6th Grade Science Fair Projects

Unfortunately, teachers and parent promote book learning instead of hands-on experiences at the 6th grade level. These kids want to know what are the basic scientific principles behind the workings of their world: riding a bicycle, taking pictures with their camera, throwing a ball, running, getting water from a well or faucet, noticing changes in the weather or flying a kite. And they want to experiment to find the answers.

Characteristics of 6th Grader's
The 11 year old is a pre-adolescent and by the middle of the academnic year has most likely arrived! That means that the growth of their hormones is takes over their body, therefore your children / students are not able to really concentrate or remember what s/he learns. In China the 12 yr old did not go to school for a whole year because they use to consider this a "lost year". Instead, they had this age student work in the fields or at a job. So reduce your expectations, because pressure makes it worse.

• Demonstrates more curiosity and self-assertion.


• More socially aware.


• Physically exuberant, restless, wiggly, and talks a lot.


• An intensity and range of emotions.


• Moody and gets frustrated easily.


• Can express and relate feelings.


• Competitive, wants to excel. Tends to put down the "out group."


• Exhibits silliness and "off-color" humor.


• Teases and tussles.

What can you do to help during these emotional shifts? Help your child student to cope with changes...


• Work on interpersonal skills.


• Handle peer groups and pressure.


• Develop personal abilities and interests.


• Take on more responsibility for behavior and decisions.

What 6th Graders Enjoy Learning in Science
A good teacher asks, "What is going on regarding....?"." What causes that to happen? Take a guess..." Students need to see and recognize "science" all around them. Hands-on is the answer to their restlessness the 2nd half of the year.

• What happens when you put air in a tire?


• What oils the moving parts and how does that make something work?


• What causes the shape of the moon?


• What happens when cloud formation changes


• Environmental issues becomes prominent in the curriculum - eco-system damage


• Extensive exploration and experimentation in the study of meterology


• Engage in the process of inquiry, experimenting to find answers to their own questions as well as by their teacher.

  ~ What makes objects stand and then always fall?
  ~ What shapes can support the most weight?
  ~ Why do we see better during the day than at night?
  ~ What can I do to make my glider fly further? Higher? Faster?
  ~ What can we do to recycler waster at home an school?
  ~ What makes air rise? Why is it hotter upstair than downstairs?
  ~ How do we find out the age of a tree?
  ~ Is there a difference between a dog's liver and my own?

• Exposure to visiting scientists in the classroom and science museums.


• Understand the use of the scientific method to predict and explain phenomena.


• Learn about and examine machines, including computers and mass communication systems. How technology affects their lives.

When students are given the opportunity to express themselves you will find that their questions are endless. Great teachers use these questions to show children how to use the process of inquiry to get their answers. They learn how to define, experiment, and figure out a problem.