6th grade science fair research paper

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Teaching Resources & Guides > How to Teach Science Tips > Writing a Science Report  

Writing a Science Report

With science fair season coming up as well as many end of the year projects, students are often required to write a research paper or a report on their project. Use this guide to help you in the process from finding a topic to revising and editing your final paper.

Brainstorming Topics

Sometimes one of the largest barriers to writing a research paper is trying to figure out what to write about. Many times the topic is supplied by the teacher, or the curriculum tells what the student should research and write about. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes the student is given a very broad concept to write a research paper on, for example, water. Within the category of water, there are many topics and subtopics that would be appropriate. Topics about water can include anything from the three states of water, different water sources, minerals found in water, how water is used by living organisms, the water cycle, or how to find water in the desert. The point is that “water” is a very large topic and would be too broad to be adequately covered in a typical 3-5 page research paper.

When given a broad category to write about, it is important to narrow it down to a topic that is much more manageable. Sometimes research needs to be done in order to find the best topic to write about. (Look for searching tips in “Finding and Gathering Information.”) Listed below are some tips and guidelines for picking a suitable research topic:

• Pick a topic within the category that you find interesting. It makes it that much easier to research and write about a topic if it interests you.
• You may find while researching a topic that the details of the topic are very boring to you. If this is the case, and you have the option to do this, change your topic.
• Pick a topic that you are already familiar with and research further into that area to build on your current knowledge.
• When researching topics to do your paper on, look at how much information you are finding. If you are finding very little information on your topic or you are finding an overwhelming amount, you may need to rethink your topic.
• If permissible, always leave yourself open to changing your topic. While researching for topics, you may come across one that you find really interesting and can use just as well as the previous topics you were searching for.
• Most importantly, does your research topic fit the guidelines set forth by your teacher or curriculum?

Finding and Gathering Information

There are numerous resources out there to help you find information on the topic selected for your research paper. One of the first places to begin research is at your local library. Use the Dewey Decimal System or ask the librarian to help you find books related to your topic. There are also a variety of reference materials, such as encyclopedias, available at the library.

A relatively new reference resource has become available with the power of technology – the Internet. While the Internet allows the user to access a wealth of information that is often more up-to-date than printed materials such as books and encyclopedias, there are certainly drawbacks to using it. It can be hard to tell whether or not a site contains factual information or just someone’s opinion. A site can also be dangerous or inappropriate for students to use.

You may find that certain science concepts and science terminology are not easy to find in regular dictionaries and encyclopedias. A science dictionary or science encyclopedia can help you find more in-depth and relevant information for your science report. If your topic is very technical or specific, reference materials such as medical dictionaries and chemistry encyclopedias may also be good resources to use.

If you are writing a report for your science fair project, not only will you be finding information from published sources, you will also be generating your own data, results, and conclusions. Keep a journal that tracks and records your experiments and results. When writing your report, you can either write out your findings from your experiments or display them using graphs or charts .

*As you are gathering information, keep a working bibliography of where you found your sources. Look under “Citing Sources” for more information. This will save you a lot of time in the long run!

Organizing Information

Most people find it hard to just take all the information they have gathered from their research and write it out in paper form. It is hard to get a starting point and go from the beginning to the end. You probably have several ideas you know you want to put in your paper, but you may be having trouble deciding where these ideas should go. Organizing your information in a way where new thoughts can be added to a subtopic at any time is a great way to organize the information you have about your topic. Here are two of the more popular ways to organize information so it can be used in a research paper:

• Graphic organizers such as a web or mind map . Mind maps are basically stating the main topic of your paper, then branching off into as many subtopics as possible about the main topic. Enchanted Learning has a list of several different types of mind maps as well as information on how to use them and what topics fit best for each type of mind map and graphic organizer.
• Sub-Subtopic: Low temperatures and adequate amounts of snow are needed to form glaciers.
• Sub-Subtopic: Glaciers move large amounts of earth and debris.
• Sub-Subtopic: Two basic types of glaciers: valley and continental.
• Subtopic: Icebergs – large masses of ice floating on liquid water

Different Formats For Your Paper

Depending on your topic and your writing preference, the layout of your paper can greatly enhance how well the information on your topic is displayed.

1. Process . This method is used to explain how something is done or how it works by listing the steps of the process. For most science fair projects and science experiments, this is the best format. Reports for science fairs need the entire project written out from start to finish. Your report should include a title page, statement of purpose, hypothesis, materials and procedures, results and conclusions, discussion, and credits and bibliography. If applicable, graphs, tables, or charts should be included with the results portion of your report.

2. Cause and effect . This is another common science experiment research paper format. The basic premise is that because event X happened, event Y happened.

3. Specific to general . This method works best when trying to draw conclusions about how little topics and details are connected to support one main topic or idea.

4. Climatic order . Similar to the “specific to general” category, here details are listed in order from least important to most important.

5. General to specific . Works in a similar fashion as the method for organizing your information. The main topic or subtopic is stated first, followed by supporting details that give more information about the topic.

6. Compare and contrast . This method works best when you wish to show the similarities and/or differences between two or more topics. A block pattern is used when you first write about one topic and all its details and then write about the second topic and all its details. An alternating pattern can be used to describe a detail about the first topic and then compare that to the related detail of the second topic. The block pattern and alternating pattern can also be combined to make a format that better fits your research paper.

Citing Sources

When writing a research paper, you must cite your sources! Otherwise you are plagiarizing (claiming someone else’s ideas as your own) which can cause severe penalties from failing your research paper assignment in primary and secondary grades to failing the entire course (most colleges and universities have this policy). To help you avoid plagiarism, follow these simple steps:

• Find out what format for citing your paper your teacher or curriculum wishes you to use. One of the most widely used and widely accepted citation formats by scholars and schools is the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. We recommended that you do an Internet search for the most recent format of the citation style you will be using in your paper.
• Keep a working bibliography when researching your topic. Have a document in your computer files or a page in your notebook where you write down every source that you found and may use in your paper. (You probably will not use every resource you find, but it is much easier to delete unused sources later rather than try to find them four weeks down the road.) To make this process even easier, write the source down in the citation format that will be used in your paper. No matter what citation format you use, you should always write down title, author, publisher, published date, page numbers used, and if applicable, the volume and issue number.
• When collecting ideas and information from your sources, write the author’s last name at the end of the idea. When revising and formatting your paper, keep the author’s last name attached to the end of the idea, no matter where you move that idea. This way, you won’t have to go back and try to remember where the ideas in your paper came from.
• There are two ways to use the information in your paper: paraphrasing and quotes. The majority of your paper will be paraphrasing the information you found. Paraphrasing is basically restating the idea being used in your own words.   As a general rule of thumb, no more than two of the original words should be used in sequence when paraphrasing information, and similes should be used for as many of the words as possible in the original passage without changing the meaning of the main point. Sometimes, you may find something stated so well by the original author that it would be best to use the author’s original words in your paper. When using the author’s original words, use quotation marks only around the words being directly quoted and work the quote into the body of your paper so that it makes sense grammatically. Search the Internet for more rules on paraphrasing and quoting information.

Revising and Editing Your Paper

Revising your paper basically means you are fixing grammatical errors or changing the meaning of what you wrote. After you have written the rough draft of your paper, read through it again to make sure the ideas in your paper flow and are cohesive. You may need to add in information, delete extra information, use a thesaurus to find a better word to better express a concept, reword a sentence, or just make sure your ideas are stated in a logical and progressive order.

After revising your paper, go back and edit it, correcting the capitalization, punctuation, and spelling errors – the mechanics of writing. If you are not 100% positive a word is spelled correctly, look it up in a dictionary. Ask a parent or teacher for help on the proper usage of commas, hyphens, capitalization, and numbers. You may also be able to find the answers to these questions by doing an Internet search on writing mechanics or by checking you local library for a book on writing mechanics.

