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62 Science Fair Projects for 4th Graders

62 Science Fair Projects for 4th Graders

Looking for science projects for 4th graders? Our fourth grade science experiments are engaging, fun and educational, making them a great starting point to inspire a love of science.

Seashells and Vinegar
1. Seashells and Vinegar
Place one seashell in vinegar and another in water, then check back in a week to see which one dissolves.
Easy
Tornado Vortex in a Soda Bottle
2. Tornado Vortex in a Soda Bottle
Connect two soda bottles cap-to-cap and swirl the water to create a spinning tornado vortex you can hold.
Medium
Radish Growth and Daily Water Volume
3. Radish Growth and Daily Water Volume
Give ten pots of radish seeds different daily water amounts and find the range that produces the tallest plants in ten days.
Medium
Eggshell Arches and Load-Bearing Strength
4. Eggshell Arches and Load-Bearing Strength
Cut four eggs into domes and stack books on top to see how much weight the arches can hold.
Easy
Pet Rock and the Rock Cycle
5. Pet Rock and the Rock Cycle
Identify your pet rock's type and trace its journey through the rock cycle to see how it could transform.
Medium
Soccer Ball Bounce on Different Turf
6. Soccer Ball Bounce on Different Turf
Drop a soccer ball from two meters onto three kinds of turf and discover which surface keeps it bouncing longest.
Medium
Root Growth and Moisture Direction
7. Root Growth and Moisture Direction
Plant green beans near buried water sources and dig them up to see whether roots grow toward moisture or straight down.
Medium
Reflexes and Reaction Time
8. Reflexes and Reaction Time
Drop a ruler and use a conversion chart to turn the catch distance into your exact reaction time in milliseconds.
Easy
Cookie Mining and Environmental Cost
9. Cookie Mining and Environmental Cost
Mine chocolate chips from two cookies with a paper clip and see whether careful or careless digging earns more.
Easy
Micrometeorites from Everyday Dust
10. Micrometeorites from Everyday Dust
Spread a white sheet outside, sweep up the dust with a magnet, and find tiny space rocks under a microscope.
Easy
Pressure, Smoke, and Cloud Formation
11. Pressure, Smoke, and Cloud Formation
Drop a lit match into a jar with water vapor and seal it with a plastic bag. Pull the bag outward and watch a real cloud form inside.
Medium
Crystal Growth in Hot and Cold Temperatures
12. Crystal Growth in Hot and Cold Temperatures
Place crystal solutions in three spots with different temperatures and see which one produces the largest crystals.
Medium
Red Cabbage Juice as a pH Indicator
13. Red Cabbage Juice as a pH Indicator
Boil red cabbage to make purple juice that turns pink in acids and green in bases.
Medium
Static Electricity and Jumping Cereal
14. Static Electricity and Jumping Cereal
Rub a plexiglass plate with wool and watch Rice Krispies leap off the table and stick to the charged surface.
Easy
Vinegar Fizz Test for Calcite in Rocks
15. Vinegar Fizz Test for Calcite in Rocks
Drop vinegar on a rock and watch for fizzing bubbles that reveal hidden calcite inside.
Easy
Grass vs. Bare Soil Under Heavy Rain
16. Grass vs. Bare Soil Under Heavy Rain
Pour water over a grass-covered trough and a bare-soil trough on a slope, then compare how much dirt washes away.
Medium
Lemon-Powered LED Light
17. Lemon-Powered LED Light
Turn a lemon into a working battery and find out whether it can produce enough electricity to light an LED.
Easy
Ants and Light vs. Darkness
18. Ants and Light vs. Darkness
Set up two ant observatories and discover whether ants dig more tunnels in the dark or in the light.
Medium
Plaster of Paris Fossils
19. Plaster of Paris Fossils
Press a leaf into wet plaster of Paris and let it harden. Peel it away to reveal a fossil imprint you made yourself.
Easy
Soda Acidity and Tooth Enamel Loss
20. Soda Acidity and Tooth Enamel Loss
Soak limestone in different sodas for a day and weigh what is left to find out which one dissolves the most.
Medium
Taste Without Smell: Candy Flavor Test
21. Taste Without Smell: Candy Flavor Test
Place a Life Saver on someone's tongue while they hold their nose and time how long it takes to name the flavor.
Easy
Bread Mold and Growing Conditions
22. Bread Mold and Growing Conditions
Rub dust onto wet bread and seal it in a bag to grow visible patches of mold within days.
Easy
Magnetic Levitation Train
23. Magnetic Levitation Train
Float a foam-core platform above a magnetic track and watch it glide end to end with a gentle push.
Medium
Gauss Rifle: Magnetic Chain-Reaction Launcher
24. Gauss Rifle: Magnetic Chain-Reaction Launcher
Roll one steel ball toward a row of magnets and watch the last ball shoot off at high speed.
Medium
Microwave Popcorn Brand Comparison
25. Microwave Popcorn Brand Comparison
Pop three brands of microwave popcorn for the same time and count which one leaves the fewest unpopped kernels.
Easy
Water Content of an Orange by Weight
26. Water Content of an Orange by Weight
Slice and dry an orange under a lamp to discover that more than 80 percent of its weight is water.
Medium
Light vs. Dark and Seed Germination
27. Light vs. Dark and Seed Germination
Place radish seeds on gelatin in two jars. Wrap one in foil and discover whether light or darkness produces faster sprouts.
Medium
Smell and Flavor Perception
28. Smell and Flavor Perception
Blindfold a volunteer and pinch their nose to see if they can tell an apple slice from a pear.
Easy
Elephant Toothpaste Foam Reaction
29. Elephant Toothpaste Foam Reaction
Pour a yeast mixture into a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and watch a giant column of warm foam erupt.
Easy
Moon Phases with Cookie Models
30. Moon Phases with Cookie Models
Scrape the filling from sandwich cookies to model all eight Moon phases and see how the sunlit portion changes.
