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45 Great Science Projects For 4th Graders

By Every Day Story45 items
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Science concepts are constantly changing and developing, so kids need to learn them fast. This can be time-consuming and frustrating for parents and educators. To make learning fun, try these 45 great science projects for 4th graders. They're perfect for family time, sparking discussions about the latest scientific discoveries and keeping your child engaged all year long.

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  • 1
    Transfer Of Energy
    Transfer Of Energy

    Collect marbles. This simple energy transfer experiment shows how energy moves between things. Think about this: What happens when a marble hits many still marbles in a line? Toss the first marble to find out.

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  • 2
    Volcano Science
    Volcano Science

    The volcano science project is a popular science fair entry worldwide. It is entertaining and simple. Build your model using an empty bottle, cardboard, old newspapers, and whatever else you find around the house.

    Education
  • 3
    Snow Volcano
    Snow Volcano

    Make a volcano. This is a traditional science experiment for kids everyone should try. It blends science learning with the amazing look of a snow volcano. The setup and cleanup take time. This snow volcano is a quick winter activity to set up and clean up.

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  • 4
    Melting Snowman Winter
    Melting Snowman Winter

    Kids will enjoy this melting snowman. They melt the snowman using a cool winter science experiment. This snowman activity works for preschoolers, toddlers, pre-K, and elementary students. They can make a snowman and melt it with snow science for fun.

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  • 5
    What If There Is No Electricity?
    What If There Is No Electricity?

    Build this paper flashlight and learn basic electric circuit rules! This activity lets kids explore battery science. It is a great experiment because it shows them how batteries work.

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  • 6
    Make A Super Cool Lemon Battery
    Make A Super Cool Lemon Battery

    This guide shows how to build a lemon battery. It works great for a fast science fair project, a fun home experiment, or a classroom activity needing no prep. Try Lemon Power. Which fruit makes the best battery? Experiment and see.

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  • 7
    Melting Snowman Slime
    Melting Snowman Slime

    With this glittery, silly Melting Snowman craft, kids will have fun! They race against the clock. They build a cute snowman from snowman slime before it melts into a puddle. This snowman activity is perfect for December, January, and February. Try these winter activities for elementary school.

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  • 8
    How Do Antacids Work?
    How Do Antacids Work?

    This project studies the chemical reaction when water meets effervescent antacid tablets. This hands-on lesson shows how a material acts differently at the nanoscale. Students see the reaction time change between a whole tablet and several pieces.

    Education
  • 9
    Science Project On Tooth Decay
    Science Project On Tooth Decay

    Healthy teeth help chew food for digestion. Tooth decay poses a big problem because teeth are so important. A science fair project lets students show how tooth decay happens and how to stop it. You need many samples for this work, but you probably won't have a tooth collection. Don't worry. Eggshells are...

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  • 10
    Mice And Music
    Mice And Music

    Test mice in a maze by checking their reaction to music. This experiment shows mice's response to music. Laboratories replicate this test many times. Scientists study how different music types affect mice to connect with kids. If you use live animals in your science fair project, you must make sure the animals are...

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  • 11
    Exploding Snowman
    Exploding Snowman

    Elementary students love these simple winter activities and want to do them again. Kids use common household items for the winter science experiment: baking soda and vinegar. Watch the snowman grow big until it pops! Use this as a snowman activity for kids.

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  • 12
    Make A Lemon Volcano
    Make A Lemon Volcano

    After making a lemon battery, I found many lemons wanting to join another great science experiment. So, what did they do? They built a lemon volcano! We have so many lemons in the pantry; we could make the rainbow's best creation with them all. Try this technique with those lemons!

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  • 13
    Force And Motion Stations
    Force And Motion Stations

    Fourth-grade science students know magnets pull certain metals. They will test the minimum distance between a magnet and an object for attraction. Combine magnets of different sizes with objects of different weights.

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  • 14
    Homemade Lava Lamp
    Homemade Lava Lamp

    Complete this project in about two hours. The time includes the experiment and writing the report. Children learn how oil and water interact regarding density. They also learn about hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances through this activity.

