Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) have emerged as the core of the 21st century. Our day-to-day activities are linked to science and technology. Technology has seeped right into every aspect of society and family.
Computer science and programming, which are core aspects of STEM, are no longer just men’s business; women and kids are beginning to make waves and impart the world of tech. To top it off, parents, schools, and big tech companies have provided several learning platforms and projects for kids to learn coding.
There is no excuse for parents why they cannot teach coding to their kids. There are tons of free and paid platforms for kids to get started on programming and coding, and the science fair is one of them.
Overview of Science Fair Ideas Using Coding
The science fair coding projects are a great avenue for kids to learn coding and computer science. The STEM projects are suitable for kids from 1st grade and above.
The science fair projects, in addition to teaching coding, help kids to understand how computer science can make them innovate, think critically and creatively, emerge as problem solvers, and create amazing, innovative projects.
The science fair opens kids to the opportunities of STEM. The beauty of it is that kids can still pursue their careers in other disciplines. They can also incorporate their knowledge of STEM into other fields and disciplines.
There are over 100 STEM project ideas for the science fair that teaches kids coding. They can learn Artificial Intelligence (AI), how to hack passwords, build an electronic piano, how to make a battery, among others.
Kids can also learn various programming codes for science fairs through several projects, including technology and mechanical science projects, Candle Seesaw STEM projects, Screen-free coding projects, etc.
All About Science Fair Projects and What They Have To Do With Coding
Science fair projects open kids to a world of opportunities across Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and even Arts. The projects also expose kids to robotics and programming, and they can learn about various coding concepts and languages.
The science fair projects cover a wide variety of subjects, of which coding is only an aspect.
Ideas For Science Fair Ideas For Coding
Below are some of the best coding STEM projects ideas for a science fair.
Build an Electronic Piano with a Raspberry Pi
This is a suitable project for kids who wish to learn computer science and music. It requires no prior experience, and it is fairly easy to learn on the go.
To begin this project, kids need to have a complete Raspberry Pi kit. The Raspberry Pi kit is not limited to building an electronic project alone, as it can also build other awesome projects like playing an electronic drum set, designing a video game, inventing an interactive toy, among others.
The electronic piano project uses Scratch 1, 2, and 3 programming languages. The Scratch language is unarguably one of the best programming languages for kids. With Scratch, kids can learn how to make and control the electric piano and try out interesting projects with it.
Coding For Kids With Jimu Robot
This is another awesome STEM project for Science fair. It is designed for kids aged seven and above. Jimu robot is a great avenue for kids to learn coding and robotics. It is easy to use and it can be learned easily.
Jimu robot is a perfect mix of learning and fun! Kids have fun trying out new things with the robot, and they learn a lot in the process. They acquire knowledge subconsciously, that they do not even realize how much they have learned.
The robot is user-friendly, and kids can learn how to assemble and control it all by themselves. It is a fun project that teaches kids coding, creativity, and critical thinking. They can experiment with the Jimu robot and invent new ideas outside the ones the robot is programmed in.
Kids can connect their Jimu Robot to Bluetooth and program it in Blockly language. This is a great programming code for a science fair.
- Introducing Buildable, Codable Robots From Ubtech Robotics. Construct Astrobot, Astron, Rover Or Design Your Own Jimu Robot Creation
- Learn To Use Blockly Coding To Program Your Robot To Navigate Obstacles, Pick-Up Objects, Control Light And Sound Effects, Add Personality And More
- Test Your Skills With New Blockly Coding Challenges
Mission Morse Code
Mission Morse code is another great idea for a science fair for coding. Kids can learn all about the Morse code and how to write letters or send messages with it.
The morse code is text-based and is not suitable for kids below seven years of age. Teachers can explain the history of morse code to students, and how to send or broadcast a message with it. They can also learn about morse’s sounds and letters, and how to form basic words in them.
Teachers can also encourage students to read basic paragraphs and transcribe in morse code. Mission morse code is fun and interactive, and it encourages critical thinking and human relations between students.
Building Personal Medicine Apps To Help Patients
Building an app and getting it to function requires coding. More often than not, patients forget to use their medicines at the right time. This is an amazing project that can add value to the community and help patients get better faster.
This medicine app will serve as a reminder for patients to use their medicines timely. To code this app, kids need access to a laptop and working internet. Kids will learn how to code with the drag and drop tool, as well as the text-to-speech feature.
