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Science Fair Primer: Physics Project Ideas

For Students 9th - 10th
Lists many science fair project ideas in the area of physics.
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Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Snacks From a Z

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a monumental list of ideas for science fair projects and experiments, organized alphabetically. Every one of them is a link to a full page, with pictures, of information about the idea. This site is a goldmine.
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: An Uplifting Project: The Buoyancy of Balloons

For Students 9th - 10th
In this science fair project, measure the "lift" of a set of balloons and track how it changes over time as the helium escapes from the balloons. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract,...
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Science Struck

Science Struck: 8th Grade Creative Science Fair Project Ideas

For Students 8th
Ideas for Grade 8 science projects organized into the categories of environment, physics, chemistry, biology, animals, and astronomy.
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Do String Players Have Longer Left Fingers?

For Students 9th - 10th
Physical activity is needed for maintaining normal bone strength and mass. But whether physical stress on finger bones during development leads to an increase in finger length, is something you will discover in this project not by...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Solid Motor Rocket Propulsion

For Students 6th - 8th
What does it take to launch a satellite to explore Mars, or a mission to the moon? This project has several possible variations for exploring the physics of rockets. This is rocket science.
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Power Kicks: The Physics of Martial Arts

For Students 9th - 10th
If the discipline, precision, and power of martial arts is your bag, try this project out for size. You won't be sparring with any opponent other than a swinging kick bag, but you'll learn a few powerful lessons about the physics of...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Levitating Magnets: Floating Isn't Just for Magicians

For Students 3rd - 5th
If you ever seen a magician float an object in the air, you might think that levitation is just a magic trick, but the truth is you can use an invisible physical force to levitate a magnet. Try this simple, week-long science project to...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Swing Low: Investigate the Motion of a Pendulum

For Students 3rd - 5th
Kids love to ride the swings at the playground. The back-and-forth motion of a swing demonstrates the physics of a pendulum. In this experiment, you will investigate the factors that affect the speed and duration of a pendulum's swing.
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Distance and Constant Acceleration

For Students 9th - 10th
This project is an experiment in classical physics. You'll be following in Galileo's footsteps, and investigating Newton's laws of motion, using a metronome as your timing device. This resource will help you get a firm understanding of...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Distance and Speed of Rolling Objects

For Students 9th - 10th
This project is an experiment in classical physics. You'll be following in Galileo's footsteps, and investigating Newton's laws of motion, but you'll be taking advantage of modern video recording technology to make your measurements. The...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Measuring Sugar Content of a Liquid With a Laser Pointer

For Students 9th - 10th
Here's a project that shows you how to use a laser pointer and some knowledge of physics to figure out the concentration of sugar dissolved in a liquid.
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Investigate Mpemba Effect Can Hot Water Freeze Faster Than Cold

For Students 9th - 10th
This physics project seems like it should have an easy answer. Instead, it turns out to be a great illustration of why it is important to base scientific conclusions on the outcome of controlled experiments. Things don't always turn out...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Converting Potential Energy to Kinetic Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
If you'd like to investigate the physics of amusement park rides, then this project is for you. You'll build a roller coaster track for marbles using foam pipe insulation and masking tape, and see how much the marble's potential energy...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies:brain Body Connection: Can Exercise Make Our Brains Work Better?

For Students 3rd - 6th
We all know physical exercise is important to keeping our bodies fit. But how important is physical exercise to your brain? In other words, is there any connection between an active body and increased brain power? This is an easy project...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Technicolor Shadows: Lessons in Light and Color

For Students 9th - 10th
Is that right side of your brain yearning to express its artistic side? This is a project that blends art with science. Learn about light and colorful shadows in these experiments where you mix and match various colors of light to create...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Measuring the Speed of 'Light' With a Microwave Oven

For Students 9th - 10th
In this experiment, you will measure the speed of light using a microwave oven, some egg white, and a ruler. This short project proves to be an extremely interesting choice for a science lab, with pictures for illustration, and thorough...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Guitar Fundamentals: Wavelength, Frequency, & Speed

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a rockin' project for guitarists with an interest in the physics behind music. If you have ever wondered why the pitch of the note changes when you fret the string, this project will help you understand by applying basic...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Back and Forth to Go Forward: A Snake on Wheels?

For Students 9th - 10th
Have you ever ridden on a Roller Racer or Plasma Car? These are ride-on toys that you move ahead by moving the steering mechanism back and forth. You've probably seen skateboarders "slaloming" on level ground to keep rolling, it's...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Slime Chemistry

For Students 3rd - 5th
Have you ever wondered how fun toys like Silly Putty, Gak, and Slime are made? These products are so much fun because of the properties of polymers, which make them delightfully bouncy, stretchy, sticky, moldable, breakable, hard, soft,...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Heart Health: How Does Heart Rate Change With Exercise?

For Students 6th - 8th
Your heart starts beating before you are born and keeps right on going through your whole life. Over an average lifetime, the human heart beats more than 2.5 billion times. Keeping your heart healthy means eating right, not smoking, and...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Balancing Act: Finding Your Center of Gravity

For Students 9th - 10th
Like to have the balance of a tightrope walker? Try the more close - to - the - ground balancing test in this easy experiment to learn a few trade secrets of the high wire experts. In this project, you'll find your center of gravity and...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Don't You Fret! Standing Waves on a Guitar

For Students 9th - 10th
In this project, you will investigate the physics of standing waves on guitar strings. You will learn about the different modes (i.e., patterns) of vibration that can be produced on a string, and you will figure out how to produce the...
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Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Deep Knee Bends: Measuring Knee Stress With a Mechanical Model

For Students 9th - 10th
Prosthetic limbs and artificial joints can help people with disease or injury lead a normal life. Sports medicine or physical therapy is also an area that relates to this experiment. Either way, this project serves as a good match if any...