- Science Fair Projects
- Grade
- Topic
- Supplies
- All Science Fair Projects
Making Batteries from Fruits & Vegetables
Did you know that you can use real fruits and vegetables to create energy that will actually power a light bulb and other things? In this science fair project designed for upper-elementary students by Craig Sander of Science Buddies, your child or student will:
- Learn how to make a battery using fruits or vegetables.
- Explore how electricity and circuits work.
- Experiment with different types and quantities of fruit/vegetables to determine which generates more power.
Fruit & Vegetable Batteries
Batteries are like miniature power plants where energy is created through chemical reactions. To make a simple battery, students will need three main components:
- Electrodes. The conductive metal material that makes contact with the nonmetallic part of a circuit. For this science fair project, Sanders suggests using zinc-coated nails and copper wire.
- Electrolyte Liquid. The liquid solution that reacts chemically when contact is made with the metal electrode. Fresh fruits and vegetables will provide the needed electrolyte liquid in this project.
- A conductive material that will carry the electric current from the reaction site (i.e. where the electrodes meet the electrolyte liquid) to the object (or load) being powered. Sanders suggests jumper leads with alligator clips and various wires.
Project Overview
Using these basic fruit and vegetable batteries, students will complete two different experiments. In the first, students will explore how much voltage is generated by one zinc-copper potato cell and how different loads affect its performance. In the second, students will create a series of zinc-copper potato cells, testing energy output and exploring if larger loads can be supported.
For more information on the project including background information, research questions/terms, procedure, variations, and extended topics, be sure to visit the full project post at Science Buddies!
Related Blog Posts
View More30 St. Patrick's Day Sayings & Quotes
St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to celebrate Irish cultu...
Read More15 Best St. Patrick's Day Bulletin Board Ideas ...
Top of the mornin' to ya! Are you ready to get into the St. Patrick's Day spirit? Whether you'r...
Read More17 Best St. Patrick's Day Coloring Pages For 2023
Hey there, fellow St. Patrick's Day fans! Can you believe it's almost time to celebrate the luc...
Read More17 Best St. Patrick's Day Worksheets For 2023
Are you ready to get your little ones into the St. Patrick's Day spirit? This holiday is not ju...
Read More20 Best Valentine's Day Worksheets For 2023
Woo hoo! Valentine's Day is just a hop, skip, and a jump away and we've got the perfect plan for...
Read More23 Best Valentine's Day Bulletin Board Ideas & ...
Hey there, Valentine's Day enthusiasts! Are you ready to deck the halls (or bulletin boards) wi...
Read More50 Sample Teacher Interview Questions and Answe...
Are you trying to become a teacher for the first time, or maybe shooting for a new position in a...
Read MoreTop 10 Storage Solutions to Declutter Your Clas...
A Clean Learning Space Is Important — While educating students is your top priority, ours is maki...
Read MoreTop 10 Classroom Themes To Inspire Your Kids!
Check out our Top 10 Classroom Themes. We're pretty sure there's something for everyone! Spark cu...
Read MoreSafari Themed Bulletin Board Idea - Featured Te...
Photo Source: Adventure Place Ms. Brittany is our "Featured Teacher" of the month. She has been...
Read More"Snowmen At Night" Craft, Activity, & Bulletin ...
Photo Source: Sharon Riggs Sharon Riggs, first grade teacher at Uniontown Elementary School, ha...
Read More"Kindness Matters" Calendar Bulletin Board Idea
Photo Source: www.corneroncharacter.blogspot.com Our friend Barbara Gruener, counselor and char...
Read MoreFriday Night Lights - Football Themed Bulletin ...
Photo Source: Michelle Brinn Michelle Brinn over at Thomas County Middle School scored a touchd...
Read More"Apple Adventures" Fall Themed Bulletin Board Idea
It’s that time of year! Engage your students with this bright, bold, apple themed bulletin board...
Read MoreMeasurement and Growth Chart Welcome Bulletin B...