    Education
  • 15
    A Magnetic Primer Designer
    A Magnetic Primer Designer

    How do scientists copy DNA? They use Polymerase Chain Reaction, or PCR. A short DNA piece called a primer attaches to the larger DNA you want to copy, the template. In this Magnetic Primer research project, you will study how matches and mismatches in a primer affect its...

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  • 16
    Make Frost In A Can
    Make Frost In A Can

    Making frost in a can is a simple science experiment kindergarteners enjoy. Kids can do this frost experiment at home without getting cold; it will delight them. For parents, teachers, and homeschoolers, this easy salt and ice experiment teaches children how frost forms in winter.

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  • 17
    Ice Salt And Water Temperature
    Ice Salt And Water Temperature

    Ice cools or keeps drink temperatures. Kids learn about ice and salt's temperature effect with this simple science. This experiment lets children investigate and think critically.

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  • 18
    Growing Bacteria In Petri Dishes
    Growing Bacteria In Petri Dishes

    Steve Spangler Science offers bacteria culture ideas, hands-on experiments, and science fair projects. Young scientists witness incredible, memorable bacteria growth.

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  • 19
    Earthquake Experiment And Interactive
    Earthquake Experiment And Interactive

    Place jelly on a plate. Build a structure on top. Wobble the dish. The jelly rattles, making the structure collapse. This shows seismology science.

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  • 20
    How To Do the Light Total Refraction Trick?
    How To Do the Light Total Refraction Trick?

    This is not magic. Create the illusion of colors appearing and disappearing. Convert numbers to letters. The Zip Lock Bag Water Refraction experiment works simply. Submerge the bag in water to remove the image.

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  • 21
    Fizzy Love Potion
    Fizzy Love Potion

    Bring science to life this Valentine’s Day. Include hearts and a WOW effect to engage kids. This Love Potion project is a chemistry experiment with extra zing.

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  • 22
    Bridge Project
    Bridge Project

    This project studies bridge physics. Students find out which shapes hold up best through testing. Engineering and construction use these principles in real life.

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  • 23
    Valentines Day Oobleck
    Valentines Day Oobleck

    Have kids played with Oobleck? Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid. It acts like both liquid and solid. Children made a Valentine’s Day Oobleck variation for fun.

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  • 24
    DIY Hovercraft
    DIY Hovercraft

    This experiment proves air time's power. Build a floating hovercraft. Learn about friction and air pressure as you go.

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  • 25
    Floating Dry Erase Rainbow And Shapes
    Floating Dry Erase Rainbow And Shapes

    This science demo makes kids want to repeat it. Dry erase markers draw on a shallow dish. Then, water is added slowly. The marker does not dissolve in water; it floats to the top.

    Education
  • 26
    Glittery Purple Valentine Slime
    Glittery Purple Valentine Slime

    Assemble this entertaining Valentine Activity in five minutes. Make this Valentine Slime quickly using just a few simple supplies. You might already own some of these items at home. Get them from your local craft store, Amazon, or Walmart if you lack them. Use this slime with your creative Valentine’s Day ideas for kids.

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  • 27
    Paper Airplane Science
    Paper Airplane Science

    Formulate a theory about paper airplanes. Then, run an experiment to test that idea. This article gives you all the information you need.

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  • 28
    Sunscreen Painting
    Sunscreen Painting

    Do your kids get annoyed when you put sunscreen on them? Or maybe you say no. Show that sunscreen blocks harmful ultraviolet rays. Make this a real experiment by testing different SPFs or comparing it to lotions without SPF.

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  • 29
    Gummy Bear Osmosis
    Gummy Bear Osmosis

    You may have seen basic online science experiments. One tested osmosis with gummies. Jordyn C. Jordyn did this gummy bear osmosis experiment with her kids. We share her results below; here is what you need to do your experiment.

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  • 30
    Magic Milk
    Magic Milk

    I like simple, meaningful activities. They let young kids investigate, explore, and wonder about the world. The magic milk project needs to be quick, simple, and have a big 'WOW' moment. This milk and food coloring experiment meets all three needs. Try this milk science experiment at home, in class, or at your homeschool co-op.

