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.
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
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
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.
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.
BiologyMedium
Neem, garlic and soap sprays compared on leaf-eating damage
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Natural sprays can reduce insect damage on crops without strong pesticides. Counting damaged leaves on sprayed and unsprayed plants gives data on which home-made spray works best.
You will need
- Four similar potted plants such as okra, brinjal or cabbage
- Neem leaves, garlic and mild soap
- Four spray bottles and a muslin cloth
- Water
- Labels, gloves and a hand lens
- A notebook for weekly counts
Safety: An adult must crush garlic and neem and mix the sprays. Wear gloves and do not touch eyes. Never spray onto food that will be eaten, keep sprays away from pets, and wash hands after use.
Take it further: Combine two sprays and test whether the mix works better than either alone.
BiologyEasy
Ant repellents compared: turmeric, chalk, clove powder and vinegar line
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Ants follow chemical trails and avoid some household substances. Counting how many ants cross a line of each substance gives a safe test of natural repellents.
You will need
- A saucer with a spoon of sugar syrup as bait
- Turmeric, chalk dust, clove powder and diluted vinegar
- A small tray or plate to place the bait
- A magnifying glass
- A timer
- A notebook
Safety: Wash hands after handling spices. Do not touch ants with fingers, and do not use sprays or strong chemicals. Release no ants indoors; do the test outdoors where ants already live.
Take it further: Test whether the repellent still works after one hour in the sun.
BiologyMedium
Seed age and storage method: how germination falls with time
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Seeds lose the ability to sprout over time, and storage conditions change how fast. Testing old and new seeds kept in different ways shows how to store seed for the next season.
You will need
- Seed lots of different ages (for example this year, last year and two years old)
- Petri dishes or plates with tissue
- Jars with lids, rice grains or ash
- Fridge space or a cool shelf
- A measuring cup and labels
- A notebook for counts
Safety: Wash hands after handling seeds. Do not use seeds treated with chemicals. An adult should handle jars stored in the fridge.
Take it further: Test whether soaking in water before sowing helps old seeds sprout.
BiologyMedium
Protecting stored pulses from weevils with neem, ash and turmeric
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Grain stores lose food to weevils and beetles. Comparing traditional protectants in sealed jars shows how farmers can protect stored pulses without chemical sprays.
You will need
- Four glass jars with lids
- Pulses such as moong or gram from a store (not treated)
- Dried neem leaves, wood ash, turmeric powder
- A hand lens
- A kitchen scale
- Labels and a notebook
Safety: Wash hands after handling grain and powders. Wear a dust mask when mixing ash and turmeric. Do not eat pulses used in the experiment, and keep jars away from food and children.
Take it further: Compare grain dried in the sun with grain that has not been dried before storage.
BiologyMedium
Earthworm food choice chamber: what do vermicompost worms prefer?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A choice chamber lets worms pick between foods. The amount eaten of each food shows what to feed a vermicompost bin and what to avoid.
You will need
- A shallow plastic tray divided into four sections with card
- Compost earthworms from a vermicompost bin
- Banana peel, tea leaves, dry leaves, citrus peel
- Damp soil or old compost
- A kitchen scale
- A damp cloth to cover
Safety: Wear gloves and wash hands after handling worms and soil. Handle worms gently and return them to their bin afterwards. Keep the tray away from food areas.
Take it further: Test whether worms prefer chopped or whole food of the same kind.
BiologyMedium
Root nodule survey: pulse plants against cereals in a field
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Legume roots carry nodules full of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which enrich the soil. Comparing roots of pulses and cereals shows why farmers rotate crops with beans, gram or groundnut.
You will need
- Young plants of gram, pea or groundnut and of wheat or maize (from a farm or garden, with permission)
- A trowel and a bucket of water
- A hand lens or magnifier
- A knife for cutting nodules (adult only)
- A white tray
- A notebook and a camera
Safety: Ask the landowner for permission before digging. An adult must cut nodules with the knife. Wash hands after handling soil and plants.
Take it further: Compare nodule counts in fertilised and unfertilised pulse fields.
BiologyChallenging
Potometer water uptake of a leafy shoot in still air, wind, shade and sun
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Plants lose water through their leaves, and conditions change how fast. A potometer measures water uptake, and results show how much water crops need on hot or windy days.
You will need
- A leafy shoot cut under water
- A bent glass or plastic tube, or a 1 ml pipette with a rubber tube
- A small bowl of water
- A clamp and stand
- A table fan, a lamp (LED) and a plastic bag
- A ruler and a stopwatch
- Vaseline to seal joints
Safety: An adult must handle glass tubes and cut shoots. Keep electric lamps and fans away from water. Use an LED lamp rather than a hot bulb.
Take it further: Compare a broad leaf plant with a narrow leaf one and their uptake rates.
ChemistryMedium
Alum against moringa seed powder: which clears muddy water faster?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Coagulants make tiny suspended particles clump together and sink. Comparing alum (phitkari) with crushed moringa seed shows two ways to clear turbid water before filtering.
