Everyone knows that hand-one projects are best for engineering classes but how do you know which ones are the best? Check out these 35 of the best science projects and be ready to bring fun to your engineering classroom.
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1. Construct a Ferris Wheel
Every child loves going on a Ferris Wheel, but what about building one for themselves? This project will challenge your classroom with creating complex models just with popsicle sticks and other basic materials. Make sure they keep them symmetrical!
Learn More: Teachers Are Terrific and eHow
2. DIY Dragster
Using their own creativity, your students will be tasked with building their own dragster. This is a great way for them to apply their knowledge of Newton’s first law and other fundamental scientific principles.
Learn More: Science Max
3. Apple Wrecking Ball
All of the fun, and none of the stress! Your students will need to use their knowledge of Newton’s third law of motion in this exciting engineering project. It will help them with concepts of energy, force, accuracy, and much more.
Learn More: Feel-Good Teaching
4. Balloon Pinwheel
Continuing the Newtonian theme, this fun sixth-grade science project only requires a few household materials like straws and balloons. They can even keep the pinwheels to decorate their yard if they want!
Learn More: Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls
5. Homopolar Dancers
Your 6th-graders will love using their creative skills to make their own dancers, powered by homopolar motors? They can even customize their dancers to make them even more unique.
Learn More: Babble Dabble Do
6. Self-made Launching Device
By only using limited materials, your students will need to test how far a ball can travel with their own “launcher” and “receiver” models. You can even challenge them with different sports-related twists.
Learn More: Science Buddies
7. Volleyball Machine
Similar to the activity above, this activity is a replica of the 2019 Fluor Engineering Challenge with this project. Your sixth-graders will need to craft their own volleyball machine to send a ping-pong ball over a specified distance. Not as easy as it sounds!
Learn More: Science Buddies
8. Create a Cellphone Stand
This project has excellent connections to other subjects, particularly with art and the creation of the stand design. Your sixth-grade students will experience the whole creation process, from the design stage to the final testing.
Learn More: Science Buddies
9. Mini Sorting Machine
This is a simple engineering project to help your students to learn the basics of simple machines. They’ll have to consider various factors while constructing their machine, such as the effect of gravity.
Learn More: Science Buddies
10. Earthquakes Science Project
Learning about force is an essential part of sixth-grade science, and this hands-on project is a fun way to do that. Your students will investigate the causes of earthquakes and how to construct a structural framework for a building to prevent damage.
Learn More: Science Love to Know
11. Building Stick Bridges
Take your students on a trip around the world as they investigate bridges and their designs. They will learn about how they are built to ensure the safety of all users. You can challenge them to see which one can withstand the heaviest weight.
Learn More: Scholastic
12. Hooke’s Law Spring Scale
The purpose of this experiment is to test whether Hooke’s law can accurately describe the tension of the spring within a certain range. Get your students to try out the experiment by calibrating the spring and using it to weigh objects with an unknown mass.
Learn More: Science Buddies
13. Make your own Pulleys
Learn to lighten the load as part of this intriguing experiment. Your students will experiment with different pulley arrangements to lift the same load and can measure the force required for each pulley to make comparisons between them all.
Learn More: Science Buddies
14. Ultimate 3D Design Challenge
This project has won plenty of awards, and it’s not hard to see why! The basic version of this experiment starts with playdough and sticks, but you can always expand to use a wide range of materials, including spaghetti and marshmallows.
Learn More: Go Science Girls and Make Fun Creating
15. The Paper Tower Challenge
This activity is similar to those mentioned above, but still just as fun. With only paper and tape, can you students create the strongest paper model that can bear the most weight? It’s not as easy as it sounds!
Learn More: Science Buddies
16. Popsicle Stick Gear
Here is a perfect hands-on task that involves your kids exploring concepts of motion by making their own “gears” to mesh together.
Learn More: Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls
17. Magnet Spinning Pen
This might seem like a silly task at first glance, but it’s actually an excellent experiment to explore the power of magnetism. It only needs simple materials, but the activity will challenge your kids to find the perfect balance by adjusting the magnet sizes.
Learn More: Frugal Fun For Boys and Girl
18. Magnet Powered Car
Similar to the activity stove, this experiment has a fast setup, but brings tons of joy! Build the road and use a magnet to control the car’s direction. You can even make it a whole class car race and enjoy the fun of science altogether.
