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.
Electronics and roboticsMedium
PWM speed controller for a 12 V DC motor with an IR tachometer
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Fans, conveyors and e-rickshaws vary motor speed by switching power on and off very fast rather than wasting it in a resistor. The project builds a PWM controller, measures real rpm with an infrared sensor and plots speed against duty cycle.
You will need
- An Arduino Uno or Nano
- A 12 V DC geared motor (about 100 to 300 rpm)
- A logic-level MOSFET IRLZ44N and a 1N4007 flyback diode
- A 10 kΩ potentiometer and a 10 kΩ gate pull-down resistor
- An IR obstacle sensor module and a slotted disc or a disc with a black and white stripe
- A 12 V adapter or battery
- A breadboard and wires
Safety: Use a battery or sealed 12 V adapter. Keep fingers and hair away from the rotating disc. The MOSFET can get warm. An adult must check the wiring.
Take it further: Add a PID loop that adjusts the duty cycle to hold the rpm at a set value as the load changes.
Electronics and roboticsMedium
HX711 load cell kitchen scale with calibration and an error table
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Digital weighing scales in shops use strain-gauge load cells, which change resistance by a tiny amount when bent. An HX711 amplifier and Arduino turn that into grams. The project calibrates the scale with known masses and reports its accuracy.
You will need
- A 5 kg bar load cell and an HX711 module
- An Arduino Uno or Nano
- A 16x2 I2C LCD or the serial monitor
- Two small acrylic or wooden plates and spacers
- M4 or M5 bolts and nuts
- Known masses: coins, a 100 g and 500 g standard weight or filled bottles checked on a shop scale
- A push button for tare
Safety: Do not overload the cell past its rating. Handle the bolts and plates with care; an adult must help with drilling.
Take it further: Add a price-per-kg keypad and compute the cost of the item for a small shop-style scale.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
LoRa point-to-point sensor link: range and packet loss between two ESP32 nodes
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Wi-Fi does not reach farms, dams or hill villages. LoRa radio reaches kilometres on a few milliwatts. The project builds a transmitter that sends soil moisture and temperature and a receiver that shows them, then measures signal strength, packet loss and range against distance, spreading factor and antenna height.
You will need
- Two ESP32 boards
- Two SX1278 LoRa modules for the 433 MHz licence-free band or ready 868 or 865 MHz boards approved for India (check the allowed band)
- Two matching antennas
- A soil moisture sensor and a DHT22
- Two power banks
- A phone with a GPS distance app
- A small box for the transmitter
Safety: Use only the licence-free band and power allowed in India and keep to the power limit of the module. Do not transmit near an airport. An adult must accompany field tests and keep to open safe ground.
Take it further: Add a third node and a simple repeater and test whether a hilltop relay reaches a hidden valley.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
MQTT sensor network of three ESP32 nodes with a Mosquitto broker and Node-RED
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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
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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
MAX30102 pulse rate and SpO2 monitor compared with manual pulse counts
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A pulse oximeter clips on a finger and shows pulse and blood oxygen using red and infrared light. A student can build a low-cost model with a MAX30102 sensor and an Arduino, display the readings, and test the pulse rate against a manual count. The project is for learning only and must not be used for medical decisions.
You will need
- An Arduino Uno or Nano
- A MAX30102 pulse oximeter and heart rate sensor module
- A 0.96 inch I2C OLED display
- A breadboard, jumper wires
- A stopwatch
- A box with a finger holder made of foam
- A commercial pulse oximeter for comparison, borrowed from a clinic (optional)
Safety: This is not a medical device and its readings must not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Test only on consenting volunteers and use low light output. An adult must supervise, and stop if anyone feels unwell.
Take it further: Send the heart rate over Bluetooth to a phone app and plot a 10-minute history during a rest and recovery test.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
Fingerprint attendance system with an R307 sensor, RTC and SD card log
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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
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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
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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
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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.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
Four-axis servo robot arm with inverse kinematics solved in Python
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Factory robots must place a gripper at an exact point. Inverse kinematics finds the joint angles that reach a point. The project builds a four-axis arm from acrylic and servos and solves the angles by trigonometry in Python, then measures positioning accuracy and repeatability.
You will need
- An acrylic arm kit or a laser-cut set with four MG996R or SG90 servos and a gripper servo
- An Arduino Uno with a servo driver PCA9685
- A 5 V, 3 A sealed adapter or power bank for the servos, separate from the Arduino USB
- A laptop with Python and the pyserial library
- Graph paper board as the work area
- Cardboard cubes as pick-and-place objects
- A protractor and ruler
Safety: The arm can pinch fingers and servos draw large currents. Do not power them from the Arduino pin. An adult must check wiring and supervise first movements, and keep hands out of the work area when running.
Take it further: Add a webcam and OpenCV to detect the cube colour and position, and make the arm pick it without fixed coordinates.
Electronics and roboticsChallenging
Self-balancing two-wheel robot with an MPU6050, complementary filter and PID
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A two-wheel robot is an inverted pendulum and falls unless it moves under itself fast enough. The project builds one with a gyroscope and accelerometer, fuses their data, and tunes a PID controller until the robot stands and recovers from pushes, recording the effect of each gain.
You will need
- An Arduino Nano or Uno
- An MPU6050 module
- A TB6612FNG or L298N motor driver
- Two 12 V geared DC motors (about 200 rpm) with wheels of 6.5 cm
- A 3 cell Li-ion pack with a protection board and charger, or 8 AA NiMH cells
- A chassis of acrylic with space for the battery high up
- A laptop with serial plotter
Safety: Li-ion packs need a protection board and the right charger, and an adult must supervise charging. Keep the robot away from fingers as the wheels can pinch, and always test on the floor in a clear area.
Take it further: Add a Bluetooth module and a phone joystick so that the robot can drive and turn while balancing.
Electronics and roboticsEasy
Conductor or insulator? Tester with one cell and a bulb
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Some materials let electric current pass and some do not. A bulb lights up when the circuit is complete and a conductor is in the gap.
You will need
- One 1.5 V cell (AA) (under Rs 50)
- One 1.5 V torch bulb and holder
- Three short pieces of insulated wire with bare ends
- Sticky tape
- Items to test: coin, key, pencil lead, eraser, plastic spoon, cloth, paper clip, wooden stick
Safety: Use only a small cell and never touch mains sockets or plugs. An adult must strip the wire ends and stay with you while you test.
Take it further: Test a steel spoon, a pencil and water, and a tap-water bowl, but only with an adult.
Electronics and roboticsEasy
Cardboard lighthouse that lights with one cell and a bulb
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A complete circuit with a cell, a bulb and a switch makes light. A lighthouse model shows how light guides ships at night.
You will need
- A cardboard tube or a rolled chart paper (free)
- One 1.5 V cell and a bulb with holder (under Rs 50)
- Two pieces of insulated wire
- A paper clip and two pins for a switch
- A cardboard base
- Paint and tape
Safety: An adult must strip the wires and press the pins. Use only a small cell, never mains power.
Take it further: Add a second bulb in the circuit and see if both are as bright.
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.