You will need
- Four clear jars or bottles
- Muddy water (clay soil stirred in water)
- Alum (phitkari) and moringa seeds
- A mortar or a clean stone to crush seeds
- A spoon and a timer
- A laser pointer or a torch for a clarity check
- A white card with a black cross
Safety: An adult must supervise crushing seeds. Do not drink any of the treated water, because it is not tested. Alum can irritate eyes, so wash hands after use.
Take it further: Vary the dose of alum from 0.1 g to 1 g and find the best amount.
EnvironmentMedium
Five home water cleaning methods ranked with a clarity tube
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Cloth, sand, charcoal, alum and boiling each do different jobs. A homemade clarity tube ranks how well each method clears water, and the project explains which methods also remove germs.
You will need
- Muddy water made from garden soil
- Cotton cloth, a funnel, clean sand, crushed charcoal and gravel
- A pinch of alum
- A clear tube with a black dot at the bottom
- A measuring cup
- A pan for boiling (adult)
Safety: An adult must boil the water and handle hot items. Do not drink any water from the test. Charcoal dust is messy, so wear a mask when crushing.
Take it further: Combine the steps in the best order to design a four-stage household treatment.
EnvironmentMedium
Sunlight bottle disinfection model: temperature in clear, black-backed and shaded bottles
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The solar disinfection (SODIS) method leaves clear water in sunlight for hours so heat and ultraviolet light weaken germs. Measuring temperature in different bottle set-ups shows how to make it work better.
You will need
- Four clear PET bottles with lids
- Black paper or paint
- Foil
- Four thermometers
- Tap water
- A sunny roof or open space
- Tape and a watch
Safety: This project only measures temperature; do not drink water from the experiment. An adult must supervise roof work. Do not claim that treated water is safe without proper testing.
Take it further: Compare the temperature on a clear, a hazy and a cloudy day.
EnvironmentMedium
Cutting pond evaporation with shade, floating balls and an oil film
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Open ponds and tanks lose a lot of water by evaporation in summer. Testing four covers on trays of water shows which method saves the most water.
You will need
- Five identical shallow trays or basins
- Foil or a cloth shade
- Table tennis balls or small floating balls
- A few drops of cooking oil
- A measuring cup or syringe
- A ruler to read water depth
- A sunny, safe spot
Safety: Do not pour oil into drains or natural waters. An adult must clean up oily water. Keep trays out of reach of small children and pets.
Take it further: Repeat on a windy and a calm day and see how wind changes the loss.
EnvironmentMedium
Litres per kilo of rice, wheat and vegetables: a virtual water table
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Growing food uses a lot of water. Collecting published figures and farm data for crops shows which foods use the most water and how a family’s diet affects its water footprint.
You will need
- A notebook or spreadsheet
- Water-use figures for crops from an agriculture book or an official agriculture website
- A weekly menu of a family meal
- A calculator
- Interviews with a local farmer or gardener (with an adult)
- Chart paper and colours
Safety: Visit a farm only with an adult and permission. Follow the farmer’s instructions near water channels and machines.
Take it further: Compare the virtual water in your meals with the water you use for washing and drinking.
Earth and spaceEasy
Moon diary: sketching the Moon’s shape and rise time for 30 nights
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The Moon’s lit shape changes in a steady cycle of about 29.5 days, and it rises roughly 50 minutes later each night. Your own sketches show this pattern better than any picture in a book.
You will need
- A notebook with a circle printed or drawn on every page
- A pencil and a yellow crayon
- A watch or phone clock
- A free spot with a view of the sky
- A paper calendar
Safety: Observe from a roof or lawn only with an adult nearby, and never use a torch near other people’s eyes.
Take it further: Compare your sketches with the dates of Purnima and Amavasya on a panchang calendar.
Earth and spaceMedium
Star trail sketches that show the Earth turning
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Stars appear to turn around the Pole Star because Earth spins on its axis once a day. Sketches made hours apart reveal arcs, and the amount of turning matches about 15 degrees an hour.
You will need
- A fixed window frame or a camera stand made from a bamboo stick
- Black chart paper and a white gel pen
- A protractor and a ruler
- A torch with red cellophane over it
- A watch
- A phone compass to find north
Safety: An adult must stay with you for night observing; do not climb on parapets.
Take it further: Fix a phone on a stand and take a ten-minute time-lapse of the northern sky to compare with your sketch.
Earth and spaceMedium
Equinox noon shadow: finding your latitude with a vertical stick
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
On an equinox the Sun is directly over the equator at noon. The angle of the Sun above the horizon at your place is then 90 degrees minus your latitude, so a shadow measurement gives your latitude within a degree or two.
You will need
- A straight stick or pipe about 1 m long
- A plumb line made of thread and a nut
- A spirit level or a transparent water-filled tube
- A tape measure
- Chalk
- A phone to check your latitude later
Safety: Do not look at the Sun. Work in sunlight with a hat and drinking water.
Take it further: Find your latitude on three different days and plot the Sun’s changing noon angle through the year.
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.
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.