25 of the Best 7th Grade Science Projects and Experiments
Looking for a seventh grade science fair project idea? Want to spice up your lesson plan with in-class experiments? We’ve got you covered! This huge list of science ideas covers biology, chemistry, physics, and more. There are quick ideas for classroom demos, or longer project suggestions that are sure to win some prizes. Take a look and get inspired!
1. Crush a can using air pressure
Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!
Learn more: Steve Spangler Science
2. Construct a geodesic dome
Budding engineers will love designing, building, and testing the strength of the fascinating geodesic dome. This experiment requires nothing more than newspaper and masking tape!
Learn more: Science Buddies
3. Design a solar oven
Students experiment with the best way to build a solar oven, exploring thermal energy, reflection, convection, and other physics concepts. They can serve up their experiment results along with their final reports!
Learn more: Children’s Science Center
4. Spherify your favorite beverage
Spherification is a hot trend in top restaurants, but seventh grade science students can easily replicate it at home with a few special ingredients. This is a cool chemistry experiment, and tasty too!
Learn more: Science Buddies
5. Design a helping hand
This is a great individual or group 7th grade science project, as it encourages students to use and hone their design and engineering skills to make a working model of a hand.
Learn more: Science Buddies
6. Watch the greenhouse effect in action
Climate change can be a contentious topic, so start by teaching kids about the greenhouse effect, which is easy to see and understand. Then, urge them to explore data collected by other scientists so they can learn to make informed decisions about topics like global warming.
Learn more: Teaching Science With Lynda
7. Marvel at a density rainbow
We learn early on that oil floats on water, but where do other liquids fit in? Students find out when they conduct this colorful density experiment that has them layer different substances, making a rainbow.
Learn more: ThoughtCo
8. Discover computer coding with LEGO bricks
Chances are good at least some of the kids in your class will go on to work with computer code someday. Introduce the concept now with LEGO bricks!
Learn more: Little Bins for Little Hands
9. Burn calories to explore stored energy
Ever wonder how scientists determine how many calories are in your food? Try this experiment and find out!
Learn more: Science Buddies
10. Test PH using cabbage
Teach kids about acids and bases without needing PH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and have students use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red, and bases turn green.
Learn more: Education Possible
11. Purify water with charcoal
Plenty of homes use water filtration systems these days, but how do they really work? This chemistry experiment explores how charcoal filters impurities from drinking water.
Learn more: The Homeschool Scientist
12. Ride the wave (machine)
Learning about wave action? Build this surprisingly easy wave machine for hands-on exploration.
Learn more: Engaging Science Labs
13. Mummify a hotdog
Are your students fascinated by the ancient Egyptians? Then we’ve got the perfect 7th grade science project for your class! No need for canopic jars; just grab some baking soda and get started.
Learn more: Science Buddies
14. Construct a water clock.
You’ll blow your 7th grade science students’ minds when you tell them they’re going to build a clock using engineering that’s been around for thousands of years. The supplies are simple, but the results are pretty neat!
Learn more: STEAM Powered Family
15. Design your own slime
Chances are good your students already love making and playing with slime. Turn the fun into an experiment by changing the ingredients to create slime with a variety of properties, from magnetic to glow-in-the-dark!
Learn more: Science Buddies
16. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth
The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. In this experiment, students use eggs to determine how soda and juice stain the teeth and wear down the enamel. (Bonus: Have students try different toothpaste and toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.)
Learn more: Feels Like Home
17. Extract DNA from an onion
This experiment takes a bit of time and requires a few special supplies, but kids will truly feel like scientists when they extract onion DNA via a test tube.
Learn more: Science Buddies
18. Put together a DIY barometer
This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.
Learn more: Edventures With Kids
19. Stretch your mind with a flexibility experiment
Find out how important stretching really is by comparing the flexibility of willing test subjects before and after stretch exercises. This is a great experiment for fitness fans.
Learn more: We Have Kids
20. Copper-plate some coins
Students need just a few simple supplies to perform this classic 7th grade science project involving electrolysis and electroplating, but the results are always impressive.
