Messy Science Project Ideas are Fun

Sometimes the best way to learn is to experience something first hand, even if that means getting a little dirty. Many science project ideas on the Internet focus on projects that are less invasive, clean up easily, and are non-staining or mess-free. These are great for small and less involved projects, but the real fun may be found a little deeper in the dirt.

A science project idea that is very high on the mess index is the ever-popular Mentos and cola experiment. This experiment is great for testing propulsion and chemical reactions. This project should be done outdoors, or you may be in trouble with your parents. To complete this project you will need a few bottles of diet cola, a few packs of Mentos mints, a large funnel that will fit into the mouth of a cola bottle, a yardstick, and a friend.

Have your friend hold the yardstick vertically next to the diet cola bottle and quickly unscrew the cap of the diet cola and insert the funnel. Drop the Mentos into the funnel and remove it quickly. The chemical reaction will happen very quickly and will shoot upward very high. You and your friend will be within the splash zone. Record the height of the propulsion.

This project, and other fun and messy science projects, can make learning interesting, and it truly beats the generic, overdone, often boring, volcano baking soda eruption. Some of the best science projects are messy, but messy often means fun, too. Think of unique science project ideas that you and your friends may be interested in doing together. If you can't come up with any, go to your local library and check out the science section. There are many books geared toward science projectsâ€”even messy ones.