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  • 31
    Unpoppable Bubbles
    Unpoppable Bubbles

    Can you hold a soap bubble in your hand? Yes, you can! A little glycerin makes soap bubble layers stronger. This lets you gently toss them between people without them popping.

    Education
  • 32
    Crystal Names
    Crystal Names

    Fourth-grade science experiments miss mentioning crystals. Growing crystals is a popular activity for kids of all ages. It gives them a chance to learn about supersaturated solutions. When you shape pipe cleaners into their names, the usual crystal experiment takes on new meaning.

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  • 33
    Does Mint Cool Things Down?
    Does Mint Cool Things Down?

    Mint is a plant that grows year-round. It likes shady, cool, wet spots. Many people like mint’s mild, fresh taste. Mint gum, breath fresheners, and hard candies often show frost and ice to suggest mint cools things. But does this feeling come from mint's real cooling power?

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  • 34
    Which Food Will Rot First?
    Which Food Will Rot First?

    Tell your kids they can start being scientists now, not wait to be an expert. They just need to think like a scientist. Start with a question. My little scientists asked, “Which food will go bad first?” Here is how we tried.

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  • 35
    Newton’s Law
    Newton’s Law

    Newton’s First Law states an object keeps moving unless an outside force acts on it. Use beads to show Newton’s Law of Gravity. Pull the beads a little, then watch them fall from a glass or container.

    Education
  • 36
    Layered Liquids Density
    Layered Liquids Density

    Want a Valentine’s Day science project for February? Layered liquids create amazing Valentine’s Day colors. Kids will be amazed. This Layered Liquids Density exercise teaches density through a fun way.

    Education
  • 37
    Oil Spill Experiment
    Oil Spill Experiment

    This oil spill exercise helps you grasp the bad effects of oil spills on the ocean. Everyone knows about oil spills and their damage to Earth and marine life. Those who see these effects firsthand know how big the problem is.

    Education
  • 38
    Beach Erosion Demonstration
    Beach Erosion Demonstration

    Where did the beach go? Have you seen how the coastline changes after a big storm? Why does the seashore look different? You observe coastal erosion. Set up a beach erosion activity to show kids how it works. This simple ocean science exercise will be a hit.

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  • 39
    A Ping Pong Catapult
    A Ping Pong Catapult

    A catapult helps raiding armies destroy castle walls in the Middle Ages. Accuracy is key. You will test catapult technology in this science project. A rubber band-powered catapult launches ping pong balls. The design lets you easily measure and repeat the force.

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  • 40
    Leprechaun Rocks
    Leprechaun Rocks

    Leprechauns are clever about hiding gold. Hiding at the end of the rainbow is not enough. You will not find a gold mine there. Look around; you might find strange green rocks—leprechaun rocks. With this experiment, you will discover

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  • 41
    Amazing Food Coloring Flower
    Amazing Food Coloring Flower

    This flower science experiment teaches kids about flower elements, the life cycle, and capillary action. Children paint flowers using this experiment, even changing white flowers into two-color blooms. This color-changing flower experiment is one of the best for kids.

    Education
  • 42
    Make An Anemometer
    Make An Anemometer

    Use your anemometer to find wind speed. Build this garden contraption with paper cups, tape, straws, a pencil, and a thumbtack to show earth science.

    Education
  • 43
    Simple Geranium Photosynthesis
    Simple Geranium Photosynthesis

    This simplicity photosynthesis project lets kids see photosynthesis visually. Use a few supplies for this plant experiment in minutes. Kids learn and keep much more information doing this than just hearing it. Introducing kids to inquiry, curiosity, and trial and error prepares them.

    Education
  • 44
    Balloon Rocket
    Balloon Rocket

    The balloon rocket experiment shows a great science project kids can do at home, in class, or at science fairs. Working on science projects and learning the research reason is always fun. The balloon rocket is a great experiment for 4th Grade Science Projects.

    Education
  • 45
    Make A DIY Weather Vane
    Make A DIY Weather Vane

    As spring nears, watch weather changes. Investigate with fun weather activities and experiments to teach kids about wind, rain, clouds, and more. I show how to make an easy weather vane, a DIY compass, and other weather topics 4th graders will enjoy. Get a few ready.

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