Experiments for Curious Adolescents in the Realm of Science
================================================================
Discover the world of science with these engaging projects designed for teenagers. From homemade speakers to advanced AI-powered applications, there's something for every interest and skill level.
Popular Science Projects
Homemade iPhone Speaker
Create your own iPhone speaker using different types of cups and cardboard tubes. This simple yet effective project is a great way to learn about sound waves and acoustics.
Coke and Mento Explosions
The classic Coke and Mento explosion is a fun science trick, but it's best done outdoors. Challenge yourself to design and build a mechanism that drops the Mentos quickly into the bottle for an even more spectacular show.
Pumping Heart Model
Learn about the heart's function by creating a pumping heart model. This easy project will help you understand the heart's role in circulating blood throughout the body.
Density Column
A density column experiment allows you to explore the concept of density by gently pouring each new layer down the side of the container so it rests on the layer below. You can choose to make this experiment simple or complex, depending on your interest level.
Science Story Books
Embark on a journey through science with books like "Reach for the Stars" and "Around the World in 50 Experiments". These books not only provide interesting science stories but also include activities at the end of each chapter to reinforce learning.
Growing Sugar Crystals
Learn about concentrations and saturated solutions by growing sugar crystals. This fun and educational experiment will help you understand the concept of crystallization.
Edible Plant Cell Model
Create an edible model of a plant cell to learn about plant cells. Although it doesn't keep very well, this tasty project is a great way to understand the structure and function of plant cells.
STOMP Rocket
Build your own STOMP rocket and launch it into the sky. This STEM challenge is a fun way to learn about physics and aerodynamics.
Investigating the Heart and Exercise
Heart Rate Investigation
Investigate the effect of exercise on heart rate by measuring your pulse rate before and after exercise. This simple experiment will help you understand how the heart adapts to physical activity.
Science Bake Off
Organize a Science Bake Off with friends to discover chemistry in the kitchen. This fun event will allow you to learn about various chemical reactions while enjoying delicious treats.
Advanced Science Projects with Technology
Interactive Inventions with Makey Makey
Use Makey Makey to create interactive inventions that use everyday objects as touchpads or controllers for games, instruments, or assistive devices. For example, you could turn fruits into piano keys or build custom game controllers using conductive materials.
Coding AI-Powered Applications
Learn to code AI-powered applications, such as machine learning projects involving computer vision or natural language processing with programming languages like Python. You can create apps that recognize faces, analyze data, or generate AI art, offering a practical introduction to AI concepts.
Engineering Design Challenges Linked to Space Exploration
Take on engineering design challenges linked to space exploration, such as building rovers, designing spacesuit interfaces in augmented reality, or launching high-powered rockets with scientific payloads. NASA offers rigorous engineering and coding projects that engage teens in authentic space science tasks.
Electronics and Robotics Projects
Build custom circuits, sensors, and robots controlled via coding platforms such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi. Integrate these projects with Makey Makey for interactive control to create even more engaging projects.
Quantum Science Projects
For advanced teens interested in cutting-edge physics, consider participating in quantum information science camps that involve hands-on quantum circuits and experiments.
These projects often combine hands-on electronics, programming, and creative problem solving, and can be pursued through STEM summer programs, internships, or online classes that emphasize project-based learning and mentorship.
Other Interesting Experiments
Pasta Plant Cell Model
Create a pasta plant cell model to learn about plant cells.
Osmosis Experiment
Remove the shell from an egg and observe its behavior in water to help teach about osmosis.
Simple Paper Experiments
Perform simple science experiments using only paper, such as creating a lever or a pulley system.
Chemical Reactions Experiment
Blow up a balloon with lemon juice or yeast and warm water to help teach about chemical reactions.
Extended Bottle Rocket Project
Design and build a launch pad for your bottle rocket, decorate it, add extra weight, or even a toy passenger to make your project even more exciting.
Inertia Experiment
Perform an inertia experiment by pulling a cardboard sheet out from under a tube to see a small ball or lemon drop straight into a glass.
Colourful Flowers Experiment
Make plain white flowers colorful using the power of transpiration and non-natural food colors.
Electricity Projects
Create electricity projects for teens that result in satisfying and sometimes useful outcomes, such as making your own torch with a Pringles tube or creating spooky light-up houses.
Creative Projects from The STEM Laboratory
Try out projects from The STEM Laboratory, such as creating toothpick stars.
This article was last updated on June 24, 2025, by Emma Vanstone.
- In the realm of technology, use Makey Makey to construct interactive inventions, employing everyday objects as touchpads or controllers for games, instruments, or assistive devices.
- Learn about the heart's function by crafting a pumping heart model, an easy project that helps in understanding the heart's role in circulating blood throughout the body.
- Create your own iPhone speaker using various types of cups and cardboard tubes to learn about sound waves and acoustics.
- Dive into the world of science with books such as "Reach for the Stars" and "Around the World in 50 Experiments", which offer interesting science stories and activities at the end of each chapter.
- Grow sugar crystals to learn about concentrations and saturated solutions, helping you understand the concept of crystallization.
- Organize a Science Bake Off with friends to discover chemistry in the kitchen, allowing you to learn about various chemical reactions while enjoying delicious treats.
- For advanced teens interested in cutting-edge physics, consider participating in quantum information science camps offering hands-on quantum circuits and experiments.
