College science fairs have been a trend in many universities across the world as science students get to showcase their projects.
Students are expected to make innovative designs on at least one of their projects while having a topic related to their subject to be discussed in detail during the fair.
For college students, these fairs are an excellent opportunity to showcase their learning while organizing the required resources. We will guide you through the science project ideas that you can make use of during your college science fair.
Whatever you choose, make sure that your project is well-researched and that you have spent enough time pondering the questions that you want to answer. With a bit of hard work and a little luck, you can achieve some amazing results at your college science fair!
College Science Fair Projects
College-level science fair projects in Physics
1. How do you apply a force to another object at the home of gravity, and then how does it react? Use any type(compass) to determine which way an object would point after it was dropped from your height above the ground.
2. Experiment with speed dilation on our planet’s oceans. Explain why there is less light happening in front than behind/around them (Include sound).
3. Experiment with the solar wind. Explain what it is, determine the speed and strength of your planet’s magnetic field (Use magnetometer as necessary), its direction at noon/noon time in your place (+10 days) using maps, etc; compare this data to where you live on earth.
4. Measuring temperature differences between hot liquids that are next to a warm object such as a table or hand and more than one hot liquid next to a cooler object such as the base of an instrument; be creative and determine what temperature is most comfortable.
5. Using your knowledge of buoyancy, explain how you can influence your underwater exploration by adding weights (diving cowboy).
Environmental science fair projects for college students
1. Using nature for power generation – You can use multiple sources such as water, wind, natural energy, etc.
2. Experiment to produce energy efficiently.
3. Recycling water waste into electricity (in residences, classrooms or offices)
4. Printer conserving materials – combine recycled objects with more durable material for use in the production of 3-dimensional printing.
Psychology science fair projects for college students
1. Dissecting and identifying kinship, mating goals or a friendly relationship in an identification chart2. Doing statistics on which scent attracts the most flies when others sit down – behavioural biology is fast becoming integral to psychology; distinguish between empathy and sympathy (which are emotions); research effects of drugs like cocaine, caffeine etc increase blood flow, especially the prefrontal cortex (thinking part) necessary for critical thinking – link up with findings on behaviour.
3. The Stroop Effect – How thinking is affected by biased mental tasks.
Biochemistry science fair projects for college
1. The five stages of protein degradation for experiments against E.coli
2. Testing the DNA in a stool sample (see “Scoop” below) to determine how long ago an infection occurred − 1st stage bacteria die, 2nd and 3rd inhibits their growth − can help isolate which type of bacteria cause diseases.
3. Test cellular behaviour involving cancer by observing the formation of cancer cells in certain organs continuously for 15 minutes thus obtaining a fluorescent stain that is produced after several days. The result will determine if there are any abnormalities with cell growth.
4. Assessing vitamin/mineral deficiency caused by food toxins as well as direct effects from foods. Vitamin A, C, E and K all decrease when given high doses but can be replenished again so serum levels must be monitored to test the effect.
5. Lab experiment of what foods will affect blood pressure (elevation), glucose, cholesterol and lipids in each dish as well as which should be watched because they can decrease harmful substances while also increasing the amounts needed for homeostasis
6. Test if antibiotics are causing oxidative stress by testing if effects occur under conditions where salt intake is very high.
7. Test if it is possible to measure uric acid levels using urine samples, do not want any technicians touching your sample during the storage/ analysis process and keeping results secret on the computer that backs up results of the experiment!
8. Detect viruses using an instrument that is able to bidirectionally transmit the virus but filters out all other non-viruses. Also, it needs to be able to show traps and blanks in the coverage method
9. Lab experiment where one food sample has 2 different species created as food and tested for one species over weeks to see what happens.
10. Lab experiment where you grow bacteria/ yeast on a glass slide using the same media used by other biology labs.
Chemistry science fair project ideas for college
1. Smart bomb fruits course demonstration where product balls are inserted into fruit bombs resulting with implosions being formed.
2. Chemistry class experiment that measures pH using bicarbonate (HCO,) vs. calcium chloride titration methods or vinegar method.
3. Superconductivity project using soldered wire grid where 1% solution is placed on tensioned wires to measure the electrical resistance across each square inch of the surface.
4. Using salt and sugar water, conduct an experiment that shows a rate difference between adding large quantities slowly vs rapidly into test tube.
