Physical Science Projects for the 7th Grade
By the time the science fair rolls around, seventh-grade students have learned the complex relationships between basic scientific entities and are ready to test these theories. Seventh-grade science topics include simple machines, mechanical force versus manual work, velocity, net force, waves, wave propagation and Newton's laws. Focus areas in physical science include aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, astronomy, chemistry, cooking and food science, biotechnology, genetics, physics, electricity, music, photography and video science.
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Theoretical Physics
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Endless possibilities for seventh-grade science projects stem from theoretical physics. For example, a student may build and use various types of kites to demonstrate the concepts of aerodynamics. Hydrodynamic drag can be studied by dragging ordinary objects through liquids with different levels of viscosity. When calculating astronomical phenomena, students can use a digital camera to measure sky glow or calculate why the moon appears larger during certain times.
Chemistry, Cooking and Biotechnology
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Seventh-grade students can expand and exercise their knowledge of chemistry by identifying chemical substances in foods or their environment. Students can also make their own makeup using cosmetic chemistry. In cooking and food science, young scientists can learn the process of fermentation by making kimchi (Korean sauerkraut) or experiment with the chemistry of ice cream making. Students may also enjoy creating a device that measures the caffeine strength of tea and coffee. Seventh-grade biotechnology experiments include ideas such as building electrophoresis chambers to identify the components of food coloring or using the power of enzymes to turn plants into biofuels.
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Genetics, Physics and Electricity
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When studying genetics, students may grow genetically engineered plants and compare their features, or they can conduct experiments to find out how much DNA can fit into a cell. Physics experiments include calculating the follow-throughs in soccer, hockey and baseball. Seventh grade is also an optimal time to study the physics of rocket propulsion as well as fake blood spatter projection from water balloons at suspicious "crime scenes." Ideas for electricity experiments include building crystal radios, making light bulbs and building super-sensitive electric field detectors to avoid static shocks.
Music, Photography and Video
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When planning experiments in music, students can study what about music causes emotional reactions in humans. Studies with vibration variations can also be made fun and exciting if an electric guitar is close by. Cameras and video cameras can be used to measure the velocity of moving objects with stroboscopic photography.
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