after handling soil. An adult must chop the cabbage and heat water. Taste nothing used in the experiment.
Take it further: Grow the same seed in the most acidic and the most alkaline soil to see which grows better.
Earth and spaceMedium
Capillary rise of water in sand, silt and clay columns
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Water climbs up through the tiny gaps between soil grains. Fine clay lifts water highest but slowly, and coarse sand lifts it only a little but fast, which matters for how crops reach water.
You will need
- Three clear plastic bottles or tubes, 20 cm long, with the bottoms cut off
- Muslin cloth and rubber bands
- Dry sand, silt or fine garden soil, and clay soil
- A shallow tray of coloured water
- A ruler and a stopwatch
- A funnel to pack soil evenly
Safety: An adult must cut the bottles. Wash hands after handling soil and wear a dust mask when pouring dry clay.
Take it further: Mix sand and clay in different ratios to find the mix that gives good height and speed.
EnvironmentEasy
Straw, leaf, paper and bare soil: which mulch keeps pots moistest?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A layer of mulch slows evaporation from the soil surface. Weighing identical pots each day shows how much water each mulch saves, which helps farmers during dry spells.
You will need
- Five identical small pots or cut bottles with soil
- Dry straw, dry leaves, shredded paper and gravel
- A kitchen scale
- A measuring cup
- A shaded sunny windowsill or balcony
- Labels and a notebook
Safety: Wash hands after touching soil and mulch. Keep pots on a stable ledge so they do not fall.
Take it further: Plant a bean in each pot and see which mulch grows the tallest plant.
BiologyMedium
Hydroponic mint and spinach grown in a cut bottle with no soil
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Plants can grow with their roots in nutrient water instead of soil. A bottle hydroponic setup shows that roots need water, nutrients and air, not soil itself.
You will need
- A 2 litre plastic bottle cut in half
- A cotton wick or rope
- Mint stems or spinach seedlings
- Cocopeat, perlite or small stones to hold the plant
- Liquid organic nutrient (vermicompost tea, diluted) or a plant nutrient mix
- A marker and a ruler
Safety: An adult must cut the bottle. Wear gloves when handling nutrient solutions, wash hands after, and keep the bottle away from children and pets.
Take it further: Grow the same plant in soil and compare height and leaf count after three weeks.
BiologyMedium
Fenugreek in nutrient water against garden soil: a growth race
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Comparing hydroponic and soil growth under the same light shows what soil adds and what plants really need. Measuring height, root length and mass gives data to judge each method.
You will need
- Fenugreek (methi) seeds
- Six small cups or pots
- Garden soil
- Water with dilute organic nutrient (vermicompost tea or a mild plant food)
- Cotton wool or cocopeat as support
- A ruler, a thread and a kitchen scale
Safety: Wash hands after soil and nutrient handling. Never mix chemical fertilisers strongly; an adult must prepare any plant food. Do not eat plants grown in experimental conditions.
Take it further: Test different strengths of nutrient solution to find the best one.
PhysicsMedium
Sprinkler irrigation model from a drilled pipe and a bucket head
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A rotating or fixed sprinkler spreads water as small jets over a field. The model shows how water pressure, hole size and height decide how far and how evenly water falls.
You will need
- A 1 m plastic pipe or tube
- A bucket or bottle as the water tank with a tap hole
- A drill or hot nail to make small holes (adult)
- Rubber tubing or a hose clip
- Several cups or tins for rain catchment
- A ruler and a measuring cup
Safety: An adult must drill holes and cut plastic. Work outdoors or over a tray, and avoid wet floors and electrical items.
Take it further: Change the hole spacing and find the layout that gives the most even spread.
PhysicsMedium
Drip emitter flow against reservoir height: pressure head test
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The rate at which a drip emitter releases water depends on the height of the water above it. Measuring drops per minute at different heights shows the link between pressure and flow, which a farmer uses to design a drip line.
You will need
- A 2 litre bottle as the reservoir
- Thin tubing 1 m long
- A hand-made emitter: IV drip set regulator, or a pinched tube with a tiny hole
- A measuring cylinder or small cup
- A stopwatch
- A metre ruler and stand
Safety: Handle needles and cut plastic with an adult. Work over a tray so that no water spills on the floor.
Take it further: Test two emitter hole sizes and plot both curves on one graph.
BiologyEasy
Cotton wick self-watering planter: how long can a plant go unwatered?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A wick moves water from a reservoir into the soil by capillary action. A plant in a wick pot stays healthy while a normal pot dries out, which shows how to save water and look after plants during holidays.
