Easy Science Fair Projects

When we think of science fair food projects, most of us probably think of the bread mold science fair project that has been done to death already. Well, here is one of our science fair food projects that look at more than only the fungus that grows on bread. There is still going to be bread in the mix though as we are going to grow a “fungus” garden.

Do you know why we can call it a fungus “garden?” Yes, because a fungus is a “plant” and it needs certain conditions to grow such as food, the same as all other kinds of “plants.” Keep in mind though that they are microorganisms and that the microbes are only visible when a lot of them gather together. This is what we normally call mold. Now we are going to see how many of them we can grow in our fungus “garden.”

For a good science fair project you have to make notes of all your steps, saying what you are doing and why you are doing it. You must formulate a hypothesis, and do the experiment according to the correct scientific method and think of your display. It is always a good idea to take photos as you go.

Because fungus can be harmful, do not take it to the fair, but take enough photos to use in your display. Make sure you show the different kinds of fungus clearly.

What you need for this experiment:

• 2 Empty clean and completely dry mayonnaise or other suitable jars with a lids
• 2 Pieces of bread
• 2 Pieces of apple
• 2 Pieces of cucumber
• 2 Pieces of cheese
• 2 Pieces of carrot
• 2 Pieces of any other kind of fruit available
• A little water
• A pen
• A notebook
• A camera

How to do your experiment:

1. First of all formulate your hypothesis. It is that if the food is left undisturbed in the jar for some time, the food will rot and create a colorful fungus “garden.”
2. Place one piece of all the food in one of the jars. Make sure you do not overfill the jar so that you will be able to see the fungus growing clearly.
3. Now you have to sprinkle a little water in the jar and make sure you moisten all the food, do not soak it though.
4. Do you know why you are doing this?
5. Close the jar with the lid
6. Place the jar on a counter top where it will not be disturbed and also out of direct sunlight.
7. Now you do exactly the same with the second jar except you do not sprinkle any water on it.
8. This jar will serve as your control and every time you observe the other jar and take photos of it, you have to do it with this jar as well.
9. It is important that you now observe the changes that happen in the jar everyday.
10. Record everything you see and take photos every day.
11. Keep this up for at least two weeks and then ask an adult to dispose of the jar and it’s contents.

Now you have to formulate your results:

• How long did it take before you noticed the first fungus growing?
• How many different types of fungi were you able to grow in your fungus “garden?”
• Could you see more than one type of fungi growing on one kind of food?
• Did the fungi spread over time?
• Did the food change in shape or texture as the fungi grow?
• Did the fungi grow more on certain kinds of food than on others?
• Did the fungi grow slower or faster in your control jar?
• Remember, every step of the way, you have to make the same observations and take the same photos of your control jar as of the other jar
• Make sure you show the difference in the two jars very clearly

Apart from doing science fair projects, simply doing science experiments for the fun is a good idea as well. Especially

If your water is too dark you cannot see the layers properly. Make the water light.

homeschoolers must make an effort to do as many fun and easy science experiments to instill a love of science in the kids.

Today’s experiment fall in that class. If you are looking for a science fair projects, I can recommend 24 Hour Science Projects where you will find complete projects you can do in 24 hours or less. So, go to 24 Hours Science Projects now!

Our fun experiment today will show how different layers of liquid can be formed in a jar because of the difference in density of the liquids.

What you will need for your science experiment:

• A glass half filled with water
• 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 4tablespoon of golden syrup
• Food coloring
• A clean glass jar

How to do your science experiment:

1. Color the water in the glass with a little food coloring. Do not make it too dark or you will not be able to distinguish the layers very well. Your layers will also not stay very long as the water with the food coloring will start coloring the syrup as it dissolves in the water. (It practically “soaks up” the colored water, do you know why?)
2. In a clean glass your spoon four tablespoons of vegetable oil
3. Slowly add four tablespoons of the colored water to the jar.
4. What happens?
5. Now you add the four tablespoons of golden syrup to the jar very carefully and watch what happens.
6. What do you think will happen if you add the liquids in a different order?
7. Why do you see three layers?
8. Why is the syrup at the bottom and the oil on the top?

Go to 24 Hour Science Projects for easy and fun science fair projects you can so in 24 hours.

When you go camping you may think it is fine to wash your clothes and dishes in a pond or lake, but is it the case? Are you polluting it or not? Detergent is supposed to clean, so what does it do to a pond or a lake? For all the info on how to do a good science project as well as examples of projects you can do in 24 hours or less go to: 24 Hour Science projects.

So, to start this science project, formulate your hypothesis. Is the detergent in the lake or pond polluting the water in the pond? Will it have any negative effect on the life on and inside the pond?

What you need for this Science Project:

• A plastic bag
• A large bowl of water
• Liquid detergent
• Wax paper
• Fastener or staples
• A camera for your photos

How to do this Science Project:

1. Stuff the plastic bag with the wax paper.
2. Close the bag with the fastener or the staples
3. For fun draw a duck on it to represent one of the species on the lake or pond
4. Let your “duck” float on the water in the bowl
5. Now you add a little detergent to the bowl of water
6. What happens?
7. Do you know why it happens?
8. What is the reason a duck stays afloat and dry in the water?
9. What changed when you added the detergent to the water?
10. So, do you think it is a good idea to wash dishes and clothes in a pond or lake?

Explanation:

Just as the oil on a ducks feathers the plastic and wax paper is water repellent, which means the water does not stick to it.

The detergent though, enables the water to stick to greasy materials. This then allows the water to cling to your plastic “duck” and a real ducks feathers making it impossible for the duck to stay dry and afloat.

For more fun and easy science projects go to: 24 Hour Science Projects