Our list of unique science projects is a sure winner when sourcing ideas that are appropriate to the 4th grade learner. Science is a vital component of STEM-based activities and our top 57 project ideas are sure to increase creativity, develop critical thinking abilities as well as effective communication and collaboration skills.
1. Flashlight Creation
Discover simple electric circuit rules when creating this nifty paper flashlight! This project is the perfect experiment for kids as it’s sure to highlight the science behind batteries.
Learn More: Flashlight Creation
2. Lemon Volcano
Have a blast creating this erupting lemon volcano! By using average household supplies, 4th graders discover the properties of both acids and bases and learn how the interaction between them causes a chemical reaction.
Learn More: Lemon Volcano
3. Earthquake Simulation
Set a dish of jelly and then go about building a structure on it. Upon completion of the structure, wobble the dish so that the jelly shakes and disrupts the structure- in turn demonstrating the science of seismology.
Learn More: Earthquake Simulation
4. Design a Hovercraft
Time after time, this proves to be one of the best experiments for demonstrating the power of the air. Unveil properties of friction and air pressure as you design a floating hovercraft!
Learn More: Design a Hovercraft
5. Make a Microscope
A cause for STEM excitement! This wonderful project demonstrates how water droplets curve to create a convex lens and in turn, refract light and magnify objects.
Learn More: Make a Microscope
6. How Chameleons Change Color
Create a mesmerizing color show as an interactive poster that demonstrates how chameleons change color ass the middle wheel spins.
Learn More: How Chameleons Change Color
7. How Your Body is Similar to a Car
Just as we source our energy from food, cars source theirs from gasoline. Further, demonstrate how energy is stored and released with the help of simple materials such as rubber bands.
Learn More: How Your Body is Similar to a Car
8. Discover Newton’s Law
With the aid of a string of beads, highlight Newton’s Law of Gravity as the beads are tugged ever so slightly and then begin to fall from the cup.
Learn More: Discover Newton’s Law
9. Egg Drop
Students are encouraged to source material from home that they will use to create a protective barrier for their egg before dropping it to measure the effectiveness of their contraption in preventing their egg from cracking.
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10. Static Electricity Science
Discover the science of static electricity in a fun way by building an electroscope to demonstrate the forces of attraction and repulsion!
Learn More: Static Electricity Science
11. Demonstrate Water Erosion
This hands-on, ocean science project is perfect for teaching students about coastal erosion and requires the use of simple materials such as a dish, sand, plastic bottle, stones, and water.
Learn More: Demonstrate Water Erosion
12. Milk Plastic
This unique experiment can lead to hours of crafting fun as 4th grade students learn how to create plastic from milk!
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13. Salt Water Density Experiment
The properties of water and density are highlighted in this science project as children discover that saltwater is denser than normal water.
Learn More: Salt Water Density Experiment
14. Make Unstoppable Bubbles
By combining the traditional soapy bubble mixture with glycerin, students learn about how the original mixture evaporates from stronger bubbles.
Learn More: Make Unpoppable Bubbles
15. Discover More about Blood Components
Biology is an important component of life but should be approached in a fun and simplified manner when working with 4th graders. Discover more about blood components by crafting “blood” model jars!
Learn More: Discover More about Blood Components
16. Could Dominoes knock a Building Over
Discover the effects of chain reactions with the help of this easy science fair project idea before posing the question of whether or not dominos could knock down a building!
Learn More: Could Dominos Knock a Building Over
17. How Neon Signs Work
By making use of a small gas tube in this cool experiment, 4th graders will be intrigued to learn about how neon signs work.
Learn More: How Neon Signs Work
18. Anemometer
Discover wind speed with the help of your very own anemometer! Simple earth science is unveiled with the help of a simple garden contraption made from paper cups, straws, tape, a pencil, and a thumbtack.
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19. Make Recycled Paper
Although making recycled paper can at times be a process, it is extremely satisfying! Students watch how water is first absorbed by their shredded paper and then, towards the end of the process, how it is drained away- leaving a recycled piece of paper in its place.
Learn More: Make Recycled Paper
20. Nonrenewable Resources
What better way to highlight the depletion of non-renewable resources, than by making use of noodle- mining in a competitive game or project! This hands-on activity is perfect for elementary-age students to use as an earth science project.
Learn More: Nonrenewable Resources
21. Balloon Rocket
This simple, yet fun, activity depicts Newton’s law of motion perfectly. By using household materials such as a balloon, straw, clothespin, and line, your students will discover that for every action, there is an equal or opposite reaction. Ready for blast off!
Learn More: Design Dazzle
22. Cloud Science
With the help of this exciting cloud science project, your 4th grad students will grasp the concept of the water cycle in no time! With the help of a paper cup, plastic zip-top bag, tape, and water students discover how water moves from the ground into the air, then forming clouds before falling back to earth as rain.
