45 Solar System Science Fair Projects
Our solar system includes the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune as well as smaller bodies like asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.
Many students find learning about extraterrestrial science extremely fascinating. The thought of several planets that we haven’t been able to visit or see from Earth with the naked eye astounds them.
If you are interested in the solar system, a solar system science fair project is a perfect way to explore this curiosity.
Why create a solar system science fair project?
A science fair project about our solar system allows for students to be dynamic and engaging. These projects promote learning, critical thinking skills, and creativity, all crucial for students' academic and personal growth.
Additionally, science fair projects about our solar system prove that students can comprehend science even if they are not able to see it with the naked eye. This makes concepts like gravity and atoms easier to understand in the future.
However, pursuing a science fair project about the solar system can seem like the only option is to make a model of our solar system, and I am here to reassure you that this is not the case by providing you with various examples.
Solar System Science Fair Project Ideas
1 - SOLAR SYSTEM MODEL SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT
This project may seem redundant, but there are many ways to pursue this project.
This project can be done with:
2 - CONSTELLATION MOVEMENT OVER TIME
How do constellations change over different periods?
If you have ever looked for a certain constellation in the night sky and found that it suddenly disappeared, this would be a great solar system science fair project for you!
3 - STAR VISIBILITY AND LIGHT POLLUTION
How does the number of stars visible in the sky change because of light pollution?
Have you ever been in a crowded city at night and wondered why you couldn’t see any stars? This solar system science fair project explores why this happens and what light pollution is.
4 - LEARN AND DEMONSTRATE THE USE OF PARALLAX
In this solar system science fair project, learn about and demonstrate the ancient method of parallax which measures distances from stars and planets.
Have you ever wondered how we can measure the distances to various stars and planets when we’ve never been able to hold a tape measure to it? This solar system science fair project is for you!
5 - STUDY STARS AND THEIR LIFE CYCLES
What’s the difference between stars? In this solar system science fair project, you will discover just that!
6 - HOW DOES THE MOON CHANGE THE TIDES?
Does the Moon change how big waves are? In this solar system science fair project, you will discover this relationship.
7 - WHY DOES THE MOON APPEAR TO CHANGE SHAPE?
Have you ever wondered why the Moon seems to look different every night? If so, this solar system science fair project is for you!
8 - WHY DOES THE EARTH HAVE SEASONS?
Why are some times of the year hotter than others? This solar system science fair project aims to explain why this happens.
9 - EVAPORATION AND THE WEATHER
This solar system science fair project explores the effects temperature and humidity have on evaporation.
10 - SALT IN THE OCEAN
Have you ever accidentally swallowed ocean water and have been overcome by saltiness? This solar system science fair project explores why this happens.
11 - METEORITES AND THEIR CRATERS
This solar system science fair project aims to explain the relationship between meteorites and the size of the craters they make when they hit Earth.
12 - PHASES OF THE MOON AND STARS IN THE SKY
This solar system science fair project aims to discover why the different phases of the moon affect how many stars can be seen at night.
13 - DISTANCE FROM THE SUN AND TEMPERATURE
Why is Venus hotter than Earth? This solar system science fair project explains how a planet’s distance from the Sun changes its temperature.
14 - RECORD SUN SPOTS
Does the Sun have spots? In this solar system science fair experiment, students will observe and record changes in sunspots. While experimenting, do not look directly at the Sun!
15 - MAKE A SUNDIAL!
Have you ever wondered what predated the clock? In this solar system science fair project, students will make a sundial and explain how it works.
16 - ARE THE MOON AND THE SUN THE SAME SIZE?
In the sky, the Moon and the Sun appear to be the same size, but we know that the Sun is much larger than the Moon. This solar system science fair project explains why this happens.
17 - ARE AUTOMOBILE SUNSHADES EFFECTIVE?
Have you ever seen the windows being blocked off in cars by reflective material? This solar system science fair project explores how practical these sunshades are.
18 - STUDY THE LIFE SPACE OF THE SUN
Is the Sun young or is it old? This solar system science fair project explores the life space of the Sun relative to other stars.