Easy
Borax Geode Crystals
31. Borax Geode Crystals
Turn a hollow eggshell into a miniature geode by growing Borax crystals inside it overnight.
Medium
Vinegar and the Rubbery Egg
32. Vinegar and the Rubbery Egg
Drop a raw egg into vinegar for a few days and discover that the acid dissolves the hard shell, leaving behind a soft, rubbery egg.
Easy
Chocolate and the Rock Cycle
33. Chocolate and the Rock Cycle
Use chocolate shavings and heat to build three types of model rock that match real geology.
Medium
Sugar Crystallization and Rock Candy
34. Sugar Crystallization and Rock Candy
Grow giant sugar crystals on a string and watch a supersaturated solution turn back into solid rock candy.
Medium
Fruit-Sized Planets and Solar System Scale
35. Fruit-Sized Planets and Solar System Scale
Pick a fruit to match each planet's size and line them up to see how the solar system is spaced out.
Easy
Oobleck and Non-Newtonian Fluids
36. Oobleck and Non-Newtonian Fluids
Squeeze a simple mix of cornstarch and water into a solid ball, then open your hand and watch it flow back into a liquid.
Easy
Rainbow Borax Crystals
37. Rainbow Borax Crystals
Grow sparkling rainbow crystals overnight on pipe cleaners and watch solid crystal structures form as the Borax water cools.
Medium
Baking Soda Invisible Ink and Grape Juice
38. Baking Soda Invisible Ink and Grape Juice
Write a secret message with baking soda water and reveal it by painting grape juice over the paper.
Easy
Dish Soap and Milk Color Bursts
39. Dish Soap and Milk Color Bursts
Touch a soap-dipped cotton swab to food coloring in milk and watch the colors burst apart into swirling patterns.
Easy
Household Solar System Model
40. Household Solar System Model
Turn a balloon into the Sun and shape play dough planets to build a tabletop solar system model.
Easy
Lemon Juice Invisible Ink and Heat
41. Lemon Juice Invisible Ink and Heat
Write an invisible message with lemon juice and watch your hidden words appear in brown when you add heat.
Medium
Pocket Solar System to Scale
42. Pocket Solar System to Scale
Fold a strip of paper into a pocket-sized model that shows the real distances between the Sun and each planet.
Medium
Play-Doh Solar System to Scale
43. Play-Doh Solar System to Scale
Shape Play-Doh into scale-sized planets and discover how tiny Earth looks next to Jupiter.
Easy
Earth and Sun Size Comparison Model
44. Earth and Sun Size Comparison Model
Build a scale model of the Sun and Earth and count how many Earths fit across its width.
Easy
Eggshell Staining and Drink Acidity
45. Eggshell Staining and Drink Acidity
Soak hard-boiled eggs in different drinks for two days and see which ones stain and soften the shells the most.
Easy
Ice Wedging and Rock Breakdown
46. Ice Wedging and Rock Breakdown
Freeze water inside plaster of Paris and watch ice wedging crack it apart, just like real rocks in winter.
Medium
Cornstarch Oobleck and Shear Thickening
47. Cornstarch Oobleck and Shear Thickening
Punch a bowl of cornstarch and water and discover a liquid that turns solid under force, then flows the moment you stop.
Easy
Scratch Testing and Rock Hardness
48. Scratch Testing and Rock Hardness
Scratch rocks with everyday objects like coins and nails to rank their hardness on the Mohs scale.
Medium
Starburst Candy and the Rock Cycle
49. Starburst Candy and the Rock Cycle
Reshape Starburst candies with heat and pressure to model how the Earth forms three types of rock.
Medium
Crayons and the Rock Cycle
50. Crayons and the Rock Cycle
Transform crayons into three types of model rocks and see how the real rock cycle works.
Medium
Candy Models of Rocks and Minerals
51. Candy Models of Rocks and Minerals
Cut open different candies and classify them as rock or mineral models based on what the inside looks like.
Easy
Sidewalk-Scale Solar System
52. Sidewalk-Scale Solar System
Shrink the solar system to sidewalk size and discover how surprisingly far apart the planets really are.
Medium
Egg Drop Survival Challenge
53. Egg Drop Survival Challenge
Design a protective case from household materials and find out whether your raw egg survives a high drop.
Medium
Pre-Soaked Spaghetti and Cooking Time
54. Pre-Soaked Spaghetti and Cooking Time
Soak spaghetti in water for a few hours, then boil it for just one minute to test whether pre-soaking cuts cooking time.
Medium
Salt and Oil Density Lava Lamp
55. Salt and Oil Density Lava Lamp
Sprinkle salt onto a layer of oil over colored water and watch oil blobs get dragged down and float back up.
Easy
Red Cabbage pH Lava Lamp
56. Red Cabbage pH Lava Lamp
Add Alka-Seltzer to a red cabbage lava lamp and watch the blobs shift color as you change the pH.
Medium
Glow-in-the-Dark Lava Lamp
57. Glow-in-the-Dark Lava Lamp
Charge glow-in-the-dark paint and drop a fizzy tablet into oil to create a lava lamp that glows without a black light.
Easy
Density-Driven Alka-Seltzer Lava Lamp
58. Density-Driven Alka-Seltzer Lava Lamp
Drop an Alka-Seltzer tablet into oil and colored water and watch gas bubbles carry blobs up and down like a lava lamp.
Easy
Glitter Lava Lamp with Antacid Tablets
59. Glitter Lava Lamp with Antacid Tablets
Drop an antacid tablet into a bottle of oil, water, and glitter to create a sparkling lava lamp that keeps cycling.
Easy
Paper Airplane Folds and Flight Distance
60. Paper Airplane Folds and Flight Distance
Fold paper airplanes with different designs and launch them to discover which shape flies the farthest.
Medium
Baking Soda and Vinegar Lava Lamp
61. Baking Soda and Vinegar Lava Lamp
Drop baking soda and vinegar into a bottle of oil and water and watch colored blobs rise and sink like a real lava lamp.
Easy
Seed Sprouting on a Paper Towel
62. Seed Sprouting on a Paper Towel
Place kitchen seeds on a damp paper towel and watch roots and shoots appear within days as germination unfolds.
Easy

