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.
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.
PhysicsEasy
Standing long jump: does an arm swing add distance?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The distance of a jump depends on the take-off speed and angle. Swinging the arms adds to the speed of the body’s launch, which is why athletes use them.
You will need
- A soft sand pit or a mat
- A measuring tape
- Chalk for a take-off line
- A notebook
- A helper to measure
- A camera for slow-motion footage
Safety: Jump onto a soft surface only after warm-up with a teacher present. Stop if you feel any pain; do not compete to break records. This project is not training advice.
Take it further: Compare the standing jump with a running jump, and discuss why athletes use a run-up.
PhysicsMedium
Playground swing as a pendulum: does the rider’s weight change the time?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The time of a swing depends on its length and not on how heavy the rider is. A small model pendulum and a real swing both give a period close to 2 times pi times the square root of length over g.
You will need
- A playground swing with two chains
- A stopwatch
- A measuring tape
- Sand-filled bags of 1 kg, 2 kg and 3 kg
- A helper or two
- A notebook and calculator
Safety: Use a safe swing, in good repair, with an adult in charge, and swing only small angles with a seated rider. Keep everyone else far from the swing’s path.
Take it further: Compare standing and sitting riders and explain the change in the effective length.
PhysicsEasy
30 metre sprint speeds of a class timed with a pair of stopwatches
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Average speed equals distance divided by time. Timing a short run shows differences in speed in a class, and also how reaction time of the timekeeper can add error.
You will need
- A flat track of 30 m marked with chalk
- Two stopwatches or phones
- A starter flag or a whistle
- A notebook
- A calculator
- Cones to mark the lines
Safety: Warm up first, run on a clear track and wear shoes. A teacher must supervise. Do not push for the fastest time; this is a speed study, not a fitness test.
Take it further: Time 10 m splits to find where in a run the speed is highest.
PhysicsMedium
Football air pressure and bounce height with a hand pump
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The more air pressure inside a ball, the harder it is and the higher it bounces. A ball that is too soft loses a lot of energy because it squashes more on impact.
You will need
- A football or volleyball with a valve
- A hand pump
- A pressure gauge for ball valves
- A tape fixed on a wall
- A phone for slow-motion video
- A notebook
Safety: Do not over-pump past the maker’s printed limit on the ball. An adult must handle the pump and gauge, and stay clear of the ball when bouncing.
Take it further: Compare the bounce at the same pressure when the ball is cold from a fridge and when it is warm.
PhysicsEasy
Carrom striker slide: how powder changes friction and stopping distance
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Carrom players sprinkle fine powder on the board to make the striker glide. Measuring how far a striker slides with and without powder shows how a thin layer lowers friction.
You will need
- A carrom board and a striker
- Boric-free carrom powder or fine talcum
- A measuring tape along the board edge
- A small ramp made of a book
- A cloth to wipe the board
- A notebook
Safety: Do not breathe in the powder or put it near eyes; an adult should handle and clean it, and hands should be washed after use.
Take it further: Estimate the coefficient of friction from the sliding distance and the release speed.
MathsEasy
Measuring with my hand span and my foot
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Measuring means comparing with a unit. Hand spans and feet are handy units, but they differ from person to person, which is why we need a standard unit like the centimetre.
You will need
- A ruler or measuring tape (free from school bag)
- Paper and pencil
- A table, a door and a bed to measure
- A friend or parent to measure too
Safety: No special safety needed. Walk carefully when measuring on the floor.
Take it further: Measure a door and a bed with spans and then guess the answer in centimetres before checking with the tape.
PhysicsEasy
Which fruits and vegetables float? Predict and test
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Some fruits and vegetables float and some sink in water, depending on how much of the body is air and how heavy it is for its size. Predicting before testing is how scientists work.
You will need
- A large bowl or bucket of water
- Eight fruits and vegetables, like an apple, an orange, a lemon, a tomato, a potato, a carrot, a cucumber and a chilli (from the kitchen)
- A chart on paper with columns: name, I think, result
- A pencil
- A towel
Safety: An adult must supervise near water. Wipe up spills so no one slips. Do not eat the tested fruits unless washed again.
