50+ Best STEM Project Ideas for Students of All Grade Levels

STEM is a simple way of saying science, technology, engineering, and math, and honestly, it’s fun to learn when you’re doing it yourself. Remember when you made something, such as a volcano with baking soda or a paper bridge that your coin broke on the second time? You are in all probability nonetheless still recall it, are you not? This is because if you test, fail, and retest, these issues don’t seem like dull facts in a textbook; they behave like actual issues.

Here, we’ve compiled 100+ STEM project ideas for each grade level (Grades 1-10). Some are very easy to make using things you’d find around your house, some are a bit more involved and can be used for science fairs or class work. Simply scroll to your grade and select something you want to do.

When you ever find yourself in a situation needing extra assistance with a project, a report or a difficult task, Best Assignment Grade will assist you with expert guidance so you can accomplish on time and feel confident in your work. 

Why STEM Projects Matter for Students

STEM projects aren’t just something teachers dole out so you will have something to do. They actually have some good things to teach you that you will remember, and here’s why they’re worth your time.

They build real thinking skills: If something doesn’t work, you have to think about why. It’s thinking and problem-solving and you do it outside of class.

They spark creativity: They rarely have a definite answer, and you can work your own bizarre brain and see how it turns out.

They help your grades: A good project can earn you better grades, and science fairs aren’t as threatening.

They get you ready for the future: Colleges and careers appreciate problem-solving and reasoning skills.

The right idea makes a difference: You’ll actually finish STEM project ideas when they’re keyed to your grade level; they won’t make you feel frustrated.

How to Choose the Right STEM Project

Choosing a project can be more challenging than executing the project. Before jumping in, here are some simple considerations..

1. Match it to your age and skill level: A 2nd grader should not be creating the same project as a 10th grader. Choose something that is a little challenging, but not so hard that you want to give up partway.

2. Check your materials first: Don’t pick a concept before checking out your materials, especially your materials at home. If a fancy kit that will cost lots of money is needed, perhaps do not choose that one.

3. Think about your time: Some will take an hour, others will require a few weeks for results. Do the work that you can do, realistically.

4. Keep safety in mind: Hot, chemical, and electric equipment must be supervised by an adult. No exceptions.

5. Plan how you’ll present it: The most successful STEM project ideas are the ones that you can describe well, with pictures, notes, and a short report at the end!

Also Read: If you’re also looking for bigger, more advanced projects, check out our guide on capstone project ideas for some extra inspiration.

STEM Project Ideas for Elementary School (Grades 1-5)

From the ground up, STEM is truly fun, because children have questions. These STEM project ideas are easy, cost-effective and have minimal set-up, allowing you to get started almost immediately.

1st Grade STEM Project Ideas

1. Make an experiment using household materials to see if they float or sink.
2. Construct a paper bridge with coins on it.
3. Use a flashlight to create a rainbow using water.
4. Plant beans in clear plastic bag.
5. Construct the highest tower using marshmallows and toothpicks!
6. What sticks and what doesn’t stick is determined by the magnet test.
7. Create a foil boat.Create a foil boat.
8. Raisins Dancing In Soda Pop
9. Construct a paper plane and test the distance traveled!
10. Build a bird feeder with pinecone.Make a pinecone bird feeder.

2nd Grade STEM Project Ideas

11. Evaluate the growth of plants in and out of sunlight.
12. Design a paper clip race using magnets.
13. Create a “lava lamp” using oil and water.
14. Construct a cup tower with just index cards.
15. A race using salt, sugar and plain water to melt the ice.
16. Create a sundial using a stick and chalk
17. Construct a ramp and try a few experiments to see which toy car can travel the furthest.
18. Balloon static electricity and paper bits
19. Create a basic weather station including a rain gauge.
20. Use a paper parachute to drop an egg.

3rd Grade STEM Project Ideas 

21. Create a basic pulley system to pull up a small bucket.
22. A demonstration of the sand and gravel filter of water using cotton material.
23. Create a lever and experiment with its weight-lifting capabilities.
24. Self-made volcano using baking soda and vinegar.
25. Build your own balloon-powered car.
26. Determine which paper towel absorbs the most water.
27. Create a model of the water cycle in a plastic bag.
28. Create a paper tube and funnel stethoscope!
29. Investigate how shadows change throughout the day.
30. Create a pinwheel and try it on a fan!

4th Grade STEM Project Ideas 

31. Construct an easy circuit to illuminate a small light bulb
32. A tray full of soil and water is employed to create a model of erosion.
33. Create a homemade compass using a needle and magnet.
34. Explore how a toy car’s speed changes on various surfaces.
35. Making an electromagnet using nails and wires
36. Make a model of the human lung using a bottle and balloons
37. Create crystals from salt and sugar
38. Create a bridge and find out how much weight it can support.
39. Create a hydraulic arm using syringes and cardboard.
40. Experiment to determine what materials are best insulators

5th Grade STEM Project Ideas

41. Construct a pizza box solar oven.
42. Create a catapult using craft sticks and see how far it can throw!
43. Make a homemade battery using lemons!
44. Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of dissolving of the sugar.
45. Make a wind powered car.
46. Build a model of the solar system to scale
47. Make a simple seismograph to measure shaking
48. Compare the results of growing plants in various soils.
49. Construct a marble run using foam pipe insulation!
50. Extract DNA from strawberries

STEM Project Ideas for Middle School (Grades 6-8)

At the middle school level, projects begin to be a bit more serious and take into account real data, graphs and maybe some trial and error. These middle school STEM Project Ideas are still fun, but they’re going to make you think more and provide an explanation of what you learned! Choose one that suits you, from building to coding to experimenting.