Learn More: Cloud Science
23. Blow up a Balloon with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Intrigue 4th grade science students with this experiment that sees balloons magically inflate when baking soda and vinegar combine and generate carbon dioxide.
Learn More: Blow up a Balloon with Vinegar and Baking Soda
24. Cellphone Projector
Not only is this a great science project, but most of the materials used are recycled materials. This simple project is perfect for teaching complex rules such as the refraction of light.
Learn More: Cellphone Projector
25. Create a working elevator
Students are encouraged to make use of various materials in order to create a working elevator that has a crank and is able to bear a load.
Learn More: Create a Working Elevator
26. Ocean current simulator
By making use of water, food coloring, an empty dish, and plastic sea creatures, students learn how ocean currents are formed in this simple science project.
Learn More: Ocean Current Simulator
27. Bacteria grower
A simple Agar solution, that has been set in various Petri dishes, is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Swab items that the students use on a daily basis and wipe the swab’s on the dishes, then leaving them covered in order to grow and visually depict that bacteria are hiding all around us.
Learn More: Bacteria Grower
28. Wiggle Bot
Craft your very own Wigglebot! Using simple tools and supplies, 4th graders have the opportunity to work with potential energy in a fun manner!
Learn More: Wiggle Bot
29. Crystal names
Make science fun as students grow an edible, crystalized version of their names on pipe cleaners! This is just one of the many edible science projects out there for kids so be sure to get creative and see what you can make!
Learn More: Crystal Names
30. Capillary Action
Teach the concept of capillary action with this spectacular rainbow glass display! This is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about color mixing and how water travels.
Learn More: Capillary Action
31. Design a Working Lung Model
Explore more about the natural phenomenon of breath with this cool project. Design a working lung model using a plastic bottle, straws, balloons, sticky tape, and scissors.
Learn More: Kiwi Co
32. Make It Glow
Discover which water mixture will glow using black light to test regular water with highlighter dye, tonic water, and tap water.
Learn More: Cool Science Experiments HQ
33. Explore Tooth Decay
Learn about tooth decay using eggs and an assortment of drinks such as sugar water, soda, and milk. This project is wonderful for visually illustrating the effects of sugar products on teeth.
Learn More: Sciencing
34. Build a Hygrometer
Measure humidity with the help of your very own hygrometer made from a piece of wood and plastic, nails, a dime, glue, tape, a hammer, and a pair of scissors.
Learn More: We Have Kids
35. Discover Osmosis
Learn about osmosis with the help of this fun and colorful gummy bear science project!
Learn More: Homeschool
36. Rotting foods
This experiment helps to develop thorough observation skills. Reveal which, out of an assortment of foods, will be the first to rot and discover what accelerates the process.
Learn More: No Time for Flash Cards
37. Create a Sundial
Turn back time as you craft an old-fashioned mechanism that helped ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Mayans, and Babylonians tell the time.
Learn More: Explorable
38. Make a fossil
Learn how fossils are formed as you leave your mark in a plaster of Paris cast. Consider casting an imprint using a toy to make this activity even more fun!
Learn More: YouTube
39. Build a Rubber Band Guitar
Explore the science of sound as you build a rubber band guitar using a heap of rubber bands and other simple materials.
Learn More: BBC Good Food
40. Make a Water Microscope
Make a microscope to allow you to examine certain objects in greater detail. You’ll need a piece of fuse wire, water and an assortment of objects to look analyze.
Learn More: Science Kids
41. Skittles Spectacular
Roll out the rainbow with this fun project! Demonstrate the diffusion process to your class using Skittles. This colorful experiment will certainly intrigue your pupils and make them eager to learn more. To carry it out, simply have your kiddies place a few Skittles on a plate and cover them with water before stepping back to watch the reaction that takes place.
Learn More: Rookie Parenting Science
42. Water Wonders: Sink or Float
This idea provides an excellent way to foster a healthy curiosity and understanding of fundamental physics principles. Encourage your students to hypothesize which household items will sink or float, before putting their theories to the test by placing selected items into a basin of water.
Learn More: YouTube
43. The Sun-Powered Oven Project
Let your students harness the power of the sun by using a pizza box and transforming it into a solar oven. They can easily harness the sun’s rays by wrapping the box in aluminum foil and other materials to figure out the best way to capture the heat and then get baking. This is an engaging and memorable way to introduce solar energy that’s sweetened by the chance to make and enjoy s’mores!
Learn More: Science Buddies
44. The Journey of a Light-Chasing Plant
Start your lesson with a question: Can plants solve mazes? The concept of phototropism will come alive as your students try to solve this problem by guiding a small plant through a simple cardboard maze toward the light. The result? A thrilling, real-time adventure demonstrating a plant’s instinctual growth response to sunlight that your class will love.
Learn More: Mama Smiles
45. Pinecone Predictions
Challenge your class to be better than the weatherman! Teach your youngsters about humidity and weather changes using a humble pinecone. Simply hang a few cones around the school and prompt your children to observe them; open or closed tells a story about the humidity. They’ll be fascinated to discover how the pinecone’s responses can predict weather conditions.
