research type project for science fair for high school

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70 Best High School Science Fair Projects in Every Subject

Fire up the Bunsen burners!

The cool thing about high school science fair projects is that kids are old enough to tackle some pretty amazing concepts. Some science experiments for high school are just advanced versions of simpler projects they did when they were younger, with detailed calculations or fewer instructions. Other projects involve fire, chemicals, or other materials they couldn’t use before.

Note: Some of these projects were written as classroom labs but can be adapted to become science fair projects too. Just consider variables that you can change up, like materials or other parameters. That changes a classroom activity into a true scientific method experiment!

To make it easier to find the right high school science fair project idea for you, we’ve rated all the projects 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 Life Sciences High School Science Fair Projects

Chemistry High School Science Fair Projects

Physics high school science fair projects, engineering high school stem fair projects, biology and life science high school science fair projects.

Explore the living world with these biology science project ideas, learning more about plants, animals, the environment, and much more.

Extract DNA from an onion

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

You don’t need a lot of supplies to perform this experiment, but it’s impressive nonetheless. Turn this into a science fair project by trying it with other fruits and vegetables too.

Re-create Mendel’s pea plant experiment

Gregor Mendel’s pea plant experiments were some of the first to explore inherited traits and genetics. Try your own cross-pollination experiments with fast-growing plants like peas or beans.

Make plants move with light

By this age, kids know that many plants move toward sunlight, a process known as phototropism. So high school science fair projects on this topic need to introduce variables into the process, like covering seedling parts with different materials to see the effects.

Test the 5-second rule

We’d all like to know the answer to this one: Is it really safe to eat food you’ve dropped on the floor? Design and conduct an experiment to find out (although we think we might already know the answer).

Find out if color affects taste

Just how interlinked are all our senses? Does the sight of food affect how it tastes? Find out with a fun food science fair project like this one!

See the effects of antibiotics on bacteria

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Advanced

Bacteria can be divided into two groups: gram-positive and gram-negative. In this experiment, students first determine the two groups, then try the effects of various antibiotics on them. You can get a gram stain kit , bacillus cereus and rhodospirillum rubrum cultures, and antibiotic discs from Home Science Tools.

Learn more: Antibiotics Project at Home Science Tools

Witness the carbon cycle in action

Experiment with the effects of light on the carbon cycle. Make this science fair project even more interesting by adding some small aquatic animals like snails or fish into the mix.

Learn more: Carbon Cycle at Science Lessons That Rock

Look for cell mitosis in an onion

Cell mitosis (division) is actually easy to see in action when you look at onion root tips under a microscope. Students will be amazed to see science theory become science reality right before their eyes. Adapt this lab into a high school science fair project by applying the process to other organisms too.

Test the effects of disinfectants

Grow bacteria in a petri dish along with paper disks soaked in various antiseptics and disinfectants. You’ll be able to see which ones effectively inhibit bacteria growth.

Learn more: Effectiveness of Antiseptics and Disinfectants at Amy Brown Science

Pit hydroponics against soil

Growing vegetables without soil (hydroponics) is a popular trend, allowing people to garden just about anywhere.

More Life Sciences and Biology Science Fair Projects for High School

Use these questions and ideas to design your own experiment:

• Explore ways to prevent soil erosion.
• What are the most accurate methods of predicting various weather patterns?
• Try out various fertilization methods to find the best and safest way to increase crop yield.
• What’s the best way to prevent mold growth on food for long-term storage?
• Does exposure to smoke or other air pollutants affect plant growth?
• Compare the chemical and/or bacterial content of various water sources (bottled, tap, spring, well water, etc.).
• Explore ways to clean up after an oil spill on land or water.
• Conduct a wildlife field survey in a given area and compare it to results from previous surveys.
• Find a new use for plastic bottles or bags to keep them out of landfills.
• Devise a way to desalinate seawater and make it safe to drink.

Bunsen burners, beakers and test tubes, and the possibility of (controlled) explosions? No wonder chemistry is such a popular topic for high school science fair projects!

Break apart covalent bonds

Break the covalent bond of H 2 O into H and O with this simple experiment. You only need simple supplies for this one. Turn it into a science fair project by changing up the variables—does the temperature of the water matter? What happens if you try this with other liquids?

Learn more: Covalent Bonds at Teaching Without Chairs

Measure the calories in various foods

Are the calorie counts on your favorite snacks accurate? Build your own calorimeter and find out! This kit from Home Science Tools has all the supplies you’ll need.

Detect latent fingerprints

Forensic science is engrossing and can lead to important career opportunities too. Explore the chemistry needed to detect latent (invisible) fingerprints, just like they do for crime scenes!

Learn more: Fingerprints Project at Hub Pages

Use Alka-Seltzer to explore reaction rate

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Easy

Tweak this basic concept to create a variety of high school chemistry science fair projects. Change the temperature, surface area, pressure, and more to see how reaction rates change.

Determine whether sports drinks provide more electrolytes than OJ

Are those pricey sports drinks really worth it? Try this experiment to find out. You’ll need some special equipment for this one; buy a complete kit at Home Science Tools .

Turn flames into a rainbow

You’ll need to get your hands on a few different chemicals for this experiment, but the wow factor will make it worth the effort! Make it a science project by seeing if different materials, air temperature, or other factors change the results.

Discover the size of a mole

The mole is a key concept in chemistry, so it’s important to ensure students really understand it. This experiment uses simple materials like salt and chalk to make an abstract concept more concrete. Make it a project by applying the same procedure to a variety of substances, or determining whether outside variables have an effect on the results.

Learn more: How Big Is a Mole? at Amy Brown Science

Cook up candy to learn mole and molecule calculations

This edible experiment lets students make their own peppermint hard candy while they calculate mass, moles, molecules, and formula weights. Tweak the formulas to create different types of candy and make this into a sweet science fair project!

Learn more: Candy Chemistry at Dunigan Science on TpT

Make soap to understand saponification

Take a closer look at an everyday item: soap! Use oils and other ingredients to make your own soap, learning about esters and saponification. Tinker with the formula to find one that fits a particular set of parameters.

Learn more: Saponification at Chemistry Solutions on TpT

Uncover the secrets of evaporation

Explore the factors that affect evaporation, then come up with ways to slow them down or speed them up for a simple science fair project.

Learn more: Evaporation at Science Projects

More Chemistry Science Fair Projects for High School

These questions and ideas can spark ideas for a unique experiment:

• Compare the properties of sugar and artificial sweeteners.
• Explore the impact of temperature, concentration, and seeding on crystal growth.
• Test various antacids on the market to find the most effective product.
• What is the optimum temperature for yeast production when baking bread from scratch?
• Compare the vitamin C content of various fruits and vegetables.
• How does temperature affect enzyme-catalyzed reactions?
• Investigate the effects of pH on an acid-base chemical reaction.
• Devise a new natural way to test pH levels (such as cabbage leaves).
• What’s the best way to slow down metal oxidation (the form of rust)?
• How do changes in ingredients and method affect the results of a baking recipe?

When you think of physics science projects for high school, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the classic build-a-bridge. But there are plenty of other ways for teens to get hands-on with physics concepts. Here are some to try.

Remove the air in a DIY vacuum chamber

You can use a vacuum chamber to do lots of cool high school science fair projects, but a ready-made one can be expensive. Try this project to make your own with basic supplies.

Learn more: Vacuum Chamber at Instructables

Put together a mini Tesla coil

Looking for a simple but showy high school science fair project? Build your own mini Tesla coil and wow the crowd!

Boil water in a paper cup

Logic tells us we shouldn’t set a paper cup over a heat source, right? Yet it’s actually possible to boil water in a paper cup without burning the cup up! Learn about heat transfer and thermal conductivity with this experiment. Go deeper by trying other liquids like honey to see what happens.

Build a better light bulb

Emulate Edison and build your own simple light bulb. You can turn this into a science fair project by experimenting with different types of materials for filaments.

Measure the speed of light—with your microwave

Grab an egg and head to your microwave for this surprisingly simple experiment. By measuring the distance between cooked portions of egg whites, you’ll be able to calculate the wavelength of the microwaves in your oven and, in turn, the speed of light.

Generate a Lichtenberg figure

See electricity in action when you generate and capture a Lichtenberg figure with polyethylene sheets, wood, or even acrylic and toner. Change the electrical intensity and materials to see what types of patterns you can create.

Learn more: Lichtenberg Figure at Science Notes

Explore the power of friction with sticky note pads

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

Ever try to pull a piece of paper out of the middle of a big stack? It’s harder than you think it would be! That’s due to the power of friction. In this experiment, students interleave the sheets of two sticky note pads, then measure how much weight it takes to pull them apart. The results are astonishing!

Build a cloud chamber to prove background radiation

Ready to dip your toe into particle physics? Learn about background radiation and build a cloud chamber to prove the existence of muons.

Measure the effect of temperature on resistance

This is a popular and classic science fair experiment in physics. You’ll need a few specialized supplies, but they’re pretty easy to find.

Learn more: Temperature and Resistance at Science Project

Launch the best bottle rocket

A basic bottle rocket is pretty easy to build, but it opens the door to lots of different science fair projects. Design a powerful launcher, alter the rocket so it flies higher or farther, or use only recycled materials for your flyer.

More Physics Science Fair Projects for High School

Design your own experiment in response to these questions and prompts.