It is also always a good idea to have someone else read your paper. Because this person did not write the paper and is not familiar with the topic, he or she is more likely to catch mistakes or ideas that do not quite make sense. This person can also give you insights or suggestions on how to reword or format your paper to make it flow better or convey your ideas better.

More Information:

• Quick Science Fair Guide
• Science Fair Project Ideas

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50 Interesting 6th Grade Science Fair Projects and Classroom Activities

Award-winning ideas and science demos on every topic.

Sixth grade science covers a wide variety of topics and varies depending on the curriculum. We’ve rounded up the best 6th grade science fair projects to inspire kids, as well as classroom science demos and activities that will grab their attention.

To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, we’ve rated all the projects and activities by difficulty and the materials needed:

Difficulty:

• Easy: Low or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much anytime
• Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
• Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time or effort
• Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
• Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
• Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete

Biology and Earth Science 6th Grade Science Fair Projects

Chemistry 6th grade science fair projects, physics and engineering 6th grade science fair projects, 6th grade science classroom demos and hands-on activities.

For students interested in anatomy, animals, geology, ecology, and more, these are the science fair projects they need!

Find the fastest way to ripen fruit

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Need to ripen those bananas or peaches in a hurry? Do some research and then experiment to find the fastest way to safely ripen fruit without sacrificing flavor.

Clean up an oil spill

Learn why an oil spill is so devastating for wildlife and the ecosystem with this hands-on activity. Kids experiment to find the best way to clean up oil floating on water and rescue the animals affected by the spill.

Learn more: Oil Spill Cleanup at Kitchen Counter Chronicle

Explore new ways to filter water

Basic water-filtration systems are pretty simple, but they make terrific science fair projects. Experiment with different setups, and find a way to make safe drinking water for people who need it.

Shake it up with earthquake science

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Build simple model structures, then experiment to see how the actions of earthquakes affect them. Do research into what engineers and architects build in earthquake zones, then perform an experiment to see if you can improve on their findings.

Learn more: Earthquake Science at Love To Know

Grow a better garden using hydroponics

Hydroponics is the hot new gardening trend, but is it really a better way to garden? Find out with a DIY hydroponics gardening setup, comparing the results with traditional container gardening.

Find out if chewing gum really helps improve test scores

One of the more popular 6th grade science fair projects answers the question: Does chewing gum affect test scores? You’ll be surprised by the results!

Create top-notch compost in a cup

This is an easy science activity, and you can turn it into a science fair project by experimenting with different mixtures, layering, and conditions for your compost cups.

Learn more: Compost Cups at The Happy Housewife

Learn the best way to repel ants

Do you really need to use poisons to keep ants out of your home? Explore other possible solutions in this science project idea.

Simulate a tsunami and find ways to protect people

Build a model to simulate a tsunami, then come up with potential ways to minimize the damage future waves may cause.

Design a squirrel-proof bird feeder

Squirrels can be real pests at backyard bird feeders, and people are always trying to come up with new solutions to the issue. Can you be the one who finally solves this pesky problem?

Students who love to mix up chemicals and explore the results will enjoy these 6th grade chemistry science fair ideas.

Compare baking powder and baking soda

Baking powder and baking soda have similar names, but do they behave the same when used in a baking recipe? Bake up a few cakes and find out!

Devise a formula for creating the biggest soap bubbles

Soap bubble formulas vary, and some allow you to make bigger bubbles than others. What does it take to make the biggest bubble of them all?

Learn if tea and cola damage teeth

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Use eggshells to explore how various beverages can stain teeth in this classic 6th grade science fair project. (It also teaches important lessons about dental hygiene!)

Learn more: Teeth and Eggs at Education.com

Look for iron in your breakfast cereal

The human body needs iron to be healthy, and many breakfast cereal boxes boast that they contain it. Conduct a 6th grade science fair project to find out if cereals really contain all the iron they say they do.

Find the best way to clean up old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Form a hypothesis about which method will work best, then do some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Cleaning Coins Experiment at Gally Kids

Explore the effects of various sugars on yeast

Yeast needs sugar to grow, but does the type of sugar matter? And can you use sugar substitutes instead? This is a sweet way to find out!

Grow the biggest carbon sugar snake

Tinker with the formula to create the biggest carbon sugar snake possible! This is an engaging project that will wow other students too.

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake at KiwiCo

Determine whether soda has more sugar than juice

Which do you think has more sugar, a glass of Pepsi or one of orange juice? Boil away the water to find out in this 6th grade chemistry experiment.

Explore the properties of plastic made from milk

Making milk from plastic is actually pretty simple. Turn it into a science fair project by learning more about its strength, durability, and flexibility, and proposing a practical use for it.

Determine which type of juice has the most vitamin C

Vitamin C might not immediately cure your cold, but it definitely has health benefits. Does orange juice really have the most vitamin C? Conduct an experiment using an iodine titration method to learn the answer.

Calling all tinkerers! Build, create, and engineer a science fair project using physics principals.

Build a powerful paper-plane launcher

Here’s a cool 6th grade science fair project. Design and build a paper-airplane launcher that can fly a plane farther than anyone else’s.

Learn more: Paper Plane Launcher at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Figure out the fastest way to cool a soda

Adding ice to a glass of soda cools it off, but it also waters it down. See if you can find a fast way to cool down soda while it’s still in the can or bottle instead.

Launch a bottle rocket higher or more accurately

A basic water-powered rocket isn’t that hard to assemble, but you can turn it into a bona fide 6th grade science fair project by playing around with the design. Figure out how to launch it higher, or change the trajectory to hit a certain target.

Identify the best insulating material

Insulating an item can prevent it from losing heat, like an insulated beverage bottle. What materials are the most effective insulators? How can you find out?

Drop parachutes to test air resistance

Use the scientific method to test different types of material and see which makes the most effective parachute. This is an easy project that’s perfect for kids interested in design and engineering.

Learn more: Parachutes at Education.com

Discover which produce best powers a clock

Here’s one of those classic science fair projects that you can really customize to make your own. Try testing out a variety of fruits and veggies, or playing around with connecting several types of produce to see what happens. This inexpensive kit has all the supplies you need.

Engineer the strongest craft stick bridge

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

This is a classic science activity for the classroom, but it works well for 6th grade science fair projects too. Form a hypothesis about the strongest type of bridge design, then build your own models to test it out.

Assemble the best simple motor

Looking for an idea that’s impressive but not too complicated? Build your own simple motor! You only need a few special supplies, including insulated copper wire and neodymium magnets . Turn it into a true 6th grade science fair project by altering the variables to see if you can increase the speed, reduce the noise, or make other improvements.

Learn more: DIY Motor at Home Science Tools

Learn if room temperature affects candle burn rate

This is a simple experiment to conduct, and it’s inexpensive too. Burn birthday candles in a variety of temperatures to see if they burn faster in higher temps.

Determine how much money energy vampires are wasting in your home

So-called “energy vampires” use up energy even when they’re not in active use. And energy costs money. Determine how much energy is being wasted by energy vampires in your home, and figure out how much money you can save on an annual electric bill by getting rid of them.

Engage students with a live demonstration showing the concepts they’re studying. Even better, give them a chance to get hands-on and do the science themselves!

Assemble motorized tiny dancers

Build a homopolar motor to make little spinning wire dancers. It takes a little practice to get it right, but it’s a really fun way to learn about motors and energy.

Learn more: Tiny Dancers at Babble Dabble Do

Amplify your smartphone with basic supplies

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Build your own from paper cups and a toilet paper tube. This is a 6th grade STEM challenge that’s sure to amaze kids.

