Water science fair projects can be fun!

With these water science fair projects you get to learn about fresh water and salt water. Have you ever seen an ocean? Or maybe a picture of one? We'll learn about what kind of water oceans have and other big bodies of water. So...

Let's have some fun with water!

Time - Give yourself about three or four days to do this one.

Stuff List

You'll need for water science fair projects...

1. Freezer
2. Water
3. Salt
4. Two containers the same size
5. Two labels
6. Camera
7. Cardboard for display (three sided)
8. Glue
9. Paper
10. Computer (optional)

Preparation

It's always important to ask questions. In science it's even more important. So...

...let's ask some questions for water science fair projects.

Here are some important questions to get you started. These aren't the most important question, though. We'll ask that one later.

See if you can add to this list for these water science fair experiments.

What does an ocean smell like? A lake? A river? Your bathtub?
Have you ever tasted water from any of these?
Do you think they all have the same kind of water?

Try to answer these as best you can.

Now...

We ask the most important question...

What happens to the ocean in the winter? Do you think it freezes?

This is a good question because we can try it out in our freezer at home. But don't try it yet. We need to answer our important question first!

Let's do that now.

What do you think will happen?

Write it down on a piece of paper. Don't change it until you see what the water does first.

Now it's time to get your stuff from the list above. Let's move to the next step.

Project

Now comes the fun part...

...let's see what happens to the water we have! Make sure you have two containers exactly the same size. Fill both cups with the same amount of water. It's important that the water level is the exact same level in both cups.

Add a spoonful of salt to one cup and stir it a lot. Leave the other with just water in it. Don't do anything to the second cup.

Now, label the cup with the salt in it "salt" or draw a your picture of an ocean on a label and put it on the cup. Label the other cup "fresh" or draw a picture of a lake or river on it. Make sure you know which cup is which.

Here's what it looks like...

Place both cups in the freezer, like this...

Don't forget to take lots of pictures of this part. Pictures show you did your own work.

Now, leave them overnight. Don't check on them until the next day.

The next day, what do you see? Is there a difference between the two cups of water?

Paper

Now it's time to tell what you saw. Draw a picture of both cups. Try to show what you saw in each cup. Also, write a report about what you saw.

You should include...

1. What you guessed about the boats.
2. What you did with the boats.
3. Which boat held the most.
4. If your guess was correct about the boats.

Be careful to obey all the school rules for your science fair report. Three or four sentences will do if you weren't given how long it should be.

Presentation

Now you get to make the display!

Carefully put three pieces of cardboard together so it looks like this...

If you want more information about putting together displays click here. You can also buy displays at many retail stores that fit water science fair projects. However you do it, make sure you follow science fair rules!

Now, on a piece of paper neatly write your important question and your guess. If you would like, type it. You might get style points!

Now, just like you did your important question, write (or type) your supply list on a separate piece of paper.

Paste your guess, supply list and report onto your display board along with any pictures you might have taken. Make sure you label each so the judges know what is what. Making sure everything looks good is important!

If you want to get some ideas for your display we have some examples for you. Just click here for ideas about water science fair projects displays and other tips and hints.

Try playing with some of the display ideas you see. You should be able to find something that will fit water science fair projects. You don't have to use the exact ones we use. Adapt them. Make them fun! Be creative!

And don't forget to name your project at the top of the display board. You may want to use your important question as the title. You may want to purchase stencils to make cutouts of letters. Or you may purchase already made letters at many retail stores.

Whatever you do, have fun!

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