Kids will also understand how to use the block code to add functionality to the app. The project also has tutorials and step-by-step guides for each step of the way so kids can comprehend it better and faster.
This is an awesome coding project for science fair, as kids can learn the basics of building apps, after which they can get creative and build more apps.
Drawing a Sphero Robot
This is a fun science fair coding project for kids between the ages of four and five. Kids are tasked with drawing shapes that represent code and programming the code on their Sphero robot.
The Sphero robot is exclusively a robot of shapes, and the combination of these shapes will determine the outcome of the robot. Kids can also dance around colors to make their robots unique. They can combine shapes to make a different shape, or break larger shapes into smaller ones.
The Sphero robot serves as a solid introduction to STEM, robotics, and creative thinking for kids.
- LITTLE ROBOT, LOTTA FUN: Sphero Mini packs a ton of fun into a tiny programmable robot the size of a ping pong ball. Equipped with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and colorful LED lights, this educational robot is more than a mini robot toy. Sphero Mini is the perfect entry into robotics for beginners!
- LEARN TO CODE: Powered by the free Sphero Edu app, you can create and customize games and code Sphero Mini by drawing on your screen, using drag and drop coding blocks, or writing JavaScript.
- DRIVE MODE: Beginner learners can drive and play STEM-inspired games with the free Sphero Play App. Drag and drive with Joystick mode, pull back and release with Slingshot mode or tip and rotate your mobile device with Tilt mode. Included with Sphero Mini are 3 traffic cones and 6 bowling pins to inspire obstacle course fun right out of the box.
Coding With a Board Game: Robot Turtles
The robot turtles are a great idea for programming code for science fair. This game is a screen-free coding game, which is suitable for kids of all ages. Unlike most coding projects, robot turtles is an interactive four-player board game.
Each player has to control and move their robot turtle named Beep to their jewel before the others. There are rules to the game, and the intensity of the rules differs with age. It encourages healthy competition among kids and boosts their thinking abilities.
Older kids can learn how to design their versions of the program and invent new rules to spice up the game.
- EDUCATIONAL & FUN: This game seamlessly blends education with entertainment. It's designed to introduce programming principles to preschoolers in an engaging, easy-to-learn manner. Perfect for kids 4+ and adults to enjoy together
- KICKSTARTER SUCCESS: Conceived by programming expert Dan Shapiro, this game made history as Kickstarter's most-backed board game. Trusted globally, ThinkFun is a leader in brain and logic games
- CRITICAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Gameplay offers a 'stealth learning' experience, where players unknowingly learn key programming principles. This game is inspired by the Logo programming language, letting kids write programs with playing cards
Frequently Asked Questions About Science Fair Projects for Kids Coding
There are tons of awesome STEM projects for coding for your kids. Some of them include the following:
1. Maze Mayhem- this teaches kids how to build their maze and program a robot to successfully navigate through the maze.
2. Bolt Mind Control- kids can control each other’s minds with the bolt mind control. They can also learn about block coding, and try out amazing stuff with coding.
3. Mission Morse Code- this STEM fair project teaches kids about the Morse programming language and how to convey a message with it.
Kids can choose from an unlimited option of science experiments they can perform with coding.
Easy Energy and Physics Science Projects
Here, kids can create a kinetic energy shooting star, magnet pendulum experiment, candle seesaw project, among others.
Science Projects for Kids With Chemical Reaction
Kids can choose from a large number of science chemical reaction projects, such as dry ice bubble science projects, blooming paper flowers experiments, volcano science experiments, etc.
Earth and Nature Experiments
Kids can learn about nature and how to experiment with nature. Some of the earth and nature experiments kids can choose from are: how do earthquakes happen, how are rainbows form, why do leaves change color, how to clean dirty water, among others.
Final Thoughts for Science Fair Projects
The STEM projects for science fair are great for kids to learn about science, tech, engineering, math, and arts. The world is rapidly shifting to tech, and the STEM projects contain all you need to get started on it.
Kids can begin with simple projects and codes, then gradually pick up the more difficult ones. The projects are also a great avenue for them to connect with other kids and have fun.
In addition, parents and teachers can organize a science fair for kids to learn and have fun while at it!
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- Best Toys for Kid Engineers
- Summer STEM Fun Ideas and Activities for Kids
- Science Fair Projects for Elementary School
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