High school science is packed full of amazing chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering concepts that are learned best through hands-on experiences. Science projects can be fun, colorful, explosive, and even edible depending on what you want to experiment with.
Here are 20 science fair ideas perfect for any 11th grader to tap into their mad scientist vibes. Grab some safety goggles, a lab coat, and let's have some fun!
1. Behaviors of a Pea Plant
This classic science experiment by the famous Gregor Mendel observes pea starts for about 6 weeks to see their development and plant growth. To examine what genetics each offspring gets from the mother seed, it's important to get seeds of various colors. Follow the full process in the title link and record your results!
Learn more: science.lovetoknow.com
2. Strawberry DNA
This food science project lets you extract DNA from a strawberry to see what it looks like and impress your classmates and teachers. You'll need some dish soap to help it break down, then some saltwater to separate the DNA, finally you'll need alcohol to make the DNA extractable. So cool!
Learn more: Numbers to Neurons
3. Bending Water
This hands-on application of static energy shows us electricity in action with water molecules! Create some static by wearing wool gloves and rubbing them together. You'll need an inflated balloon and a sink. Once the balloon is static, bring it close to the running water to see the water bend to get closer to the electrically charged balloon!
Learn more: science.lovetoknow.com
4. Cool Ice Cream Science
For this deliciously simple science fair project, you will need some basic kitchen supplies and ingredients to make ice cream! Cool science tells us that mixing ice and salt gets things really cold, so mix together your ice cream base put that small baggie into a bigger baggie with your cold ice, and experiment with baking science!
Learn more: Numbers to Neurons
5. Natural Antibiotic Powers
Antibiotics originally came from nature but now they are synthesized in a lab. This 11th-grade science fair project tests to see if the antibiotic properties found in garlic and other natural substances work as well as lab-engineered antibiotics at killing harmful bacteria.
Learn more: 100 Science Projects
6. Candy Chromatography
Here is a fun edible science project you can try with any colorful candy you love! Grab one of every color and place them in water. You'll use chromatography solution and filter paper to extract the colors from the candy!
Learn more: science.lovetoknow.com
7. Gender Differences in Fingerprints
This forensic science experiment tests to see if there are different patterns or commonalities in fingerprints depending on whether you are male or female. Get a fingerprint pad and chart, then enlist 10 boys and 10 girls to make a fingerprint and analyze for sequences.
8. Tie Dye Milk Mixing
This colorful density experiment uses food coloring and dish soap to demonstrate how surface tension works. The dish soap will cause the dots of color to mix and swirl together in the milk.
Learn more: home-school.lovetoknow.com
9. Fossil Fun!
This simple science project uses a practical application to demonstrate how fossils are made. Press a natural object into some clay (a leaf, shell, or bone) and leave for a day, remove the object fill the indent with glue and let it dry. Once dry, remove the glue for a perfect fossil replicate of your object.
Learn more: Florida Museum
10. Growing Popcorn
Did you know you can grow your own popcorn? Buy some popcorn seeds from the market and a few other basic supplies like paper towels and a see-through cup. Place a few seeds in between the paper towel and the side of the cup and add water, wait a few weeks and you will have your very own popcorn plant!
Learn more: science.lovetoknow.com
11. Mold Madness
This food science fair project is not for eating! Get some bread and let it sit in a moist bag until there is visible mold. Scrape some off with a toothpick and put it on a microscope slide with a drop of water. Observe the mold and record your results.
Learn more: learning-center.homesciencetools.com
12. Pepto...Bismuth?!
Bismuth is a metal that is found in the commonly-used Pepto-Bismol tablets. This chemical experiment is best done with a science teacher present to help since it uses muriatic acid which can be dangerous. The process is step-by-step and can be followed in the title link.
Learn more: Pop Sci
13. Homemade Yogurt
This is an edible experiment you will be sure to replicate in the future for your own personal use. Making your own yogurt is easy and super rewarding! You will need some live cultures (bacteria) to add to milk that you warm over a heat source. Once the mixture is ready store it in a cool dry place and let the bacteria do its magic!
Learn more: Pinterest
14. Dry Ice Extinguisher
Dry ice takes up the oxygen in the air, so grab a few basic materials, candles, a big glass container, and some water and dry ice. Light the candles inside the glass container and then place a bowl of water with dry ice in the container too and see the candles go out due to a lack of oxygen!
Learn more: science.lovetoknow.com
15. Homemade Hot Air Balloon
This cool science experiment demonstrates air density in a simple and visual way. You need a basket, a balloon, and a fuel source. Once you have assembled your balloon, light your candles and watch it rise! The heat from the candles shows how density floats.
Learn more: learning-center.homeschool.com
16. Cat Behaviors
Behavioral and observational sciences are good project ideas for eleventh graders. One cute idea is playing bird sounds for cats to see how they react to different chirps. See if there are differences depending on local bird sounds versus exotic ones.
Learn more: Sciencing
17. Lichtenberg Figure
This electrifying experiment demonstrated energy transfer and electrical discharge in an insulator. The types of materials you use depend on which method you choose. The results of this physics concept should look like lightning, so cool!
Learn more: Science Notes
18. Newton's Cradle
This STEM-inspired contraption demonstrates how momentum works. You can use a variety of different materials to create your newton's cradle and see how force and collision work together.
Learn more: Babble Dabble Do
19. Veggie Cars!
This awesome experiment uses a 3D printer, so make sure you have access to one if you choose this project. The purpose of this experiment is to see the correlation between density and speed.
Learn more: Instructables
20. Homemade Hydraulic Claw
This engineering project requires some creativity and engineering skills to make. You'll need some cardboard, syringes, and a few other common household items. Watch the video tutorial and make your own hydraulic hand!
Learn more: YouTube
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