Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects

June 27, 2024

science fair ideas for 7th grade projects

If your 7th graders are preparing for the science fair, it’s possible that you’re 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—60 perfect projects

Each of these projects is ranked according to “difficulty” and “materials.” 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 “basic,” “medium,” or “advanced” 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 “basic,” “medium,” or “advanced.”

Biology – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade—60 Perfect Projects

1) Extracting DNA from onions

 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.

2) Grow box design

 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
  • Learn more: DIY grow box

3) Collect biofilm

 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.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects (Continued)

4) Plants and phototropism

 Do plants really grow towards light? Discover more about how plants respond to light through this simple experiment.

  • Difficulty: basic
  • Materials: medium
  • Learn more: phototropism

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.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects (Continued)

6) Bubble cell membranes

 If you’re 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.

7) Test Darwin’s theory

 With this lab, students repeat Darwin’s “survival of the fittest finch” experiment for a fun and interactive way to learn about natural selection and evolution.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects (Continued)

8) Carbon cycle experiment

 Help your 7th graders learn about processes of photosynthesis and respiration through this project that combines biology and chemistry concepts.

9) Test for germs

 What’s 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.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade – 60 Perfect Projects (Continued)

10) Cell size lab

 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.

Health and psychology – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade

11) Colors and memory

 Find out how color affects memory by asking volunteers to recall simple words on differently-colored construction paper.

12) Measuring tooth decay

 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.

13) Cooking and Vitamin C

 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’s also perfect for your advanced 7th grade students.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

14) Caffeine and typing

 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.

15) Psychology and texting language

 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.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

16) Test calorie counts

 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.

17) Balloon lung capacity

 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).

18) Myers-Briggs and memory

 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.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

19) Flexibility experiment

 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.

20) Sleep and memory

 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’s a fun way to promote healthy sleep habits.

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.

22) Acid rain and plant life

 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.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

23) Ocean acidification

 For another project related to acidification, students can make stimulated ocean water and test its effects on seashells.

24) Test the greenhouse effect

 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.

25) Grow garbage plants

 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.

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.

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.

28) Water quality testing

 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’t have water testing kits on hand, they can purchase them for under $30. This is a perfect way to teach about the importance of clean water sources.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

29) Algae growth

 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.

30) Bird watch

 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 Feeder Design Challenges.

Chemistry – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade

31) Slime design

 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.

32) Mummify a hot dog

 Students can understand the chemical processes involved in mummification by completing this simple experiment.

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.

34) Homemade ice cream

 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.

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).

36) Oxidation experiment

 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.)

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

37) Static water bending

 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.

38) Blow bubbles

 Yes, bubble-blowing can be a science fair project. Ask your students to test how temperature affects bubble life through this fun experiment.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

39) Red cabbage pH indicator

 Explore chemistry by testing the pH of liquids such as vinegar, milk, and coffee. You’ll need cups and bowls, and of course, red cabbage.

40) Plate coins with copper

 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.

Physics Projects – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade

41) Balloon temperature

 Using this simple and visual balloon experiment, students can better understand how air expands when heated, a basic component of thermodynamics.

42) Floating tea bags

 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’s also great for a class demonstration.

43) Build a parachute

 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.

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’mores).

45) Swing a glass of water

 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).

46) Instant ice

 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.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

47) Rainbow density tower

 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?)

48) Separate hot and cold water

 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.

49) Physics of sound

 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.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

50) Graphite circuit

 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.

Engineering Projects – Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade

51) Pet auto-feeder

 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.

52) Balloon-powered car

 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.

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
  • Learn more: geodesic dome

54) Da Vinci’s bridge

 This bridge-building project is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 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’t slip). Test the bridge with different objects to see how much weight it can take.

55) Tensegrity structure

 Understand the mechanics of tension by making this functional floating structure that’s mind-boggling to look at. You will need string, popsicle sticks, and some patience for exact measurements.

Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade (Continued)

56) Make a water clock

 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.

57) Design a pinball machine

 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.

58) Rubber band helicopter

Students can learn about helicopter mechanics by constructing this flying and rubber-band-powered toy.

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 “passengers.” What structures best protect the egg? Beware: this one could get messy.

60) Build an electricity generator

 For another electrical engineering project, students can create an electric generator. Challenge them to test the generator using different materials for different results.

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:

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Sarah Mininsohn

With a BA from Wesleyan University and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sarah is a writer, educator, and artist. She served as a graduate instructor at the University of Illinois, a tutor at St Peter’s School in Philadelphia, and an academic writing tutor and thesis mentor at Wesleyan’s Writing Workshop.

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