You will need
- Two plastic bottles cut in half
- Cotton rope or strips of old cloth
- Potting soil and two small plants or bean seeds
- Water
- A ruler
- A notebook
Safety: An adult must cut the bottles. Wash hands after handling soil and keep the pots on a stable shelf.
Take it further: Compare wicks of cotton, nylon and jute and see which moves water best.
EnvironmentMedium
Greywater reuse: rice-wash, soapy and tap water on bean seedlings
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Water used in the kitchen can sometimes be reused on plants, but soap can harm them. Growing seedlings with different kinds of used water shows which can be safely reused.
You will need
- Bean or mung seeds
- Four pots with soil
- Rice-washing water, mild soapy water, vegetable-wash water and tap water
- Labels and a measuring cup
- A ruler
- A notebook
Safety: Use only mild washing-up water diluted well. Never use bleach, toilet cleaner or strong detergents. Wash hands after use, and do not eat the test plants.
Take it further: Measure the soil pH after each treatment to see how the water changes the soil.
BiologyMedium
Salty irrigation water: how much salt can seeds tolerate?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Salt in irrigation water stops seeds from taking up water. Germination counts across different salt strengths show why saline groundwater harms crops.
You will need
- Mung or wheat seeds
- Five petri dishes or plates with cotton or tissue
- Table salt and a kitchen scale
- A measuring cup
- Labels and a notebook
- A ruler
Safety: Wash hands after handling seeds. Do not taste the solutions, and wipe up spills so the floor is not slippery.
Take it further: Compare a salt-tolerant seed such as barley with a sensitive one such as bean.
BiologyEasy
Compost, vermicompost and plain soil: which grows beans best?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Organic manures add nutrients and improve the soil. Growing the same bean in plain soil, compost and vermicompost shows the effect of each on growth.
You will need
- Bean seeds
- Three equal pots or cut bottles
- Garden soil
- Home compost and vermicompost
- Water
- A ruler and a kitchen scale
Safety: Wear gloves and wash hands after handling compost. Keep the pots in a shaded place away from food.
Take it further: Try different proportions of vermicompost to find the best mix.
Before you start
How to choose a good project
Six things to think about before you decide. A project you understand and finish well beats a big one you rush.
Start with a question
Good projects answer a question you are curious about: why does iron rust, which fabric keeps tea hottest, how does a robot follow a line? A question gives your project a purpose.
Check what is asked
Find out whether your teacher wants a working model, a still model or an investigatory project, the size limits, the topic or theme, the date, and whether ready-made models are allowed.
Match your time and class
Each idea here shows a class band, a difficulty and a rough time. Choose something you can finish properly with time to test it, rather than something huge you have to rush.
Pick science you can explain
Judges and examiners ask how it works. Choose an idea whose science you understand, or can learn from your textbook and the free ebooks, and practise explaining it.
List materials and costs
Write down everything you need before you start. Many models use things from home; motors, LEDs, sensors and boards are easy to buy as spare parts or in a kit.
Make it your own
Change one thing and measure what happens, add a chart of your readings, or show a real-life use. Even a well-known model becomes yours when you add your own observations.
Plan your time
A four-week project timeline
Work backwards from the date of your exhibition or submission. Short of time? Do the same steps faster, but never skip testing.
- 4 weeks before
Choose and get it approved
- Shortlist two or three ideas
- Write your aim or question in one sentence
- Show your teacher and agree the idea
- 3 weeks before
Read and collect materials
- Read the science in your textbook and a free ebook
- Sketch the design with measurements
- Collect or buy the materials and spare parts
- 2 weeks before
Build and test
- Build one part at a time and test each part
- For an investigation, repeat each reading at least three times
- Write every observation in a notebook with the date
- 1 week before
Write the report and chart
- Aim, materials, method, observations, result and conclusion
- A neat table or graph of your readings
- A chart or poster with a labelled diagram
- Last 2 days
Rehearse
- Practise a one-minute explanation out loud
- Prepare answers to the questions below
- Pack spares: cells, wires, tape and glue
On the day
Present it with confidence
You will usually have a minute or two to explain your project, then questions. Practise both out loud at home.
A one-minute explanation
- 1Name and question“My project is a … It answers the question …”
- 2What it showsOne sentence of science, in your own words.
- 3How it worksPoint to each part as you explain it.