Take it further: Cut a potato into a boat shape and see whether it can float if it holds some air.
PhysicsEasy
Foil boat: how many coins can it carry before it sinks?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The shape of a boat decides how much it can carry. A wide boat with high sides pushes aside more water and so carries more than a flat sheet.
You will need
- Three squares of aluminium foil of the same size, about 15 cm (free from kitchen)
- A big bowl or bucket of water
- Ten to twenty small coins
- A towel
- Paper and pencil to record
Safety: An adult must supervise near water and wipe up spills. Keep coins out of the mouths of very young children.
Take it further: Try a boat of plastic sheet or a leaf boat, and test which material carries more.
PhysicsEasy
Magnet treasure hunt: what in my home is magnetic?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A magnet attracts only some materials, mostly those with iron. Many things that look metallic, like a steel spoon or a coin, may not be magnetic.
You will need
- A small bar or fridge magnet (free or from an old toy)
- A notebook with two columns: sticks and does not stick
- A pencil
- Ten household things like a pin, a spoon, a key, a coin, a paper clip, a plastic comb, a stone and a rubber band
Safety: Keep magnets away from phones, watches, bank cards and televisions. An adult must check the things you test, and keep small magnets away from young children.
Take it further: Test whether the magnet still pulls a paper clip through a sheet of paper or a plastic cup.
PhysicsEasy
Toy shadow length: does a higher torch make a shorter shadow?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The length of a shadow depends on where the light is. A high light gives a short shadow and a low light gives a long one, like the Sun at noon and in the evening.
You will need
- A small toy or a clay figure about 5 cm tall
- A torch (free)
- A big sheet of paper or the floor
- A ruler
- A pencil
- A stack of books to raise the torch
Safety: No special safety. Do not shine the torch into eyes.
Take it further: Measure your own shadow in the playground at morning, noon and evening.
PhysicsEasy
Toy car ramp: does a steeper slope make the car go farther?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
A car rolling down a slope speeds up. A steeper ramp gives it more speed, so it rolls farther along the floor.
You will need
- A toy car (free)
- A flat board or a thick cardboard sheet about 60 cm long
- Three to five books
- A measuring tape or ruler
- Chalk or masking tape
- Paper and pencil
Safety: Keep the floor clear so no one trips on the car or the books.
Take it further: Cover the floor with a cloth and see how the distance changes.
Earth and spaceEasy
My weather diary with sun, cloud and rain symbols
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Weather changes from day to day. Writing it daily lets us see patterns, such as how many sunny days there were in a week.
You will need
- A notebook or a sheet of chart paper
- Pencil and crayons
- A ruler
- A thermometer if you have one
- Stickers or symbols you draw yourself
Safety: No special safety. Do not stare at the Sun when checking the sky.
Take it further: Keep the diary for a month and ask a grandparent how the weather was at the same time of year long ago.
BiologyEasy
Mustard seeds on wet cotton wool: a growing diary
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Seeds need water, air and warmth to sprout. Mustard seeds grow quickly, so we can see roots and shoots within days.
You will need
- A handful of mustard seeds from the kitchen (free)
- Cotton wool
- A plate or shallow tray
- Water
- A sunny window
- A notebook and a ruler
Safety: Wash hands after touching seeds. Do not eat seeds that have been growing on cotton for days.
Take it further: Set up a second plate in a dark cupboard and compare how the plants look after a week.
BiologyEasy
Sprouting moong in a wet cloth: day by day
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Dry seeds are alive. With water they wake up and sprout, and the sprouts are a healthy food full of nutrients.
You will need
- Half a cup of whole moong (green gram) (under Rs 50)
- A bowl of water
- A thin cotton cloth
- A steel plate or a colander
- A notebook and pencil
Safety: An adult must supervise if you plan to eat the sprouts, and wash them well. Wash hands before touching them.
Take it further: Sprout channa and compare how long it takes.
BiologyEasy
Onion roots growing in a jar of water
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
An onion bulb can grow roots when it touches water. We can watch the roots grow day by day and measure them.