• Determine the most efficient solar panel design and placement.
• What’s the best way to eliminate friction between two objects?
• Explore the best methods of insulating an object against heat loss.
• What effect does temperature have on batteries when stored for long periods of time?
• Test the effects of magnets or electromagnetic fields on plants or other living organisms.
• Determine the best angle and speed of a bat swing in baseball.
• What’s the best way to soundproof an area or reduce noise produced by an item?
• Explore methods for reducing air resistance in automotive design.
• Use the concepts of torque and rotation to perfect a golf swing.
• Compare the strength and durability of various building materials.

Many schools are changing up their science fairs to STEM fairs, to encourage students with an interest in engineering to participate. Many great engineering science fair projects start with a STEM challenge, like those shown here. Use these ideas to spark a full-blown project to build something new and amazing!

Solve a current environmental issue

A science fair project can also be an entry into the Slingshot Challenge . Students produce a 1-minute video with a solution to a current environmental problem (think: uniting creative waste reducers on social media or rehabilitating forests affected by fire) for the chance to receive up to $10,000 in funding.

Construct a model maglev train

Maglev trains may just be the future of mass transportation. Build a model at home, and explore ways to implement the technology on a wider basis.

Learn more: Maglev Model Train at Supermagnete

Design a more efficient wind turbine

Wind energy is renewable, making it a good solution for the fossil fuel problem. For a smart science fair project, experiment to find the most efficient wind turbine design for a given situation.

Re-create Da Vinci’s flying machine

Da Vinci sketched several models of “flying machines” and hoped to soar through the sky. Do some research into his models and try to reconstruct one of your own.

Learn more: Da Vinci Flying Machine at Student Savvy

Design a heart-rate monitor

Smartwatches are ubiquitous these days, so pretty much anyone can wear a heart-rate monitor on their wrist. But do they work any better than one you can build yourself? Get the specialized items you need like the Arduino LilyPad Board on Amazon.

Race 3D printed cars

3D printers are a marvel of the modern era, and budding engineers should definitely learn to use them. Use Tinkercad or a similar program to design and print race cars that can support a defined weight, then see which can roll the fastest! (No 3D printer in your STEM lab? Check the local library. Many of them have 3D printers available for patrons to use.)

Learn more: 3D Printed Cars at Instructables

Grow veggies in a hydroponic garden

Hydroponics is the gardening wave of the future, making it easy to grow plants anywhere with minimal soil required. For a science fair STEM engineering challenge, design and construct your own hydroponic garden capable of growing vegetables to feed a family. This model is just one possible option.

Learn more: Hydroponics at Instructables

Grab items with a mechanical claw

Delve into robotics with this engineering project. This kit includes all the materials you need, with complete video instructions. Once you’ve built the basic structure, tinker around with the design to improve its strength, accuracy, or other traits.

Learn more: Hydraulic Claw at KiwiCo

Construct a crystal radio

Return to the good old days and build a radio from scratch. This makes a cool science fair project if you experiment with different types of materials for the antenna. It takes some specialized equipment, but fortunately, Home Science Tools has an all-in-one kit for this project.

Learn more: Crystal Radio at Scitoys.com

Build a burglar alarm

The challenge? Set up a system to alert you when someone has broken into your house or classroom. This can take any form students can dream up, and you can customize this STEM high school science experiment for multiple skill levels. Keep it simple with an alarm that makes a sound that can be heard from a specified distance. Or kick it up a notch and require the alarm system to send a notification to a cell phone, like the project at the link.

Learn more: Intruder Alarm at Instructables

Walk across a plastic bottle bridge

Balsa wood bridges are OK, but this plastic bottle bridge is really impressive! In fact, students can build all sorts of structures using the concept detailed at the link. It’s the ultimate upcycled STEM challenge!

Learn more: TrussFab Structures at Instructables

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45 Cool Chemistry Experiments, Demos, and Science Fair Projects

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30 Best Science Experiments & Projects for High School

Welcome to our round-up of top science fair projects and science experiments tailored specifically for curious high school students.

Science fair is not just about the glitz and glamour of a first-place trophy; it’s about the passion, the inquiry, and the insatiable curiosity that drive every scientist, young and old. Hopefully, our curated list of the best hands-on science fair projects for high school students will ignite that curiosity in you.

Each project on this list offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into scientific inquiry and present findings with both clarity and flair.

Let’s dive in and make learning an unforgettable adventure!

1. Burn Calories

Don’t miss this opportunity to unravel the mysteries of energy transformation and uncover the scientific secrets hidden in the simplest of substances!

Learn more: Science Buddies

2. Extracting DNA from Strawberry

By following a series of simple yet insightful steps, students will witness the magical moment of DNA extraction, fostering a deeper appreciation for the fundamental building blocks of life.

Learn more: Extracting DNA from Strawberry

3. Build a Simple DIY Newton’s Cradle

As students assemble the materials and witness the rhythmic dance of swinging spheres, they will witness the scientific principles they’ve learned in the classroom come to life before their eyes.

4. Make a Monster Dry Ice Bubbles

Unleash your inner mad scientist and dive into a world of enchanting and eerie fun with this high school science experiment: Make Monster Dry Ice Bubbles!

Get ready to be captivated as you create giant, spooky bubbles that dance and swirl with the mysterious power of dry ice.

Learn more: Wonder How To

5. Soil Erosion Experiment

As stewards of our environment, it’s crucial to comprehend the impact of natural processes like soil erosion.

Through this experiment, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the significance of soil conservation and sustainable land management practices.

Learn more: Life is a Garden

6. Candle Carousel

This experiment combines the wonders of physics with the art of crafting, making it an enriching experience that ignites curiosity and fosters a deeper appreciation for the elegant dance of energy in our world.

7. Find Out if Water Conducts Electricity

In this captivating activity, students will explore the conductive properties of water and unlock the secrets of how electrical currents flow through different substances.

Learn more: Rookie Parenting

8. Roller Coaster Stem Experiment

By experimenting with various designs and track configurations, students will refine their problem-solving skills and gain valuable insights into the practical applications of physics and engineering.

Learn more: STEM Project

9. Lemon Battery

Engaging in this experiment not only teaches the basics of electrical circuits but also sparks curiosity about the natural world and the science behind it.

Learn more: Coffee Cups and Crayons

10. Watering Plants Using Different Liquids

Discover the wonders of plant hydration with the intriguing high school science experiment – “Watering Plants Using Different Liquids.” In this captivating project, students explore how various liquids impact plant growth and health.

Learn more: Lemon Lime Adventures

11. Measure Electrolytes Found in Sports Drinks

By conducting a series of tests and analyses, students will quantify the electrolyte content present in various sports drinks.

12. Relight the Flame Without Directly Touching It

This captivating project challenges students to delve into the intriguing properties of heat transfer and combustion.

By exploring different methods to reignite a candle flame without physical contact, students will uncover the secrets of heat conduction, convection, and radiation.

Learn more: Stevespangler

13. Conduct Fingerprint Analysis

This captivating project immerses students in the intriguing world of crime scene investigations, where they will uncover the uniqueness of fingerprints and their role in forensic science.

14. Separate Water Into Hydrogen And Oxygen Using Electrolysis

This electrifying project allows students to explore the fascinating world of electrolysis and the decomposition of water into its elemental components.

Learn more: Navigating by Joy

15. Simple Color Detection Circuit 

This experiment not only introduces fundamental concepts in electronics and circuitry but also opens up endless possibilities for real-life applications, from automated sorting systems to color-sensitive devices.

16. Carbon Sugar Snake

This enchanting project allows students to witness a dazzling display of science as they combine common household ingredients to create a dark, coiling “snake” made of carbon.

Learn more: Kiwi Co

17. Build a Hydraulic Elevator

This captivating project invites students to delve into the world of engineering and fluid mechanics. By constructing a working model of a hydraulic elevator, students will explore the principles of Pascal’s law and the fascinating concept of fluid pressure.

Learn more: Teach Beside Me

18. Brew up Some Root Beer

This enticing project invites students to explore the fascinating world of chemistry and fermentation while creating their own delicious and bubbly concoction.

Learn more: Home School Creations

19. Extracting Bismuth From Pepto-Bismol Tablets

This hands-on experiment not only sheds light on the principles of chemistry and lab techniques but also highlights the real-world applications of bismuth in medicine and various industries.

Learn more: Popscie

20. Solar-Powered Water Desalination

By designing and building a solar-powered water desalination system, students will learn how to harness the sun’s energy to purify saltwater and make it safe for consumption.

21. Applying Hooke’s Law: Make Your Own Spring Scale

By designing and constructing their very own spring scale, students will uncover the principles of Hooke’s Law and the relationship between force and displacement in a spring system.

22. Homemade Hand Warmer

By creating their own hand warmers using safe and easily accessible materials, students will witness the magic of heat generation through chemical processes.

Learn more: Steve Spangler

23. Explore the Concept of Symbiosis Involving Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria.

By investigating how certain plants form a mutually beneficial bond with these bacteria, students will gain insights into the essential role of nitrogen fixation in the ecosystem.

Learn more: Education.com

24. Center of Gravity Experiment

This fascinating project invites students to explore the concept of the center of gravity and its role in determining stability.

25. Power up Homemade Batteries

This captivating project invites students to delve into the fascinating world of electrochemistry and energy generation.

Learn more: 123 Homeschool

26. Film Canister Explosions

Prepare for a blast of excitement and chemistry with the high school science experiment – “Film Canister Explosions!” This thrilling project invites students to explore the fascinating world of chemical reactions and pressure build-up.