- 4What you foundYour readings or result, and what they mean.
- 5Real lifeWhere the same science is used every day.
Questions judges often ask
- What does your project show, in one sentence?
- How does it work? Which law or idea of science is behind it?
- What did you change, and what did you measure?
- What went wrong while you were making it, and how did you fix it?
- Where is this idea used in real life?
- What would you improve if you made it again?
What your project file needs
- Title page with your name, class and school
- Aim or question
- Introduction: the science behind it
- Materials list
- Method, step by step, with a diagram
- Observations in a table
- Result and conclusion
- Precautions and safety
- Sources: books and websites you used
Projects and kits
Ready-made projects, kits and spare parts
Need a working model, a kit to build yourself, or a motor, LED, battery or sensor to finish your own? Every idea card links to the matching section of the store.
School Projects, Class 1 to 9
Ready-made working models for class 1 to 9: science, maths, physics, chemistry and biology.Browse
School Projects, Class 10 to 12
Working models and investigatory projects for class 10, 11 and 12.Browse
Best Out of Waste
Models made from bottles, cardboard and old parts, for waste-management themes.Browse
Robotics and Coding
Robot kits, Arduino projects, line followers, obstacle avoiders and smart projects.Browse
DIY Kits
Kits with every part and step-by-step instructions, to build the model yourself.Browse
Components and Spares
Motors, LEDs, batteries, switches, wires, sensors and breadboards to build or repair.Browse
Engineering Projects
Minor and major projects for diploma and BTech students.Browse
Cannot find what you need? Ask the head office on WhatsApp.
Free ebooks
Free books for making projects
Step-by-step project books for every class, plus guides to exhibitions, project files and viva questions. Free to download, read and print.
Science projects
Writing a Science Project File
How to write the report, from the cover page to the bibliography
Science projects
Viva Questions for Science Projects
How to answer examiner questions, with sample questions for popular projects
Science projects
Easy Science Projects for Class 1 to 5
Simple, safe projects young children can make with a little help
Science projects
Science Projects for Class 6 to 8
Working models matched to middle-school science topics
Science projects
Investigatory Projects for Class 11 and 12
Topics, method and report structure for physics, chemistry and biology
Stay safe
Safety rules for every project
Read these with a parent before you start. Ideas that need extra care carry their own safety note on the card.
Never use mains electricity
Power your models with cells, batteries or a low-voltage adapter. Never connect anything home-made to a wall socket.
Adult help for sharp and hot tools
Cutters, blades, glue guns, soldering irons and drills need an adult beside you. Cut away from your body on a board.
Chemicals with care
Use only safe household materials at home. Acids, stains and other lab chemicals are for the school lab with your teacher. Wear goggles and never taste anything.
Flames only with an adult
Candles and burners only with an adult present and water nearby. Tie back long hair and keep paper away.
Look after batteries
Do not short-circuit a battery, mix old and new cells, or puncture or heat a lithium battery. Remove batteries when the model is stored.
Small parts away from little ones
Magnets, button cells and small parts can be swallowed. Keep them away from younger brothers and sisters, and wash your hands after making.
Questions about science projects
Still have a question?
Chat on WhatsAppWhat is the difference between a working model, a still model and an investigatory project?
A working model moves or works to show a principle, such as a windmill that lights an LED. A still model shows how something is built or arranged, such as the layers of the Earth. An investigatory project asks a question and answers it by experiment: you change one thing, measure the result and draw a conclusion from your readings.
Can I buy a ready-made project?
Check your school’s rules first: some competitions want models made by the student, and some allow ready-made ones. Either way, you must understand how it works and be able to explain it. A good approach is to build from a kit, or to add your own measurements and chart to a ready-made model.
How long does a school project take?
Each idea here shows a rough time for the making. Leave extra time for reading, testing, the report and practice: three to four weeks from choosing to presenting is comfortable for most school projects.
What should go in my project report or file?
A title page, your aim, the science behind it, the materials, the method with a diagram, your observations in a table, the result and conclusion, precautions, and the books and websites you used. The free ebook “Writing a Science Project File” explains each part.
What if my model stops working on the day?
Carry spare cells, wires and tape, and test everything when you arrive. Take a short video or photos of it working at home. If something still fails, explain calmly what should happen and what you would check: judges value understanding as much as a perfect model.
More help
Stuck on a project?
Read the student help pages, try the free calculators for circuits and units, or ask the head office on WhatsApp.