Learn more: Kiwi Co
21. Swab and test for germs
There’s never been a better time to learn about germs and bacteria. This is the kind of experiment that will make your seventh grade science students feel like real scientists!
Learn more: Angelicscalliwags
22. Tinker around with hydraulic power
Give kids a thorough understanding of hydraulics with this ready-to-use unit, which culminates in designing your own hydraulic invention!
Learn more: Teacher Geek
23. Collect and control biofilm
Bacteria that accumulates on objects in the water forms a substance called biofilm. In this ecology project, students build an apparatus to collect biofilm, then experiment with ways to reduce the amount of biofilm that accumulates over time.
Learn more: The Homeschool Scientist
24. Learn whether color affects memory
Can certain colors improve your memory? This experiment explores that idea, using only colored and black markers and a set of willing participants.
Learn more: Education.com
25. Grow and experiment with crystals
There are so many ways to experiment with crystals, teaching kids about supersaturated solutions. Check out the link below for great ideas, like making an edible crystal flower.
Learn more: ThoughtCo
26. Use a fidget spinner to explore the laws of motion
Fidget spinners are a great way to keep some kids focused, but did you ever consider using them for a science experiment? This one explores Newton’s First Law of Motion, aka The Law of Inertia. Fun and educational!
Learn more: From Engineer to Stay At Home Mom
27. See if caffeine helps you type faster
People seek out a jolt of caffeine when they’re feeling sluggish, but does it really help them perform better? This science experiment tasks students with answering that question using the scientific method.
Learn more: ThoughtCo
28. Design a pinball machine
Give your class basic supplies like rubber bands, plastic cups, and cardboard boxes. Then challenge them to create their very own pinball machines!
Learn more: Student Savvy
29. Build a da Vinci bridge
There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500 year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. History + science for the win!
Learn more: iGame Mom
30. Create a taxonomy system
Students can step into Linnaeus’ shoes by creating their own system of taxonomy, using a handful of different dried beans. This is a fun seventh grade science project to do in groups, so students can see the differences between each group’s system.
Learn more: Our Journey Westward
31. Generate electricity
In this science fair project, kids build a generator from scratch. The supplies are readily available online, and there are plenty of experiments students can perform once it’s built.
Learn more: Sciencing.com
32. Play around with oxidation
Oxidation experiments can be as simple as dropping objects into water to see if they rust or made more complex by altering the conditions to see if rusting can be delayed or prevented.
Learn more: Teach Beside Me
33. Spin Beyblades to explore angular momentum
There’s nothing kids love more than getting to play with their toys during school hours. Use their favorite battling tops to explore the relationship of weight to angular momentum.
Learn more: From Engineer to Stay at Home Mom
34. Blow hot or cold bubbles
Blowing bubbles may sound like too much fun for a science project, but when conditions like temperature are altered, the experimental part kicks in. If it’s cold enough, students can even blow frozen bubbles!
Learn more: ThoughtCo
35. Test out DIY lip balm recipes
Try this experiment for the seventh grade science fair: Cook up batches of lip balms using different recipes and then test them to see which is the most effective.
Learn more: Science Buddies
36. Whip up some eggshell chalk
Use the calcium in eggshells to make your own sidewalk chalk. Kids will love grinding the eggshells into powder then decorating the sidewalk with their results!
Learn more: Kidspot
37. Dive into an exploration of swim bladders
If you’re learning about fish anatomy, or just exploring buoyancy, this simple experiment is a fun way to dive into the concepts. (Find more balloon science here.)
Learn more: Science Buddies
38. Bake an edible cell model
Sure, students could build a cell model out of clay, but cake and candy are so much more delicious! Check out the link below to see how one teacher does it.
Learn more: Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers
39. Determine whether texting is a new language
Kids are fluent in text-speak, but does it really count as a whole new language? In this project, students research language and the history of texting then compile a texting glossary and consider texting’s practical applications.
Learn more: Education.com
40. Swing a glass of water
This classic science experiment teaches kids about centripetal force. Be forewarned: this has the possibility of making a bit of a mess, so consider taking this one outside.
Learn more: Steve Spangler Science
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