Science projects
Your Science Exhibition Guide
Choose a project, build it, present it and answer the judges with confidence
Science project idea finder
1029 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. 930 ideas have numbered steps and viva questions on their own page.
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.332 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PhysicsMedium
Gravity dam profile model: why the base is thick and the top thin
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Water pressure grows with depth, so dams are thicker at the bottom. A model dam in a tray of water shows that a trapezoid profile resists the push of water better than a thin wall.
You will need
- A rectangular plastic tray or tank
- Clay or soft plasticine, or wet sand
- A thin cardboard wall to compare
- A spring balance or a small weight on a thread
- A ruler
- Water and food colour
Safety: Keep the tank on a table over a tray and wipe up spills. Do not stand on wet floors. Use only a small tank so the load is safe.
Take it further: Test a curved arch dam shape and compare with the straight dam.
PhysicsMedium
Canal lock model that lifts a boat between two water levels
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A lock raises or lowers boats by letting water in or out of a chamber between gates. The model shows how water finds its own level and moves a boat with no engine lift.
You will need
- A long plastic box or tray
- Three card dividers with waterproof tape
- Two small gates made from plastic sheet
- A foil or plastic toy boat
- Water and a jug
- A ruler and food colour
Safety: Work over a tray and keep floors dry. An adult must cut thick plastic. Do not use electric items near water.
Take it further: Add a side tank that stores some lock water to save it.
PhysicsMedium
Archimedes screw water lifter from a bottle and a coil of tube
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A screw turning in a tilted tube lifts water upward, an idea used for thousands of years to irrigate fields. The model shows how a simple machine moves water uphill without a motor.
You will need
- A thick transparent plastic tube or hose about 1 m long
- A rigid cylinder such as a 2 litre bottle or a wide pipe
- Strong tape
- A tray and two buckets
- A hand crank from a wooden stick
- Food colour for the water
- Rubber bands
Safety: An adult must cut plastic and tubes. Work over a tray and keep floors dry. Keep fingers away from the turning parts.
Take it further: Add more turns of tube and see if the lift per minute improves.
PhysicsMedium
Hand pump model from a bottle, tube and two one-way flaps
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A hand pump uses a piston and one-way valves to lift water from a well. The model shows how pushing and pulling the handle makes water move in one direction.
You will need
- A cut plastic bottle as the cylinder
- A rubber-sealed plunger from a syringe or cut rubber
- Two balloon flaps as one-way valves
- Flexible tubing
- A stick as the handle and a pivot
- A bucket of water and a jug
- Strong tape and glue
Safety: An adult must cut plastic and handle sharp edges. Work over a tray and keep fingers clear of the moving handle.
Take it further: Compare a pump with a larger and a smaller cylinder and see the water per stroke.
PhysicsMedium
Two-lens refracting telescope from a pair of magnifying glasses
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A long-focus lens gathers light from a distant object and forms a small image. A second short-focus lens acts as a magnifier for that image, so far-away objects look larger and nearer.
You will need
- One magnifying lens of long focal length, about 40 cm (objective)
- One magnifying lens of short focal length, about 5 cm (eyepiece)
- Two cardboard tubes, one sliding inside the other
- Black paper and glue
- A metre ruler
- Tape and a wooden stand
Safety: Never point the telescope at the Sun, because it can burn your eye. An adult must handle glass lenses.
Take it further: Make the telescope with a third lens to turn the image upright and discuss why binoculars use prisms.
PhysicsEasy
Straw rocket launcher: which fin shape flies the farthest?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A paper rocket is pushed off by a puff of air, and its fins keep it pointing straight. Changing only the fin shape while keeping everything else the same is a fair test of how fins help flight.
You will need
- A wide drinking straw to blow through (launcher)
- A thin straw or rolled paper tube for the rocket body, closed at one end
- Paper cut into 3 fin shapes: triangle, rectangle and no fin
- Tape and scissors
- A measuring tape
- A notebook for results
Safety: Do not aim at faces. Use a new, clean straw for each person and keep the launching area clear of others.
Take it further: Test the number of fins, using two, three and four of the same size.
PhysicsMedium
Whirling ball orbit: how speed changes with string length
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A ball on a string moving in a circle needs a steady inward pull. This pull mimics gravity for a satellite. For the same pull, a longer string needs a faster ball, while real planets nearer the Sun move faster because gravity there is stronger.
You will need
- A smooth plastic or hollow glass-free tube of 15 cm length (a ball pen casing)
- A soft rubber ball or a rubber stopper on a thread, 1.5 m long
- A few washers or nuts as a hanging weight
- A stopwatch
- A ruler and marker pen
- A notebook
Safety: Whirl the ball slowly, in an open space, with others kept at a distance. Wear a cap and use a soft ball. An adult should supervise.
Take it further: Compare your findings with Kepler’s third law using real planet periods and radii.
PhysicsChallenging
Doppler shift of a whirling buzzer, the idea behind galaxy redshift
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A sound source moving towards you sounds higher in pitch, and one moving away sounds lower. Astronomers use the same idea with light to find that distant galaxies are moving away from us.
You will need
- A small battery buzzer or a phone playing a steady tone inside a padded box
- A strong string 1 m long
- A second phone with a free tuner app
- A tape measure
- A stopwatch
- Soft padding and a cloth bag
Safety: Whirl only a light device in a soft padded bag, at a safe distance from people. An adult must supervise, wear a hat, and keep others far away.
Take it further: Use a spectrum app to record a passing train or bus horn and measure the shift.
PhysicsMedium
CD spectroscope that splits daylight, bulb and tube light
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A CD acts as a diffraction grating, splitting light into colours. Different sources give different patterns of colour, and astronomers use the same idea to find what stars are made of.
