Fourth grade science fair projects should be fun for the students. But at the same time those projects also must show some real benefits for their life, something they can learn and apply in their daily activity. The perfect science fair project that will serve those purposes is tooth decay experiment. In this experiment, the fourth graders not only can have a good time with the materials, but they can also learn to pick their beverages more carefully.
Goals
The main goal of this experiment is to show the students that some of their favorite beverages contain acid that can rot their teeth in the long run. Forbidding them from drinking their favorite soda might make them angry and confuse. But showing them what can happen to their teeth from consuming those beverages might make them realize something.
Material
1. Eggshell. Eggshell has very similar composition with our teeth, so it can be used for this project. But if you can find sterilized teeth with good conditions from your local dentist, the experiment will be more authentic.
2. Various beverages. Soda, energy drink sugar water, juice, water, and any liquid you want to show your children or students.
3. Containers for the beverages.
Procedures
1. Empty the eggshells with needles.
2. Soak the eggshells in each of the beverages for seven days.
3. You can make your students to take note everyday or just wait until the seventh day.
4. At the seventh day, look at the results and compare it with the initial conditions
The procedure is easy and the materials can be found anywhere with cheap price. But the result of the experiment can show them how dangerous sweet beverages are for them. Sweet beverages, ultimately ones with soda have high acid level that can have corrosive effect for our teeth. From this experiment, the students will see that the eggshell soaked in the soda will have the most decay, and the one soaked in water hardly decays at all. Ask them to make their own conclusion from this experiment. Sweet beverages are really bad for their teeth.
Although this experiment is not new, it is timeless. Every children must learn how to take care of their teeth and fourth grade is the perfect time to start it. Fourth graders are still easily tempted by sweet and unhealthy beverages. But at the same time, they are also old enough to start taking care of their body. If you want to teach your students or children to take care of their teeth in a fun way, tooth decay experiment is the perfect fourth grade science fair projects.