Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects
June 27, 2024
If your 7th graders are preparing for the science fair, it鈥檚 possible that you鈥檙e looking for some ideas to get them started. With these 7th grade science projects, your students will be sure to feel inspired and ready to begin. These science fair ideas for 7th grade include projects related to biology, health & psychology, environmental science, chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Things to consider – Science fair ideas for 7th grade鈥�60 perfect projects
Each of these projects is ranked according to 鈥渄ifficulty鈥� and 鈥渕aterials.鈥� You can consider these rankings as you decide which to share with your 7th grade students.
Difficulty: How advanced is the project? Do your 7th graders have enough time to complete it? Each project is rated 鈥渂asic,鈥� 鈥渕edium,鈥� or 鈥渁dvanced鈥� based on the complexity of the concept and the amount of time it will take.
Materials: These projects also range in terms of the complexity of the materials and setup, and are ranked as 鈥渂asic,鈥� 鈥渕edium,鈥� or 鈥渁dvanced.鈥�
Biology – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade鈥�60 Perfect Projects
1) Extracting DNA from onions
听Can DNA be studied separately from other cell components? In this experiment, students creatively use a variety of household supplies to learn more about DNA, an important biology concept.
- Difficulty: advanced
- Materials: advanced
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2)听Grow box design
听Build a grow box (or series of grow boxes) for plants using cardboard, foil, and a plug-in light source. Students can test the effectiveness of the grow box when variables are changed, such as light source strength and box size. After this experiment, your students can invite plants into their homes or the classroom all winter long.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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3) Collect biofilm
听Biofilm is comprised of microscopic bacteria accumulating on objects in the water (you might notice it rivers, swimming pools, or even on the surface of teeth). Students can quantify biofilm by building a collector. They can also experiment with ways to reduce it.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects (Continued)
4) Plants and phototropism
听Do plants really grow towards light? Discover more about how plants respond to light through this simple experiment.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: medium
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5) Nitrogen and plants
Explore the important role of nitrogen in plant growth with this science fair project. The experiment involves comparing the growth of pea plants with and without nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects (Continued)
6) Bubble cell membranes
听If you鈥檙e looking for a fun way to teach 7th graders about cell membranes, consider using bubbles. Through this lab, students investigate the behavior of bubbles and apply it to cell membrane characteristics.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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7) Test Darwin鈥檚 theory
听With this lab, students repeat Darwin鈥檚 鈥渟urvival of the fittest finch鈥� experiment for a fun and interactive way to learn about natural selection and evolution.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects (Continued)
8) Carbon cycle experiment
听Help your 7th graders learn about processes of photosynthesis and respiration through this project that combines biology and chemistry concepts.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: advanced
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9) Test for germs
听What鈥檚 the dirtiest place in the kitchen? The refrigerator handle? The coffee machine? The sink? Students can guess, though it might not be what they think. Swab household items and store the samples over several days to find out.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects (Continued)
10) Cell size lab
听In this project, students can analyze surface-area-to-volume ratios using beets and bleach, demonstrating how small cells are more efficient at moving materials in and out.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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Health and psychology – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade
11)听Colors and memory
听Find out how color affects memory by asking volunteers to recall simple words on differently-colored construction paper.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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12) Measuring tooth decay
听Since eggshells share similar properties to teeth, your students can use them to test how different beverages erode tooth enamel. This project teaches biology concepts while also encouraging healthy eating and dental care.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: basic
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13) Cooking and Vitamin C
听Do cooked fruits and vegetables have less Vitamin C than raw ones? This is another good experiment for your students interested in nutritional science. This project involves a slightly more complex procedure, so it鈥檚 also perfect for your advanced 7th grade students.
- Difficulty: advanced
- Materials: advanced
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
14) Caffeine and typing
听Does a jolt of caffeine help you work more efficiently? Test this out through typing with this 7th grade science experiment. Your 7th grade students can run this test with mild forms of caffeine, such as soda or a piece of chocolate.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: medium
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15) Psychology and texting language
听If you teach 7th graders, you may have heard them speaking in texting-speak. Have these texting abbreviations become a full language? With this project, your 7th grade students can create a text-language glossary and study its practical applications.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: basic
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
16) Test calorie counts
听Where does the calorie number on packaged foods come from? Try this experiment with a variety of foods to help your students understand how food energizes us.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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17) Balloon lung capacity
听Using a balloon and a tape measurer, students can measure lung capacity, which has a number of health implications. It can be made more or less complicated depending on the measurements taken (circumference vs. volume of the balloon, for example).