19 - LEARN ABOUT THE EARTH’S ROTATION
In this solar system science fair project, students learn why the sun rises, how the Earth rotates, and why stars appear to rise.
20 - STUDY ORBITS AND ROTATIONS
Students will learn about the difference between an orbit and a rotation, how the Earth orbits the Sun, and how long an orbit will take in this solar system science fair project.
21 - GRAVITY AND ESCAPE VELOCITY
Have you ever wondered how a planet can stay in orbit? This solar system science fair project explores the role of gravity and escapes velocity in a stable orbit.
22 - MODEL GRAVITY!
You may not be able to see gravity, but in this solar system science fair project, students will be able to model gravity!
23 - HOW DO SPACECRAFTS REACH DIFFERENT PLANETS?
This solar system science fair project idea demonstrates how gravity is used to assist spacecraft to distant planets.
24 - MODEL IMPACT CRATERS
Have you ever wondered how impact craters are formed? With this solar system science fair project, students can dynamically see how craters are formed.
25 - WHAT ARE ASTEROIDS?
In this solar system science fair project, students will learn the properties of asteroids using a NASA database.
26 - WHAT IS A MARS ELEVATOR?
With this solar system science fair project, students will discover what a Mars elevator is and what properties it would have to have to function.
27 - HOW CAN WE GET TO MARS?
Why haven’t people been to Mars yet? This solar system science fair project explores the orbits of Earth and Mars and different orbit transfers.
28 - RETRO-WHAT?
In this solar system science fair project, students will learn about orbital speeds and learn what astronomical terms mean.
29 - WHAT ARE SATURN’S RINGS?
What are Saturn’s rings made of? In this solar system science fair project, students will learn more about things like rings.
30 - GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE
How do geostationary satellites work? In this solar system science fair project, students will build a model of one.
31 - MAKE A MARS ORBITER MISSION
In this solar system science fair lesson, students will build their model of a Mars Orbiter!
32 - CREATE A MODEL SATELLITE
Different from a geostationary satellite, this satellite rotates around Earth, and in this solar system science fair project, you can build one.
33 - BUILD A MODEL SPACE STATION
Are you interested in space stations? This solar system science fair project allows students to build their space station.
34 - HOW DO SATELLITES COMMUNICATE?
In this solar system science fair project, students will learn how satellites communicate and make their model of it.
35 - MODEL A LUNAR ECLIPSE
Have you ever wondered how a Lunar Eclipse works? In this solar system science fair project, students will model their own Lunar Eclipse.
36 - WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DAY AND NIGHT?
In this solar system science fair project, students will model night and day differences.
37 - HOW DOES THE EARTH ROTATE?
Explore how the Earth rotates by creating a model in this solar system science fair project.
38 - WHAT’S GRAVITY?
This solar system science fair project allows students to model gravity in a different way than number 22.
39 - MODEL ROTATIONS AND REVOLUTIONS
In this solar system science fair project, students will model the difference between rotations and revolutions in our solar system.
40 - MODEL A SOLAR ECLIPSE
Slightly different from a lunar eclipse, this solar system science fair project models a solar eclipse.
41 - CREATE MOON PHASES
In this solar system science fair project, students will learn about and model the different phases of the moon.
42 - CREATE A WORKING EARTH ROTATION
In this solar system science fair project, create an interactive experience to learn how the Earth rotates.
43 - HOW OLD IS THE UNIVERSE?
In this solar system science fair project, calculate the approximate age of our solar system.
44 - HOW CAN WE USE STARS FOR NAVIGATION?
Learn about how people can use stars to find directions in this solar system science fair project.
45 - USING X-RAY VISION
How can we use X-rays to see into space? In this science fair project, you will explore just that.
Conclusion of Solar System Science Fair Projects
When picking a topic, explore many different topics and receive some advice on a few topics you are interested in.
But, most of all, make sure you have fun!
Please comment your favorite solar system science fair project down below and let us know if we missed any!
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