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Chemistry experiments and science fair projects

Hands-on chemistry projects covering reactions, solutions, acids and bases you can watch happen. Each one lists the exact materials, the time and cost involved, the variables to control and a data table you can fill in — so it works as a class activity or as a full science fair entry.

30 published projects in this collection

Choosing a chemistry project

Chemistry projects need a little more care about materials and ventilation, so every project here lists its hazards, protective equipment and whether an adult needs to be present.

What every project includes

A research question and hypothesis, an independent and dependent variable, the variables you hold constant, a materials list with costs, numbered steps, safety guidance and a reproducibility score based on how completely the method is documented.

Projects to try

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Does the amount of dissolved salt affect how well water conducts electricity?

Build a simple conductivity tester with a battery and LED, then test water samples with increasing salt concentration.

Intermediate
Middle School +2
1 day
$15 materials

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Does the type of liquid affect how quickly an iron nail rusts?

Place iron nails in water, saltwater, vinegar, and vegetable oil and track rust formation over a week.

Beginner
Elementary +3
1–2 weeks
$8 materials

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Does water temperature change how much salt can dissolve in it?

Add salt gradually to water at different temperatures until no more dissolves, measuring the maximum amount at each temperature.

Beginner
Elementary +3
1 day
$7 materials

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Which marker ink separates into the most colors using paper chromatography?

Use paper chromatography with water as a solvent to separate the pigments in different marker inks and compare the results.

Beginner
Elementary +2
1 day
$6 materials

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Does the concentration of vinegar affect how fast it reacts with baking soda?

React a fixed amount of baking soda with vinegar diluted to different concentrations and time the fizzing reaction.

Intermediate
Middle School +2
1 day
$10 materials

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Does the amount of baking soda affect how high a baking-soda-and-vinegar rocket flies?

Launch small film-canister rockets powered by baking soda and vinegar, varying the baking soda amount and measuring launch height.

Intermediate
Elementary +3
1 day
$10 materials

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How does the density of common kitchen liquids compare when layered in a jar?

Layer honey, dish soap, water, oil, and rubbing alcohol in a jar and measure each layer's thickness, then calculate densities.

Beginner
Elementary +2
1 day
$12 materials

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Does adding a small amount of yeast speed up the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide?

Compare how much and how fast foam forms when yeast is added to hydrogen peroxide solutions of different concentrations, modeling catalyst behavior safely.

Intermediate
Middle School +2
1 day
$10 materials

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Can red cabbage juice reveal whether household liquids are acids or bases?

Make a natural pH indicator from boiled red cabbage and test it against vinegar, soap, lemon juice, and other household liquids.

Beginner
Elementary +3
1 day
$8 materials

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Does the type of solute affect how large sugar or salt crystals grow?

Grow crystals from supersaturated sugar and salt solutions on strings and compare crystal size after several days.

Intermediate
Elementary +3
1–2 weeks
$12 materials

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Does adding baking soda change how much a cake rises?

Bake identical mini batters with different baking soda amounts and measure the rise.

Intermediate
Elementary +3
1 day
$15 materials

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Does water temperature change how fast sugar dissolves?

Stir identical sugar amounts into water at several temperatures and time full dissolving.

Beginner
Elementary +3
30–60 minutes
$3 materials

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Does the ratio of glue to liquid starch change the stretchiness of homemade slime?

Mix slime at several glue-to-starch ratios and measure how far each stretches before tearing.

Beginner
Elementary +2
1 day
$9 materials

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Does water temperature affect dissolving speed?

Time how long sugar takes to fully dissolve in water at several temperatures.

Beginner
Elementary +2
1 day
$6 materials

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Does salt or sugar make water boil at a different temperature?

Measure boiling temperature of water with different solute concentrations.

Intermediate
Middle School +2
1 day
$8 materials

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Does the pH of a liquid change the colour of red cabbage indicator?

Make a cabbage indicator and build a colour chart against known household substances.

Intermediate
Elementary +3
1 day
$10 materials

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Does the type of milk change how quickly it curdles with lemon juice?

Add measured lemon juice to different milks and time how long visible curds take to form.

Beginner
Elementary +3
1–2 hours
$12 materials

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Does salt concentration affect water density?

Measure how high an egg or straw hydrometer floats in water at different salt concentrations.

Beginner
Elementary +3
1 day
$7 materials

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Which fruit contains the most vitamin C?

Use a safe iodine-starch indicator titration to compare vitamin C content across juices.

Challenging
Middle School +2
Several days
$22 materials

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Which household liquid cleans a penny best?

Soak tarnished pennies in different household liquids and rate the shine change.

Beginner
Elementary +2
1 day
$8 materials

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Which liquid makes the biggest bubble film?

Mix bubble solutions with different additives and time how long bubbles survive.

Beginner
Elementary +2
30–60 minutes
$6 materials

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Does adding cornflour to water make a liquid that acts like a solid?

Mix oobleck at several ratios and measure how each behaves under sudden and gentle pressure.

Beginner
Elementary +3
30–60 minutes
$6 materials

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Does the amount of dish soap affect how stable an oil-and-water emulsion stays?

Shake oil and water together with varying amounts of dish soap and time how long it takes for the mixture to separate back into layers.

Intermediate
Elementary +3
1 day
$8 materials

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Which household liquid cleans a tarnished coin best?

Soak dull coins in different liquids and rate how much shine returns.

Beginner
Elementary +3
30–60 minutes
$6 materials

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Preparing for a fair? Read the science fair guide or record your data in the lab.