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.
Computing and codingMedium
Student marks analytics dashboard with pandas and Streamlit
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Teachers have term marks in spreadsheets but rarely get quick views of weak topics, class comparisons or students at risk. A Streamlit dashboard reads a marks file and shows distributions, correlations and a list of students needing help, which teaches data handling, statistics and responsible use of student data.
You will need
- A laptop with Python 3, pandas, plotly and Streamlit
- An invented marks data set of 120 students across 6 subjects and 3 terms generated with random numbers
- A browser
- A notebook for the design
Safety: Use only invented data. Real marks are private and must not be used without permission from the school and parents.
Take it further: Add a simple prediction of the final term marks from the first two terms with a regression line and show the error.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
MQTT sensor network of three ESP32 nodes with a Mosquitto broker and Node-RED
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Factories and smart buildings send small readings from many sensors to one place. MQTT is the light-weight publish-subscribe protocol for this. The project builds three ESP32 nodes that publish readings to a broker on a laptop, with Node-RED showing live charts and alerts, and tests behaviour when a node drops off.
You will need
- Three ESP32 boards
- DHT22, BMP280 and an LDR with 10 kΩ resistor, one for each node
- A laptop running the free Mosquitto broker and Node-RED
- A Wi-Fi router
- A 5 V relay module and a 12 V LED strip as an actuator (low voltage only)
- Breadboards and USB power banks
Safety: Keep the broker on the local network and set a username and password. Relay switches only the 12 V strip. An adult must check wiring.
Take it further: Store all readings in an InfluxDB or SQLite database and draw a week of data in a Grafana style chart.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
GPS track logger with SD card storage and route plot on an open map
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Delivery vans, school buses and trekkers need a record of where they went. A battery-powered logger with a GPS module stores time, position and speed on an SD card, and a Python script plots the track on a map and finds distance and average speed. The project tests accuracy against a phone and a known surveyed route.
You will need
- An Arduino Nano or ESP32
- A NEO-6M GPS module with antenna
- A microSD card module and a 4 GB card
- A 3.7 V Li-ion cell with a charger module and a 5 V boost converter, or a power bank
- A small plastic box
- A laptop with Python, folium or Leaflet
- A 400 m stadium track or a measured school boundary path
Safety: Handle Li-ion cells only with a proper charger module and protection board and never puncture or short them. An adult must supervise charging. Do not track people without their consent.
Take it further: Send the position every minute through an ESP32 over Wi-Fi to a web page that shows the live location in a campus.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
Fingerprint attendance system with an R307 sensor, RTC and SD card log
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Proxy attendance is a problem in classes and workshops. A fingerprint module identifies a person on the spot and a log records the time. The project builds a stand-alone attendance box and a Python script that converts the log into a monthly report, with attention to consent and data protection.
You will need
- An Arduino Mega or ESP32
- An R307 or AS608 fingerprint module
- A DS3231 real-time clock module with its coin cell
- A microSD card module
- A 16x2 I2C LCD and a buzzer
- A 5 V power adapter that is a sealed ready-made USB type
- A box and a keypad or buttons for enrol and delete
Safety: Use only sealed USB power. Collect fingerprints only from volunteers with written consent and explain how templates are stored. Never store images, only the module templates, and delete them at the end of the project.
Take it further: Send the log to a school server over Wi-Fi in a daily batch and show parents a monthly attendance percentage without fingerprint data.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
Traffic signal controller in register-level C on an ATmega328P with a pedestrian request
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Arduino code hides what a microcontroller does. Writing the program straight to the ATmega328P registers shows how ports, timers and interrupts work. The project builds a four-way traffic signal model with a state machine, timer interrupts and a pedestrian button, and measures timing accuracy.
You will need
- An ATmega328P chip on an Arduino Uno board or a bare chip with a 16 MHz crystal and 22 pF capacitors
- An AVR programmer or the Uno bootloader and avr-gcc with avrdude (or Microchip Studio)
- 12 LEDs (red, yellow, green for four arms) with 330 Ω resistors
- A push button for pedestrians, a buzzer
- A breadboard or a veroboard
- A logic analyser or a phone oscilloscope for checking times (optional)
Safety: Use USB power of 5 V. Check the LED resistor values so that the pin current stays below 20 mA. An adult must supervise soldering.