27. Investigating Osmosis with Potato Slices

This hands-on experiment not only provides a practical understanding of osmosis but also highlights its relevance in everyday life, from understanding plant hydration to food preservation techniques.

28. Make Homemade Fly Trap

Delve into the fascinating world of insects with the high school science experiment – “Make Homemade Fly Trap!” This captivating project invites students to explore the principles of pest control and observe the behavior of flies.

29. Hydroponics: Gardening Without Soil

This exciting project invites students to explore innovative agricultural practices that harness water and nutrient solutions to grow plants.

By setting up their hydroponic system and nurturing plants through this method, students will witness the fascinating dynamics of root development and nutrient absorption.

30. Clothespin Airplane

As they test and modify their creations, students will delve into the principles of lift, thrust, and drag, gaining a deeper understanding of how these forces come together to keep airplanes soaring through the skies.

Learn more: Steamsational

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All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

105 Science Fair Projects for High School

Looking for inspiring high school science fair project ideas? You're at the right place, as we compiled this wide range of science projects for 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade!

High School Science Fair Project FAQ

What are some easy high school science fair projects.

High school students can have a blast with science by trying out any of these easy science fair projects. These science fair projects teach important scientific concepts while making learning fun and enjoyable.

Growing Pineapples

Osmosis in Eggs

The Effects of Salt and Sugar on Water

Detecting Infrared Light

Solar System Scale Model on the Sidewalk

Temperature's Effect on Seawater

Decomposing Plastic Spoons

Color and Taste

Glowing in the Dark

Hand-Eye Coordination and Age

More details on these science fair projects right above the FAQ!

What is the best high school science project ever?

We highly recommend the Osmosis in Eggs science fair project for high school students. This experiment demonstrates how water moves through a membrane until it's balanced on both sides. By testing how different factors like salt, sugar, and temperature affect osmosis, you can learn more about this fascinating process and its real-life applications.

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

Check out more Best Science Fair Projects →

What are some cool high school grade science fair projects?

Get ready to be amazed by these super cool science projects for high schoolers! With just a few simple things, you can be fascinated by science and have tons of fun with these cool high school science projects!

Create a Hand-Drawn Hologram

Galileo's Inclined Plane Experiment

Are Dogs Color-Blind?

Plant Pavlovian Conditioning

Uncovering Chaos: Precision and Iterative Processes

Jet Lag in Hamsters

What are 5 testable questions for high school?

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!

Do detergents affect plant growth?

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 high school?

These are our top 10 science projects for high school, with projects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math. These projects can be used as science fair project ideas or as a fun experiment to explore different areas of science!

Check out the project details right above the FAQ!

Can I do a high school science fair project in a day?

Yes! Doing quick experiments or building models are great options for science fair projects! If you're looking for some ideas to get started on your quick science fair project, we have plenty of topics to choose from.

The Solar System: See it in the correct scale!

Create your own solar system model to scale on the sidewalk and take a walk through space! Solar System Scale Model on the Sidewalk

Make Your Own Hologram!

Make a hologram with nothing more than a compass and some scraps of plexiglass! Create a Hand-Drawn Hologram

Finding the Invisible Light!

Have you ever wondered what kind of light we can't see? Detecting Infrared Light

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!

High School Science Fair Projects

Fun and informative projects that use the scientific method

• Projects & Experiments
• Chemical Laws
• Periodic Table
• Scientific Method
• Biochemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Medical Chemistry
• Chemistry In Everyday Life
• Famous Chemists
• Activities for Kids
• Abbreviations & Acronyms
• Weather & Climate
• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Coming up with high school science fair project ideas can be challenging. There is fierce competition for the coolest project, and students need a topic appropriate for their educational level. You'll find science fair project ideas arranged by topic below, but first, take a look at ideas listed according to the student's level of education, and consider a summer science program , as well.

• Elementary school projects
• Middle school projects
• 9th-grade projects
• 10th-grade projects
• 11th-grade projects
• 12th-grade projects
• College projects

High School Projects

While you might have been able to get by making posters and models in earlier grades, the bar is higher for high school science fair projects . The basis for your scientific exploration should be the scientific method : forming a hypothesis and then testing it with an experiment.

You'll want to pick a topic that makes the judges take notice. Consider issues addressed by others and ask yourself what questions are left unanswered. How could they be tested? Look for problems in the world around you and try to explain or solve them. The following categories should help you come up with some great project ideas:

Household Items

These are projects involving items around the house:

• How safe is your microwave oven? Compare the growth of a plant or germination of seeds placed near the oven with those grown under the same light/temperature conditions farther from the appliance.
• Will bottled water turn green (grow algae) if you leave unopened bottles in the sun? Does it matter which brand you use?
• Do all dishwashing detergents produce the same amount of bubbles? Do they clean the same number of dishes?
• Do consumers prefer bleached paper products or natural-color paper products? Why?
• Is laundry detergent as effective if you use less than the recommended amount? More?
• How permanent are permanent markers? What solvents (e.g., water, alcohol, vinegar, detergent solution) will remove permanent marker ink? Do different brands/types of markers produce the same results?
• Can you make a musical instrument that can play a complete scale? (Examples might include a rubber band harp or a flute made from clay, wood, or plastic.)

Personal Hygiene and Grooming

Here are projects affecting health and appearance:

• Do all hairsprays hold equally well? Equally long? Does the type of hair affect the results?
• How sterile is contact lens solution and how long does it stay sterile? See how long it takes for mold, fungi, and bacteria to culture saline. How sterile is the inside of a person's contact lens case?
• How long do home hair-coloring products hold their color? Does brand matter? Does the type of hair coloring is used on affect colorfastness? How does previous treatment (perming, previous coloring, straightening) affect initial color intensity and colorfastness?

Botany/Biology

These projects involve the natural world:

• Are night insects attracted to lamps because of heat or light?
• How effective are natural mosquito repellents ?
• Does magnetism affect the growth of plants?
• How are plants affected by the distance between them? Look into the concept of allelopathy . Sweet potatoes release chemicals (allelochemicals) that can inhibit the growth of plants near them. How close can another plant grow to a sweet potato? What effects does an allelochemical have on a plant?
• Is a seed's growth potential affected by its size? Do different size seeds have different germination rates or percentages? Does seed size affect the growth rate or final size of a plant?
• How does cold storage affect the germination of seeds? Factors you can control include the type of seeds, the length of storage, the temperature of storage, and other variables , such as light and humidity.
• How close does a plant have to be to a pesticide for it to work? What factors influence the effectiveness of a pesticide (rain/light/wind)? How much can you dilute a pesticide while retaining its effectiveness? How effective are natural pest deterrents?
• What is the effect of a chemical on a plant? Factors that you can measure include rate of plant growth, leaf size, life/death of the plant, color, and ability to flower/bear fruit
• How do different fertilizers affect the way plants grow ? There are lots of different types of fertilizers containing varying amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in addition to other ingredients. You can test different fertilizers to see how they affect the height of a plant, the number or size of its leaves, the number of flowers, time until blooming, branching of stems, root development, or other factors.
• Does using colored mulch have an effect on a plant? You can look at its height, fruitfulness, the number of flowers, overall plant size, the rate of growth, or other factors as compared to plants mulched with non-colored mulch or not mulched at all.
• How do different factors affect seed germination? Factors that you could test include the intensity, duration, or type of light, the temperature, the amount of water, the presence/absence of certain chemicals, or the presence/absence of soil. You can look at the percentage of seeds that germinate or the rate at which seeds germinate.
• Do plant-based insect repellents work as well as synthesized chemical repellents?
• Does the presence of cigarette smoke affect the growth rate of plants?

These are projects involving what we eat:

• What type of plastic wrap best prevents evaporation?
• What plastic wrap best prevents oxidation?
• Do different brands of orange juice contain different levels of vitamin C ?
• Does the level of vitamin C in orange juice change over time?
• Do oranges gain or lose vitamin C after being picked?
• How does sugar concentration vary in different brands of apple juice?
• Does storage temperature affect the pH of juice?
• How does the pH of juice change with time? How does temperature affect the rate of chemical changes?
• Does eating breakfast have an effect on school performance? Does it matter what you eat?
• Do the same types of mold grow on all types of bread?
• Does light affect the rate at which foods spoil?
• Do foods containing preservatives stay fresh longer than foods without them? Under what conditions?
• How does time or season of harvest affect the chemistry and nutritional content of food?
• Is the nutritional content of different brands of a vegetable (e.g., canned peas) the same?
• What conditions affect the ripening of fruit ? Look at ethylene and enclosing a fruit in a sealed bag, or at temperature, light, or nearness to other pieces of fruit.
• Is bottled water purer than tap water ?

Miscellaneous

These projects are more generally focused:

• How much is the interior of a car cooled if a light-blocking windshield cover is used?
• Can you use a black light to detect invisible stains?
• What type of car antifreeze is safest for the environment?
• How does the rate of evaporation of the crystal-growing medium affect the final size of the crystals?
• You usually heat water or another liquid to dissolve a solid to grow crystals. Does the rate at which this liquid is cooled affect the way the crystals grow? What effect do additives have on the crystals?
• How are different soils affected by erosion? You can make your own wind and use water to evaluate the effects on soil. If you have access to a very cold freezer, you can look at the effects of freeze-and-thaw cycles.
• How does the pH of soil relate to the pH of the water around the soil? You can make your own pH paper , test the pH of the soil, add water, and then test the pH of the water. Are the two values the same? If not, is there a relationship between them?
• Middle School Science Fair Project Ideas
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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to develop high school science fair projects: 3 key tips.