You will need
- A cardboard box with a lid, about 20 cm long
- A piece of an old CD with its silver layer on
- Two razor-blade-free straight edges, such as thick card, to make a narrow slit
- Black paper and tape
- A phone to take photographs
- A CFL tube light, an LED torch and a white card for daylight
Safety: An adult must cut the CD with scissors, and handle sharp CD edges. Never look at the Sun through the slit; use light from the sky or a sheet of white paper in sunlight.
Take it further: Mark a scale using a known source, and estimate the wavelength of the green line in a CFL.
PhysicsMedium
Gaganyaan-style crew capsule with a parachute to land an egg astronaut
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A crew capsule coming back from space is slowed by a parachute and lands softly. A larger parachute canopy gives more air drag and a slower fall, which protects the passenger.
You will need
- A plastic bottle or a paper cup as a capsule
- A thin plastic bag or cloth cut into a circle or square
- Thread for the strings and tape
- A boiled egg or a small ball of clay as the astronaut
- Cotton wool or foam for padding
- A stopwatch and a measuring tape
Safety: Drop only from a safe height such as a first-floor balcony railing with an adult, and keep people away from the landing zone. Use a hard-boiled egg to avoid mess.
Take it further: Cut a small hole at the centre of the canopy and test how it affects stability.
PhysicsEasy
Bounce height of cricket, tennis and rubber balls on grass, concrete and sand
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
How high a ball bounces depends on both the ball and the surface. Some of the ball’s energy is lost as sound, heat and a dent in the surface at each bounce, which explains why pitches matter in cricket.
You will need
- A cricket ball, a tennis ball and a rubber ball
- A metre ruler or a tape fixed on a wall
- A camera to film the bounce in slow motion
- Patches of concrete, grass and dry sand
- A notebook
- A friend to read the height
Safety: Throw balls gently and keep faces clear of a hard cricket ball. An adult should supervise play on the ground.
Take it further: Drop from three heights and check that the ratio stays about the same for the same ball and surface.
PhysicsMedium
Launch angle and range with a spring catapult: is 45 degrees best?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The range of a projectile depends on the launch angle. On level ground and with little air drag, the greatest range occurs at 45 degrees, and complementary angles such as 30 and 60 degrees give the same range.
You will need
- A wooden ruler and a rubber band to make a catapult
- A stand with a protractor to set angles
- Small soft balls or crumpled paper balls
- A long measuring tape
- Chalk and a notebook
- A friend to mark the landing
Safety: Launch only soft balls, away from people and windows. All others must stand behind the catapult and an adult must supervise.
Take it further: Launch from a table and test whether the best angle goes below 45 degrees.
PhysicsMedium
Flat sole, studs and spikes: friction on a muddy tray
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Friction is the force that stops a shoe from slipping. On wet mud, the grip depends on the sole pattern, because studs and spikes dig in and rubber flat soles slide on a film of water.
You will need
- Three old shoes or sandals with different soles, or cut pieces of sole fixed to wooden blocks
- A spring balance (0 to 10 N) or a kitchen scale
- A shallow tray of damp soil and one of dry soil
- A string and a small hook
- Weights for adding load
- A notebook
Safety: Wash hands after handling soil. An adult must cut shoe soles or nails for studs, and no one should wear spiked shoes indoors.
Take it further: Measure friction against the number of studs, such as 0, 4, 8 and 12.
PhysicsEasy
Ruler-drop reaction time: dominant hand, other hand and a warning sound
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The distance a ruler falls before you catch it tells how fast you react. Comparing hands and signals shows what can speed up or slow down a response, which is important in cricket and sprint starts.
You will need
- A 30 cm ruler
- A friend to drop it
- A table with an edge
- A bell or clapper for the sound signal
- A notebook
- A calculator
Safety: Keep to a calm activity and take care that no one is hit by the ruler. This is a fun measure, not a medical test.
Take it further: Make a reaction time scale from the formula, marking each centimetre with the time in milliseconds.
PhysicsEasy
Paper planes: dart, glider and wide-wing flight distance and time
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A paper plane flies by gliding: its wings make lift and the nose is pushed forward by the throw, while drag slows it. Different shapes trade speed for glide time.
You will need
- Ten sheets of A4 paper of the same type
- A measuring tape
- A stopwatch
- A paper clip for the nose weight
- A notebook
- An open hallway or a field
Safety: Throw only along an empty hall or field and never towards people’s faces.
Take it further: Bend the back edge of the wings up or down and explain how it changes the flight path.
PhysicsMedium
Kite flying physics: tail length, string angle and wind speed
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A kite stays up because the wind pushes on it at an angle. The forces of wind, weight and string tension balance. A longer tail steadies the kite, and a higher wind speed raises the string angle.
You will need
- A paper or plastic kite with a bamboo frame
- Cotton thread (never sharp manja) on a reel
- Strips of cloth for tails
- A protractor and a plumb line made with a thread and a nut
- A phone with a wind speed app
- A measuring tape
Safety: Never use glass-coated or metal manja thread, and stay away from roads, trees and power lines. An adult must supervise, and fly only on an open field.
Take it further: Compare two kite shapes, diamond and a box kite, in the same wind.
PhysicsEasy
Balance point of a cricket bat, a hockey stick and a bicycle pump
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Every object has a balance point, the centre of gravity, where its weight seems to act. In sports equipment it is not at the middle, and where it lies changes how the object feels in the hand.
You will need
- A cricket bat or a wooden stick
- A hockey stick or a long broom handle
- Two smooth pencils or a sharp-edged ruler
- A thread and a nut for a plumb line
- A metre ruler and chalk
- A notebook
Safety: Rest equipment on a table and keep your fingers clear when sliding it. Do not swing bats indoors.
Take it further: Tape a small weight near the handle and then near the tip, and see how the balance point moves.
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.