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: medium
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18) Myers-Briggs and memory
听Are your students interested in exploring questions of psychology and memory? This experiment involves asking volunteers to take a Myers-Briggs personality test, followed by a simple memory exam. They only need internet access and willing volunteers.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
19) Flexibility experiment
听There are a number of reasons for stretching, including reducing chances of injury and feeling calmer. But does stretching actually make us more flexible? Find out by comparing flexibility before and after stretch exercises. Students can test volunteers after holding the stretches for different lengths of time.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: basic
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20) Sleep and memory
听Can sleep deprivation affect memory? Your students can find out by quizzing volunteers on trivia studied beforehand after 8 or 5 hours of sleep. While this project takes some planning, organization, and willing volunteers, it鈥檚 a fun way to promote healthy sleep habits.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: basic
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Environmental science – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade
21) Water filtration
Create a charcoal filter in order to better understand water filtration systems. Afterwards, students discuss the science behind clean drinking water, as well as its environmental implications.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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22) Acid rain and plant life
听Does acid rain negatively affect plants? Students can test this environmental concern using vinegar. Advanced students can also experiment with different pH levels for a more complex project.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
23) Ocean acidification
听For another project related to acidification, students can make stimulated ocean water and test its effects on seashells.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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24) Test the greenhouse effect
听Though the greenhouse effect can help planet Earth to stay at a livable temperature, it also causes harmful global warming when enhanced by excess greenhouse gases. With this model, students can see the greenhouse phenomenon in action, and discuss how humans could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: simple
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25) Grow garbage plants
听Grow plants using different kinds of compost and garbage to see which kind of matter facilitates the quickest growth. This project is a great way to teach about composting and sustainability.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
26) Water cycle bags
7th grade students can learn more about the water cycle with only a Ziploc bag, food coloring, water, and a marker. Once these water cycle bags are created, they can be hung by a window and checked throughout the following days. Students can observe and record a miniature water cycle happening before their eyes. For more complexity, they can check it at different temperatures.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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27) Glacier ice-cutting
For a demonstration of how glaciers melt from pressure, try this ice-cube-cutting experiment. Mix it up by timing the process with differently sized ice-cubes and weights.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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28) Water quality testing
听A simple water testing kit opens numerous possibilities for science fair projects, including testing the water quality of local streams, ponds, swimming pools, and drinking-water taps. If students don鈥檛 have water testing kits on hand, they can for under $30. This is a perfect way to teach about the importance of clean water sources.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
29) Algae growth
听Teach students about fertilizer runoff and its harmful impacts on local waterways through this experiment, which has students test the effects of pollutants on algae growth using household fertilizers.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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30) Bird watch
听Project FeederWatch is perfect for students who might take an interest in ornithology. It only involves putting a bird feeder outside and recording the number of visitors. For more complex studies, students can take on .
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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Chemistry – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade
31) Slime design
听Chances are, you already know that middle school students love slime. Turn the fascination into a learning activity by experimenting with chemical properties to create the best slime.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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32) Mummify a hot dog
听Students can understand the chemical processes involved in mummification by completing this simple experiment.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
33) Eggshell chalk
Your 7th graders can make their own sidewalk chalk by using the calcium in eggshells. They can change variables (flour type, water temperature, etc.) to see which chalk is the most long-lasting or water-resistant.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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34) Homemade ice cream
听The secret to making ice cream is to lower the freezing point of ice. The secret to this secret? Salt. With this experiment, students can have delicious vanilla ice cream ready in about 20 minutes. Test different ingredients for the creamiest results.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: basic
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
35) Saltwater and density
Explore salinity by making an egg float or sink in water with various salt levels. You can base your salt levels on notorious salty bodies of water such as the Great Salt Lake (6-27% salt water) and the Dead Sea (34% salt water).
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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36) Oxidation experiment
听Ever wondered how to slow or prevent rusting? Rusting occurs through a process of oxidation, which can be slowed using different liquids. Test how saltwater, freshwater, and other liquids affect oxidation on common metal objects (paper clips, staples, coins, etc.)