Learn more: Cell Phone Speaker at The Mad House

Wear a gene bracelet

This is a neat way to talk about our genes. Have each student add pony beads to their bracelet to represent different traits. Then they can compare their differences and similarities. It’s likely that no two students will have the same bracelets!

Learn more: DNA Gene Bracelet at Pragmatic Mom

Make naked eggs

Students dissolve the calcium carbonate eggshell in vinegar and discover the membranes beneath that hold the egg together. It’s a unique and intriguing way to learn about acid-base reactions.

Learn more: Naked Egg at Making Memories With Your Kids

Experiment with naked eggs

Now, submerge those naked eggs in corn syrup and water to learn about osmosis. The eggs shrink or grow depending on the liquid they’re placed in. So cool!

Learn more: Naked Egg Experiments at Exploratorium

Send water traveling down a string

Explore the properties of cohesion and adhesion with this simple experiment using only water and cotton string. Expand the learning by trying the same experiment with different materials and liquids.

Learn more: Traveling Water at Rookie Parenting

Launch a two-stage rocket

The rockets used for space flight generally have more than one stage to give them the extra boost they need. This experiment uses balloons to model a two-stage rocket launch, teaching kids about the laws of motion.

Change the color of a liquid in an instant

Want to see your kids gasp in amazement? Perform the iodine clock reaction. You only need a few drugstore chemicals to change the solution from clear to dark blue faster than students can blink.

Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

Learn more: Bernoulli Ping-Pong Ball at Buggy and Buddy

Use a fidget spinner to understand inertia

Learning about the laws of motion? This experiment uses a fidget spinner with three lights to show how mass and torque affect inertia.

Learn more: Fidget Spinner Inertia at Homeschool Momgineer

Build a heart pump model

Students gain a deeper understanding of the cardiovascular system when they construct a working model of a heart ventricle.

Learn more: Heart Pump Model at Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Construct a pair of model lungs

Build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons to learn more about the respiratory system. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Lungs Model at Surviving a Teacher’s Salary

Dissect an owl pellet

Dig into an owl’s regurgitated meals (it’s not as gross as it sounds!) to discover what their diet consists of. Owl pellets are readily available online, and kids will be intrigued by what they find.

Learn more: Owl Pellets at Gift of Curiosity

Study sound waves with a spoon

With just yarn and a metal spoon, learn how vibrations create sound, and explore the role of conductors.

Learn more: Spoon Sound Waves at KC Edventures With Kids

Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: Steel Wool Reaction at The Homeschool Scientist

Create a colorful cell model

There are lots of cell model projects out there, but this might be one of the cutest ones we’ve seen! And it’s easier to assemble than you might think.

Learn more: Cell Model at Angelic Scalliwags

Extract DNA from a strawberry

It’s surprisingly easy to pull a strand of DNA from this sweet fruit. Teach your kids about genetics and DNA with this 6th grade science project that uses only basic household supplies.

Design a biodome

There’s so much to learn in this 6th grade science project. Kids build a scale-model biodome to learn more about different environments and ecosystems, decomposition, the food web, and more.

Learn more: Biodome Project at Teach Engineering

Pull an egg into a bottle

This is another classic science demo that never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar—no hands required.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle at Left Brain Craft Brain

Make a pH indicator from a vegetable

Who knew such a simple material could be used to determine a substance’s acidity or alkalinity? Your students can explore acids and bases with this simple experiment.

Learn more: Red Cabbage Indicator at Compound Interest

Need supplies for your 6th grade science fair projects and activities? Check out these 24 Science Kits for Middle and High School That Make Hands-On Lessons Easy .

Plus, get all the latest teaching tips and tricks straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters .

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6th Grade Science Fair Projects

6th grade science fair projects can be fun as well as educational. The key to finding a good project idea is to pick one that can be completed in time, uses materials you can actually find, and incorporates the scientific method . You can turn any science project into a science fair project by finding one factor you can change (the independent variable ) and measuring its effect on another factor (the dependent variable ). Either predict what you expect to happen or form a hypothesis , record the data, determine whether it upholds the prediction, and report your findings.

Here is a collection of 6th grade science fair project ideas. The projects include chemistry, biology, physics, geology, weather, environmental science, and engineering.

Grow Geodes in Egg Shells

Geodes form when minerals crystallize from water trickling into holes within rocks. While natural geodes take millions of years to form, you can make your own geode in a few hours or days. Use an eggshell as your “rock” and crystallize salt, sugar, borax, or Epsom salts.

Make It an Experiment: Turn this cool project into a science fair experiment by predicting how temperature affects crystal formation. You can explore the effect of rate of cooling on crystallization by insulating the growing geode with a hot water bath, leaving it at room temperature, and refrigerating it.

Build a Structure to Withstand an Earthquake

Explore the principle engineers use to construct buildings to withstand seismic events like earthquakes. Use styrofoam plates as the “ground” and make buildings using craft sticks. Join the craft sticks to each other using mini-marshmallows. Use a sharp pencil to poke holes in the bottom of the plate to insert craft stick supports. These will be the building’s foundation. When you have finished construction, shake the plate from side to side to simulate an earthquake.

Make It an Experiment: What type of structure survives the simulate earthquake the best? Is it rigid or flexible. You can perform a similar simulation by constructing a structure meant to withstand a hurricane. Use a fan as the wind and examine how the type of wall affects the building’s stability.

Control the Rate of a Color Change Reaction

Many color change chemical reaction are clock reactions. What this means is that if you mix the same amounts of chemicals under the same conditions, the color change occurs after the same time interval (like clockwork). The blue bottle reaction and vanishing valentine are excellent clock reactions for 6th grade science projects.

Make It an Experiment: Predict whether changing the concentration of the starting chemicals or the temperature of the liquids will increase or decrease the speed of the color change. Perform the experiment, record the results, and see if you can explain them.

Turn Milk Into Plastic

Many common plastics come from petroleum, but you can make a plastic from milk . Basically, all you do is curdle the milk . Heat 1/2 cup of milk or heavy cream over low to medium heat until it simmers. Stir in lemon juice or vinegar until the mixture starts to thicken. Remove the pot from heat. When the liquid has cooled, rinse the curds with water. These curds are a natural casein polymer. You’ve made homemade plastic!

Make It a Science Experiment: Your experiment might explore the properties of this plastic, including how far it will stretch, how much weight it can hold, and whether it can be used as a modeling compound. Another option is to compare the amount of plastic you get from cow’s milk compared to goat milk or sheep milk. Do you get the same amount of plastic from cream as from milk?

Explore the Pigments in Leaves

Most leaves look green from chlorophyll, but actually contain several different pigments. In the autumn, plants make less chlorophyll, so you can see the other colors. You can use paper chromatography to see pigments in leaves. To do this, grind leaves to break open their cells (a blender works well), place them in a small jar, add just enough alcohol to cover the leaves, and insert a long strip of coffee filter paper into the jar. You want one end of the paper strip in the leaf mixture and the other end extending up and outside of the jar. As liquid moves up the paper, it pulls pigment molecules along. Smaller molecules move faster, while larger molecules move slower. Over time, this separates the colors.

Make It an Experiment: See if you can identify which pigments the leaves contain based on their colors. Gather leaves from a single plant from multiple seasons. Compare the pigments from spring, summer, and autumn. Can you tell the season by the pigments present in the leaves?

See the Iron in Breakfast Cereal

Use a magnet to separate the iron from breakfast cereal so you can actually see it. To do this, pour one cup of crushed cereal into a zipper-lock bag and fill the bag half full of warm water. Shake the bag to mix the contents and allow at least 20 minutes for the flakes to dissolve. Place a strong magnet against the side of the bag and slosh the contents around so the magnet can capture the iron. Finally, keep the magnet up against the side of the bag but tilt the bag so you can see the iron. It will appear as tiny black specks.