19. Wind Turbine Design
Another project with real-world application, this task involves using scientific methodology to discover whether birds can distinguish between patterned and unpatterned anemometers. They can even keep it outside for more natural fun!
20. Energy Transformation
Have your students learn about how solar panels transform and use energy as part of this experiment. They will discover how a powerful contraption can transfer energy to power a machine or produce motion.
21. Using Hydropower to Lift a Load
This experiment is similar to number 13, but this one involves the use of water instead. Your sixth-graders will need to think about how to convert kinetic energy from running water into mechanical energy through this experiment.
Learn More: Science Buddies
22. Skateboarding Wheels
Combine your students’ favorite sport with science learning in this fabulous engineering project, which would be great for any school science fair. Your student will learn more about tensile strength and rebound outcomes by testing different types of skateboard wheels.
23. Baking Soda Boat Engine
No more baking soda volcanoes! Check out this experience to find out how baking soda can be used in engineering as a fuel for these cool racing boats.
24. NASA Two-Stage Balloon Rocket
This activity uses the same scientific principles as number 24 and would be a great task to use as a continuation. Your sixth-graders will discover the laws of motion, which are used to create jet-plane engines and NASA rockets.
Learn More: Science Buddies
25. Slippery Slope Structure
In this engineering experience, your students will experiment with a slope at different angles to help a Lego building to stand up. They’ll need to consider how deep they need to dig the foundations so their building won’t fall.
Learn More: Science Buddies
26. Electro-Magnetic Train Experiment
Energy sources, magnetism, and conductivity are the name of the game with this fun and collaborative experiment. Your students have the task of powering the trains and seeing how far they can go.
Learn More: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
27. Solar Power Grasshopper
It’s not as bizarre as you think! This robot grasshopper will vibrate when it comes into contact with a light source, making this experiment perfect for learning about renewable energy. Your students can also evaluate the results by testing the grasshopper’s movement level under different light sources.
Learn More: Science Buddies
28. Construct a Solar-Powered Car
This is an excellent extension of the activity above. Instead of a robot grasshopper, your students will construct their own solar-polar car. It’s an essential resource for learning about alternative energy sources.
Learn More: Science Buddies
29. The Homemade Wiggle Robot
Introduce your kids to their very first ‘robot’ with this tiny handmade creature, who loves drawing. The contents that this activity teaches are extensive, from electrical energy, power, and more.
Learn More: Research Parent
30. The Archimedes Squeeze
Just like real engineers, your students will be tasked with creating ships that can float according to Archimedes’ principle. Except this doesn’t require ships of steel but instead aluminum foil boats.
Learn More: Science Buddies
31. Make tissue paper stronger
Learn about surface area and its importance in construction in this experiment. You can also try thinking about the different uses of paper, too.
Learn More: Steve Spangler Science and Discover Primary Science
32. Handmade Card Circuits
Make your greeting card stand out! Here is a step-by-step guide for making a simple circuit that will light up your cards as the recipient of the letter. It’s also an effective way to learn about simple circuits.
33. Designing Biodomes
Not only will they learn about ecosystems, food chains, and energy flow, your students will also work on a range of constructing skills to build up a scale model biodome in this comprehensive engineering project.
Learn More: Teach Engineering
34. The Handmade Archimedes Screw Pump
With just a few wrist flicks, your students will think you are magic as you move water from a low place to a high place. But all you need to do is to build up a very simple Archimedes pump.
Learn More: Science Buddies
35. Straw Robot Hands
Use the anatomy of human finger anatomy as the stimulus for a basic functional robot hand. It can pick up things and it is definitely a great start for any robot hand design later.
Learn More: Science Buddies
What is more fun than learning through hands-on experiments, where your students can engineer their own projects? Be sure to try each of these for a fun and educational time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an engineering science fair project?
Designing, constructing, modeling, building, improving, and testing an appliance, materials, and other aspects are key.
What is the best science fair project for 6th grade?
Looking for the best science fair projects for 6th graders? This ultimate list of 35 of the most Looking for the best science fair projects for 6th graders? This ultimate list of 35 of the most amazing sixth-grade science experiments will guarantee success.
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