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
37) Static water bending
听Change the flow of water just by combing your hair and then holding it next to a stream of water. How far can you bend the water by combing your hair for different lengths of time? This is a great way to help 7th graders understand static electricity.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: basic
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38) Blow bubbles
听Yes, bubble-blowing can be a science fair project. Ask your students to test how temperature affects bubble life through this fun experiment.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
39) Red cabbage pH indicator
听Explore chemistry by testing the pH of liquids such as vinegar, milk, and coffee. You鈥檒l need cups and bowls, and of course, red cabbage.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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40)听Plate coins with copper
听Create copper-plated coins by extracting copper from a solution, through processes of electrolysis and electroplating. This is a fun way to combine chemistry and electrical engineering.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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Physics Projects – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade
41) Balloon temperature
听Using this simple and visual balloon experiment, students can better understand how air expands when heated, a basic component of thermodynamics.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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42) Floating tea bags
听To teach your students about heat and its effects on air molecules, give them this tea bag experiment. Since this project involves fire, you should make sure your students have adult supervision while conducting the experiment. It鈥檚 also great for a class demonstration.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: medium
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43) Build a parachute
听7th graders can learn about speed, velocity, and acceleration by crafting their own parachutes. They can use different bag materials to test for a smooth fall and graceful landing.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: basic
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
44) Solar-powered oven
Teach your students about thermal energy, reflection, and convection through this fun project. Test the oven on a warm sunny day for delicious results (s鈥檓ores).
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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45) Swing a glass of water
听This is a great way for 7th graders to learn about centripetal force. The goal is to swing glasses of water over their heads without spilling the water (we recommend doing this experiment outside since it has the potential to get messy).
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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46) Instant ice
听Through this experiment, your students can experiment with instant ice. For variations, try leaving the water in the freezer for different times, or using other liquids.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
47) Rainbow density tower
听Teach about density using this simple project with a beautiful outcome. Once students have created their density towers, they can test the density of other objects ty tossing them in (how far will a coin sink? A peanut? An egg?)
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: medium
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48) Separate hot and cold water
听For another density-related experiment, try separating water by temperature. Students can run the test with the hotter (less density) on the bottom and colder (more density) on the top, and then vice versa.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: basic
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49) Physics of sound
听It turns out that sound has physical matter. Students can demonstrate this by blowing out a candle using only sound vibrations, which move through an oatmeal box.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
50) Graphite circuit
听For another electricity-focused experiment, challenge your students to create an electrical circuit using pencil graphite. Since it involves drawing, students can put their art skills to use for a beautiful result.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: basic
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Engineering Projects – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade
51) Pet auto-feeder
听For a more advanced project with practical application, have your students build this automatic pet feeder. Some coding is involved, which could interest your computer-engineering-oriented students.
- Difficulty: advanced
- Materials: advanced
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52) Balloon-powered car
听To help your students learn about engineering design and kinetic energy, suggest that they build a balloon car out of materials likely found around their homes. They can experiment with different wheel and balloon sizes to see how fast the car can go.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
53) Build a geodesic dome
A geodesic dome is a thin-shell structure created out of triangular elements, which help it to withstand heavy loads. This experiment utilizes geometry concepts and it only requires paper and masking tape (students can play with different types of paper and tape as variables).
- Difficulty: advanced
- Materials: basic
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54) Da Vinci鈥檚 bridge
听This bridge-building project is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci鈥檚 self-supporting wooden bridge. Your students will only need pencils and rubber bands (not to tie the pencils together, but to make sure they don鈥檛 slip). Test the bridge with different objects to see how much weight it can take.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: basic
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55) Tensegrity structure
听Understand the mechanics of tension by making this functional floating structure that鈥檚 mind-boggling to look at. You will need string, popsicle sticks, and some patience for exact measurements.
- Difficulty: advanced
- Materials: medium
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Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
56) Make a water clock
听In this engineering project (which has been around since ancient times), students can create a clock from plastic cups, a small bell, yarn, and several other common craft items.
- Difficulty: basic
- Materials: medium
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57) Design a pinball machine
听Your 7th grade students can create functioning parts for a homemade pinball machine using objects found at home or in the classroom. They can test for speed and materials as they craft their own game.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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58) Rubber band helicopter
Students can learn about helicopter mechanics by constructing this flying and rubber-band-powered toy.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
- Learn more:
Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)
59) Crash cars
This experiment involves building cars and then crash-testing them with raw eggs inside as 鈥減assengers.鈥� What structures best protect the egg? Beware: this one could get messy.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
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60) Build an electricity generator
听For another electrical engineering project, students can create an electric generator. Challenge them to test the generator using different materials for different results.
- Difficulty: medium
- Materials: medium
- Learn more:
Final thoughts – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade
Hopefully your 7th grade students will find projects to get excited about from this list. For more classroom resources applicable to middle school students, we recommend the following articles:
