The Basics and Benefits of
Chemistry Science Fair Projects

Chemistry science fair projects are a great way to introduce students to the methodology of chemical science. 

By designing, performing, and analyzing chemistry science fair projects, students get a chance to explore the real process of chemistry, not just learning how to calculate chemical equations and memorizing the properties of chemical compounds. 

It is important to remember that safety is of paramount importance when working with chemicals.  Adult supervision should always be present when the student mixes or pours chemicals, and proper safety gear must be worn at all times.

Chemistry is a huge field of endeavor that goes far beyond the usual stereotype of boiling noxious chemicals and stuffy scientists in lab coats.  Chemistry is a growing and vital field that impacts almost all areas of modern life. 

From food additives to chemicals used in the production of advanced microelectronic components, chemistry touches nearly everything we do.  For this reason, chemistry is an excellent subject for students to study and can lead to lucrative careers in chemical science and engineering.

One simple class of chemistry science fair projects is the study of how the boiling point and freezing point of liquids is altered by the dissolution of certain substances.  All that is needed is a kitchen stove, a liquid thermometer, and an appropriate solute. 

The simplest form of this experiment uses water as the solvent and salt as the solute.  The student can dissolve different amounts of salt in the water and measure the temperature at which the solution boils and freezes.  This study has real world implications because this is precisely the property that road crews use when they salt roads during ice and snow storms.  It is important to take care when working with hot and boiling liquids, and adult supervision should be in place at all times.

Older students can undertake more complicated chemistry science fair projects.  One class of these projects is to synthesize or extract chemicals from certain substances and mixtures.  One example of this might be to use chemistry to extract glucose from a piece of fruit or a drink such as soda pop.  This is a real world type of chemistry science fair project that is seen in real world laboratories every day.