5. Drinking alcohol through wax paper membranes as used in forensic examiners.
Astronomy science fair projects for college
1. Using electronic cameras and sensors to remotely observe the universe
2. Making a ‘Virtual Star’ i.e card with velcro attached to the back that when held up in front of a light source on earth you can see it from far away and therefore you know where it is by its movement
3. Using a camera and website to show the ball of light created by the sun on earth during different times
4. Telescopes and telescopes’ parts can be used in 3 ways: 1) Antenna, 2) filters to let only specific wavelengths through depending upon wavelength etc. or for example making telescope lens blanks (which are very fragile let people use this as a science project because they will learn how frustrating it is when they cannot get the lens ‘right’ using their science project)
5. Designing and constructing a telescope with different lenses designs for example, making them bigger or smaller
6. Ways to find something you want – 1) magnifying glass – look where you think it is (possible sites in the universe), 2) some other kind of device that determines altitude by contact with ammonia otherwise known as Becquerel’s Blue Ray or through looking at stars and based upon quantities recorded on the ground which are used by early humans to predict where the sun and stars could be.
Engineering science fair projects for college students
1. Using electrolysis techniques to study chlorine from water.
2. Sound level experiment where air compressor is used as an increasing distance between loudspeakers.
3. Doppler radar project analyzing a Skyping cell phone call.
4. Determine the velocity of an object dropped from a high point. Add 6-8 feet to gain science accuracy, or change distance between drop and subsequent measurement.
5. Doppler radar analysis of room speed vs occupant movement in a building recording via ammeter.
6. Estimate the roof speed at a building from dropped objects or meteors from space and can be published as an article.
7. Sound intensity level recordings of doors closing vs opening in test chambers.
8. Biscuit (cookie) experiment with 3 different colors of milk powder white, yellow & red.
9.Reflectivity samples measuring water on walls and floor surfaces where results are compared to known values taken.
10. Estimation of speed from soiled clothes.
Forensic science fair projects for college students
1. Compare different kinds of paint used commonly on roadsides 13a Accurately register blood indicator from fingerprints onto a glass plate with a digital device, show students how this works.
2. Types of crime that could be solved with forensic science
3. Uses banana fibers to indicate saliva and chewing gum in dust.
4. Use colored powder on a piece of paper, place two cards facing each other, then use card as if it was an x-ray.
5. Identify soil samples from landfills using molecular biology
6. Forensic analysis of tire stains.
7. What is the DNA evidence left on, or next to a crime scene after someone has handled all their gloves and shoes?
8. Identify types and amount of chemicals in gas leaks using spectrometer – If you have dropped a coin into your coffee grounds , can you still tell if it was a quarter, dime or nickel based upon its size. Use telephone flashlights to determine whether a light is hot or not.
9. Consider how a forensic exam would change over time and allow an officer to determine when the below might be static in cars and trucks (tires, brakes, ghia , etc) Identify shapes of compound at different times without touching it!
Science experiments can help students learn and retain information in a number of ways. For one, they provide a hands-on way to explore scientific concepts. Experiments can also make learning more fun and engaging, which can lead to better retention rates. Finally, doing science experiments helps students develop problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities.
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Here are some key tips to winning a college science fair
1. Be creative! Don’t select something too difficult as this will take more time, and possibly even fewer observations with better quality repetitive results that will give you clues to others’ thoughts on measurement error etc.
2. If you are uncertain of your ability to successfully conduct a project, select an easier one first – perhaps something simpler and conceptually sound that involves collecting data every now and then – like in our class above for insect tracking or take this 15-question quiz on starting a research project with many questions focusing on the feasibility.
2. Consider your data! Choose to collect certain information in every collection, and then remember prior thoughts you had as it pertained to that particular item/event.
3. Organize your project in such a way that will help you keep track of your results Not only the date, time and names for each type of observation (e.g., take pictures in digital format) put them into categories such as ‘date’ or just simply write it down on a piece paper at first to help remember specifics – especially if something happens more than once.
The first thing students should know is that research can be easy or hard depending on how they approach things. You see non-scientists like us somehow get confused by what “the rules” of doing science really mean in practice –especially when we wish to achieve.
We hope that this article was helpful in finding the right project for you. By choosing one of the science fair projects listed out in this article, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the basics of that subject. Not only will you be able to develop your technical skills, but you’ll also gain an understanding of the scientific principles at play. If you’re still undecided on what science fair project to choose, explore more information on our website! We’re confident that you’ll find the perfect project for you!
