What are good science fair ideas for 6th graders?
Answers
Hands-on projects and experiments in the classroom bring science to life, sparking a desire to explore and learn. Whether you’re prepping for a science fair or looking to impress your class with a spectacular demonstration or two, these 6th grade science projects are sure to be winners.
1. Extract DNA from a strawberry.
It’s surprisingly easy to pull a strand of DNA from this sweet fruit.
Strawberry DNA 6th grade science Steve Spangler Science
What you need:
Strawberry
Isopropyl alcohol
Dishsoap
Salt
Ziploc bag
Strainer
Water
Small glass container
Measuring cups and spoons
Tweezers
What you do: Follow the instructions at the link below to extract a visible strand of DNA from your strawberry.
What students learn about: Genetics, DNA
Source: Steve Spangler Science
2. Grow your own geodes in eggshells.
The magic of crystals never fails to amaze!
Geode eggs 6th grade science sweet paul
What you need:
Alum powder
School or glitter glue
Egg dye
Blown-out white jumbo eggshell
Small scissors (optional)
Craft stick or plastic spoon
Paintbrush
Glass or plastic container (quart deli containers work well)
Water
Measuring cup
Newspaper or drying rack
What you do: Coat the insides of the eggshells with glue and alum powder, and allow to dry. Prepare the egg dye mixed with more alum powder. Submerge eggs in dye and leave overnight. By the next day, your geode will be ready.
What students learn about: Supersaturation, crystals
Source: Sweet Paul
3. Look for iron in your breakfast cereal.
The human body needs iron to be healthy, and many breakfast cereals boast they contain it. Find out if that’s really true with this fun experiment.
Iron breakfast 6th grade science Steve Spangler
What you need:
Breakfast cereal containing iron
Strong magnet
Ziplock bag
Warm water
What you do: Place one cup of cereal in the ziplock bag, then half-fill the bag with warm water and seal, leaving an air pocket. Shake the bag well for at least one minute, then allow the bag to sit for 20 minutes or more. Then, place the magnet on the outside of the bag and gently shake. Slowly move the magnet up into the air bubble, and small black flakes of iron should appear.
What students learn about: Health, nutrition
Source: Steve Spangler Science
4. Turn milk into plastic.
Use simple household materials to create plastic polymers from plain old milk.
Milk plastic 6th grade science Science Buddies
What you need:
Measuring cup
Hot milk
White vinegar
Styrofoam cup
Spoon and paper towels
What you do: Add one cup hot milk to four teaspoons of white vinegar in the styrofoam cup and mix slowly. Scoop out the curds onto paper towels. Use more paper towels to press out any excess liquid, then knead the curds into a ball—this is the casein polymer. Have students create shapes and leave to dry for 48 hours.
What students learn about: Polymerization, plastics
Source: Science Buddies
5. Learn why leaves change colors in the fall.
As chlorophyll breaks down, other leaf colors appear. This experiment helps explain the process.
why-do-leaves 6th grade science How We Learn
What you need:
3 leaves
Rubbing alcohol
Jar
Plastic baggie
Paper coffee filter
Small bowl
What you do: Crush the leaves in alcohol, cover and let sit. Set a strip of coffee filter in the jar to wick up the liquid, and allow to dry. The colors of the leaf will appear as the filter dries.
What students learn about: Biology, photosynthesis
Source: How We Learn