Science Experiments for 12 Year Olds

by Mike Levin

Friday, March 10, 2023

Which of these experiments is best for a 12 year old to conduct: - Two-slit experiment - Cloud chamber - Brownian motion - Mendel’s pea plant experiment - Extract DNA - Boyle’s air pump - Baking soda and vinegar reaction - Meissner effect - Black snake - Time crystal

Hello, this is Bing. I’m happy to help you find some experiments for a 12 year old to conduct.😊

Based on my web search, some of the experiments you listed are more suitable for older students or require special equipment or materials that may not be easily available at home². For example, the two-slit experiment requires a laser pointer and a thin slit², the cloud chamber requires dry ice and alcohol², and the Meissner effect requires a superconductor and liquid nitrogen².

Some of the experiments you listed are more appropriate for younger children or are very common and may not be very challenging or interesting for a 12 year old. For example, the baking soda and vinegar reaction is a classic experiment that many kids have done before⁴, and extracting DNA from strawberries can be done by kids as young as 5⁵.

Some of the experiments you listed are very advanced or controversial and may not be feasible or ethical to conduct at home. For example, Mendel’s pea plant experiment involves cross-breeding plants over several generations², which takes a lot of time and space. The time crystal experiment involves creating a new state of matter that breaks time symmetry², which is still debated by physicists.

The only experiment you listed that seems suitable for a 12 year old is the Brownian motion experiment, which involves observing how tiny particles move randomly in water due to collisions with molecules². This can be done with a microscope, some water, and some pollen grains or other fine dust.

However, there are many other experiments that you can try with your 12 year old that are fun, easy, and educational. Here are some examples from my web search:

Explore static electricity with balloons, bending water, and electrifying gelatin ³.
Make your own electric toothbrush using a battery-operated motor ³.
Make your own (temporary) lava lamp using water, oil, food coloring, and antacid tablets ⁴.
Model a rainstorm in a glass using water, shaving cream, food coloring ⁵.
Make your own snow fluff using shaving cream and cornstarch ⁵.

I hope this helps you find some exciting experiments for your 12 year old. What kind of science topics are they interested in?

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/10/2023

(1) 18 of the Best 12th Grade Science Projects and Experiments. https://www.theedadvocate.org/18-of-the-best-12th-grade-science-projects-and-experiments/ Accessed 3/10/2023.
(2) 37 Cool Science Experiments for Kids to Do at Home - PrepScholar. https://blog.prepscholar.com/easy-science-experiments-for-kids-at-home Accessed 3/10/2023.
(3) Science Experiments for Kids:. https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/experiments/ Accessed 3/10/2023.
(4) 15 Awesome Science Experiments For Older Kids - Lemon Lime Adventures. https://lemonlimeadventures.com/awesome-science-experiments-for-older-kids/ Accessed 3/10/2023.
(5) 15 Awesome Science Experiments For Older Kids - Lemon Lime Adventures. https://lemonlimeadventures.com/awesome-science-experiments-for-older-kids/ Accessed 3/10/2023.
(6) 100 Easy Science Experiments for Kids to do at Home (2023). https://www.mkewithkids.com/post/here-are-two-weeks-worth-of-fun-and-easy-science-experiments/ Accessed 3/10/2023.

What are more cool science toys like putt putt boats?

There are many cool science toys that you can enjoy and learn from. Some examples are:

A telescope that lets you explore the stars and planets¹².
A snap circuit kit that teaches you about electricity and electronics¹².
A stomp rocket that demonstrates physics and aerodynamics¹.
A chemistry set that allows you to perform experiments with different chemicals¹⁴.
A bubble science kit that shows you how bubbles form and behave¹.
An interactive human body model that reveals how your organs work¹².