Take it further: Add a sensor-based mode that extends green time when a vehicle detector sees a queue, using an IR sensor model.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
Smart pill box with RTC reminders, lid sensors and a missed-dose log
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Elderly patients often forget tablets. A seven-compartment box with an RTC alarm, LEDs and lid sensors can remind the user, detect which lid opened and record missed doses for a caregiver. The project designs and tests the device with candy in place of medicine and discusses safety and reliability.
You will need
- An Arduino Nano or ESP32
- A DS3231 RTC module
- Seven reed switches with small magnets on the lids
- Seven LEDs with 330 Ω resistors and a loud buzzer
- A microSD module or the ESP32 flash for storing logs
- A pill organiser box with seven lids
- A USB power bank
Safety: Use candy or small beads only for testing, never real medicine. This is a learning prototype, not a medical device, and must not be relied on for real medication. An adult must supervise.
Take it further: Add an ESP32 Wi-Fi message to a family member’s phone when a dose is missed twice in a row.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
PWM solar charge controller for a 12 V 7 Ah battery with cut-offs and logging
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Small solar lighting systems fail when batteries are overcharged or deeply discharged. A charge controller protects them. The project builds one with an Arduino, a MOSFET switch and voltage and current sensing, with three-stage charging, low-voltage load disconnect and data logging, tested on a 12 V 7 Ah sealed lead-acid battery with a 20 W panel.
You will need
- An Arduino Nano
- A 20 W, 18 V solar panel
- A 12 V 7 Ah sealed lead-acid battery
- Two P-channel or N-channel MOSFETs (for example IRF4905 with a gate driver) and a Schottky diode of 10 A
- An INA219 or ACS712 current sensor and resistor dividers for voltage
- A 12 V LED lamp as load and a fuse of 5 A on each side
- A heat sink, wires of adequate thickness and a plastic box
Safety: Lead-acid batteries can release gas when overcharged and can deliver very large current if shorted, so fit a fuse next to the battery. Work in a ventilated place with no flame. An adult must check all wiring and supervise the first power-up. Never connect to the mains.
Take it further: Add a buck converter to convert the extra panel voltage to current, a simple MPPT, and compare the energy gain with the PWM version.
PhysicsChallenging
Suspension bridge model: cable sag, deck load and tower deflection test
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Long river bridges in India, like the ones at Bhagalpur and Rishikesh, are cable-based structures. A model with two towers, a main cable and hangers shows how deck loads travel through the hangers to the cable and then to the anchors. The project measures cable sag and tension and checks them against the parabola theory.
You will need
- Two wooden towers 40 cm tall
- A strong cotton or nylon cord as the main cable
- Thinner thread for hangers, 12 of them
- A deck made of a balsa or ice-cream stick strip 80 cm long
- Two clamps or heavy bases as anchors
- Two spring balances (kitchen type, up to 1 kg) at the anchors
- Small weights, a ruler and a pointer
Safety: Do not overload the cord and keep faces away from the cable when loading to failure. An adult must supervise, and use eye protection.
Take it further: Hang a small motor with an off-centre weight under the deck to shake it and find the resonance frequency with a phone accelerometer.
PhysicsChallenging
Hydraulic ram pump model from PVC fittings with a delivery head test
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A hydraulic ram (hydram) lifts part of the water from a stream to a much higher tank without fuel or electricity, using only the flow of water itself. It is used in hill villages. The project builds a small one from PVC fittings and measures delivery height, flow and efficiency.
You will need
- Pipe and fittings: a 25 mm drive pipe 2 m long, a swing check valve (waste valve), a spring check valve (delivery valve), a T-joint, a 25 to 50 mm air chamber of 40 cm tube with a cap
- A header tank or bucket at 1 to 1.5 m above the pump (a drum on a stand)
- Delivery pipe of 12 mm and a measuring bucket
- PTFE tape, sealant, clamps
- A stopwatch, tape measure
- A drain or outdoor area
Safety: Use outdoors where water can run to waste. The waste valve slams shut and can hit fingers, so keep hands clear. An adult must handle cutting and assembly and the raised tank.
Take it further: Fit a snifter valve to add air to the chamber and show how it stabilises the delivery over a long run.
