Energy & Power Science Projects (Page 4)

Extracting Heat Energy from a Compost Pile

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Earth, the Sun, wind, and water are all sources of renewable and sustainable energy—and sources you probably already know about. But did you know that you can get energy from such things as banana peels, coffee grounds, and newspaper? In a process called composting, you can transform kitchen and other solid wastes into a product that is beneficial for your garden: homemade fertilizer. As the waste decomposes, it also creates heat. Can this naturally created heat be put to use? In this… Read more

How Many Cranks Does It Take to Power a Hand-Cranked Radio?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

If you lose power, you can probably still access the internet and read the news with a cell phone. But what if the power goes out for so long that your phone battery dies, or if cellular service also goes down? How would you get news from the outside world? In emergencies, you can use a hand-crank radio, which is powered by manually turning a crank. But just how much power do you get when you turn the crank? How long will the radio stay on before you need to charge it again? Try this project to… Read more

Wily Waves: Build an Oscillating Water Column to Extract Energy from Ocean Waves

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

The ocean is a wondrous force of nature. It affects the weather, and provides us with food and renewable energy to power our lives. How can the ocean provide us with renewable energy? One way is to extract the energy that is in the waves. There are many kinds of power systems that can be installed to extract energy from the waves, depending on the location. In this energy and power science project, you will build and test a simple model of an oscillating water column device to create power. How… Read more

Tireless Tides: Extracting Energy from Ocean Tides

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Renewable energy is the energy that is extracted from natural sources, such the Sun (solar), earth (geothermal), wind, and water (hydropower). These sources are renewable because they can be replenished by the same natural sources within a short period of time. Hydropower energy is extracted from moving water, like ocean wave energy and tidal energy. In this energy science fair project, you will make a model of a tidal barrage (also known as a dam) and investigate how emptying the tidal barrage… Read more

Batteries: The Shocking Truth

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

You probably use batteries to power different devices every day, ranging from toys to TV remotes, without giving it much thought. Figure 1, below, shows some common types of batteries. Eventually the batteries will die and you have to replace them with new ones (or recharge them if they are rechargeable batteries). How much do you actually know about how batteries work? This abbreviated project idea will give you some suggestions to investigate how batteries perform in common household… Read more

What Electric Bills Can Tell You About Energy Use

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

This project is a great way to "bring home" the concept of energy use. All you need to get started is a good-sized sample of monthly electric bills from households in your area. Building from this simple beginning, you can ask questions that can take you in many different directions. For example: How much electricity does the "average" person in your area use per month? How much does electricity use vary among different families? Read more

Free Lunch? Can Solar Energy Systems Pay for Themselves with Utility Bill Savings?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

If you are interested in exploring how renewable energy can improve the environment, this project could be for you. You'll take on a real-life engineering challenge: deciding whether the benefits of a renewable energy technology are worth the cost to implement it. Some sample questions are suggested, but you can also come up with your own question that matches your specific renewable energy interest. Is there such thing as a free lunch? Read more

Burning Biofuels: Comparing Nonrenewable and Renewable Fuels

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

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

Spare a Watt, Save a Lot

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

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

You've Got Permission to Be a Backseat Driver!

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

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 & Power Science Projects (45 results)

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