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

There are many variations on the well know “flower changing color” science project. It is always a fun and very visual science fair project for kids to do. If you do not have a lot of time, this is a good one to try as it can be done in a relatively short time.

If you do not have any time left over at all, do go and have a look at 24 Hour Science Projects as you will get science fair projects there that you can do in 24 hours or less! Complete projects with all the details you need.

For a fun project that also uses osmosis as a part of the project have a look at Elementary Science Fair Projects: Sweet or Salty Flowers?

Now for our fun osmosis science fair project; the Green Highways project:

The purpose of the project is to show how plants carry nutrients and water to all the parts of the plant. Here is a fun way to show how it happens.

Here’s what you will need:

• 1 Fresh stalks of celery
• 2 Glasses of water
• Red food coloring
• A knife (let an adult help you with this)

This is what you have to do:

1. Put the two glasses of water next to each other
2. The one glass is going to be your control (do you know what a control is?)
3. Color the water in the one glass dark red by dropping four to five drops of red food coloring into it
4. Now you have to cut off the dried bottom part of  the stalk of celery
5. Cut the stalk in half from the bottom to the leaves.
6. place one half in the clear water and the other in the colored water and make sure they are standing securely and will not fall over.
7. Check on your project every hour to see what is happening
8. Make meticulous notes and take photos if it is possible, for your display

What happens?

• What do you see happening?
• Why is it happening?
• What is the process called?
• What does this prove?

Remember all science fair projects, as this osmosis science fair project, must start with a hypothesis, then you do the project using proper scientific method and then you reach a conclusion that either proves your hypothesis correct or wrong. Whether your osmosis science project hypothesis was wrong or correct is not important. What is important is that you followed proper scientific method and reached a proper conclusion.

For more excellent science projects, have a look at 24 Hour Science Projects.

For really good help with science fair projects you can have at 24 Hour Science Projects e-Book.

In this example science fair project you are going to find out what are the ideal conditions for the growth of molds on bread and what can be done to prevent the growth of mold. Molds are fungi and with bacteria they grow on organic materials and causes (or helps with) decay. So, this is one of our alternative Simple Science Fair Projects a Bread Mold Science Fair Projects

This is one of our examples of science fair projects where adult supervision is needed as heat is going to be used and because of the potential danger of the mold growing.

What you need for your science project:

• 4 Slices of bread

• 3 Sealable plastic bags, big enough for your slices of bread to fit in it

• A Pair of rubber gloves

• Tags to mark your bags with

• Pen

• A knife

• Antiseptic cream

• A piece of kitchen towel

• A small plate

• A note book

• Camera

How to do your project:

1. We are going to use three different conditions: completely dry bread, normal bread as it is and bread spread with antiseptic cream. Our problem is to find out the conditions that speeds up decay, in this case the mold growing on the bread.

2. Formulate your hypothesis on what you think will happen

3. For your control place a piece of kitchen towel on a plate, place a slice of bread on the plate and place it in a cool dry place. (Why on a piece of paper towel?)

4. Take one of your slices of bread and completely dry it out in the oven at a very low heat.

5. Let it cool down completely. (Later on you should be able to give reason why it has to cool down completely)

6. Place the cold piece of “toast” in one of the plastic bags and mark it with a tag.

7. Place another slice of bread in one of the bags just as it is and mark the bag.

8. Spread your last slice of bread with antiseptic cream on both sides and place it in the last plastic bag and mark it.

9. Now you have to leave them in a warm (not hot) place.

10. Each day you have to make your observations, write it down and take a photo of your experiment. Do not forget your control.

11. Keep this up for a week.

12. You are now ready to write your conclusion, remember to give the reasons for what has happened to your slices of bread. Include your control in your conclusion. Your control shows what happens when you do not do anything, this id how you can draw the correct conclusion about what has happened to your other slices of bread.

* Do you know why the toast had to cool down completely before you placed it in the plastic bag?

* Is there only one reason for what happened to the toast or are there more than one?

* Why did you have to place your control on a piece of kitchen towel?

To get all the answer for doing a top science fair projects I recommend that you Download 24 Hour Science Projects e-Book.