Extracurriculars

Interested in science? Science fair is a great way to pursue your interest in science. It can help you figure out if you’re interested in a career in research. It’s also a good activity for your college application, especially if you win awards. I should know! I placed 3rd in my state science fair and won an award from NASA #sciencenerd #brushingdirtoffmyshoulders.

What exactly is science fair? How do you compete and win? In this guide, I’ll explain exactly what you need to do to develop winning high school science fair projects and why you should consider participating in this challenging but fun extracurricular.

What Is Science Fair?

Science Fair is a competition at which students (in grades 6-12) present the results of a scientific experiment that they conducted. The experiment must fall into one of the following categories (this may vary slightly depending on the state you live in):

• Animal Biology
• Animal Physiology
• Behavioral / Social Science
• Biochemistry / Molecular Biology
• Earth/Space Sciences
• Engineering Applications
• Engineering Research
• Environmental Management
• Mathematics & Computer Science
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Plant Biology
• Plant Physiology

There are two levels of science fair competition, middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). I’m going to focus on high school science fair competitions , but much of my advice holds true for middle school science fair competitions as well.

Some high schools conduct an in-school science fair  then   advance their winners to the county or regional science fair.  This varies by state. Some states have regional science fairs (where several counties are grouped into one competition) while other states have individual county science fairs. Some such as California have a mix of regional and county science fairs.

The winners of the county or regional science fair then advance on to the state science fair. Each state hosts their own science fair and selects winners.

Who Can Compete in High School Science Fair?

Any high school student with a project idea that fits into one of the above categories can compete in science fairs!  However, each high school is only allowed a specific number of entries into the regional or county science fair. This may vary slightly from region to region.  The maximum number of entries per school into the Regional Science Fair is usually around 13.

Most high schools host a school-wide science fair to decide who they’ll send to the Regional Science Fair.  Small schools may just send all interested students (without hosting a school-wide science fair) if they have less than 13 projects to send.

How Do You Sign up for Science Fair?

Talk to your guidance counselor about how to sign up to compete in science fair.  Usually, one of the science teachers at your high school will be in charge of science fair for your school. Ask your guidance counselor who that person is, then check with that person to learn what you need to do to sign up. You’ll likely need to have a good idea of what your project will be when you sign up!

You should sign up as soon as you can.  If you’re a Freshman, sign up as soon as you start school. If you’re a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior, you also should sign up at the start of the school year, or sign up at the end of the previous school year to compete the following year.

Deadlines will vary from school to school and region to region.  The important thing is to sign up as soon as you decide you want to compete in the science fair; depending on your project idea, you might need special approval before you can sign up or start your experiment.

How to Develop High School Science Fair Projects

When brainstorming science fair project ideas, I recommend starting with the science fair competition categories (see above). Are any of the areas of particular interest to you? Is there a burning question you had in one of your science classes that you’d like to try and answer?

Was there a recent scientific discovery that you found interesting? What was interesting about it? Is there something else you’d like to test that’s related to that discovery?

Is there a problem you have, or you see in the world? Do you have an idea of how to fix it? For example, I’d always been interested in how oil spills were cleaned up. I knew bacteria and fungi were sometimes used to clean up oil spills, and I wanted to know which was faster at cleaning up oil spills. That ultimately was the topic of my science fair project.

If all of this is drawing a blank, I recommend reading some articles on Science Daily to see if you find anything interesting. Why is it interesting? Do you want to know something more?

Once you have your basic project concept, read each of the three considerations below to make sure it's a top-notch idea.

Consideration #1: Is It a Good Science Fair Project Idea?

What makes a good science fair project idea? I'm defining "good" in this context as a project that will grab the attention of judges and give you a better chance of winning awards. A good science fair project idea will meet the following qualifications:

Be unique. Try to come up with an original concept. How do you test the originality of your concept? Do a Google search for your potential idea. If you come up with 5 or more exact matches for your idea, consider picking a different one. If you come up with less than 5 matches, you might have a good project idea! 

Be applicable in some way. Try to come up with a project that will be useful to the world. For example, the results of my project (whether bacteria or fungi cleaned up oil faster) would help in the event of future oil spills. Someone could use the results of my experiment and clean up an oil spill more efficiently. 

Projects don't need to change the world, but it is helpful if the results of the experiment mean something. As another example, let's look at an  award-winning project from 2015. For this project, the student took chicken breasts and sutured them together in 3 different ways. The student then ran a test to see which of the 3 sutures held together longest under heavy weight. The results of this experiment apply to the field of medicine. A surgeon may choose to use the suture technique that held together the longest in lieu of the other suture techniques.

What's an example of a non-applicable project? In my middle school science class, we conducted an experiment to see if ketchup or mustard would run down an incline faster. This experiment really had no application to the real world.

Consideration #2: Is the Project Idea Feasible?

After doing this preliminary round of brainstorming, start to think about feasibility.  Can you realistically conduct this experiment with the resources you have at your disposal and in the given time frame (likely a month or two - depending on how early you start)?

Next, create a basic schedule, so you stay on track.  I recommend that you conduct your experiment and finish it at least 2 weeks before the science fair. You need time to organize the data, write up the results, get the board made, etc. (I’ll discuss this more in-depth below.)

For resources, do you have access to a lab through your high school? If you don’t, consider reaching out to local community college professors or to local scientists to see if someone would be willing to be your mentor for your science fair project and let you use their facilities.  The mentor would be there to oversee your use of their facilities. It’s doubtful a lab would let you use their facilities without a supervisor.

For example, for my project, I needed an incubator that neither my school nor I had. Luckily, my uncle worked at the local community college and was able to get me access to a mentor and the incubator at the lab.

Also, make sure that whatever project you choose you can complete within your given time frame.  For example, don’t plan to measure how bird population size changes over 5 years after the introduction of a predator species. This is a terrible idea for 2 reasons. One, you don’t have 5 years to conduct an experiment to present at the science fair. Two, you definitely wouldn’t be allowed to introduce a predator into the wild.

Some project ideas will require a much larger time commitment that others. Take this into consideration when picking your project. How much time do you have in your schedule to dedicate to science fair?

Some projects might only take a single day or weekend.  For example, if your experiment was determining which acidic fruit could conduct the most electricity, you could do it in a day. All you would need to do is buy the fruit and buy an electrical conductivity meter. Stick the meter in the fruit and write down the results. 

Others require you to do something every day for several weeks or months.  For example, if your experiment was determining whether fungi or bacteria is better at cleaning up an oil spill, you’ll need a lot more time and advanced planning. You’ll need to monitor your Petri dishes on a daily basis for several weeks to track the progress.

Consideration #3: Does Your Project Follow Science Fair Rules?

My next point is about feasibility. What experiments are you allowed to do for science fair?  Most states have rules regarding the types of science fair experiments students can conduct.

Beyond having to fit your experiment into one of their categories (as I mentioned above), you have to obey certain rules about the use of animals, humans, animal tissue, human tissue, hazardous materials, and/or microbes in your experiment.  The use of these things is not prohibited (I used microbes in my experiment). However, you need to get approval in certain cases.

These rules will vary by state , so find your state’s and county’s science fair rules by searching Google for “[State Name] Science Fair Rules” or “[County Name] County Science Fair Rules.”

If one of the potential experiment ideas that you brainstormed passes each of the considerations mentioned (i.e. you have the resources to complete the experiment in the time allowed without breaking any rules), then you should next try to nail down more specific components of the experiment.

How to Go From an Idea to Reality

Once you've come up with a good science fair project idea that's feasible and doesn't break any rules, how do you take it from an idea to reality? 

Start by trying to phrase the idea as a question.  All experiments should answer a question. What is the question you're trying to answer? For my experiment (on bacteria and fungi cleaning up oil spills), my question was "do bacteria or fungi clean up oil spills faster?"

Once you have your question, try to figure out what your independent variable, dependent variable, and control should be for your experiment. The i ndependent variable is what you change in the experiment, and the dependent variable is what changes as a result of the change you made. For my experiment, the independent variable is whether bacteria or fungi is used. The dependent variable is how much oil was cleaned up. The control is what you use as the standard of comparison for your other samples. It ensures the reliability of your test by showing nothing else was affecting the results. For example, in my experiment, the control was simply oil in a Petri dish with nothing else. If oil had dissipated from that control Petri dish, I would know there was something else affecting the cleanup of oil. 

After figuring out your variables, try to figure out how you will measure the results.  This can often be the trickiest part of planning your experiment. For my experiment, I checked the Petri dishes once per week for 2 months. At each visit, I put the Petri dishes on a grid and counted the number of grids that didn't have oil in them. This was not a perfect measurement, but I didn't have any better tools at my disposal. 

If you're having trouble coming up with the question, variables, or measurement for your project idea, consider talking to your science teacher(s) . They will likely have advice on what question, variables, and measurements to use. These teachers have seen many years worth of science fair projects and will know if your project is feasible and can give you advice on how to best execute the project. You can also research similar projects online with a simple Google search. See how those experiments were conducted and if you could do something similar.

Once you come up with your idea, you need to get it approved by your science fair coordinator before starting the experiment.  Your science fair coordinator is likely one of the science teachers at your school. Ask your science teacher or your counselor who the science fair coordinator is. The coordinator will know if you need to submit paperwork before starting your project or if you can get started without further paperwork.