6th Grade STEM Project Ideas 

51. Construct a small wind turbine and determine its power generation.
52. A density tower for honey, dish soap, water, and oil.
53. Determine the effect that the angle of a ramp has on the speed of a car.
54. Create your own water purifier and check the results.
55. Construct a model that exhibits hydraulic lift.
56. The effect of various fertilizers on plant growth may be compared.
57. Create and test a parachute, and determine which material has the slowest fall.
58. Construct a basic electric motor using a battery, and a magnet
59. Make a model of the Rock Cycle with crayons
60. Investigate the effect of salt on the melting and freezing point of water

7th Grade STEM Project Ideas 

61. Create a 3-D model of an animal or plant cell.
62. Programme a basic game in Scratch.
63. Test to see which battery brand will last the longest.
64. Create a model of a volcano eruption using varying thickness of lava.
65. Construct an electric car model with a small DC motor.
66. Study how sunlight affects the temperature of different colors 
67. Make your own pH sensor using red cabbage.
68. Investigate how to make a structure shake table resistant and test it on a shake table.
69. Use a ruler drop test to measure reaction time.
70. Create a basic cardboard robot arm with syringes! 

STEM Project Ideas for 8th Grade 

71. Investigate the effects of various chemical reactions on the formation of gases.
72. Create a simple robot using arduino.
73. Investigate the impact of pollution on growth of plants or seeds
74. Design and build a prototype solar-powered phone charger.
75. Investigate Electrical Conductivity of Liquids.
76. Create a bridge design and determine the strength/weight ratio.
77. Create a very basic website or app to address a problem in school.
78. Find out the rebound height of various sports balls on different surfaces.
79. Build a homemade speaker using a magnet, wire and paper cup
80. Identify plastic waste generated by your family in a week of time 

Good STEM Project Ideas for High School Students (Grades 9-12)

In high school, your project may even begin to be considered real science. You will be using correct data, code and larger questions. A bit trickier, but these are great STEM project ideas for high school students that will look great on a college application and which are AMAZING once they get going. Choose one that resonates with you and then build on that. 

STEM Project Ideas for 9th Grade 

81. Conduct a backyard or park biodiversity survey.
82. Create a basic mobile application that addresses a common user need
83. Make a comparison of the UV blocking properties of various fabrics.
84. Create a practical object such as a phone stand, using the principles of design and 3D printing.
85. Research the effects of caffeine on the daphnia’s heart rate.
86. Create a Raspberry Pi weather station.
87. Analyze and compare the effectiveness of natural cleaners with store bought cleaners in killing bacteria.
88. Write a Python program to monitor and chart your daily routine
89. Test the different material’s impact on Wi-Fi signal strength.
90. Construct a water quality testing kit and test local water sources 

STEM Project Ideas for 10th Grade 

91. Construct a micro-scale renewable energy project involving solar and wind power
92. Examine actual climate data and make forecasts about the future of the climate.
93. Have a look at the following and design your own automatic plant watering system using Arduino.
94. Test to see the effect that various soils have on filtering pollutants from water.
95. Design a handwritten digit recognizer using machine learning techniques.
96. Explore the relationship of music and memory/attention.
97. Create a hydroponic garden and make comparisons with ground-grown ones.
98. Design an inexpensive Air Quality Monitor
99. Investigate the insulating properties of various different material used in the model house to reduce heat loss.
100. Construct a basic wind tunnel and investigate the aerodynamics of various forms.
101. Design and build a smart home prototype using lights that are controlled by sensors.

If you want step-by-step guides for science fair experiments,Science Buddies is a free site with tons of extra project help. 

Tips to Make Your STEM Project Stand Out

Good idea gets you going, but what you do, is what grabs the attention. Here are some simple, but effective habits. 

Start with a clear question: “Does sunlight make beans grow faster?” is far more powerful than “I’ll do a plant project.” Make a hypothesis, or a guess. 

Write everything down: Take notes, take photos and save your numbers along the way. Believe me, you will never be able to forget them later. 

Test more than once: It may be a fluke. If you repeat it several times, your results are much more believable. 

Use visuals: Charts, graphs, and labelled pictures convey information more quickly than a long paragraph. 

Finish with a simple conclusion: State what happened, if your guess was correct, what you would do different the next time. Apply these tips to any of the above STEM project ideas and your project will come off looking much more put together. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid in STEM Projects

We all have to make a mistake in a project at least once and that’s okay. However, if you are aware of the following common pitfalls, you can avoid a great deal of stress. 

Picking something too big: A big idea is great, but if it takes you a month and the time is only up to a week, then it won’t work. Work smaller first then larger. 

Picking something too easy: On the other side, too easy of a project will not demonstrate what you can do best. Try to get something that’ll make you think a little bit. 

Skipping the scientific method: No question, no guess, no fair test, just playing around. Fun but not actual project. 

Changing too many things at once: If three things are changed and tested in one test, you will not know which changed thing is responsible for the results. Make one change at a time. 

Leaving it until the last minute: Experiments go wrong, materials are lost and plants grow slowly. Allow additional time. Seriously. 

Final Thoughts

So here are 100+ STEM project ideas, ranging from 1st grade experiments, all the way up to 10th grade builds featuring code and sensors. But don’t take the trouble to choose the “right” one—just the one that seems to have the most potential. Simply select something that sounds like fun, begin small, and build up from there.

Not all the best STEM project ideas can be the most elaborate. They are the ones where you have a clear question, test the question correctly, and learn something new. Failure is still a success – if your experiment fails, then you have learned what not to do the second time.

So when you are ever in a bind or time crunch, Best Assignment Grade is always there to assist you in your assignments and projects. Take your materials, choose an idea and start creating. 

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