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Have your students ever wondered how Albert Einstein developed his theories of relativity? Or how Charles Darwin landed on his theory of natural selection? It all comes down to curiosity and data collection, which is why science fairs are the perfect educational opportunity to help students make their own scientific discoveries.
Use these high school science fair ideas to inspire young scientists and help them earn first place. And, if you’re coordinating the science fair, we’ve got all the resources you’ll need to succeed, too.
High School Science Fair Ideas for 9th Graders
High school freshmen are a whirlwind of energy and curiosity who are eager to explore the world around them. These fun and energizing science fair ideas are perfect for channeling their enthusiasm into scientific breakthroughs.
Many of these topics align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical applications. These science fair research projects offer a deeper understanding of NGSS topics for 9th-12th grades like life science and the social impacts of technology. They give students the ability to apply their knowledge to solving real-world challenges.
- Grading Systems and Motivation: Investigate the impact of different types of grading systems on student motivation.
- Avoidance Behavior in Cats: Investigate the root causes of avoidance behavior in cats, whether nature or nurture. Propose solutions for cat owners to help their furry friends overcome these anxieties.
- Effects of Digital Detox: Test the effects of different digital detox techniques on reducing smartphone usage. Measure and analyze changes in overall well-being, such as stress levels and sleep quality.
- Impact of Superstition on Athletic Performance: Investigate the role of superstitions in influencing athletic performance. Gather data on common superstitions and rituals among athletes and analyze their potential influence.
Research resources for high school science fair beginners
Just like with scientific research, there are a lot of steps in creating winning science fair projects. Try one of these comprehensive science fair project resources to guide your students from beginning to end.
A Student’s Guide to Research Projects
By Stephanie Elkowitz
Grades: 3rd-12th
Introduce the science fair project process with information on primary vs. secondary research, step-by-step guides for data collection and analysis, worksheets to organize information, and more.
Science Fair Investigative Plan Template
By NJ Oceanview Teaching
Grades: 6th-9th
Graphic organizers and scaffolded questions break down the scientific method and help students organize their plans for the science fair.
Science Fair 101 Bundle: Example Handouts, Rubrics, Schedule, Judging Cards
By Angela Willyerd
Grades: 5th-12th
This resource will not only guide your students but also you, as the teacher, along the science fair journey. It breaks the project into manageable chunks with a timeline and rubrics.
High School Science Fair Ideas for 10th Graders
Sophomores likely have some science fair experience under their belts, so encourage them to explore more challenging research topics this time around. Focus on helping them improve independent research skills like identifying reputable websites and looking up unfamiliar scientific words in a trusted dictionary such as Dictionary.com.
These high school science project ideas align with the four NGSS disciplinary core ideas, which cover physical science, life science, earth and space science, and engineering and technology.
- Industrialization of Food Supply: Compare the nutritional content of common foods to those consumed pre-industrialization. Propose and evaluate potential solutions for improving the nutritional quality of our food supply.
- Bio Water Filter: Investigate the use of natural materials to create a biodegradable water system inspired by natural filtration processes, such as tree roots. Compare its performance to store-bought filters.
- Energy-Efficient Marble Rollercoaster: Design and test different marble rollercoaster constructions powered by renewable energy to determine which source best maximizes energy efficiency by minimizing friction.
- Chemistry of Hydrogel Masks: Test the effectiveness of different hydrogel masks in improving skin moisture. Experiment with natural ingredients with hydrating properties and compare their efficacy to hydrogel masks.
Use a planning kit to keep your sophomores on track
Since they have a heavier academic workload overall, 10th graders can greatly benefit from help with organization and time management when it comes to science fairs. This planning kit will help keep them on track to complete their science projects on time.
Science Fair Planning Kit
By Diary of a Mad Scientist
Grades: 8th-11th
This kit includes 27 printable pages of handouts to provide students with guidance on their science fair projects from start to finish. From selecting a topic to writing a lab report, this resource is a one-stop shop for science fair project planning.
High School Science Fair Ideas for 11th Graders
The spring of junior year can be a busy time, so why not explore these engaging science fair project ideas to give them a refreshing change of pace?
Beyond providing excitement, these science fair ideas offer a unique opportunity to explore concepts relevant to students’ chosen career fields. Through their research, they’ll explore key NGSS areas, such as engineering design and technology, which are foundational in software development, product design, and many other industries.
For students still uncertain about their career goals, check out career exploration activities for high school students.
- Robotics for Individuals with Limited Mobility: Investigate the everyday challenges faced by people with limited mobility and design an assistive device to address a specific challenge.
- Bioplastics from Fruit Waste: Experiment with extracting starch from different types of fruit waste and using it to create eco-friendly plastic. Test its quality by measuring strength, biodegradability, and other properties.
- Effects of Music on VOC Emissions: Explore whether music can influence the release of plant VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. Gather data on the VOCs emitted and analyze how music impacts environmental factors like attracting pollinators.
- Farmed Fish vs. Wild-Caught Fish: Compare farmed and wild-caught fish by testing nutrient levels and microplastic contamination. Analyze the data and investigate the implications on human health.
Support students with the steps they need the most help on
Each student is likely to struggle with different steps in the science fair project process. Use this handbook to help navigate the individual challenges of their research projects.
Science Fair Project Guide Grades 7-12, Printable and Digital
By Science Inquiry Lab
Grades: 7th-12th
This digital-friendly and printable handbook includes 20 sections that each cover a part of the science fair process in depth. From topic selection to presentation skills, it’s filled with tips for success.
High School Science Fair Ideas for 12th Graders
As young scientists about to enter the real world, seniors may be thinking about their impact on the future of the planet. The traditional timing of science fairs aligns with Earth Day, making it a fantastic opportunity for an environmental science project. You can even use these Earth Day activities for high school students as inspiration.
These research topics for high school students give seniors an in-depth understanding of ecosystem interactions, human impact, and environmental issues, aligning with core NGSS such as HS-LS2-7 (Impact of Humans on Ecosystems) and HS-LS2-5 (Cycling of Matter and Energy).
- Wildfire Prevention: Research current methods of preventing wildfires, identify their limitations, and develop innovative solutions to address them.
- Edible Water Bottles: Design and test the effectiveness of different edible or biodegradable water bottles. Compare their durability and environmental impact.
- Bio-Catalyzed Biodiesel from Vegetable Oil: Investigate the production of biodiesel from waste vegetable oil with biocatalysts, a greener alternative to traditional chemical catalysts.
- Trash-Sorting Robot: Research current waste management strategies and identify their limitations. Design a prototype for an AI-powered robotic waste sorting system.
Create a positive high school science fair judging experience
How do educators motivate students to continue participating in science fairs even if they don’t win? The answer starts with making it more about the process than the outcome. Like educators, science fair judges play a role in nurturing a student’s lifelong passion for science.
Provide your science fair judges with resources that will help them make the whole experience beneficial to all, just as you provided your students with the resources they needed to succeed.
Science Fair Judge Packet
By The Next Door Scientist
Grades: 1st-12th
Equip your judges with everything they need for a smooth, professional, and fair evaluation of student projects with a customizable welcome letter, sample interview questions, a judging rubric, and a sample schedule.
Win high school science fair season with TPT
While the science fair is an important event, it’s just a single atom in a high school student’s science education. Unleash your students’ scientific potential with high school science resources from TPT. From creative lab ideas to exciting science games, this collection of resources will have your students feeling positively charged about science!