Learn More: Play to Learn Preschool
46. Fruit-Powered Fun
You can turn everyday fruits into a source of electricity and marvel with your students as lemons, oranges, or apples light up a bulb or power a digital clock. All you need is a piece of fruit, some wire, and a few nails to engage your learners in a hands-on project that illustrates the concept of electrical circuits.
Learn More: Kids Activities Blog
47. Shadow Dance
Embark on a day-long shadow-tracking exercise with your students to understand more about the Earth’s rotation. To do so, have them record the changing shadow of a stick at different times throughout the day to visually depict the Earth spinning on its axis.
Learn More: Inventors of Tomorrow
48. Popsicle Power Play
Allow physics to meet creativity when you encourage your students to construct a catapult out of popsicle sticks and elastic bands. To begin, have them research the best methods for creating the most force. As your kiddos thrill in testing which items the catapult can launch and whose items travel the furthest, they’ll be learning about the concept of potential and kinetic energy transformation.
Learn More: YouTube
49. Greenhouse Effect Model
Using jars, thermometers, and plastic wrap, you can simulate the greenhouse effect right in your very own classroom. Provide your students with the necessary materials and instruct them to add the same amount of ice to each jar. Then, have them wrap one jar in plastic and leave the other open before placing them in the sun for a few hours. Lastly, prompt your young scientists to formulate their conclusions after measuring the temperature in each jar.
Learn More: STEAM Powered Family
50. Pulling with Pulleys
Mechanical advantage and work take center stage in this hands-on activity. By encouraging your young scientists to create a simple pulley system with a spool and string, they can explore mechanical advantage and the concept of work. This hands-on project will help you make complex physics principles that much more observable and fun.
Learn More: YouTube
51. Determining Densities
Allow your learners to explore density in a hands-on activity of the senses. As they pour honey, dish soap, water, and oil into a clear container, the differing densities will reveal themselves in a striking visual display.
Learn More: YouTube
52. Edible Genetics
Sweets in a classroom seem to have a magical attention-grabbing power. Use this to your advantage when teaching genetics by having your students create an edible DNA model. With colored marshmallows or jelly sweets and toothpicks, they’ll come to understand the double helix structure in a fun, tasty way.
Learn More: Hess UnAcademy
53. The Rainfall Recorder
This is an easy project that introduces practical meteorological skills and fosters scientific curiosity. Empower your students to measure rainfall and track this over time with a homemade rain gauge. Use an empty bottle with the top cut off and then instruct your class to carefully fill the bottle in 20 ml increments; carefully marking the lines to ensure accuracy.
Learn More: YouTube
54. Magnetism Unveiled
Reveal the hidden world of magnetic fields to your students by engaging them in a project that uses a bar magnet and iron filings. They can simply lay the magnet under a piece of thin card stock and sprinkle the filings over the card. The result is a practical way for your budding scientists to visualize the unseen forces of magnetism; fostering a deeper understanding of this fundamental physical phenomenon.
Learn More: Rookie Parenting Science
55. Miniature Volcanic Eruption
Unleash the dramatic spectacle of a volcanic eruption in your classroom. Have your kiddos create a volcanic mountain with a cup in the center. Add baking soda to the cup and then slowly pour in the vinegar; resulting in a chemical reaction that will blow your young scientists’ minds.
Learn More: YouTube
56. Invisible Ink Adventures
Introduce your students to the secret world of invisible ink with lemon juice. Get ready by preparing lemon juice, a brush or cotton swab, white paper, and a heat source. Ask your students to dip their brushes in lemon juice and use them to write or draw on the piece of paper. Then, help them carefully heat the piece of paper with a light bulb or iron to the secret message. It’s a playful way to learn about acidic and basic properties and will allow your young investigators to reveal hidden messages just like detectives.
Learn More: YouTube
57. Oil Spill Cleanup Challenge
Conduct an environmental experiment with your class by simulating an oil spill using feathers, oil, and various cleaning materials. To a shallow tray, add water before scattering a few small feathers and then slowly spilling the oil into it. Once they’ve had the chance to marvel at the unique patterns that the different liquid densities create, challenge them to solve the problem of removing the oil. This hands-on activity will emphasize the impact of pollution on the environment; helping you spark thought-provoking discussions about conservation and responsibility.
Learn More: Super Teacher Worksheets
The activities we’ve provided are perfectly adaptable and may be employed in individual, pair, or group settings. Be inspired to design creative classes with the help of our comprehensive list of science projects above. We strive to make learning fun whilst still highlighting the key concepts of science in a simplified manner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is science important for 4th graders?
Science-based learning at an elementary level introduces students to a STEM-based classroom focus and opens them up to STEM-related careers at a young age. Students discover key concepts about the world around them- unveiling properties of water, electrical currents, animals, ocean currents and so much more along the way!
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