Here is a fun way to start off the school year with this Giraffe Growth Chart! Your kids will lo...
Read MoreGood Vibes! Peace Welcome Bulletin Board Idea
What a great way to start off the new year with good vibes! This vibrant, colorful bulletin boar...
Read MoreHow Will You Awaken the Force Bulletin Board Idea
Barbara, a counselor and character coach at Westwood-Bales Intermediate in Texas and author of T...
Read MoreBack-to-School Bonanza!
Our Back-to-School Bonanza has come to an end. Thanks to everyone who participated! We hope you h...
Read MoreAddition Practice Made Fun! (with FREEbies)
Photo Source: Mrs. Ricca's Kindergarten Recently we were on the hunt for ways to make addition ...
Read MoreGreat Organization Tip for ALL Those Papers!
Photo Source: First Grader...at Last! Looking for a way to keep yourself organized each week? A...
Read MoreArt Idea for Learning Analogous Colors!
Photo Source: smART Class How amazing does this zebra look?! We found the cute little guy over ...
Read MoreBugs, Bugs, Bugs - All About Ants!
Photo Source: Peace, Love and Kindergarten Add excitement to your insect unit with these cute i...
Read MoreHelp Your Kiddos Master Shapes! (with FREE prin...
Photo Source: Lory's 2nd Grade Skills Mastering all the different shapes can sometimes be trick...
Read MoreFingerprint Flowers & Bugs - Early Childhood Ar...
Photo Source: Preschool Playbook If you're looking for a simple art idea to complete this summe...
Read More"Flip Flop into Summer" Bulletin Board Idea
Photo Source: McKinley Early Childhood Center Spruce up your summer bulletin board with this su...
Read More4 Community Helper Early Childhood Activities!
Add to your community helper unit with these wonderful early childhood ideas featured by Jessi ov...
Read MoreThe Adjective Song! A Great Way to Review
Photo Source: Third Grade Bookworm Help your kiddos master adjectives with this creative song f...
Read MoreNarrative Writing Anchor Chart FREEbies
Photo Source: Young Teacher Love Kristine over at Young Teacher Love featured several anchor ch...
Read More"Digging into Summer" Bulletin Board Idea
Photo Source: McKinley Early Childhood Center Dig right in to the beginning of summer with this...
Read MoreNonstandard Measurement Activities!
Photo Source: Crazy for First Grade This engaging measurement activity comes to you courtesy of...
Read MoreMultiplication Races! Math Practice for Upper G...
Photo Source: First Grade a la Carte Divide your class into groups of four and get ready to rac...
Read MoreTunnel Books - Art Idea for Upper Grades
Photo Source: Teach Kids Art We came across this wonderful art lesson over at Teach Kids Art an...
Read MoreEnd of the Year Bubble Art Project - Floating O...
Photo Source: smART Class Natalie over at smART Class did this gorgeous end of the year bubble ...
Read MoreTen Frame Toss - FREE Math Game
Photo Source: Mrs. Ricca's Kindergarten Looking for a fun way to review the number ten with you...
Read MoreTravel Size Paper City - Paris
Photo Source: Made by Joel If you're looking for a way to keep your kiddos entertained for a lo...
Read MoreFluffy Stuff! Sensory Activity for Early Childhood
Photo Source: Time for Play Provide an awesome opportunity for sensory play with this super sim...
Read MoreBuild It! - Addition Math Station with FREE Pri...
We love this simple addition math center from Susan over at Thank God It's First Grade! Seriousl...
Read MoreEasy Spring Kite Craft!
Photo Source: Little Family Fun What better way to celebrate Spring than with a super cute kite...
Read MoreTotem Poles - Art Project for Upper Elementary
Photo Source: Thomas Elementary Art We recently stumbled upon this fantastic art project for up...
Read MoreCrocodile Snap! Alphabet Game for Kids
Photo Source: Growing Kinders Add excitement to letter practice with this super cute Crocodile ...
Read More