You will need
- One small onion (free from the kitchen)
- A glass jar with a narrow mouth
- Water
- Three toothpicks
- A ruler
- A notebook
Safety: An adult must push the toothpicks into the onion and watch that children do not poke themselves.
Take it further: Keep two onions, one in sun and one in shade, and compare root length.
BiologyEasy
Does a plant lean towards the window light?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Plants grow towards light. A seedling kept by a window bends towards it, and turns back if we turn the pot around.
You will need
- A small potted seedling or a bean sprouted in a cup (free)
- A window with sunlight
- A shoebox with a hole cut in one side
- A notebook and pencil
- Masking tape
Safety: An adult must cut the hole in the box. Wash hands after touching soil.
Take it further: Make a cardboard maze in the box and see whether the plant finds the light.
BiologyEasy
Heartbeat count: resting and after 20 jumps
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
The heart beats faster when the body works harder. We can feel the pulse and count it to see the change.
You will need
- A watch or clock with a second hand (free)
- Paper and pencil
- A friend or parent to help
- A clear space to jump
Safety: Do this only if you are well. An adult must watch. Stop at once if you feel dizzy or breathless.
Take it further: Compare your resting pulse with an adult’s and with a grandparent’s.
BiologyEasy
How big is my breath? Blowing up a balloon
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Our lungs hold air. We can compare how much air different people can blow out in one breath by measuring a balloon.
You will need
- Three balloons of the same type (under Rs 50)
- A tape measure or a piece of string and a ruler
- Paper and pencil
- A friend and a parent to compare
Safety: An adult must help children who feel dizzy. Stop if you feel faint. Do not share the same balloon. Keep balloons away from babies.
Take it further: Measure before and after a run and see whether your breath changes.
MathsEasy
Paper tiles that fit together: which shapes leave no gaps?
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Some shapes, like squares, triangles and hexagons, can cover a floor without gaps. Others, like circles, leave gaps. This is why floors are tiled with certain shapes.
You will need
- Coloured paper or old greeting cards (free)
- A ruler and pencil
- Scissors
- Glue
- A big sheet of paper
- A paper cup to trace circles
Safety: An adult must help children with scissors.
Take it further: Try mixing two shapes, like squares and triangles, to make a new pattern.
MathsEasy
Weekly pocket money chart: save, spend and share
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Money can be saved, spent or shared. Writing it in a chart shows where it goes and helps children plan.
You will need
- A notebook or chart paper (free)
- A pencil and ruler
- A small tin or piggy bank
- Pocket money given by a parent (a small amount, like Rs 20)
- Colour pens
Safety: Keep money in a safe place. An adult must guide choices about spending.
Take it further: Plan a month and see how much you could save if you spent a little less each week.
PhysicsEasy
Does sound travel through water? The spoon and bowl test
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Sound can travel through liquids and solids as well as air. In water it travels even faster than in air.
You will need
- A big steel bowl or bucket of water
- Two steel spoons
- A friend
- A towel
Safety: An adult must supervise near water. Wipe up spills at once.
Take it further: Try the same with a table and see if you can hear a scratch on the far end.
PhysicsEasy
Feel your voice: humming throat and dancing salt on cling film
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Voice is a vibration. We can feel it in the throat and see the vibration make salt grains jump on a stretched sheet.
You will need
- A steel bowl
- Cling film or a thin polythene sheet
- A rubber band
- A pinch of salt or sugar
- A tray or steel plate and a spoon
Safety: An adult must supervise. Do not shout close to anyone’s ear.
Take it further: Make a low note and a high note and see which makes the salt dance more.
PhysicsEasy
Ice cube melting: sun, shade, cloth and steel plate
Show detailsHide detailsWhat it shows
Heat melts ice. The speed of melting depends on how warm the place is and whether the ice is covered or not.
You will need
- Four equal ice cubes from the freezer
- Four small plates, one steel, one plastic
- A woollen cloth or sock
- A clock
- Paper and pencil
Safety: Handle ice with care so fingers do not get too cold. Wipe spills so no one slips.
Take it further: Wrap ice in foil and compare it with ice wrapped in newspaper.
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.