Examples of Science Fair Projects

We've started a fun new section at PlayFair Toys - examples of science fair projects. Our hope is to give you some ideas that might work, and we also welcome your own ideas, what worked, what didn't, why did you like it, why not.

This one's a great science experiment for kindergarden kids, or slightly older. Answer the question, "Will a bean seed grow faster if it is cut through the cotyledon or down the middle (between the cotyledons)?" A cotyledon is a "seed leaf". It's that first leaf that comes out when a seed sprouts. If you look closely at a bean, you'll notice that it has two halves that are identical, and if you tap it lightly it will split down the middle into these halves. These are the two cotyledons.

This experiment or science fair project is fun because it involves a saw! I suggest using at least 6 beans for each treatment, in case some of your beans don't sprout at all. Your treatments will be: (1) split the bean into its two cotyledons, (2) saw the bean across the cotyledons, so that you have two halves, each with a part of one of the two original cotyledons, and (3) just leave the bean as it is.

With a parent or teacher helping (very important!), saw your beans as noted. You need to keep your beans moist in order for them to sprout. The easiest way to do this is to place them between two pieces of moist paper towel inside a closed plastic bag. Write the treatment on the bag! Then check them each day, and note how many days have gone by. Once your seeds have sprouted, take them out of the plastic bag, and place them in a small pot with potting soil, but keep them moist and warm. Each day measure all the seeds (now the sprouts) in each treatment.

What do you think will happen?

And if you've got a fun idea that you don't mind sharing, then send it in. If we like it, we'll post it here and give you credit. Just shoot us an email with your idea, addressed to Professor PlayFair, and with the subject line: Science Fair Experiment Example. Also if you try any of our example science fair experiments or science experiments, we'd love to hear what happened. Please email the Professor and let her know what you discovered!