How to Present Your Science Fair Project

At the science fair, you'll be expected to have a board that presents the results of your experiment and a packet that is basically a printed version of your board.

On the day of the science fair, you'll spend most of the time standing next to your board waiting for a judge to approach you. The judges are typically volunteers with a science background (former science teachers or scientists). You will present your entire experiment to the judges, and then they will typically ask you a few questions about your experiment (I'll discuss this more in-depth below).

You'll likely go through this process more than once. At some science fairs, you present to each judge individually (most fairs have at least 3 judges per category). Also, some science fairs have additional judges from companies that give out supplemental awards. For example, at my state science fair, NASA sent their own judge that, separate from the state judges, heard presentations and asked questions. You might also be asked about your experiment by parents and fellow science fair competitors. 

What Should You Include on Your Science Fair Board?

I've included an example of a science fair board below to demonstrate how your board should look. The actual topic of this board is a little too juvenile for a high school science fair (it was probably presented at a middle school science fair), but the visual presentation of the board is the same as you'd expect at the high school level.

Flickr/ Oddharmonic

Before we dive into the content of the board, you should make sure the board is visually appealing. Make sure it isn't too cluttered. Make sure to include some pictures or graphics (I'll discuss this more below). Your board's appearance will be the first impression people have of your experiment, so make sure it's a good first impression. 

At the top of your board, you should have the title of the experiment. It can be something clever like the one in the picture (the experiment was trying to find out if shampoo helped carnations hold color dye better) or it can be more basic (i.e. Does Shampoo Help Carnations Hold Dye?).  The front page of your presentation packet should be a cover page with your experiment name and your name.

In the following section, I list what you should include in both your board and in your packet. Examples (using the carnation experiment) are highlighted in blue: 

Problem (or Experimental Question):  What was the question you were trying to answer with your experiment?

Does shampoo help carnations hold color dye better than acetone?

Hypothesis:   What did you think the answer to that question is?

I think shampoo will help carnations hold color dye better than acetone.  

Materials:  What did you use to conduct your experiment?

24 carnations, Dove brand shampoo, red color dye, acetone, a measuring cup, etc.

Variable:  What was the independent variable, dependent variable, control? As I said before, the independent variable is what you change. The dependent variable is what changes because of it. 

The independent variable is whether acetone or shampoo was used. The dependent variable is the color of the carnations.

Procedure:  What steps did you follow to conduct the experiment (be as detailed as possible).

 1. Place 2 carnations in a vase with 2 ml of shampoo, 2 ml of red dye, and 2 ml of water.

2. Place another 2 carnations into a separate vase with 2 ml of acetone, 2 ml of red dye, and 2 ml of water.

Data/Graphs:  What data did you collect? Can you present it as a table or graph? (If you can, you should.)

After two days, the carnations in the shampoo mixture were pink, and the carnations in the acetone mixture were red.

Conclusion:  What were the results of the experiment?

I found that the carnations absorbed the dye better with acetone than with shampoo. The carnations in the acetone mixture turned a deep red while the carnations in the shampoo mixture only became a light pink.

As I said above, when presenting your experiment, you’ll be asked questions about your experiment. How can you best prepare for these questions?

Most importantly, know your project details inside and out. Know how your project results apply to the real world.  For example, if your experiment is which fruit has the most conductivity, you could discuss how viable an option fruit is as a source of alternative energy (even if it’s not). Even if your experiment would not be realistic in the real world, it is great to show that your knowledge of science goes beyond your project.

Brainstorm what questions you might be asked. Some examples include: How did you come up with the idea for your experiment? What did you use as your control? What do your results tell you?

Then, try to answer all of the questions you’ve brainstormed.  Write your answers down. Perfect them. This way you’ll be prepared to eloquently answer the questions you’re asked.

What Are the Benefits of Participating in Science Fair?

Competing in science fair has many benefits. Through science fair, you'll get to meet like-minded students who are interested in science. If you get to go on to county/regional/state competitions, you'll make science-interested friends from other schools as well! 

Science fair is a great opportunity to test out whether you’d like to pursue a career in scientific research. It's great to try and find your passion in high school, so you don't waste time and money during college trying to figure out what you want to major in. By doing science fair, hopefully, you'll find out if science is a subject you want to continue studying or not.

If you compete in science fair, you can potentially be recognized for your scientific ability by receiving awards from your school, county, region, state, or other science fair sponsors (such as NASA). If you win an award, it looks great on your college application. Colleges love to see students who were recognized for their talents! Additionally, science fair is a free experience that won’t cost you anything other than time and maybe a little money for supplies for your experiment. I highly recommend competing in science fair if you’re interested!

There are a couple of cons to competing in the science fair. Science fair can be extremely time-consuming. If you 're worried about not having enough time, I recommend doing a more manageable project (an experiment that can be completed in a shorter time frame). Science fair projects do not need to take a lot of time. Just because an experiment doesn't require a lot of time doesn't make it any less sophisticated than other more time-consuming projects.

Also, some students  find science fair boring  if they don't care that much about science. I still think it's valuable to try science fair once if you have any interest in science. If you find science fair boring then, at least, you figured out science is probably not your desired career path, and you can move on to exploring your other interests. 

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Science Projects > Science Fair Projects > Physics Science Fair Projects  

Physics Science Fair Projects

Physics is the basis for chemistry (the interaction of atoms and molecules). Most branches of engineering are applied physics. That’s why physics science fair projects make good impressions on judges.

– For tips on performing your experiment and presenting your project, see our free science fair guide.

– Browse our Science Fair Supplies category for more project ideas.

Electricity & Magnetism :

• Experiment with static electricity . How can you create it? How you can reduce it? What substances or objects are the best conductors of static electricity? Do conditions like humidity and temperature increase or decrease static electricity?
• Make electromagnets with different strengths; compare their magnetic fields using iron filings to find what effect they have on a compass needle and how strong their attraction is (e.g., which one can pick up the most paperclips?).
• Make a voltaic cell and research which household electrolytes are most effective for producing electricity. How well does a carbon rod instead of a metal rod work as a positive electrode?
• Can you use a magnet to find traces of iron in food, dollar bills, and other household materials?
• Make a crystal radio . What indoor and outdoor materials (such as metal poles, a window, etc.) make the best antennas for your radio? Under what conditions, such as temperature, cloud cover, and humidity, does your radio pick up the clearest signals?
• What types of liquid can conduct electricity ? Can electricity be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen?
• Experiment with how magnetic and electric fields can make a magnet fall in slow motion . How could this principle be applied to real-world technology, like braking systems on roller coasters?
• Explore maglev technology (magnetic levitation).

Force & Motion :

• What are the best shapes for paper airplanes? The best material for propellers ?
• Experiment with thrust and aerodynamic design while launching a rocket .
• Design an experiment using a rocket car powered by a balloon.
• Create an experiment showing how well (or poorly) different structures or materials withstand pressure.
• How do different brands of plastic wrap compare when stretched with equal force? How do different brands of duct or clear tape compare in strength and stickiness? Can you identify what factors cause one to perform better than another?
• What type of flooring (carpet, wood, tile, linoleum, etc.) creates the most or the least friction? (Younger kids might test this by rolling a ball or toy truck over different surfaces. Older kids can use a spring scale to measure the force of friction. )
• Use toy cars or a dynamic cart to test what impact increased mass has on velocity. What are the resulting velocities after a moving and unmoving object collide? What about two moving objects in same or different directions?
• What type of pulley provides the highest mechanical advantage for a particular job?
• What types of metal conduct heat the fastest? Do some conduct heat more evenly than others? What types of materials are good insulators?
• Experiment with how much more energy is needed to catapult a heavier object the same distance as a lighter object. Create a similar experiment with a bow and arrow.
• Explore centripetal force by designing and building a mini roller coaster and demonstrating the physics behind it.
• How does the efficiency of an incandescent bulb compare to a fluorescent? What about LED? How much heat energy do they produce?
• Compare the effectiveness of different types of insulation. Which keeps out the most heat or cold?

Alternative Energy :

• How could you use a solar cell to recharge a battery? (You’ll need to use a diode and set up a circuit.) How does a solar cell compare to a battery with the same voltage?
•  How would you use solar energy most effectively in your home or school?
• What time of day tends to be best for charging a solar cell?
• How does the angle of incidence of light affect the energy output of a solar cell? Use a digital multimeter to measure how much voltage is being produced by the solar cell.
• What types of blades work best to produce electricity using a wind turbine ?
• Can you create an effective water turbine design? How would you connect it to a generator to produce electricity?
• Can you test/simulate the environmental effects of producing electricity from steam in geothermal areas?
• Can different substances (such as vinegar or salt) be used in electrolysis to make hydrogen production more cost-effective?
• Does increasing the number of electrodes make the process of electrolysis less time consuming or more cost effective?
• Can different alternative energy sources be used in combination to produce the energy to power a home?

Visit our science fair project ideas page for ideas in other categories, and check out our Physics Kits for High School for even more fun!

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High School Science Fair Projects

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High school science fairs give students an exciting opportunity to explore STEM fields, engage in research and build valuable skills. Talk with your guidance counselor today about signing up and getting things rolling!

Students can build a bridge from plastic bottles in this hands-on activity that explores how momentum and force affect structure.

Earthquake-Like Disruption

High school science fair projects give students an opportunity to further their scientific understanding while demonstrating research and problem-solving abilities. From building an original volcano model, to exploring how different colors of flowers grow, here are some great ideas for your next science project!