4th Grade Science Project FAQ

What are some easy 4th grade science fair projects?

Explore these fascinating 4th grade science experiments that are not only easy to do but also make science fun! Get ready to be wowed while discovering important scientific concepts!

  • Sinking Through Water

  • Egg with Vinegar

  • Does Milk Help Plants Grow?

  • Magic Milk Painting

  • Breakfast and School Performance

  • Plant Growth and Water

  • Sparkling Rainbow Crystal

  • Plastic Milk

  • Does Dog Saliva Kill Bacteria?

  • Super Hero Egg Shells

Science fair project details right above the FAQ!

What is the best 4th grade science fair project ever?

We love the Plastic Milk science project for 4th graders. Turning milk into plastic may seem like a magic trick, but it's a classic experiment that demonstrates how heat and acid can make milk plastic-like! Young scientists will learn about the precipitation of solids and the chemical reaction between acids and bases from this cool experiment! Check out the videos to see how to make lego figures or glue from this science experiment!

Check out more Best Science Fair Projects ā†’

What are some cool 4th grade science projects?

Get ready to be amazed by these super cool fourth grade science experiments! Choose a science experiment that catches your interest, and with just a few simple materials, you'll discover how awesome and fun science can be!

  • Create a Tornado in a Bottle

  • Plastic Milk

  • Egg with Vinegar

  • Does Dog Saliva Kill Bacteria?

