Science is best for anyone of any age. You will understand concepts better when you can see them in action. These sixth grade science activities offer both hands-on experiments and great projects for science fairs. Let’s get science!
1. LEGO bricks are used to code a space
Robotic vacuums can navigate through a maze to clean a space without getting in the way. This project requires programming, which can be learned more by kids using LEGO bricks.
2. You can build a ferris wheel
Your students will have likely ridden on a Ferris-wheel, but are they able to build one? Grab some wood crafting sticks and get started! Have them experiment with various designs to find the one that works best.
3. Construct a paper plane launcher
This project is great for a sixth-grade science fair. Create and construct a paper-airplane launcher capable of flying a plane further than any other.
4. Motorized small dancers
Make little wire dancers by building a homopolar engine. It can take some practice but you will be able to do it easily. The instructions are provided below.
5. Add some basic supplies to your smartphone and amplify its capabilities
Is there no Bluetooth speaker available? Not a worry! It’s easy to make your own out of paper cups or a toilet roll tube. This project will amaze children.
6. Check out the consequences of an oil spillage
This interactive activity will show you how oil spillages can have devastating effects on wildlife and the ecology. Kids will discover the best way for oil to be removed from the water and to rescue any animals that are affected.
7. Wear a genetic bracelet
This is an interesting way to talk about genes. For each trait, have students add pony beads. They can then compare and contrast their similarities. Most likely, no two students will have identical bracelets.
8. Assemble a simple motor
A sixth grade science fair project is a great idea. It doesn’t have to be complicated. You can build your motor yourself! There are only a few things you need, such as insulated copper wire or neodymium magnetics.
9. Make naked eggs
The eggshell is calcium carbonate. Students then dissolve it in vinegar to reveal the membranes underneath. It is an interesting way to learn about acid and base reactions.
10. Experiment using naked eggs
For osmosis to take place, immerse the eggs in corn syrup. The liquid they are in can affect the growth or shrinkage of eggs. So cool!
11. Glow salt circuits lit up
Salt circuits are made even more interesting and enjoyable by glow-in the-dark glue. A double-A lithium battery pack will be required with alligator clips.
12. Send water along a string
With only water, cotton string and a simple experiment, you can explore the properties cohesion & adhesion. You can expand your learning by repeating the experiment with other materials or liquids.
13. Make your own geodes from eggshells
Crystals amaze us all the time! Crystal experiments are a popular way to teach supersaturated solution. This one will end with an eggshell geode that they can take home.
14. Two-stage rocket launch
Space flight rockets usually have multiple stages to provide them with the extra boost they require. This experiment uses balloons in order to simulate a two stage rocket launch.
15. Create a carbon-sugar snake
Although you’ll want to try this giant carbon-sugar snake experiment outdoors, it’s actually quite simple! It will amaze your children and teach you about chemical, thermal, and physical reactions.
16. Make sure you have a steady hand
It is a great way of learning about circuits. You can also add creativity to the process, which is what makes it STEAM.
17. Instantly change the color of liquids
Do you want to make your children gasp with amazement? You can make your kids gasp in amazement by the iodine-clock reaction. Only a handful of drugstore chemicals are required to make the solution dark blue. It is quicker than students blink.
18. Transform milk into plastic
You can make plastic polymers with simple ingredients from milk using only a few kitchen tools. The casein polymers can be shaped by children while they learn about polymerization.
19. Construct a mobile phone stand
Let sixth grade science students use their phones during class. Use your engineering skills to help you design and construct a cell phone stand.
20. Perform the Archimedes crush
Although it sounds like a crazy dance move, this sixth-grade science experiment helps students understand Archimedes’ principle. Aluminum foil and water are all you need.
21. Get a Ping Pong ball
This experiment will delight children, as it is based on Bernoulli’s principle.
For science magic to happen, all you need is plastic bottles, bendy spoons, and Ping Pong balls.
22. A fidget spinner is a great way to learn about inertia
How do you learn about the laws and motions? To demonstrate how torque and mass affect inertia, this experiment uses a fidget spinning device with three lights.
23. Include iron in your morning cereal
Iron is essential for human health. Many breakfast cereal boxes claim to contain iron. Check out this science experiment for sixth grade that will amaze you.
24. Learn about trajectory using fire catapults
Science is about sending stuffed animal pilots! Sixth graders will love it! This simple activity uses a catapult to determine the trajectory of objects using force or other factors.
25. Construct a heart pump prototype
Students get a better understanding and appreciation of the cardiovascular system through the construction of a working model.
26. Make a pair model lungs
The model lungs that kids create with a water bottle and balloons gives them a better idea of the respiratory system. The experiment can be modified to show the effects of smoking.
27. Dissect an owl pellet
It’s possible to dig into the undigested food of an owl (it’s not nearly as disgusting as it sounds! Discover what owls eat. It is easy to find owl pellets online. Kids will be thrilled by the results.