Earthquakes occur when continental plates collide, move apart or grind against each other. Create your own earthquake with this simple experiment designed to impress judges!

Forensic Fingerprints

Human fingerprints are intricate, almost unique, and long-term durable – ideal characteristics for use as evidence in courtroom cases. Students can test different ways of recognizing a fingerprint with this project on HubPages.

Avoid baking soda volcanoes! Discover new STEM challenge science experiments designed for high schoolers that explore the Scientific Method. Students can experiment with Da Vinci’s designs of flying machines or observe whether different types of bread grow mold differently.

Newton’s Cradle

This classic physics experiment illustrates the conservation of momentum and energy. For optimal results, use steel balls with similar size, weight and density as this produces the best results.

When one ball strikes another, no energy is lost – its force spreads evenly through all of them until reaching a final one that swings up. This simple demonstration of the law of conservation of energy is ideal for classroom labs.

Candle Relighting

Candles can help add warmth and ambience to a room, set the holiday atmosphere, and serve as lifesavers during power outages. Additionally, candles serve as the basis of some fun science experiments for high school students.

Experiments using burning candles may seem simplistic, yet they can help demonstrate basic scientific principles without needing expensive equipment or having extensive skillset. Always exercise extreme caution when conducting these tests with burning candles and use fireproof holders.

Lung Capacity

Lung capacity refers to how much air a person is able to inhale. It’s measured through three measurements: tidal volume, functional residual capacity and residual volume.

Large lung capacities give their cells access to more oxygen for fueling purposes, reflecting good health. A smaller lung capacity could indicate lung disease.

Paper Cup Structure

Science fair projects for high schoolers must involve real scientific process, with students also needing to submit a proposal and adhere to specific rules when conducting experiments.

Teenagers who enjoy designing and building may enjoy these STEM challenge experiments. They offer an engaging way for teens to practice scientific concepts like homemade water filtration systems and how lawn care chemicals and household cleaners pollute groundwater sources.

High school science fair experiments should challenge kids without pushing them too far beyond their abilities. When selecting projects for this year’s fair, make sure they stretch without going beyond.

Under adult supervision, conduct experiments involving fire in a well ventilated and safe space. Test different materials to see how they burn before creating a chart of results to record them.

Laundry Detergent

Science fairs can either excite or frustrate children, but either way they provide an invaluable opportunity for learning and skill building. Selecting an engaging project is paramount – here are a few easy, hands-on experiments using everyday items – perfect for engaging kinesthetic learners – who may even enjoy snacking on their masterpiece!

Acid rain occurs when gases released into the environment combine with water to lower its pH level and produce acid rain. Budding environmental scientists can explore this phenomenon with these two experiments.

This experiment shows kids how acid rain can harm plants by observing its impact on plant growth and foliage. To conduct it successfully, students use a spray bottle, potted plants and distilled water as necessary.

Water Filtration

Building and designing a water filter provides students with an important lesson about clean drinking water while teaching engineering concepts such as physics, chemistry and biology.

Send student teams into pairs. Give each pair a 2-liter bottle with half to three quarters cup (100-200 ml) of polluted water in an open beaker or cup, one type of filter, and a spoon; direct them to answer discussion questions from their worksheet and record observations as part of this activity.

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25 Science Projects Ideas From Easy to Hard

By Alex Yang

Graduate student at Southern Methodist University

14 minute read

Science fairs can be invaluable experiences that help you explore a specific topic and also teach you the principles of scientific discovery. They also offer opportunities for you to showcase your creativity and can be a great springboard to further academic or career pursuits in STEM. An added bonus is that you usually have a finished product that you can proudly showcase to others and put on your resume.

However, it’s easy to get stuck on what science fair project to do as there are so many ideas to choose from. In this article we’ll go over 25 science fair project ideas that can hopefully provide some inspiration and also don’t require fancy or expensive materials.

1. How Different Types of Light Affect Vitamin C Content in Fruits

This project involves studying how different light sources affect the vitamin C content of fruits. You can expose samples of  different fruits to varied light conditions, including natural sunlight, LED, and fluorescent light. Then, using some potassium iodide and a sheet of watercolor paper, you can measure the vitamin C content of the fruits. Here’s an article and video to help you with the vitamin C test .

Difficulty: Easy

Topic: Chemistry 

Materials Needed: Fruits, light sources, ​​3% aque­ous so­lu­tion of io­dine in potas­si­um io­dide, a sheet of wa­ter­col­or pa­per, a cot­ton ball, a dis­pos­able plas­tic cup.

2. The Effects of Exercise on Heart Rate

This project investigates how different types of exercise impact heart rate. By measuring heart rate before, during, and after activities such as running, cycling, and jumping jacks, you can analyze how the heart and body responds to exercise and which movements push your heart rate the most. You can then do further research into the science behind why certain exercises lead to a higher heart rate than others.

Topic: Kinesiology

Materials Needed: Stopwatch, heart rate monitor or pulse oximeter if you have one (if not you can just count your heartbeats)

3. The Aerodynamics of Paper Airplanes

Learn about aerodynamic principles by observing the flight of paper airplanes. By constructing paper airplanes with different designs, including variations in wing shape, size, and folding techniques, you can analyze their flight performance and see what design flies the farthest or is airborne for the longest. After testing, you can explore further by presenting why the top design did well based on theories of aerodynamics, and how you would make the design even better.

Topics: Aerodynamics, physics

Materials Needed: Paper, ruler, tape, stopwatch.

4. How Sleep Impacts Academic Performance 

You can use yourself or your friends as test subjects for this experiment, where you analyze the correlation between sleep duration and academic performance. You can collect sleep data through your phone or a smart watch, and then have all test subjects take a test the next morning, and to repeat that for several days potentially. What’s important for this kind of experiment is that there are many other factors that could potentially impact test performance besides sleep, so in your experimental design you’ll have to think creatively to control other variables.

Difficulty: Medium

Topics: Psychology, neuroscience

Materials Needed: Phone or smartwatch, tests that you can give to subjects

5. How Urban Green Spaces Impact Mental Well-being 

Conduct surveys or interviews in a city near you to assess the perceived benefits of urban green spaces (parks, gardens, etc.) on residents' mental health and well-being. Try to gain an understanding for why these spaces matter and how residents view them. How do parks and gardens impact the day to day life of city dwellers?

Topics: Psychology, urban planning

Materials Needed: Phone to record interviews

6. Design Your Own Hydroponic System 

Construct a homemade hydroponic system using recycled materials and test its effectiveness. Hydroponics is soilless gardening that can be done either indoors or outdoors. Once you’ve made your hydroponic system you can then compare the growth rates and yields of the plants  with traditional soil-based cultivation methods. Here’s an article on how to build a simple hydroponic , but we encourage you to also do your own research while building!

Difficulty: Hard

Topics: Biology

Materials Needed: Recycled materials, twine, soda bottle, other inexpensive materials

7. Mindfulness to Reduce Smartphone Addiction 

Investigate whether mindfulness exercises such as meditation can help reduce smartphone addiction. You can choose to focus on a particular mindfulness exercise and/or participant demographic. You can then lead these mindfulness exercises for participants and also measure participants' smartphone usage over a certain period of time. There are a ton of different choices you can make in terms of designing this experiment, so feel free to be creative with it!

Topics: Psychology

Materials Needed: Smartphones

8. Memory Enhancement Techniques 

Compare the effectiveness of various memory enhancement techniques. You can start by researching popular techniques such as mnemonics, spaced repetition, and mind mapping so that you develop an understanding of how these techniques work. Then you can begin experimenting by gathering a group of subjects and creating a memory test. Remember to control other variables that could impact your data and carefully think through your experimental design. 

Topics: Psychology 

Materials Needed: None 

9. Build a Model Roller Coaster

If you’re a big fan of amusement parks this could be a great project for you. Design and construct a model roller coaster using materials like cardboard, foam tubes, and marbles. You can experiment with factors like height and angles to see what creates the most velocity for the coaster. Be sure to document how specific changes in factors affect the outcome of the roller coaster ride!

Topics: Physics

Materials Needed: Cardboard, foam tubes, marbles

10. Build a Model Suspension Bridge 

Start out by sketching your bridge design on paper and looking up images of real suspension bridges for inspiration. From there you can begin to use your popsicle sticks and glue to construct the bridge. If you’re a bit stuck on how to prepare and construct the bridge, check out this Youtube video on how to build a suspension bridge . Once you’re done building your bridge you can then begin to test its stability and how it holds under pressure!

Materials Needed: Popsicle sticks or craft sticks (for the bridge deck and towers), string or thin wire (for the suspension cables), glue (such as wood glue or hot glue) scissors or craft knife, ruler or measuring tape, cardboard or sturdy base for the bridge foundation (optional) 

11. Build a Wind Turbine to Generate Electricity

Through this project you’ll gain hands-on experience with learning about renewable energy. You’ll start out by designing the turbine blades and frame, then install the generator and wire the generator. Once you’ve built your wind turbine you’ll want to test it in an environment with sufficient wind speed and observe how much electricity you’re able to generate! You can also experiment with the shape of the frame and blades to see if that changes the electrical output.

