High School Science Projects (253 results)

Science Buddies' high school science projects are the perfect way for high school students to have fun exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our high school projects are written and tested by scientists and are specifically created for use by students in the high school grades. Students can choose to follow the science experiment as written or put their own spin on the project.

For a personalized list of science projects, high schoolers can use the Science Buddies Topic Selection Wizard. The wizard asks students to respond to a series of simple statements and then uses their answers to recommend age-appropriate projects that fit their interests.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WPUOhPCDzQ

Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Spread from Wastewater

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever wanted to know where hot spots of infection are or see how viruses spread? Are you interested in seeing how this changes over time? Check out our new science project that uses data visualization tools and tested wastewater data to track the virus that causes COVID-19 over time. Read more

Star light, Star bright: How Does Light Intensity Change with Distance?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever looked up at the stars at night and wondered how fast they were moving or how far away they were? By studying how the brightness of a star changes with distance, you can answer those questions. In this astronomy science project, you'll create a model of starlight and use a sensor app with your smartphone to discover the key relationship between brightness and distance. Read more

Measuring Your Threshold of Hearing for Sounds of Different Pitches

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

If you're like most people, you like listening to music. Have you ever wondered how your ears and your brain turn the sound waves out there in the world into the experience of music in your head? If you're interested in doing a project about how we hear, this is a good one for you. With this project, you'll do background research and make measurements to understand how the sensitivity of your own hearing varies with the pitch of the sound. Read more

Track the Journey of Harbor Porpoises

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever wondered what life is like for different animals, and where it is that they roam? For example, how large is the area they live in, and why do they go to different locations? While we can set up cameras to watch animals that live on land, it can more challenging to see the lives of animals that live underwater, especially in the vast oceans. In this ocean science project, you will use satellite tracking data to learn about the activity patterns of harbor porpoises. How far do they… Read more

Mapping Troposphere Ozone Levels Over Time

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Ozone in the stratosphere protects the earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. However, when ozone occurs in the troposphere, i.e., the air that we breathe, it is harmful to health. In this project you can use data from EPA monitoring stations to analyze the weather/climate conditions that can lead to harmful ozone levels. Read more

Marble Roller Coaster: How Much Height to Loop the Loop?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

This is a really fun project even if you don't like going on roller coasters yourself. You'll build a roller coaster track for marbles using foam pipe insulation and masking tape, and see how much of an initial drop is required to get the marble to "loop the loop." It's a great way to learn about how stored energy (potential energy) is converted into the energy of motion (kinetic energy). Read more

X-inactivation Marks the Spot for Cat Coat Color

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever seen a tortoiseshell cat? "What kind of cat is that?" you might ask. A tortoiseshell cat has two different fur colors, black or brown and red or orange. The gene that gives rise to the red or orange fur color is on the X chromosome. And did you know that most tortoiseshell cats are female? That's because female cats have two X chromosomes, while males only have one, which allows the females to express two different color combinations! Try this science fair project to figure out… Read more

Now You're Cooking! Building a Simple Solar Oven

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Here is a project that uses direct solar power, gathering the sun's rays for heating/sterilizing water or cooking. It is a low-cost technology that seems to have everything going for it. Does it work? Can you find ways to improve it? Find out with this project. Read more

Can You Create an Unbeatable Tic-Tac-Toe AI Player?

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

Do you think you can win tic-tac-toe against an AI player? In this project, you will explore how the Minimax algorithm makes decisions in two-player games such as tic-tac-toe. This project requires little to no coding skill; instead, you will need an open mind and curiosity. Why not give it a try yourself? Read more

How Old Is That Rock? Roll the Dice & Use Radiometric Dating to Find Out

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

What do rocks and clocks have in common? Both keep track of time. Yes, radioactive isotopes present in rocks and other ancient material decay atom by atom at a steady rate, much as clocks tick time away. Geologists use those radioactive isotopes to date volcanic ash or granite formations like the giant Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Anthropologists, archeologists, and paleontologists also use radioactive isotopes to date mummies, pottery, and dinosaur fossils. Does this sound abstract and… Read more

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