28. Turn a potato into a battery
This project is old but good! This experiment uses potassium in potatoes to conduct energy. It can also be used with lemons and other high-potassium vegetables. This kit is affordable and contains all you will need.
29. A spoon can be used to study sound waves.
Just yarn and an iron spoon will teach you how vibrations produce sound and what the role is of conductors.
30. Construct a stick bridge using craft tools
Make a challenge of your friends to build a bridge out of Popsicle sticks. Then see which design is the strongest.
31. Steel wool creates sparks
For this science demonstration, you only need steel wool. Learn about chemical reactions and chain reactions for kids.
32. Carbon dioxide can be used to extinguish flames
This one will require you to supervise it closely, but it is so rewarding. For the extinguishing of flames, make an acid-base solution and “pour” carbon dioxide onto the lit candles. The elements required to light a fire and the ways gasses can act as liquids will be covered.
33. Use earthquake science to shake things up
First, create simple structures and then try to experiment with earthquakes. Different simulations show that engineering can make buildings resistant to severe shocks.
34. Make a cell model with color
There are many cell-model projects available, but this one is our favorite! It is easy to assemble, even though it might seem daunting.
35. Extract DNA From a Strawberry
This sweet fruit is easy to extract a strand DNA. This sixth grade science project will teach your kids all about genetics.
36. Learn how leaves change colors in fall
Other colors will appear as the chlorophyll begins to break down. This experiment helps to explain how it happens. This experiment can be used to teach photosynthesis.
37. Test the resistance to air by dropping parachutes
The scientific method can be used to compare different materials and find the most effective parachutes. Students will also learn about the science behind air resistance.
38. A biodome is possible
This sixth-grade science project has so many interesting lessons. Children build a scale model biodome to explore different ecosystems, food webs, and other topics.
39. Create compost in a cup
You can learn about how nature uses organic material to recycle it by creating and watching mini compost piles. This science project is useful for sixth grade students and will help them learn more about ecology, decomposition, and other topics.
40. You can dissect a bloom
Learn more about botany when you take apart each flower. Grocery shop lilies come in a variety of sizes that are large enough to allow children to see and recognize the different parts. This project can be made more fun with a good lens.
41. You can turn an apple into an exploding ball
This engineering project explores potential, kinetic energy, and Newton’s Third Law of Motion. Children will enjoy building an apple-wrecking ball and testing its accuracy.
42. Propagate cabbage
Cloning doesn’t have to be a scary movie or in hi-tech labs. A cabbage leaf can easily clone itself. This easy science project for sixth graders teaches students about sexual reproduction.
43. Learn if tea or cola stain your teeth
Explore the effects of different beverages on teeth by using eggshells. This experiment teaches you important lessons about dental hygiene.
44. Get rid of old coins
This simple chemistry experiment makes old oxidized coins shine again using household items. Ask students to predict the best option and then to do some research on the results.
45. Put an egg in a glass
This classic science experiment never fails to amaze. It’s easy to use air pressure to force a hard-boiled eggs into a jar.
46. Baking soda can be used to boost a boat’s performance
The experiment involves building a boat with baking soda. It is easy and fun. Similar chemical reactions occur when students add fizzy tablets or baking soda to water.
47. Watch out for candy osmosis
This colorful and fun experiment explores the concept of osmosis using delicious gelatinous candy (gummy bears). Different liquids can be used as solutes. It’s quite amazing!
48. Create optical excitement using a cameraobscura
Your students can make a camera obscura with empty coffee cans. This is an interesting and fun optical trick. This will impress you as well as your students.
49. Construct a model to demonstrate plate tectonics
An oatmeal canister lets you explore plate tectonics, seafloor spreading and more! Yes, that’s right! Students can observe the asthenosphere and different plate boundaries.
50. Simulate a Tsunami
This multi-faceted experiment will show students how tsunamis can impact their lives and how to minimize future damage.
51. Regale your students in regelation
This demonstration will shock and delight your middle school students. It shows how large glaciers can melt under extreme pressure from above. It’s not magic…it’s waterphysics!
52. Clouds can be created
This demonstration will demonstrate to your students how clouds can be formed with just a bottle and a ball pump. This demonstration can be repeated by your students, allowing them to create the most spectacular cloud possible.
53. A vegetable can be used as a pH indicator.
What did you know? A simple material can be used as a test to determine the acidity of a substance. This simple experiment can help your students explore acids, bases and other elements.
54. Triboluminescence is a great option
Your students might already be familiar with bioluminescence, but what about triboluminescence? Your students will think they are making magic by simply chewing on Wint-o Green Life Savers.
55. Popping candy test
Popping candy is an exciting, fun, and entertaining treat. But, do your sixth-graders know why it pops once they place it in their mouths. To find out what makes popping candy pop, try this tasty experiment.