  • Super Hero Egg Shells

  • Magic Milk Painting

  • Electrifying Lemon Battery

  • Making Oobleck: Liquid or Solid?

  • Egg Drop Project

  • Colors of Skittles Experiment

  • Cloud in a Bottle

Science fair project details at the top of the page.

What are 5 testable questions for 4th grade?

A testable question is a question that we can answer through a science experiment. To do this, we do a control science experiment, then we change one thing in the experiment to see how it affects the result. This is how we can discover the answer to our question!

Explore science projects with these testable questions for fourth graders (find the projects at the top of this page):

  • What makes a cloud form?

  • Can drink and food taste different just by changing its color?

  • Does the color of light affect photosynthesis?

  • Does temperature affect seed sprouting?

  • What makes popcorn pop?

Here are more testable questions along with their science projects ā†’

What are the top 10 science projects for 4th grade?

We've handpicked these top 10 science projects for 4th grade which dive into biology, chemistry and physics science experiments. Whether you're looking for a fun experiment or aiming to do an awesome science fair project, these science projects have got you covered!

  • Plastic Milk

  • Egg with Vinegar

  • Create a Tornado in a Bottle

  • Shrimp Habitat Preferences

  • Breakfast and School Performance

  • Exploring the Relativity of Time

  • Plant Growth and Water

  • Does Dog Saliva Kill Bacteria?

  • Sinking Through Water

  • Super Hero Egg Shells

Science project details at the top of the page!

Can I do a 4th grade science fair project in a day?

Absolutely! Quick experiments using simple materials that you can find at home are an excellent choice for a one-day science fair project! It's ideal to do a simple science project with a fast chemical reaction, like the following projects.

  • Acid-base reactions: Mixing acids with bases quickly makes carbon dioxide gas!

Make a rocket fly sky high with just baking soda and vinegar! Rocket Film Canisters

Learn how to make your own acid/base indicator using red cabbage and use it to test different fluids! Make Your Own pH Indicator

  • Chromatography reactions: Separate out colors!

Did you know that some Skittles have a secret rainbow hiding inside them? Colors of Skittles Experiment

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Let's find out by using chromatography to separate the colors of a green leaf! Uncovering Fall Colors

  • Heat reactions: Heat speeds things up!

Do you want to find out which color candle burns the fastest? Which Candle Burns the Fastest?

What are some hands-on ways to find inspiration for my science fair project?

Science museums are great places to explore if you're looking for inspiration for your next science fair project or just want to learn more about science. Science museums, natural history museums, space museums, and discovery museums are all great places to do that! You can discover all sorts of interesting things about science and find cool project ideas for science fairs.

There may be free admission days or free passes to a science museum near you! Check your local library for free museum passes, nearby science museums for free entrance days and your credit card for offers.

Find a science museum near you and prepare to be awed by all that you can learn there! I always learn something new and am inspired whenever I go to a science museum!

How do I start a science fair project?

Science fair projects are a fun and unique way to discover science by asking a question and doing a science project. We'll help you find a science fair project idea and guide you through the process of doing and presenting your science fair project with Science Fair Coach's Science Fair Project Guide.

What should I do after I have a science fair project idea?

If you have a science fair project idea, Science Fair Coach can help you turn it into a full science fair project! Starting at Introduction to Science Fairs, we'll guide you through how to do a science fair project, from designing and conducting your experiment to collecting and analyzing your findings. Then, we'll help you showcase your results on a science fair board with our Guide to Science Fair Posters.

How do I make a science fair board?

Your science fair board is where you show off your science fair project for everyone to see and learn from. With our Guide to Science Fair Posters, you can make sure your science fair board stands out and impresses at the science fair!

What is the scientific method?

The 7 steps of the scientific method helps us understand how nature works. Learn how the scientific method is used in a science fair project example, and how it's evolved through history as scientists used different ways to learn about nature with our Guide to the Scientific Method!

What is the engineering design process?

The 6 steps of the engineering design process helps us design an effective solution to a problem. Learn how to use the engineering design process with the example of the egg drop challenge in our Guide to the Engineering Design Process!

Where can I find a science fair competition?

Science fair competitions are an excellent opportunity to explore science. One of the of the premier science advocacy organizations, the Society for Science, is associated with more than 400 science fair competitions in almost every US state, as well as over 70 other countries, regions, and territories. You can find out if there's a Society of Science affiliated science fair near you!

The www Virtual Library: Science Fairs website also has a collection of science fairs from all over the world, as well as national, state, regional, local, and virtual competitions!

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