The curriculum for kids in 6th grade is beginning to get more complex. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that their science projects and experiments need to be complicated. Here are ten enjoyable science projects and experiments to try out with your 6th graders.

• The mechanism surrounding antacids

Antacids are phenomenal substances used to alleviate heartburn. This experiment is designed to show learners how these medicines work. Learners will mimic heartburn using artificial enzymes and employ antacids as a countermeasure.

• Can yeast remain active without air

This biology experiment allows students to understand how yeast operates. Yeast is essential in the baking industry because its fermentative action allows bread dough to rise before baking. However, the process occurs under a cover. Students will evaluate the impact of aeration on yeast action using glucose as a substrate.

• Aspirin in carbohydrate solutions

Everyone has used aspirin tablets at one time to reduce the severity of headaches and other pains. This experiment is meant to demonstrate how painkillers operate when taken alongside food. The main question here is whether aspirin absorbs into the bloodstream quicker when it is accompanied by a meal such as a carbohydrate. Students will use multiple food items to find the speed of aspirin absorption.

• Bacteria against toothpaste

Oral hygiene is critical for strong teeth and preventing bad breath. The main cause of bad breath and tooth decay is bacteria which propagates in different corners of the mouth. This experiment will investigate the efficacy of different brands of toothpaste on bacteria. Learners can use samples from their teeth to generate bacteria colonies.

• Gravity and root growth in plants

Plants generally grow upward against the pull of gravity while their roots move downward. Learners will investigate whether the direction of plant growth can be reversed by rotating newly germinated seeds.

• Plant growth in hydroponics and soil

As the world’s population steadily rises, there is an increasing need to produce more food. One of the ways scientists realize increased food production is through hydroponic technology. Learners will have an opportunity to examine the different plant growth rates in both hydroponic and soil culture systems.

• Puppy development

While most kids enjoy having pets, few understand how these wonderful animals grow. Learners will study various aspects of a puppy’s growth from birth for several weeks. During that time, 6th graders will measure the animals’ weight changes and different proportions, such as their ears and tail.

• Temperature changes and migratory birds

Migratory birds often switch environments for different reasons. Temperature changes usually cause different animals to move to other favorable environments. Learners will select a species of a migratory bird and find out whether a change in prevailing temperature causes them to move. 

• Building a raft

Kids in 6th grade will have an opportunity to learn about the force of surface tension on water. Along the way, they’ll construct a model raft to test how this property is used to power such vessels.