Science Fair Project Ideas for 6th Grade
Main topics of study in 6th grade include heat, light, sound, astronomy, and microorganisms and would be good areas to focus your project.
Heat
- Explain characteristics of natural sources of heat in the environment (sun, geysers, fire, and lightning).
- Generate heat using a variety of materials and methods.
- Describe sources of heat used in the home and school.
- Distinguish between objects producing light and objects reflecting light.
- Produce light using a variety of materials (light bulbs, candles, matches, flint, steel).
Astronomy
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- Describe the patterns of movement of Earth, moon, and sun.
- Model movements of Earth and moon with respect to the sun.
- Model phases of the moon.
- Distinguish between solar and lunar eclipses.
- Describe effects of Earth's angle of inclination to the sun upon weather, seasons, etc.
- Describe effects of the moon on Earth.
- Collect and analyze data gained from space technology.
- Using researched, collected, or analyzed data from space technology, make inferences regarding Earth, moon, and sun.
- Identify and analyze scientific issues involved in space travel.
- Communicate a position and support it concerning the advantages and disadvantages of space travel.
- Identify examples of spinoffs from space technology.
Students will describe and compare the components of the solar system.
- Devise several products such as graphs and models to compare objects in the solar system.
- Distinguish planets from other objects of the solar system.
- Compare and contrast physical characteristics of the planets.
- Design and communicate size and distance scales which accurately compare the planets.
- Collect and report information about the solar system gathered by the use of technology.
- Use instruments (e.g., binoculars, telescopes, etc.) to observe the moon and the planets.
- Describe the role of computers in processing data about the solar system.
- Communicate information and conclusions gained from space probes.
- Compare information from various available sources including books, magazines, people, and other resources.
Students will begin to investigate the nature of the universe.
- Explain the relationship of the vastness of space to objects found in space.
- Describe Earth relative to the solar system, the galaxy, and the universe.
- Describe the relationships of stars and galaxies.
- Explain how scientific development changes knowledge of space.
- Research and describe historical explanations of the universe from different cultures.
- Give examples of contributions by both historical and modern scientists.
- Identify tools and the information they provide in investigating the universe.
Microorganisms
Students will explain how technology enhances vision and adds to knowledge of the living world.
- Explain how scientific development changes knowledge of the living world.
- Describe in their own terms how a microscope works.
- Give examples of contributions by scientists that led to the development of knowledge of microscopic organisms.
- Describe how experiments are used to increase scientific knowledge.
- Conduct an experiment with microorganisms using methods of science.
- Formulate a research question and hypothesis.
- Identify variables and describe relationships between them.
- Include appropriate controls.
- Collect, record, and display data.
- Analyze data to draw warranted inferences.
- Observe and collect data about microorganisms.
- Compare shapes and structure of microorganisms.
- Give evidence to support the statement that microorganisms are almost everywhere.
- Grow microorganisms and observe changes over time.
Students will describe the growth, function, and significance of microorganisms in the environment.
- Identify helpful and harmful aspects of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoans.
- Research the causes and treatments for diseases.
- Predict what would happen if there were an increase or decrease of microorganisms in the body.
- Explain the influences of microorganisms on foods.
- Summarize information which describes the use of microorganisms in industry.
- Research careers in microbiology.
- Describe the interaction of microorganisms within an ecosystem.
- Plan a balanced aquarium or terrarium.
- Draw inferences about the roles of microorganisms in a food web, in pond water, or some other environment.