Affordable and Clean Energy Science Projects (Page 2)

Water to Fuel to Water: The Fuel Cycle of the Future

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Solar cells are popping up on rooftops everywhere these days and are a model for clean, renewable energy. Did you ever look at those solar panels and wonder how we can get electricity produced by solar cells when the sun is not shining? It is a great question because solar panels do not produce electricity when it is dark outside. One strategy to overcome this challenge is to store the energy produced by solar cells during the day in the form of a fuel that can be used at a later time. In this… Read more

Put Your Water to Work: Using Hydropower to Lift a Load

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

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

Build a Solar-Powered Bristlebot

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

You have probably heard about using renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to provide electricity to homes and buildings, as well as hybrid or fully electric cars that use less (or zero) gasoline. But what about solar-powered robots? As robots become more common, it is increasingly important to use "green" energy sources to power them. In this project, you will build and test a popular robot called a bristlebot — a tiny robot made using toothbrushes—that can operate on… Read more

Unleash the Power of a Pinwheel!

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

How do you feel when you ride your bike into a strong wind? Do your legs feel like lead? How about when the wind is at your back? Does that make you feel ready for the Tour de France? In this science fair project, you will investigate how wind-powered devices, like pinwheels, also react in different ways to the direction of the wind. Read more

Turn Plants into Biofuel with the Power of Enzymes

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Are biofuels the wave of the future? People often talk about these plant-derived fuels as a way to someday cut down on our dependency on non-renewable carbon-based fuels, like gasoline. Ethanol (a type of alcohol) is a common biofuel used today. In the United States, ethanol is a common biofuel additive to normal gasoline. In fact, some states mandate that when you fill up your gas tank, 10 percent of the total fuel volume be made of ethanol. Brazil, the world's second largest user of… Read more

Which Liquid Works Best for Evaporative Cooling?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

When we get hot, we sweat. Sweating helps cool us down. When the water evaporates, it removes energy from our bodies. This sort of evaporative cooling can also be used to cool homes using what are referred to as swamp coolers. In some cases, these coolers may be more energy-efficient than traditional air conditioners. In this chemistry science fair project, you will find out which liquid works best for evaporative cooling. Read more

Fuel Cells—Fueling the Future!

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

You probably know that turning off the lights and the water, and not wasting paper are all ways to help the environment and conserve our resources. Did you know that another way is to use fuel cells? A fuel cell is a device that converts the energy in chemicals to electricity and it creates no pollution. The starting chemical does not have to be something complex — in fact you it can even be water! In this science fair project try your own hand at converting water to electricity with the… Read more

Seebeck Effect: Turn Heat into Electricity, Then Measure It with a Thermocouple Thermometer

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Everyone knows electricity can create heat, especially because our electrical appliances tend to warm up when turned on. But wouldn't it be cool to do the reverse — generate electricity from heat? In this science project, you will study why it happens, measure the effect, and then use the phenomenon to build your own device, a thermocouple thermometer, that will enable you to convert heat into electrical energy. Read more

How Clean is Your State's Energy?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Where does your electricity come from, and how does it affect the environment? In this project, you will use data on electricity generation from power plants across the United States to compare the fuel sources and emissions from power plants in one state to national averages. You will also examine past trends and use them to estimate how the state’s fuel mix and emissions might change in the future if recent patterns continue. Read more

Find the Best Place to Put a Solar Panel

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Imagine trying to put a solar panel on your roof or outside your home to generate clean, renewable energy. Where would you put it so it generates as much power as possible throughout the day? What direction should it face? Is there a way to take measurements to find the best location before you install the panel? In this project, you will use a tiny programmable device called a micro:bit to record light data and find the best place to put your panel. Read more

Affordable and Clean Energy Science Projects (50 results)

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