Topics: Physics, engineering, renewable energy

Materials Needed: PVC pipes or wooden dowels (for the turbine blades), DC motor or small generator, magnets, copper wire, bearings or bushings, PVC fittings or other materials for constructing the turbine, wire connectors, multimeter (for measuring voltage and current)

12. Analyzing Different Water Purification Methods 

What would be the safest way to purify water if you were out in the wild? Evaluate the effectiveness of different water purification methods (filtration, boiling, chemical treatment, etc.) and discover which method performs the best. To test the initial quality of the water samples, use pH strips to find the initial pH of the water. Then perform the water purification method and measure the pH after to see if there’s a considerable change.

Topics: Chemistry

Materials Needed: Water source, containers to hold water, filtration materials like coffee filters, boiling apparatus, pH test strips

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13. How Soil Moisture Affects Plant Growth 

Experiment with soil moisture levels to see how it affects the growth and development of plants. An easy way to do this would be to buy a lot of the same plant and grow them all at the same time but vary the soil moisture for each plant. You can decide the increments for how much you want to vary the soil by and from there measure plant growth to see if you can find a correlation. This is also a great experiment to apply statistical analysis of your data.

Materials Needed: Plants, soil, water

14. The Impact of Light Pollution on Nocturnal Insect Populations 

In this project you can first explore the concept of light pollution and what its effects are. From there you can research nocturnal insects and learn about their behaviors. The second part of the project involves conducting an experiment to see how nocturnal insect populations vary based on artificial light intensity. You can go to several different locations that have different artificial light intensities to see whether certain locations have a greater abundance of insects or a greater diversity. Keep in mind the tricky part of this experiment is how to collect the insects - there are various methods such as light traps or sticky traps that you can try.

Topics: Biology, zoology

15. Build a Solar Oven

Construct a solar oven using reflective materials such as aluminum foil. You can explore this article that explains step by step how to build the oven, but the basic idea is that you want to line the inner flap with aluminum foil so that the sun's rays reflect off of it and also create a small opening so that sunlight can come through. You can try heating up food in the middle of the day when the sun is directly overhead to see what happens!

Materials Needed: Reflective material like aluminum foil, insulation (foam board, newspapers), heat-absorbing container, thermometer, food items for cooking.

16. How Temperature Affects Battery Performance

Explore how temperature affects the voltage output and lifespan of batteries. Select a variety of different batteries and expose them to different temperature conditions. You can also vary the length of time that the batteries are left in a given temperature. After, use a voltage meter to measure the output of the batteries. How does temperature impact the voltage output?

Topics: Electrochemistry, energy storage

Materials Needed: Multiple types of batteries, thermometer or temperature sensor, voltage meter or multimeter.

17. Testing the Strength of Different Types of Paper 

Compare the strength of various types of paper (printer paper, construction paper, tissue paper). To do this you can either measure the force required to tear each type of paper ( tensile strength ) or just observe how difficult it is to tear. Record observations and also analyze the materials used in each type of paper to hypothesize why the paper might be difficult or easy to tear.

Materials Needed: Different types of paper, ruler or measuring tape, weights or force gauge, clamps or clips.

18. Pendulums

In this project, construct your own basic pendulum with string and a weight, and see how the length of a pendulum affects its period (the time it takes to complete one full swing). You can also conduct trials where pendulums of varying lengths are released from the same angle, or vary the angle from which the pendulum is released. 

Materials Needed: Pendulum apparatus (can be as simple as a string and weight), stopwatch or timer, protractor for measuring angles.

19. DIY Catapults 

In this project you’ll explore the principles of projectile motion and trajectory. Build a simple catapult or trebuchet and investigate how launch angle and projectile mass affect the trajectory of a launched object. If you want to take the project a step further and add a history component to it, explore a few various catapults that were used in ancient or medieval times and observe the differences in their launch angles and typical projectile masses. Were these catapults effective?

Materials Needed: Catapult or trebuchet construction materials (wood, rubber bands, etc.), objects that the catapult can launch, measuring tape or ruler.

20. Friction 

Explore the concept of friction by pulling objects across different surfaces and measuring the frictional force. You can investigate how different surface textures impact how easy it is to pull the object across the surface. To take the project to the next level you can share your findings about one real world application where the concept of friction is very important (think things like sports or transportation). 

Materials Needed: Objects of different weights, various surfaces (e.g., wood, metal, sandpaper), force sensor or spring scale, ruler

21. Studying the Effects of Music on Stress Reduction 

We all have our playlists or songs that help us relax, but how can we actually confirm that music actually plays a role in reducing stress? In this project you can conduct experiments where participants listen to different types of music (e.g., classical, jazz, nature sounds) and their physiological stress responses (e.g., heart rate, cortisol levels) are measured before and after listening to the music. Before conducting the experiment see if you can do some preliminary research on the topic and what other experiments have been done. 

Materials Needed: A device to play, physiological monitoring equipment, stress assessment scales.

22. Ocean Acidification and Coral Bleaching 

Study how ocean acidification, driven by increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, impacts coral reef ecosystems. You can also look into coral bleaching and learn how it’s also related to ocean acidification. This project can be a bit more focused on research rather than actual experimentation, but if you’d like to develop a model to demonstrate ocean acidification and see how carbon dioxide affects water we encourage you to do that as well.

Topic: Chemistry, marine biology

Materials Needed: Cups, water, acid base indicator, baking soda, vinegar

23. Studying the Effects of Deforestation on Local Climate Patterns 

Learn how deforestation affects regional climate conditions such as temperature, precipitation, and humidity. Specifically, you can analyze satellite imagery to assess changes in land cover in deforested areas over time. To get you started, check out this article on how scientists have been tracking deforestation in the Amazon for decades .  

Topic: Climate, environmental science

Materials Needed: Satellite imagery or aerial photographs

24. Investigating Sinkholes 

Sinkholes may seem like a chaotic once in a lifetime phenomenon but there are actually geological processes involved in the formation of sinkholes. Explore these processes and their potential hazards to human settlements. To learn further you can research specific areas that are known to have a lot of sinkholes and try to understand why this occurs from a geological perspective.

Topic: Geology

Materials Needed: None

25. How Color Affects Mood and Emotion Description

Explore whether different colors influence people's mood and emotional state. You can design experiments where participants are exposed to different colors through images or objects and their mood responses are measured with self-reported scales or surveys. Analyze data and see if you can find any patterns. The more subjects you have in your experiment the better!

Topic: Psychology

Materials Needed: Images or objects that show mainly one color

How to Showcase Your Science Fair Project

Once you’ve completed your science fair project you can obviously present it at your local or school science fair, but we highly encourage you to also enter your project and findings for a bigger competition. There are so many great regional and national competitions where you can submit your work, and we’ve compiled a list of them below based on science topic. Keep in mind that many of these competitions have very specific submission guidelines, so you might have to adjust the format of your project slightly to fit the rules

Top 8 Neuroscience Competitions for High School and Middle School Students

Top 9 Physics Competitions for High School Students

The 10 Best Chemistry Competitions for High School Students

10 Best Engineering Competitions for High School Students

Top Psychology Competitions For High School and Middle School Students

Still Stuck On What Idea to Choose?

Work with a Polygence research program mentor who can help you brainstorm the right idea for you. From there they can help you with executing your project and making sure you’re on track to finish by your deadline. If you’re interested, apply for our flagship mentorship program !

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20 Science Research Competitions for High Schoolers

What’s covered:, why should you enter a science research competition, how do science research competitions affect my admissions chances.

Participation in science research competitions offers many benefits to students; for example, it can make them more competitive candidates for college admissions and provide them with valuable experience in a sought-after field. There’s a wide variety of science research competitions for high schoolers, including the high-profile contests listed below.

Entering a science research competition demonstrates that you take initiative and that you care about academics beyond the grades in your courses, both of which are qualities that colleges appreciate in prospective students.

Participation in competitions is a strong extracurricular activity, and successes—like making the finals or winning—can provide you with a chance to earn a scholarship, make your college application more attention-grabbing, or even open doors, such as laying the groundwork for a career in science research and helping you land an internship.

Another way to showcase your initiative and skills is to work on an independent research paper. There are a number of ways to do independent research, including working with a high school teacher, reaching out to local professors, or taking part in a structured research program. 

For example, the  Lumiere Research Scholar Program is one type of structured research program tailored for high school students. In the program, you work 1-1 with a researcher on an independent research project. The program is run by researchers from Harvard and helps create the structure for you to get started quickly doing your own research. Many of Lumiere’s alums have used their research in the structured program to then apply to research competitions like ISEF.  

Whether you participate in a structured program first or dive right into a competition, engaging in research allows you to explore one of your interests deeply, while simultaneously boosting your profile for college admissions.

1. American Academy of Neurology – Neuroscience Research Prize

Grades: 9-12

Type: National

The AAN Neuroscience Research Prize competition challenges students to investigate problems regarding the brain or nervous system. The competition is only open to individual students—group projects are ineligible. Teachers are encouraged to provide guidance and support; however, they should allow students to demonstrate their own creativity. Winners and their projects are highlighted at the AAN Annual Meeting.

2. Envirothon

Type: State and National

Envirothon is North America’s largest environmental education competition, with more than 25,000 students participating in the multi-level competition each year. Student teams are first challenged at state-level competitions with the winners moving on to face top teams from across the globe at the annual international competition.

The international competition is a six-day event held in a different location each summer—for example, in an open range of the western U.S. one year, and at a Maritime coastal community of eastern Canada the next. The competition offers participants the chance to win thousands of dollars in scholarships.

3. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

Type: Local, Regional, and International

The Regeneron ISEF is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition—more than 1,800 high school students, representing more than 75 countries, regions, and territories, take part. Students showcase independent research and compete for roughly $8 million in awards across 21 categories .

This is not a group-based competition—individual students enroll in local school science fairs before advancing to upper-level competitions in hopes of reaching the national stage.

4. National Science Bowl

Hosted by the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., the National Science Bowl is a highly publicized competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics, including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, energy, and math. Students compete in teams of four (plus an alternate) and have a teacher who serves as an advisor.

The National Science Bowl is one of the largest science competitions in the country—roughly 330,000 students have participated in it throughout its 32-year history.

5. National Science Olympiad

One of the nation’s premier STEM competitions, the National Science Olympiad is the pinnacle of achievement for the country’s top Science Olympiad teams. In 2022, the U.S. top 120 teams, plus a Global Ambassador Team from Japan (for a total of more than 2,000 students) squared off in a variety of events for the chance to be named the Science Olympiad National Champions.

Teams also compete annually for the opportunity to win prizes and scholarships, including a one-time $10,000 Science Olympiad Founders’ Scholarship. About 6,000 teams compete each year, beginning at the regional level in hopes of reaching the national competition.

6. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)

Established in 1942 and hosted by the Society for Science, the Regeneron Science Talent Search is considered the most prestigious high school science research competition in the nation. The competition tasks young scientists with presenting their original research before a panel of nationally recognized professional scientists.

Of the 1,800 entrants, 300 Regeneron STS scholars are selected—they and their schools are awarded $2,000 each. Forty finalists are then picked from the pool of scholars. They receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they compete for an additional $1.8 million in awards, with a top prize of $250,000.

7. Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Type: Regional, State, National, and International

In this competition, students from around the world seek to address the current and future water challenges facing the world. Competition for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize occurs on four levels: regional, state, national, and international.

• Regional winners receive a certificate and a nomination to compete in the state competition.
• State winners receive a medal and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the national competition.
• National winners receive a trophy, a $10,000 scholarship, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the international competition in Stockholm, Sweden.
• International winners receive a crystal trophy and a $15,000 scholarship, along with a $5,000 award for their school.

In order to participate, students can begin to research and develop a practical project proposal either as an individual or with a group. To reach the national level, students must be nominated by a national organizer representing their country.

8. TOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Students

To participate in this competition, students must submit a video of up to 3 minutes that demonstrates an interest in and understanding of a topic in psychology that they think could benefit their local community and improve lives. Students must also utilize at least one peer-reviewed research study on their topic, and must include a closing slide citing their source(s). Up to three winners are chosen to receive a $300 scholarship.

9. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) National Competition

Type: Regional and National

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium National Competition is one of the country’s longest-running STEM competitions—participants are required to submit and present scientific research papers and compete for military-sponsored undergraduate scholarships.

The JSHS national competition is the result of a collaborative effort between the Department of Defense and academic research institutes nationwide. It is designed to emulate a professional symposium. Research projects are organized into categories such as Environmental Science, Engineering and Technology, and Medicine and Health. After competing regionally, about 250 students are chosen to attend an annual symposium to showcase their work.

10. MIT THINK Scholars Program

In the fall of each year, interested students can enter project proposals into competition for selection from a group of undergraduate students at MIT. If selected, students will be able to carry out their project—receiving up to $1000 in funding to complete their research. They’ll also be invited to a four-day symposium at MIT the following year.

Finalists are guided with weekly mentorship and will have the opportunity to present their findings to MIT students and faculty at the end of the program.

11. Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision

Grades: K-12

In this competition, students compete in groups of 2-4 to select a technology and forecast how it will evolve over the next decade or beyond, while discussing the scientific achievements that will need to be made to get there.

Students will submit an abstract as well as a detailed description paper that is not to exceed 11 pages. In doing so, they will be entered into competition and considered for a number of financial awards, as well as a trip to Washington, D.C., for the ExploraVision Awards Weekend. The competition is nationally recognized and is sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association.

12. Conrad Challenge

Teams of 2-5 students are tasked with designing and detailing project proposals to tackle various problems categories such as Aerospace & Aviation, Health & Nutrition, Cyber-Technology & Security, and Energy & Environment. In doing so, they will identify problems in the world and come up with a feasible and innovative solution, working with judges and mentors along the way.

Finalists will be selected from the competing teams and invited to the Innovation Summit in Houston, where they will pitch their projects to judges and potentially receive numerous prizes and awards, ranging from scholarships to consulting services.

13. USA Biolympiad Competition

Type: National and International

Over the course of two years, students will undergo multiple rounds of testing that will eventually pinpoint twenty finalists to be selected for training in a residential program with the goal of representing the USA in the International Biology Olympiad. As such, this is one of the most prestigious and difficult competitions, not just in biology, but in all high school sciences. However, the experience is second to none, and is the ultimate test for students devoted to the future of biology.

14. Davidson Fellows Scholarship

While not exclusive to STEM, the Davidson Fellows program offers various major scholarships for students interested in careers in sciences. Listed as one of the “ 10 Biggest Scholarships in the World ,” this program requires students to submit a variety of components related to an independent research study with the broad goal of contributing positively to society through the advancement of science. Students will submit multiple essays as well as a video summary, and must include an additional visual model reporting their findings.

15. Destination Imagination

Type: Regional, State, National, International

Destination Imagination is another worldwide competition that includes a variety of subjects, but it specializes in science-based challenges. Students will form teams and choose from a list of different challenges to compete in in categories such as Technical, Scientific, and Engineering.

Students will solve these challenges and present their solutions in regional competitions. Regional winners will move on to statewide competitions before being invited to the Global Finals, where over 8,000 students from 28 states and 12 countries compete for awards. 150,000 students compete annually in the competition at some level.

16. Breakthrough Junior Challenge

For students looking for a more creatively inspired and unconventional competition, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge tasks students with creating a short two-minute video in which they explain and demonstrate a complex scientific concept.

Does that sound simple enough? Over 2,400 students from over 100 countries submitted videos in 2022, meaning there’s no shortage of competition here. Winning applicants will need to demonstrate immense creativity and understanding of complex scientific concepts, but rest assured—the prize is worth the difficulty.

The winner will receive a $250,000 scholarship for accredited colleges and universities, as well as a $100,000 grant to the winner’s school for the development of a science lab, and a $50,000 award to a teacher of the winner’s choosing.

17. Biotechnology Institute: BioGENEius Challenge

Students from across the country are invited to participate in the Biotechnology Institute’s BioGENEius Challenge, where they’ll be able to choose to complete a project in the Healthcare, Sustainability, or Environment categories. If accepted, students will need to complete an extensive research project and demonstrate results, and then compete in either local or a virtual “At-Large” competition, with other student competitors from around the world.

18. Genes in Space

Grades: 7-12

For students interested in the science of space and its overlap with our current understanding of the human genome, this competition combines these two worlds by tasking students with designing a DNA experiment that addresses challenges in space exploration and travel.

Students will submit a project proposal, and semifinalists will be selected to pitch their experiments in Seattle. After doing so, finalists will be selected to work with mentors and scientists from schools, such as Harvard and MIT, to design a real-life experiment. One finalist’s experiment will win the opportunity to be conducted at the International Space Station. The lucky winner will travel to the Kennedy Space Center to see the winning experiment’s launch!

19. Odyssey of the Mind

Students will form teams to compete in a variety of STEM-based challenges in this global problem-solving competition, culminating in a World Finals competition that takes place in East Lansing, Michigan.

Over 800 teams from 33 states and 15 countries compete each year in challenges ranging from designing vehicles to building small structures that can withstand hundreds of pounds. These challenges are designed to encourage creativity in the performative and presentational elements of competition.

20. U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad

Type: Regional, National, International

Students interested in Chemistry are able to participate in the USNCO, in which they’ll take rigorous exams to prove their skills in the Chemistry field. Top test-takers will be selected to attend a prestigious Study Camp, where they’ll compete for the chance to represent the U.S. at the International Chemistry Olympiad. Interested students can contact their Local Coordinator, who can be found through the program’s website.

The influence your participation in science research competitions can have on your college admissions varies—considerations such as how well you performed and the prestige of the event factor into how admissions officers view the competition. That being said, the four tiers of extracurricular activities provide a good general guide for understanding how colleges view your activities outside the classroom.

The most esteemed and well-known science research competitions are organized into Tiers 1 and 2. Extracurricular activities in these categories are extremely rare, demonstrate exceptional achievement, and hold considerable sway with admissions officers. Tiers 3 and 4 are reserved for more modest accomplishments—like winning a regional (rather than a national) competition—and carry less weight at colleges than their higher-tiered counterparts.

Generally, participation in a science research competition will be considered at least a Tier 2 activity. As stated before, this varies depending on the competition and your performance. For example, being a finalist or winner in something like the Regeneron Science Talent Search or the International Biology Olympiad—prestigious national and international competitions—is very likely to be considered a Tier 1 achievement.

However, lower-tiered extracurriculars are still valuable, as they show colleges a more well-rounded picture of you as a student, and highlight your desire to pursue your interests outside of school.

Curious how your participation in science research competitions affects your odds of college admissions? Collegevine can help. Our free chancing calculator uses factors like grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities—like science research competitions— to calculate your chances of getting into hundreds of colleges across the country! You can even use the information provided to identify where you can improve your college profile and ultimately bolster your odds of getting into your dream school.

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.