Best Science Fair Projects

Selection of a good topic for your science fair project depends on plenty of factors. Topics are usually based on the grade in which you are studying, and the subjects that you are being taught. The projects and assignments are usually a part of your course module and therefore, presenting good work should be your primary concern. Such projects, along with a practical demonstration, is sometimes held at science fairs conducted by schools.

Your teachers, friends and other members of the school community come to know about your work and you earn a great deal of appreciation when your work is truly commendable. It's difficult to figure out the best science fair projects with the introduction of new subjects every year. However, we can present you some really good ideas that will be useful to you while framing your science project.

Genetic study has been the subject of choice of many students and you can carry out the process of DNA extraction in many ways. DNA extraction projects are done for proving polymorphisms and for comparing various strands of DNA of different specimens.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of DNA is also a good topic for science fair project. Here we shall depict the quantitative analysis of DNA by the technique of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). First, extract the DNA sample from the selected specimen (leaves or animal parts) by the given protocol.

Follow the process step by step and make sure the chemicals are mixed in accurate quantity. A specific time is also allotted for extracting DNA. Now the sample is set in a PCR machine where the strands get multiplied. After completion of PCR, the sample is run on an electrophoresis gel bed.

A standard is used for recognition of the DNA bands on the gel bed when viewed under a UV spectrometer. Thus, quantity of DNA present in the specimen is analyzed by the number of bands produced. Note down the procedures while performing the experiment so that you do not lose the data. End your project with a logical conclusion and with a good presentation.

Experiments with dry ice are interesting and easy to perform. When carbon dioxide is frozen and compressed, it transforms itself to a state known as dry ice. Dry ice is usually kept in laboratories for performing different types of experiments for detecting pressure and change in state of matter.

First we shall explain the formation of smoky water with dry ice and then proceed with some more experiments. Boil water in a container and place dry ice in it with the help of tongs. When dry ice comes in contact with heat, it gradually starts to sublime and in the process, a lot of carbon dioxide is released.

A smoky cloud hangs over water giving the impression that smoke is coming out from water. Thus, you can conclude that dry ice will continue to sublimate when exposed to heat. You will be amazed to know that dry ice could be used for inflating a balloon.

Stretch the mouth of a flaccid balloon and insert a few cubes of dry ice in it. Rub the balloon with your palm or keep it under the sun. You will notice that the balloon gradually inflates due to evaporation of dry ice and generation of carbon dioxide in gaseous form.

A common experiment carried out during middle school is measuring the growth of bacteria under various conditions of temperature, light and oxygen. This is an interesting microbiology project that students love to take up for their science project. One of these factors are kept constant for measuring the growth, and then an appropriate growth curve is chalked out.

A standard medium is prepared for culturing the bacteria and they are cultivated either by streak plate or dilution method. These methods are used for isolating a pure strain of bacteria and then the plates are kept inside an incubator for bacterial growth. If temperature is kept constant, then you have to check the reading at an interval of 12, 24 and 48 hours.

Follow the instruction set in the protocol given by your teacher for obtaining accurate growth results. Readings for the growth occurred is usually taken by a colorimeter or a UV spectrophotometer. Jot down the readings for making the growth curve. You will find out that different phases of growth, viz, lag, exponential, stationary and death are clearly distinct when number of cells are plotted against time. Explain the experiment in details supported by diagrams.

Experiments to demonstrate different properties of magnets have always fascinated kids. Creating an electromagnet and explaining its properties is a good experiment to demonstrate at science fairs.

Students who are also looking for an easy project can try the experiment of magnetizing a nail with a battery. Wrap a nail with a plastic coated electric wire and chip off the end a bit to expose the copper wire. Now attach both ends of the wire to separate terminals of the battery.

The electric battery would generate a magnetic field that will magnetize the nails. Now bring the nail near a gaussmeter to confirm presence of magnetic field around by movement of the indicator. You can also bring a few clips near the nail to check if they get attracted or not. The theory that the strength of magnets change on subjecting them to varying degrees of temperature is also a great idea.

Expose three magnets at 0°F, 210°F and 70°F (room temperature). After taking out the magnets from the oven (210°F) and refrigerator (0°F), bring a cluster of iron chips near them. Do the same with the magnet that has been kept at room temperature. You will notice that the strength of magnets has decreased on heating or freezing and maximum number of iron chips have been attracted by the magnet that was at 70°F.

These were some of the best ideas for science fair projects that students generally love to perform. However, you are always free to come up with a topic that matches your area of interest. Make sure that you study the subject, understand the scientific theory, and then perform with precision. Give a good presentation and let everyone appreciate your work. All the best!