PhysicsChallenging
Low temperature difference Stirling engine from tin cans run on hot water
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A Stirling engine runs on any heat difference, even hot water against room air, which makes it suitable for solar and waste heat. The project builds a gamma-type engine from tin cans, a displacer and a syringe, and measures rpm against the temperature difference.
You will need
- Two flat aluminium or tin cans with the same diameter (for example a cake tin and a lid), 10 cm wide
- A displacer disc of foam or thermocol
- A 20 ml glass or plastic syringe as the power piston
- Stiff wire for the crank and rod, a CD as flywheel, bearings from straws
- A mug of hot water at 70 to 80 degrees, ice water for cooling (optional)
- A digital thermometer or two
- A phone video camera for measuring rpm
Safety: Hot water scalds, so an adult must pour it. Cut cans carefully, with gloves, filing the edges smooth. Keep the engine on a tray to catch spills.
Take it further: Place the engine in a solar cooker or under a magnifying mirror and measure the rpm with sunlight as the heat source.
PhysicsEasy
Glass bottle xylophone: water level and pitch
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The pitch of a note from a tapped bottle depends on the amount of water in it: more water gives a higher note when tapped. You tune bottles into a scale and learn how vibration speed sets pitch.
You will need
- 8 identical glass bottles or tumblers
- Water and a jug
- A spoon of steel or a wooden stick
- Food colour, optional
- A ruler
- Tape and a marker
- A phone with a tuner app, optional
Safety: Use unchipped glass and tap gently. An adult must handle any broken glass, and keep the bottles away from table edges.
Take it further: Use a tuner app to measure the frequency of each bottle and graph frequency against water height.
PhysicsEasy
Coat hanger balance: weigh sugar, salt and rice by comparison
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A balance compares two masses by checking that they pull equally on both sides of a pivot. You build one from a hanger and use it with a reference weight to measure the mass of kitchen items.
You will need
- A wire or plastic coat hanger
- Two identical paper cups or small bowls
- Strong string
- A hook or a nail to hang it on
- Coins or a 50 g weight as reference
- A marker, ruler and tape
- Sugar, salt and rice
Safety: Hang the balance from a safe place and keep the cup contents low. An adult must help with nails. Wire ends can be sharp, so tape them.
Take it further: Make a ruler seesaw balance and test the principle of moments with unequal distances.
EnvironmentEasy
Foil panel solar cooker that warms a pot of water
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A panel cooker uses flat foil-covered reflectors to bounce extra sunlight onto a dark pot sealed in a clear bag. It shows that sunlight can heat water without any fuel.
You will need
- Two cardboard sheets about 50 cm square
- Aluminium foil and glue
- A small black steel or aluminium pot with lid
- A clear oven bag or large transparent plastic bag
- A thermometer (0 to 110 C)
- Two bricks or books to prop the panels
Safety: Never look at the bright reflected beam; wear sunglasses. An adult must handle the hot pot. Keep the water only warm to hot, not boiling, and never leave the cooker unattended.
Take it further: Change the panel angle in steps of 15 degrees and find the angle that gives the highest temperature.
EnvironmentMedium
Solar still in a basin that separates fresh water from salty water
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Sunlight evaporates water from salty or muddy water, and the vapour condenses on a cool plastic sheet as clean water. It models how sea or borewell water could be made drinkable with free heat.
You will need
- A wide steel or plastic basin
- A small glass or steel cup
- A clear plastic sheet or cling film
- A rubber band or string
- A small pebble
- Salt and tap water
- Black paper or cloth
Safety: Do not drink the collected water unless an adult has had it checked. Keep the still out of reach of small children and handle the warm basin with a cloth.
Take it further: Compare yield with and without the black paper, and with a steeper plastic sheet.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Polyhouse tunnel against open bed: temperature, humidity and seedling growth
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A plastic tunnel holds warmth and moisture and protects plants from wind and rain. Comparing a covered bed with an open bed shows how polyhouses extend the growing season.
You will need
- Two small garden beds or trays of soil
- Bent wire or cane hoops
- Clear plastic sheet
- Two thermometers and a hygrometer (or humidity app)
- Seeds such as tomato or coriander
- A ruler and a notebook
Safety: An adult must bend wire hoops and cut plastic. Open the tunnel on hot afternoons so seedlings do not overheat, and wash hands after handling soil.
Take it further: Add a shade net over the tunnel and test whether it keeps the temperature in the best range.
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.