Make It an Experiment: Compare the iron in different cereals. Do all cereals contain about the same amount of iron? Does it look the same in every product?

Use Eggs to See Which Drinks Stain Teeth

Tooth enamel is the mineral hydroxyapatite (hydrated calcium phosphate), while egg shell is calcium carbonate. Egg shell is more porous than tooth enamel, so it stains more quickly. Soak eggs in tea, coffee, soda, and other liquids to determine which ones stain teeth. Common drinks also contain acids in addition to pigments, so some drinks dissolve egg shell (and teeth). Can you identify them?

Make It an Experiment: After staining the eggs, predict which methods work to remove the stains. Test these methods and see if you can discover how they work.

Use Household Chemicals to Clean Old Coins

Learn about oxidation, which includes tarnish, patina, and rust. Explore the cleaning power of common household chemicals. Soak discolored coins in soap, laundry detergent, lemon juice, salt water, soda, ketchup, vinegar, salsa, or any other products you like. After soaking, remove the coins and rinse them to see which ones clean the coins the best.

Make It an Experiment: Part of making this project an experiment is predicting which chemicals make the best cleaners. Also, you’ll have to determine the best amount of time to soak the coins. You can compare how well these chemicals work on different types of coins (like pennies, quarters, and nickels). Do you think the metal composition of the coin affects how well the cleaners work?

Make a Graphite Circuit

Graphite is a form of carbon that conducts electricity. You can draw a line of graphite using a pencil to make a simple circuit . Use a battery with both terminals on top (like a 9V). Turn the battery upside down on the paper and draw heavy pencil lines whether the terminal rest (don’t connect these lines!). Take an LED and bend the wires apart so they can rest separate on the paper. Rest each wire on a pencil dot. Complete the circuit by drawing lines to connect one terminal of the battery to one end of the LED light and the other end of the battery to the other LED wire.

Make It an Experiment: Explore whether the length or thickness of the line affects how brightly the LED glows. You can make a circuit using aluminum foil strips instead of graphite, too.

See Whether Food Color Affects Its Flavor

Examine the effect of color on perceived taste by coloring different drinks with food coloring and asking subjects to describe their flavor.

Make It an Experiment: Compare the flavor of colored and uncolored versions of the same drinks. Start with drinks that don’t have any color so subjects are less likely to guess the drink flavor in advance.

Test Whether Temperature Affects Maximum Balloon Size

Start with a package of party balloons (ideally all the same color and brand). Part of the fun of this science fair project is planning how you can test the effect of temperature on balloon size. Consider your options in terms of indoor versus outdoor weather and access to freezers and saunas. You need to blow up a balloon and measure its maximum size before it pops. Either get a friend to help with the measurement or fix a measuring tape to the wall and keep an eye on the numbers.

Make It an Experiment: You are well on your way to making an experiment if you make a prediction about whether temperature affects maximum balloon size and design a method to test the hypothesis. Can you propose an explanation for your results?

See If All Crayon Colors Melt at the Same Temperature

Crayons consist of wax, colorants, and sometimes fillers. See whether all crayons melt at the same temperature. You’ll need a bunch of different colors of crayons, a thermometer, and a way to melt them. Fortunately, wax melts at a lower temperature than water boils, so you can slowly heat water, watch for melting, and record the temperature. Another method is to place crayons (not-touching) on a sheet of wax paper on a cookie sheet, heat an oven to 350 ºF (or any temperature, really), and record which crayons melt first.

Make It an Experiment: Make predictions and answer questions. Do you get the same results with different brands of crayons? Do old crayons have the same melting point as new crayons? Watch for control variables , like the size of the crayons and whether you pre-heated the oven.

Make Lightning in Your Mouth

To make lightning in your mouth, crunch a Lifesaver Wint-O-Green or Pep-O-Mint candy in your mouth in front of a mirror in a dark room. Saliva can ruin the effect, so you might want to dry out your mouth with a paper towel first. The blue sparks that resemble lightning are due to an effect called triboluminescence . The sugar in the candy releases electrical energy when the crystals are compressed. The tiny charges attract nitrogen in the air, making miniature lightning bolts. Make It an Experiment: Get different types of hard candies and predict whether they will produce sparks in the dark. See if you can explain why some candies work better than others.

More 6th Grade Science Fair Project Ideas

Here are more ideas for projects to try:

• Test which brand of gum lasts the longest. Does it matter whether it contains sugar?
• What is the tallest tower you can build with 100 Legos?
• What is the fastest way to cool a soda?
• What metal is most resistant to corrosion by sea water?
• Does the shape of an ice cube affect how quickly it melts?
• Which soft drink sprays the most liquid after it is shaken?
• What type of sweetener do ants prefer?
• Does the color of a crayon affect how long of a line it will write?
• Do different types of knots affect the breaking strength of a rope?
• What type of air freshener makes a school bus smell best to the greatest number of students?
• How long does it take for milk to go “bad” refrigerated and unrefrigerated?
• Which apps run down a cell phone battery the fastest?

Related Posts

6th Grade Science Fair Projects

• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Ideas for 6th-grade science fair projects can be a challenge to conceive. Projects need to be sophisticated and elaborate enough to show complex thinking but not so complex that they would be impossible for a sixth-grader to execute. These are topics and experiments suitable for upper-grade school or entry-level middle school.

General Project Ideas

The ideas in this section and the following one are phrased as questions because that is generally how schools require sixth-grade students to announce their projects, as a question, or hypothesis , to be tested and answered.

• What types of fruits or vegetables are suitable for making a battery?
• Which apps run down a cell phone battery most quickly or use up a lot of data. This is a good project for making attractive graphs.
• How much paper is required to register for school? Can you propose a way to streamline the process to make it more environmentally friendly? Would this process save time or money?
• What exactly does a vacuum cleaner pick up? Use a magnifying glass or microscope to look at the contents of a bag or canister. What types of material are not picked up?
• Does coloring carbonated water change how its taste is perceived?
• How long does it take for milk to go "bad" refrigerated and unrefrigerated? What about juice?
• Do all crayons have the same melting points? Why or why not?
• Do different types of carbonated sodas have different pH? Do you think this can affect tooth decay?
• What types of fruits, vegetables, and flowers can be used to make a pH indicator? Make some indicator solution, write up a protocol, and test home chemicals to explore the color range of your solution.
• Can you tell different brands of soda pop apart based on taste?
• Do some plants grow better inside than outside?

More Complex Projects

The projects in this section tend to be slightly more complex than those suggested in the previous section. They are still appropriate for sixth-grade science fair projects but may take more steps and/or time to execute.

• What type of air freshener makes a school bus smell best to the greatest number of students?
• Which type of water contains the lowest amount of chlorine?
• What type of insulation holds in heat the best?
• Do different types of knots affect the breaking strength of a rope?
• Does wiping a doorknob with an antibacterial wipe really reduce the numbers of bacteria? Does using hand sanitizer really reduce the amount of bacteria on your hands?
• How do different flame retardants affect the flammability and burning rate of cotton?
• Which cooking method results in the least loss of vitamin C?
• Does temperature affect the maximum size you can inflate a balloon?
• Does the color of a crayon affect how long of a line it will write?
• Does changing the temperature affect how long a pen will last?
• Do all types of bread mold at the same rate?

Tips and Hints

By the sixth grade , students should have a good understanding of the steps of the scientific method . The best science fair project ideas will be ones with a hypothesis that is tested by an experiment. Then, the student decides whether to accept or reject the hypothesis and draws a conclusion. This is also a good grade level for presenting data in graphs and charts.

Parents and teachers need to understand that sixth-graders still need help with ideas, especially finding ideas that use materials that are readily available and that can be completed within the allotted time frame. One way to come up with a good idea is to look around the house and find topics a sixth-grader may have questions about. Brainstorm these questions and find ones that can be written as a testable hypothesis.

