Whether you are working, studying, or being entertained, much of our daily routines rely on being plugged-in. You probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about where all that power comes from, but someone has to! Figuring out the best ways to produce energy is a big job that is growing along with the world's population. Energy can also be a hot topic with argements about whether to invest in fossil fuels or clean renewable energies like solar, wind, water and geothermal. Take a first-hand look at some of the problems and challenges scientists and engineers are tackling as they look at making and storing energy in our collection of energy science and engineering projects.
Imagine telling your friends about your latest science project: using a battery to make a light turn on. You might get some blank stares...sounds a little boring and basic, right? Now tell them you will do it with a potato! Yes, you can actually use fruits and vegetables as part of an electric power source! Batteries power many things around you, including cell phones, wireless video game controllers, and smoke detectors. In this science project, you will learn about the basics of battery…
Read more
Energy_p010
+ More Details
- Less Details
Time Required
Very Short (≤ 1 day)
Prerequisites
None
Material Availability
A kit is available for this project from our partner
.
Cost
Average ($40 - $80)
Safety
Do not eat the potatoes after they have been used as batteries.
Have you considered where the gasoline that your parents put in your car comes from and how long that source will last? The fuel that most vehicles use, gasoline, is a petroleum product. Petroleum is a fossil fuel and is a nonrenewable form of energy, meaning we use it faster than it is able to be reproduced. Burning fossil fuels also produces pollutants that might hurt our environment. Using a kind of fuel from a renewable source would help save Earth's natural resources and cut down on…
Read more
Energy_p030
+ More Details
- Less Details
Time Required
Average (6-10 days)
Prerequisites
None
Material Availability
Readily available
Cost
Average ($50 - $100)
Safety
You will be working with flammable materials. Wear safety goggles and other safety gear to prevent injury. Adult supervision is required. Perform this science fair project in a well-ventilated area, away from combustible and flammable objects.
Have you ever dreamed of a world where you could take the scraps from last night's dinner and toss them into your car's fuel tank and make gas? Well, we're not quite in "Back to the Future" yet, but in this energy science fair project, you'll discover that food scraps, dead plants, sawdust, and other decaying organic matter, called biomass are a rich source of energy. You can get energy out of biomass by burning it, turning it into a liquid, or by turning it into a gas called biogas. You've…
Read more
Energy_p027
+ More Details
- Less Details
Time Required
Long (2-4 weeks)
Prerequisites
This science fair project requires access to a well-ventilated area, away from open flame or electrical sparks.
Material Availability
A small quantity of fresh cow manure is required.
Cost
Low ($20 - $50)
Safety
This science fair project produces a small amount of a flammable gas, so it must be conducted in a well-ventilated area, away from any source of open flame or source of electrical sparks. Use caution and have an adult's help when using the bleach, as it can cause chemical burns.
Mowing the lawn is hard work, especially on a warm day. Not only do you have to mow the grass, but you also have to dispose of the clippings. Some people add the clippings to a compost pile in their yard, which is a great idea. But did you know that some grasses can be used as a source of energy? In this energy science fair project, you will learn more about a type of energy called biomass energy. You will grow different kinds of grasses and see which type of grass gives you the most biomass,…
Read more
Energy_p034
+ More Details
- Less Details
Time Required
Very Long (1+ months)
Prerequisites
None
Material Availability
Readily available
Cost
High ($100 - $150)
Safety
If making your own flower pots out of cartons, use caution when using the scissors to cut the cartons in half. Adult supervision is recommended.
Earth is an amazing planet. It has everything that we need: food, shelter, and water. Sure, we need water to drink, but have you thought about using water to create energy? Moving water has a lot of energy and all we need to do is to harness it. Moving water made the Grand Canyon. That took a lot of energy! In this science fair project, you will demonstrate the power of water by converting the kinetic energy in moving water to mechanical energy, which will lift a small weight.
Read more
Do you know how much power is used every day in your home? What you might not realize is that making simple changes can save you energy, power, and money. What would you do with extra money? Put it in the bank or get something that you really want? In this science fair project, you will investigate the different uses of electricity in your home and determine if there are simple changes that you can make to save energy and money.
Read more
Energy_p020
+ More Details
- Less Details
Time Required
Long (2-4 weeks)
Prerequisites
Permission from an adult to access the appliances in your home.
Material Availability
Specialty item required. This project requires an electricity usage monitor.
Cost
Low ($20 - $50)
Safety
Adult supervision is required. Always exercise caution when dealing with electricity and electrical appliances.
Do you like to tell adults where to go and how to get there? Well, here's your chance to do it in the name of science! In this science fair project, you will see what happens to your car's fuel efficiency when it takes you downtown to see a movie, up a hill for a great view, or out for a cruise on a flat country road.
Read more
Energy_p022
+ More Details
- Less Details
Time Required
Average (6-10 days)
Prerequisites
None
Material Availability
Car with an instantaneous MPG meter is required.
Cost
Very Low (under $20)
Safety
The car driver should obey all traffic laws while conducting this experiment.
You have probably read all about forms of alternative energy like solar and wind power. But what about human power? With the aid of a coil of wire and some magnets, you can generate electricity with nothing more than a flick of your wrist. In this project, you will build a small hand-powered electrical generator that can power a series of tiny lights. Get ready to save the planet and get some exercise at the same time!
Read more
Energy_p009
+ More Details
- Less Details
Time Required
Very Short (≤ 1 day)
Prerequisites
None
Material Availability
This science project requires some specialty electronic components. These specialty items are available in a kit from our partner
.
Cost
Average ($40 - $80)
Safety
Neodymium magnets are very strong and can pinch your fingers when they come together. You should keep them away from pets and small children because they can cause serious harm if ingested. As with any magnet, you should keep them away from computers, cell phones, and credit cards.
Adult supervision is required when using a hobby knife.
What can you do with a bucket of soil? You could use it to grow some beautiful plants and vegetables—or you could use it to produce electricity! Surprised about that? You actually can power electric devices with just mud! Are you curious about how this works? You need some little helpers in the soil—bacteria—that are able to turn their food sources within the soil into electricity in a device called a microbial fuel cell. But is this possible with any soil and does the soil…
Read more
Energy_p042
+ More Details
- Less Details
Time Required
Very Long (1+ months)
Prerequisites
Previous experience using a multimeter and being familiar with the physics of electricity is helpful, but not required.
Material Availability
The needs to be special-ordered from our partner
.
Cost
Average ($50 - $100)
Safety
Be sure to wear the gloves supplied with the kit when handling the microbial fuel cell's electrodes (its cathode and anode). The electrodes are made of a conductive material called graphite fiber and should not be placed near electronics or power plugs, or have their fibers dispersed in the air.
Solar cells provide a clean way of making electricity directly from sunlight. In this project you will build a simple circuit and experimental setup to investigate whether the power output of a solar cell changes with ambient temperature.
Read more
Energy_p012
+ More Details
- Less Details
Time Required
Short (2-5 days)
Prerequisites
You must know or must learn how to use a voltmeter or multimeter.
