💡 Get Inspired

Capri Science Fair 2026-27 — "Science in Life!"

Looking for project ideas?

Not sure what to do for your project? You're in the right place. Below are trusted resources, real videos from past science fair finalists, and starter project ideas by topic. Some come from national programs, some from local fairs — all are safe, kid-friendly, and totally free to explore.

🎬 Watch & Get Ideas

Real students and real scientists — from official program channels

3M Young Scientist Challenge

Follow real student finalists as they build their inventions

Science Buddies

20 great project ideas, each with instructions

NASA JPL: How to Do a Science Fair Project

Six short videos from NASA scientists, from idea to results

🔗 Best Free Resources for K–6 Projects

Trusted sites with project ideas, materials lists, and safety guides

⭐ Top Pick

Science Buddies

The biggest free library of K–12 science fair projects, filterable by grade, time, materials, and topic. Each project includes a full tutorial and safety guide.

Explore projects → National Program

3M Young Scientist Challenge

Annual competition with archived videos of past finalists. Great for seeing what excellent middle-school science projects look like — inspiring for older elementary kids.

View finalists → San Diego

Greater San Diego Science Fair

Our regional fair! Browse past project archives to see what other local students have done — many are elementary-age and from nearby schools.

Browse projects → San Diego

SD Lab Rats: STEM at Home

Hands-on science activities from SD Lab Rats, the San Diego nonprofit coming to our fair on November 19. Easy experiments to try at home and spark a project idea.

Try an experiment → California

California Science & Engineering Fair

State-level fair with elementary divisions. Past project archives show winning ideas from across California.

Visit fair → NASA

NASA STEM for Kids

Space, weather, and engineering activities designed for K–4. Free downloadable guides and experiment ideas straight from NASA.

Explore activities → Science Friday

Science Friday Educate

Free hands-on science lessons and activities perfect for project inspiration, organized by grade level and subject.

Browse lessons → Exploratorium

Exploratorium Activities

The legendary San Francisco science museum's hands-on activity library — perfect for sparking curiosity and project ideas.

Try an activity → Global

Regeneron ISEF

The world's largest international science fair (high school). Worth a peek to see where science fair journeys can lead — and the amazing projects students invent.

See past winners →

💡 Project Idea Starters

What do you enjoy most? Pick your favorite thing, find the science in it, and make it your own.

⚽ Sports & Movement

  • Does a cold basketball bounce lower than a warm one?
  • Which soccer kick sends the ball the farthest?
  • Does stretching help you jump higher?
  • Why does a curveball curve?

🍳 Food & Cooking

  • What makes popcorn pop — and which brand pops best?
  • Why do cookies spread in the oven?
  • Which fruit browns the fastest once it's cut?
  • Does salt make ice melt faster?

🌿 Nature & Animals

  • Do ants prefer sugar or protein?
  • Which bird seed attracts the most birds?
  • Do plants grow toward light or toward water?
  • What's living in a drop of pond water?

🎵 Music & Sound

  • Do plants grow faster with music?
  • How does water level change the note a glass makes?
  • Can you hear sound underwater?
  • Does music change your heart rate?

🧱 Games, Toys & Lego

  • Can a Lego bridge hold a backpack?
  • Which yo-yo spins the longest, and why?
  • Does a toy car go farther down a steeper ramp?
  • Is a dice roll really random? Roll it 100 times!

🎢 Rides & Motion

  • Why do roller coasters make your stomach drop?
  • Can a marble roller coaster do a loop?
  • Which paper airplane flies the farthest?
  • How does a parachute's size change how fast it falls?

🚀 Space & Weather

  • Can you predict tomorrow's weather by looking at clouds?
  • Build a rain gauge — how much rain fell this week?
  • Why does the moon look bigger near the horizon?
  • Which color absorbs the most heat from the sun?

🫀 Body & Health

  • Does hand sanitizer work better than soap?
  • How does sleep affect memory?
  • Which sunscreen blocks the most sun?
  • Does exercise change how fast your heart recovers?

🏗️ Building & Engineering

  • What bridge design holds the most weight?
  • Can you build a tower using only paper and tape?
  • Which boat design holds the most pennies before sinking?
  • Can you build a solar oven that melts chocolate?

✨ Something Else

  • Which material keeps an ice cube frozen the longest?
  • Does the shape of a bubble wand change the bubble?
  • Which paper towel brand is the most absorbent?
  • Got your own idea? Ask your teacher about it!