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All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

71 Science Fair Projects for 6th Graders

Our collection of 6th grade science projects offer a fun and hands-on way for middle school students to explore a variety of fascinating science concepts.

6th Grade Science Fair Project FAQ

What are some easy 6th grade science fair projects.

Each one of these science fair projects are easy for sixth grade students to set up and do!

Burn Rate of a Candle

Soap and Surface Tension

Baking with Yeast

Color and Taste

Growing Mold

Cleaning Teeth: A Science Project

Comparing Blood Pressure

The Chocolate Rock Cycle

Uncovering Fall Colors

Making Oobleck: Liquid or Solid?

Science fair project details right above the FAQ!

What is the best 6th grade science project ever?

We love the Color and Taste science fair project for sixth grade students. The same flavored drink is made red, orange and purple with food coloring. When the three drinks are given to people, see what people taste! It's fascinating to see how color affects our perception of taste in this classic science experiment!

If you're looking for more 6th grade science projects, check out the 6th grade science fair projects at the top of this page! 

Check out more Best Science Fair Projects →

What are some cool 6th grade science fair projects?

Get ready to be amazed by these super cool science projects for 6th graders! With just a few simple things, sixth graders will see how fun and cool science is!

Does Music Help Plants Grow?

Dogs vs. Humans: Bacteria in the Mouth

Singing Glass

Fast Food Nutrition

Cleaning teeth: A Science Project

Video Games and Blood Pressure

Moisturizer Test

What are 5 testable questions for 6th grade?

A testable question is a question that we can answer through a science experiment. To do this, we do a control science experiment, then we change one thing in the experiment to see how it affects what happens. This is how we can discover the answer to our question!

What makes a cloud form?

Can drink and food taste different just by changing its color?

Does the color of light affect photosynthesis?

Does temperature affect seed sprouting?

What makes popcorn pop?

Here are more testable questions along with their science projects →

What are the top 10 science projects for 6th grade?

These are our top 10 science projects for 6th grade, with projects covering biology, chemistry, physics, medicine and health. These projects can be used as science fair project ideas or as a fun experiment to explore different areas of science!

Plant Growth: Hydroponics vs. Soil

Science project details above the FAQ!

Can I do a 6th grade science fair project in a day?

Yes! Quick experiments can be a great option for a science fair project! If you want to explore quick reactions, we have science project ideas on various topics to get you started.

Acids and bases: Test different fluids to see if they are an acid or a base!

Learn how to make your own acid/base indicator using red cabbage and use it to test different fluids! Make Your Own PH Indicator

Chromatography reactions: Separate out colors!

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Let's find out by using chromatography to separate the colors of a green leaf! Uncovering Fall Colors

Heat reactions: Heat speeds things up!

Ever wondered if a balloon filled with water can withstand fire? Fire-Resistant Balloons

What are some hands-on ways to find inspiration for my science fair project?

There may be free admission days or free passes to a science museum near you! Check your local library for free museum passes, nearby science museums for free entrance days and your credit card for offers.

Find a science museum near you and prepare to be awed by all that you can learn there! I always learn something new and am inspired whenever I go to a science museum!

How do I start a science fair project?

What should I do after I have a science fair project idea?

How do I make a science fair board?

What is the scientific method?

What is the engineering design process?

Where can I find a science fair competition?

The www Virtual Library: Science Fairs website also has a collection of science fairs from all over the world, as well as national, state, regional, local, and virtual competitions!

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6th Grade Science Fair Projects: Experiments, Investigations, And Model Building

January 10, 2024 //  by  Clover

Want to see your students dig into science without even realizing they’re studying? Showcase all your amazing STEM lessons by giving your kids the reins– they’ll jump out of their seats at the opportunity to build projects for the school science fair! Let your kiddos wow their parents, teachers, and peers with how they put their investigations into action. Check out these fabulous ideas and get ready to be amazed by your little scientific geniuses!

1. Carbon Sugar Snake Experiment

Who wouldn’t get excited by a ‘hand-made’ giant carbon sugar snake? This science experiment shows how a carbon snake is born by burning a mixture of baking soda and sugar. You’ll probably need to consider bringing this one outdoors, but the results will be totally worth it. 

Learn More: Kiwi Co

2. Irons in Breakfast Cereals

Did you know that extracting all the iron from your body could make two small nails? Let your students investigate this by finding out the amount of food-grade iron in their favorite breakfast cereals. For an even cooler school science project idea? Compare brands and make a bar chart to show the difference.

Learn More: Steve Spangler Science

3. Transform Milk into Plastic

How can my daily drinking milk become plastic? This activity will teach your kiddos the concept of plastic polymerization from natural resources such as milk and other dairy products. They’ll find it both disgusting and amazing!

Learn More: Science Buddies

4. The Competition of Skateboard Wheels

Have you got any skateboarding fans in your classroom? They’ll shred their way right through the science fair doors with this one! Bring on the research and inspect the material and tensile strength of various types of skateboard wheels to see how they affect the rebound.

Learn More: Education

5. Powered Boat by Baking Soda

Let’s level up the same science behind the classic baking soda volcano reaction with this fun boat race Have your kiddos place the materials for the experiment into a modified plastic bottle and then let them test their creations in a competitive race with fuel straight from the kitchen cabinet. 

6. Create Two-Stage Balloon Rocket

Give the science fair a glow-up with this two-stage balloon rocket experiment. Start by letting your kiddies build their rockets by tapping staws onto inflated balloons; thread some string through the straws and you’re ready for blast off! They’ll be learning about the same laws of motion used by airplanes and rockets!

7. The Sponge Gummy Bears

Behold! The mysterious secrets of gelatin! Turn your kids’ favorite gummy bears into giants by placing them in water and other solutions. This is an incredible food science project to learn about molecules and have FUN! The only rule- don’t eat your lab tools!

8. Motorized Tiny Characters

Have a science dance party! Your sixth-graders will love these DIY motorized characters who can dance from the simplest source of energy – a homopolar motor. This creative activity makes tiny dancers, but who knows what else your creative constructors will create?

Learn More: Babble Dabble Do

9. Magic Spinning Pens

This little experiment taps into loads of science skills for any stage. From the investigation to the trial and research, your learners will see what it takes to balance a pen by sheer magnetism. Sounds easy? Think again! They’ll need lots of adjustments in the magnet size and positioning to get a perfect balance.

Learn More: Frugal Fun For Boys And Girl

10. Create a WiggleBot

“Bleep-bleep-bloop!” Introduce your class to the world of robotics with this fantastic activity. The materials used are easy to find and they’ll love creating these tiny mini-creatures who can draw on their own! What a perfect introduction to learning about power, electrical energy, and its sources.

Learn More: Research Parent

11. Build an Electro-Magnetic Train

Let your kiddos tinker away with this super fun railway activity. They’ll create a hypothesis and speculate on what needs to be adjusted with the energy source and wire lengths to make the train run smoothly. This experiment is a great introduction to the scientific process for them!

Learn More: Frugal Fun For Boys And Girls

12. Handmade Holiday Greeting Card Circuits

Everyone loves a festive greeting card! Why not add some science into the holiday season by guiding your little learners to make circuits and embed them into their cards? They’ll explore variables that affect the flow of electricity such as using wood versus rubber. Their results will light up the room!

13. A Solar-Powered Robot Grasshopper

A scary robot grasshopper that vibrates when it’s placed near any light? WHAT?!? Have your kiddos record this cool grasshopper’s level of movement under different amounts of light and solar power to let them get a better understanding of how this cool tech works!

14. Camera Obscura by Recycled Cans

This handmade camera will take your kids back in time and will quickly become their favorite “new” tool. They’ll start to understand modern photography, by exploring the fundamental principles of how a camera works. What a fabulous pitch for the school science fair! Come on everybody, say cheese!

15. A Heat-Sensitive, Color-Changing Experience

Mood rings and lipsticks that change color are always fascinating for kids. You’ll uncover the magic of these cool items by introducing them to the color-changing element of thermochromic pigment. Create some amazing color-changing slime as an example and let your 6th graders get gooey while they learn more! 

Learn More: Left Brain Craft Brain

16. Make Your Own Crystal Landscapes

It’s alive! Or is it? Let your kids extend their middle school science understanding by delving into the mind-blowing phenomenon of crystal growth. They’ll create a spectacular crystal landscape that’s sure to add dazzle to your science fair. When purchasing ingredients in the US, modify your recipe by using Epsom Salt.

17. Roots Grow Versus Gravity Experiment

Gravity keeps us on the ground, but does it also affect plants’ growth here on the earth? Let your kiddies find out with this fun windowsill activity that’ll be sure to blow minds at the science fair. They’ll be amazed to see roots growing every which way, as they use gravity as a variable!

18. Seafloor Spreading and the Earthquakes

What happens when the seafloor spreads? Let’s bring all the science of tectonic plates to life! Using some folded paper and a cardboard cylinder, your kiddos will create a working model of how new rock is formed on the ocean’s floor! 

19. How Plants Help Prevent Tsunami Impact

We all know how destructive the force of a tsunami can be, but did you know that planting trees can help prevent destruction from these natural disasters? Have your kiddos create their very own coastal landscapes, complete with buildings and greenery, then have them recreate a tsunami with some water and assess the damage! 

Learn More: YouTube

20. How Acidic Water ‘Eats’ Rocks

Can rocks be dissolved in a liquid like sugar in coffee or tea? In this geology science experiment, your students will use a scientific method to investigate how rocks are being ‘eaten’ by acidic water. In your classroom, you’ll be using vinegar concentrations, but you can extend your kids’ learning by exploring what sorts of acids might be eroding rocks out in nature.

21. Cutting Ice Cubes With Wire

Give a whole new meaning to “break the ice”! Did your middle school students know that they can cut through an ice cube with just a piece of wire and some weights? Demonstrate the method for them as they learn about regelation and the physics of water. All that’s left is for them to have a go themselves! 

22. Growing Bateria

Don’t do this activity after lunch! Have your kiddies find samples around their homes or in school for testing to reveal the hidden bacteria in each place. It’s easy to make up some petri dishes and then all your little microbiologists will need to do is swab their samples! The results might surprise them!

23. Heart Pump Model

It might be ‘heart’ to believe, but your kiddos can make a model of a human heart ventricle, using everyday items from around the house! By following the instructions, they can assemble their model made from plastic bottles, balloons, and straws, helping them learn about the complex inner workings of the cardiovascular system. 

Learn More: Tina’s Dynamic Home School Plus

24. Building a Stick Bridge

Explore the vast array of bridge designs across the world and put your learners’ creativity and engineering skills to the test. Your kiddos will experiment with popsicle sticks to build bridges and find out which model is the safest and holds the most weight.

Learn More: Scholastic

25. Building Stable Frameworks for Earthquakes

Your future engineers will explore building construction from a safety perspective with this next idea!  Have them build some different structures with popsicle sticks then see how they stand up to a (kiddie-made) earthquake!

Learn More: Science Love to Know

26. Forming Magic Cloud

This easy 6th-grade science project brings a few welcome clouds to the sunny atmosphere of your science fair. Make a cloud in a bottle using some rubbing alcohol and send your fair-weather friends packing. Want extra experiments? Try twisting the cap back, re-pressurizing the bottle, and see what happens next!

27. Designing Biodomes

This amazing engineering project challenges your kiddos to create a scale-model biodome! They’ll be able to observe reactions in ecosystems, environments, and food chains, and at the same time, explore the energy flow. What a super hands-on way to introduce them to the topic of plants and animals’ basic needs and the interdependence of an ecosystem.

Learn More: Teach Engineering

28. The Archimedes Squeeze

Challenge your class to test Archimedes’s principles like real engineers back in the day in this hydrodynamic project! Using aluminum foil balls varying in diameter they’ll learn all about water displacement as they submerge them and weigh what spills over. They’ll be making a splash in the name of science!

29. Cleaning Coins

Let your kiddos explore the science of cleaning! Give them a couple of different cleaning solutions to experiment with to find out what works and what doesn’t! Then brainstorm and further the experiment to figure out why some things work better than others.

Learn More: Gally Kids

30. Make Your Own PH Indicator

Don’t have an expensive pH tester? Well, it turns out you don’t need one! Explore the pH scale and let your middle school students make their own indicator solution with a simple ingredient from the grocery aisle; red cabbage! Grocery store science at its finest!

Learn More: Compound Interest

31. Skittles Science Fair Project

Show off all the colors of the rainbow in this beautiful experiment. We’re sure your kiddos love playing with food, especially candy, and this is certainly no exception! This is a fun and visually impressive way to help them learn about diffusion and balanced solutions! Who knew science could be so colorful?

32. Tooth Decay Egg Experiment

We all know that lots of sugary drinks can damage our teeth, but which ones are the worst? Challenge your kiddies to find out in this simple experiment! Teach them about tooth enamel and how food can damage it, using eggs to represent teeth. Let them dunk their eggs into different drinks and see what happens! They’ll be shocked by the results!

Learn More: The Forsyth Institute

33. Lightning in Your Mouth

If you tell your kiddos that they can create lightning in their mouths, it’s likely that they won’t believe you! All you’ll need to prove them wrong is a mirror, a dark room, and some wint-o-green flavored Life Savers to show off some amazing electrical power. Your students will learn about how lightning is made whilst snacking on a delicious treat!

Learn More: Exploratorium

34. Popping Candy

Using another delicious treat, investigate why popping candy pops. Set up some bowls with oil, water, or vinegar, and have your kiddos add the popping candy! All that’s left is to step back and watch the magic happen!

Learn More: Science Sparks

35. Fruit Rot

This one is certainly a stinky experiment! Let your little scientists test to see which fruit rots the quickest and they’ll learn about the ripening process, too. You can try adjusting this experiment to test what substances are the best for preventing fruit rot. Just make sure they don’t eat any of the fruit!

36. What Attracts Insects

If you don’t like creepy crawlies, look away now! In this experiment your learners will set up bug traps to determine what exactly attracts bugs; heat, light, or both! They’ll also discover exactly what kind of heat and light works the best for attracting certain bugs, whilst learning more about the insect life cycle, too.

Learn More: Science Projects

37. Paper Towel Experiment

Which paper towel is the best for absorbing liquid? This super simple experiment is a fantastic way to have your kiddies focus on the scientific method and process. Have them test out different brands of paper towels to test which mops up spills most efficiently! Finally, an experiment that cleans itself up!

Learn More: Explorable

38. Mini Marshmallow Launcher

This is certainly a fun experiment to try! Using a plastic cup cut in half and a balloon, your kiddos will build their very own contraption to launch some mini marshmallows. This activity is a super fun introduction to physics, and we’re pretty sure there will be some taste testing going on here too, in the name of science, of course!

Learn More: Science Fun

39. Paper Airplane

Can your kids come up with the ultimate paper airplane? Let them investigate and discover the best design for a paper airplane by testing out different models for their distance, accuracy, and flight time. You can find many examples of paper airplane designs online, and you can also challenge them to create their own paper airplane designs. Ready for take-off!

Learn More: Science Fair Math

40. Simple Ant Experiment

Take learning outside with this fantastic idea! Have your students find some ants, then place a few different pieces of food nearby. As they come back over the next few hours, they’ll make observations and determine which foods the ants liked best. Just take care to not get bitten! 

Learn More: Mother Natured

41. DIY Taleidoscope

A taleidoscope is just like a kaleidoscope, but without an end to it, meaning that it is perfect for your kiddos to explore the world around them! Challenge them to have a go at making this interesting contraption to learn more about mirrors and light reflection in a fun, hands-on way.

42. Walking on Eggs

You’ll definitely want to do this one outside! By learning to stand in a way that distributes their weight evenly, your students will be able to walk across these eggs without breaking them. It’s a super exciting way for them to learn about weight distribution and the amazing properties of eggs. They’ll soon be ‘ egg-sperts’ on this topic!

43. St Patrick’s Day Fizzing Pot

This experiment is a unique take on the classic volcano experiment but with a St Patrick’s Day twist! Your kiddies will learn about chemical reactions as they predict what will happen when they add baking soda to their vinegar and green food dye mix! Remember to add some golden glitter; a leprechaun’s pot isn’t complete without some gold in it!

Learn More: Little Bins For Little Hands

44. Seed Germinator

Find out about the amazing properties of a humble seed and how they grow! Your little botanists will be able to witness for themselves how seeds turn into seedlings as they let these ones germinate on a petri dish! As the seedlings grow, your kids’ knowledge will too.

45. Naked Egg Experiment

Avert your eyes! These eggs are naked! By making their own “naked” eggs, by placing regular eggs into vinegar, your students will learn about the process of osmosis and chemical reactions! They might even notice that the egg changes size once it’s been stripped of its shell! 

46. Pouring Water Down a String

Your kiddos will be amazed as they watch water walk on a tightrope in this amazing experiment! It’s so easy to try with just a string, an empty clear container, and some water! Soak the string in water then hold it into the glass and see how the water moves down the string. They’ll be exploring surface tension as they marvel at how the water appears to defy gravity!

Learn More: Metro Family Magazine

47. Steady Hands

Create your own “Operation” game right in your classroom with a battery pack and some wires. Have your learners carefully contort the wire to create an obstacle course that they’ll then need to navigate without making contact and setting off a buzzer!

48. Water Color Chemistry

Sometimes known as the iodine clock experiment, this fun activity is a great opportunity to get (gloved) hands-on with some chemicals! Using a variety of chemicals, your kiddos will watch as starch and Vitamin C battle it out; the starch trying to turn the iodine in the mixture blue. What are you waiting for? Grab some safety goggles and get mixing! 

Learn More: Science Bob

49. Cell Phone Stand

This project is super simple and your 6th graders will be sure to find it useful. Have them make their own stands for their cell phones. They’ll love having an easy way to show someone a meme or hold their phone up as they film a TikTok dance. Grab some popsicle sticks and paper clips and get gluing!

50. Floating Ball Trick

Using air and science your learners can make people believe they’re making a ping pong ball float in mid-air! Start them off with a plastic bottle or paper cone, and a straw, and once they’ve assembled it, they can use their breath to make the ball float; so cool!

51. Fidgeting With The Center of Mass

Make this complicated physics topic a little easier to understand for your learners by relating it to the infamous fidget spinner! Using a light-up fidget spinner, your kiddos can experiment by removing some of the lights to change how the mass is distributed. Then you can encourage them to observe any differences in how the toy moves as these changes are made! 

Learn More: From Engineer To SAHM

52. Catapult to First Prize

For this exciting experiment, your kiddos will need to build their own catapult! You can guide them to make one easily out of some recycled materials like some pieces of wood, or a wooden spoon and some paper towel rolls. All that’s left is to grab some objects, take aim, and send them flying!

Learn More: Education Possible

53. Balloon Lungs

Not only is this a fun experiment to make, but it will also teach your kids an important lesson about lung health and safety! Have them cut the bottom off a plastic bottle, then use balloons and straws to create ready-to-inflate lungs. This amazing idea gives them a visual of how our lungs do their job!

Learn More: Surviving A Teacher’s Salary

54. What Do Owls Eat?

Are your kiddos curious about animals, their diet, and their digestion? Well, if they aren’t, they will be soon! Owls are particularly unique in how they swallow and digest their food in that they swallow their food whole, but cannot digest parts like fur or bones. Take your class out in search of some owl pellets and get learning!

Learn More: Gift Of Curiosity

55. Potato Battery

Is a science fair even a science fair if it doesn’t feature this classic science experiment? Have your little scientists explore the electrifying properties of the humble potato! Did you know it also works with any fruit or vegetable high in potassium? Let your class get creative and make some energy!

Learn More: Kidz World

57. Build a DIY Grow Box

If it’s too cold out to grow plants outdoors, have your young scientists build their own grow boxes! Line a box with foil, add a UV lamp, and watch the magic happen! They’ll love the chance to grow a whole host of different plants and monitor their progress.

Learn More: Uplifting Mayhem

58. Purify Water With Charcoal

You’d never think something as dirty as charcoal could actually be used to clean! In this science experiment, your students will discover ways to clean drinking water by creating a filter using activated carbon. This simple experiment will shine a light on the importance of clean drinking water and is sure to be a science fair eye-opener!

Learn More: The Homeschool Scientist

59. Acid Rain Experiment

Simulate the effects of acid rain on plant life in this hands-on science experiment! Let your kiddos observe the effects of this weather phenomenon by observing how plants react when placed in a mini greenhouse containing vinegar versus one containing only water. The results are truly drastic!

Learn More: STEAM Powered Family

60. Build a Barometer

This easy science project encourages your kids to make a barometer to measure air pressure and weather changes! Use household items, including metal cans, wire, and rubber bands, to make to create this scientific instrument and track air pressure along with weather changes. They could even try their hand at predicting the weather!

Learn More: KC Edventures

61. Build a Wave Machine

A few simple materials are all you need to make this ingenious wave machine! These are useful for studying sound waves, energy transfer, frequency, amplitude, and more! A bit of measurement, some skewers, clay, and the versatile roll of duct tape are all your kiddies will need to make this science project come to life.

Learn More: Engaging Science Labs

62. Build a Solar Oven

This classic childhood science project is one that has endured the ages – the solar oven! Pizza boxes, foil, and some plastic wrap turn a simple chunk of cardboard into an amazing experience that teaches your class all about reflection, refraction, heat, and energy. Not to mention, the end result is absolutely delicious! Solar s’mores, anyone?

Learn More: Child Sci

63. Make Mummified Apples

This creepy science project results in a great display that blends history and science! After a bit of research on mummification in your ancient Egyptians topic, let your little ones try out the process on some apples. Have them try out different substances such as salt and baking powder to see which is most effective!

Learn More: Raising Arizona Kids

64.  Popcorn Investigation

Have you ever noticed how different brands of popcorn always produce different amounts of leftover kernels? It’s time to set your learners on a mission to discover which brands produce the most and least amount of waste! Have them work through the scientific process of testing, recording, and comparing in this fun project!

Learn More: K Muska Science

65. Windmill Engineering

This wind-powered science project provides a firsthand look into the power of wind and wind turbines. Using household materials, your young scientists will create a windmill model and engineer it to power a Lego Minifigure Lift. What a great way to encourage perseverance and ingenuity!

66. Learn to Code With Robots

Beginners and enthusiasts alike can never go wrong with a science project that includes coding! Your young coders will show off the process of designing and writing the code for high-tech robots to complete various tasks. This colorful coding mat makes an amazing addition to any science fair display!

Learn More: Facebook

67. Test Sunscreen Effectiveness

A blue-ribbon winning science fair project for anyone who loves a day at the beach.  This project takes a look into the effectiveness of different sunscreens in order to determine which is better to use. This project is a great test of the scientific method and provides a real-world connection that is invaluable info for anyone who visits the booth.

Learn More: Pinterest

68. Research and Compare Sugar Content

This eye-opening science fair project shines a light on the sugar content in what we drink every day. Taking a variety of drinks, your kiddies will predict and measure the actual sugar content of each drink to provide a visual display of the amount of sugar in each brand. This one will definitely make them think twice on their next visit to the vending machine!

69. Play With Magnetism

This fun science project seeks to show your learners the effects of magnetism and ingenuity. Using earth magnets, batteries, and a few other simple materials, this experiment seeks to create a fun spinning top toy that is self-powered, through the presence of a magnetic field! Who said science isn’t like playtime? Definitely not a middle schooler with a rocking science fair project like this!

70. Make Pumpkin Slime

This gross science experiment puts a fun twist on the classic slime-making project. Add water, liquid glue, and liquid start to a healthy serving of pumpkin guts, and watch the magic happen! Your kids will squirm as it morphs into a disgustingly viscous substance that’s perfect for Halloween fun!

71. Baby Product Testing

Some of the best science fair projects are ones that are relevant, valid, and helpful! This science fair project is great for any kids in your class who are big brothers or sisters! Have them dig into the scientific method and determine which diapers are more absorbent and offer more bang for your buck!

Learn More: Kids Out And About

72. Stain Fighting Science

Another promising product-testing science fair project is to determine the usefulness and effectiveness of different cleaning solutions. This project has your kids test different laundry products and use the scientific method to determine the best choice for removing hard-to-clean stains. As an extension activity, add a research project on PFAs.

Learn More: Inspiration Laboratories

73. Test the Five-Second Rule

Ah yes, the timeless ‘five-second rule’. We all know it, and the story goes that any food dropped on the floor is still safe to eat if picked up within five seconds. But is that true? This fun science experiment lets your kiddos test that hypothesis and uncover the real truth behind the five-second myth by analyzing bacteria growth on dropped food products.

Learn More: Sassy Cassy Sews

74. Salty Circuits

Did you know that you can create a model of a circuit using salt? It’s new to us too! This science fair project models how circuits can be created by using salt, liquid watercolor, and a few bits of electrical wire. This is an easy science fair project for kiddos that will definitely light up the judges.

75. Make the Best Cookies Ever!

Everyone loves a cookie, so why not turn them into a science fair project? Get your learners looking into how different amounts and types of fat (butter, shortening, coconut oil, etc) have an effect on the overall taste and texture of a cookie. While it takes some prep and a few rounds of baking, this science fair project is definitely a tasty way to win!

76.  Test Teeth Whiteners

Product testing is always a popular choice for science fair projects. Your students can use a project like this one that uses stained hard-boiled eggs as stand-ins for human teeth. Guide them to come up with a hypothesis, and then test different kinds of toothpaste and teeth whiteners to determine which one is best!

77. Study Sibling Similarities

Do siblings have similar fingerprints? This unique science fair project will see your kiddos take a deep dive into how fingerprint types occur within families and sibling groups. By sampling many family groups, they can discover that fingerprint types are also inherited traits!

Learn More: Easy Peasy Science

78. Just How Greasy Are Those Chips?

If your hands are always covered in grease after eating chips, what does that say about the amount of grease in the whole bag? In this science fair project, your kiddos will aim to prove the amount of fat in chips by removing it and determining its overall weight. It sounds gross, but it’s going to be eye-opening!

79. Science for Sports Fans

The perfect project for your baseball fans! Grab a few different styles of baseball bats and let them complete this experiment to uncover which bats have the capability to hit the furthest. What an amazing way to work through the scientific process for your kinesthetic learners!

80. Tiny Tesla Coils

Tesla coils are amazing devices, but they’re huge and can be quite dangerous. Have your learners bring this down to a manageable experiment by building their own mini Tesla coils with just a few simple materials. This project will surely be a bright spot at the science fair this year!

81. Build a Water Fountain

This STEM-focused project seeks to examine water circulation by using recycled materials to create a homemade water fountain. Plastic bottles, some tubing, and water are just a few resources your kiddies will need to get moving on this amazing idea. 

How to Write a 6th-Grade Science Fair Project-Purpose Statement

How to Make a Rough Draft on Science Projects

As sixth-grade scientists hone their budding experimentation skills, they often design and implement their own original science projects. Creating and conducting the science project is only half the challenge for these young scientists. They must also effectively share their information with others. One step in this information-sharing is the composition of a project-purpose statement.

State the purpose for the experiment. In your first sentence you must clearly explain why you conducted this experiment. Start this sentence with “The purpose of this experiment was to.” As you finish the sentence, make the importance and applicability of your experiment clear to readers.

Add your reason for selecting the experiment. Your second sentence should point out what drew you to the experiment. You can effectively begin this sentence with “I became interested in this experiment when,” and conclude the sentence by explaining what observation or experience compelled you to complete the experiment.

Conclude by stating how the information collected will be beneficial in the future. The entire purpose behind completing an experiment is to advance scientific knowledge. Begin your final sentence with “The information gained through this experiment will,” and finish the sentence by explaining how the information can be applied to, and improve, life, and/or extend scientific understanding.

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Erin Schreiner is a freelance writer and teacher who holds a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. She has been actively freelancing since 2008. Schreiner previously worked for a London-based freelance firm. Her work appears on eHow, Trails.com and RedEnvelope. She currently teaches writing to middle school students in Ohio and works on her writing craft regularly.

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How to Do a 6th Grade Research Paper

While attending the sixth grade, students begin to learn in-depth writing skills, proper notation of sources and researching skills, and will often be assigned to write research papers. The research paper has a few basic elements all sixth-grade students must keep in mind while writing: topic selection, researching information, citation of sources, outlining and preparation work, rough drafts, revision and final draft.

Explore this article

• Pick a topic
• Find research materials
• Take notes about the topic
• Write an outline
• Write the paper
• Create a works cited page
• Edit the paper for clarity
• Write the final draft

1 Pick a topic

Pick a topic. While teachers will assign a general subject area to choose from, such as historical figures or events, the student must pick the final topic. Select three preferred and obtain teacher approval for the one you like best.

2 Find research materials

Find research materials. Usually, teachers will require at least one book source, but different teachers will have different specifics for preferred research methods. Online resources and books are among the most common research options. Magazines, journals and similar periodicals are also appropriate.

3 Take notes about the topic

Take notes about the topic. Put any citation information, such as book title, author, date published or website address on the first card or page of notes. If writing a quote or mentioning statistics, write the page number or location of the data on the card. Number cards in sources to keep track of information.

4 Write an outline

Write an outline. This is a basic guideline for organizing the information from the research. For example, if researching an event, write the information according to the times different parts of the event took place. Outlines contain main points and support for the points. Each paragraph should have one main point and some support of the point. If using a quote, numerical data or a paraphrase, put the page number and source information to the side.

5 Write the paper

Write the paper. Use the outline to form the paper. The introduction should give a brief description of the content within the paper and a strong statement about the topic. The body, which usually contains two or three paragraphs, should have one main point that supports the introductory point and supporting statements after the main point. The conclusion is similar to the introduction, but in a backwards order summarizing the information in the paper.

6 Create a works cited page

Create a works cited page. This is the page where the sources for the research paper are placed. The sources should be in alphabetical order and should contain all of the information about the sources, such as author name, publishing dates and titles.

7 Edit the paper for clarity

Edit the paper for clarity, grammar, spelling and style.

8 Write the final draft

Write the final draft. Use the corrections and rewrite the paper to fix the mistakes. Make a cover page, which includes the title of the paper, the student's name, teacher's name, the class and due date.

• 1 Wayzata Public Schools: Research Paper
• 2 Lees Summit School District: Writing

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