20+ Cool Invention Ideas for Students

Are you a student with a knack for problem-solving and a desire to create? This post is packed with invention ideas perfect for school projects, invention conventions, or just for fun. 

We'll cover a range of invention ideas that range from simple to more complex, encouraging you to explore, experiment, and invent. These ideas cater to various interests and skill levels, from easy DIY projects that can be completed with everyday materials to more advanced technological endeavors. 

So, let's dive into some exciting invention possibilities!

1. Cloud in a Jar

Looking for a fascinating invention idea for students? The Cloud in a Jar experiment is a simple yet captivating demonstration of the water cycle and the formation of clouds, using everyday household items. It's a great way to engage students in understanding the basic principles of meteorology and the science behind cloud formation, making it a great invention idea for a school project or even a science fair.

To conduct this experiment, gather a clear, wide-mouth jar, hot water, cold water, and a small amount of ice cubes. 

Begin by filling the jar about one-third with hot water, ensuring the temperature is high enough to create steam. Quickly seal the jar with a lid to trap the steam inside. Then, place the jar in a freezer for 15-20 minutes to cool the air inside. After cooling, remove the jar and observe the condensation forming on the inner walls, which represents cloud formation. 

This experiment visually demonstrates the water cycle and the process of condensation, providing a hands-on understanding of atmospheric science.

2. Hand Washing Science Experiment

Want a kids invention idea that's both educational and eye-opening? The Hand Washing Science Experiment is a great way to introduce young learners to the world of microbiology and the significance of cleanliness.

To perform this experiment, start by preparing a petri dish with nutrient agar, allowing it to solidify. Have participants wear gloves and use a sterile cotton swab to gently rub their gloved hand, then press the swab onto the agar to collect bacteria. Seal the dish and let it incubate for 24-48 hours. After incubation, compare the growth on the swabbed area to an unswabbed area to observe the impact of hand washing. Next, participants wash their hands thoroughly and repeat the swabbing process. The difference in bacterial growth before and after washing highlights the effectiveness of proper hand hygiene in reducing germs. 

This experiment is a practical way to teach the importance of hand washing and its role in preventing illness.

3. Robot Building

In our educational approach, robots play a pivotal role in enhancing our students' engagement with STEM subjects. Building robots isn't just educational; it's also a fantastic source of invention ideas for students!

These projects can range from simple automated devices to complex machines designed to solve specific problems, making them perfect for invention conventions. We have previously discussed the process of building robots, as outlined in our detailed blog post "how to make a robot".

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4. DIY Weather Station

Setting up a weather station is a versatile project that can be tailored to suit the interests and abilities of children of all ages, making it a great invention idea for a school project
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The basic structure contains a thermometer, preferably one that measures both temperature and humidity, a rain gauge, an anemometer, a barometer, a notebook for recording data, and finally a sturdy pole.

Younger children can start with basic temperature and humidity tracking, while older kids can delve into more complex measurements and data analysis. This project is an excellent opportunity to spark conversations about weather patterns, climate change, and the importance of environmental stewardship.

Toturial Resources: DIY weather station projects

5. 3D Car Model

©Lasercrush - Designfind.com

It is an excellent invention idea that combines art, design, and engineering principles. This is a hands-on activity that can be both educational and rewarding. 

Materials include sheets(wood or other materials), cutting tools, sandpaper, measuring tools, adhesive, and safety gear. 

The process involves designing the car, cutting pieces, assembling the model, and adding finishing touches. By utilizing the ease and precision of laser cutting, students have the opportunity to fabricate an impressive and long-lasting 3D car model. The assembly of the model is done with carefully cut wood sheets, providing students with practical experience and improving their manual dexterity. 

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6. DIY Wooden Jenga Blocks

DIY Wooden Jenga Blocks are a fun and engaging project that can be customized to suit your style or theme. Not only do they make a great game for parties and gatherings, but they also provide an opportunity to practice woodworking skills. This hands-on activity not only provides entertainment but also engages children in understanding balance, gravity, and the principles of engineering. With just a few simple materials like wood, a laser cutter, kids can create their own set of Jenga blocks and embark on a journey of building, testing, and learning.

For an added educational twist, you can introduce the concept of structural engineering by discussing how real-world buildings are designed to withstand weight and stress. This can lead to a broader conversation about the importance of design and construction in everyday life.

7. DIY Tangrams

DIY Tangrams are a classic puzzle that make a wonderful kids invention idea. Tangrams are a seven-piece geometric puzzle that has been used for centuries to teach math and spatial skills.

The process of creating DIY Tangrams involves using a laser-cutting machine to cut out the shapes from a variety of materials, such as wood or cardboard. This is a great invention idea for a school project that allows students to learn about geometry and develop problem-solving abilities in a hands-on way, potentially inspiring new invention ideas related to shape and design. After cutting, the fun begins as you try to arrange the pieces into various shapes and figures.

Related Reading: Laser cutter projects for schools

8. Jellybean Building

The hard, sticky inside of the jelly beans is the perfect choice to make some seriously stable creations. With a variety of jelly beans in different sizes and colors, some toothpicks, a ruler if you want to set specific dimensions, you could get a perfect jellybean building by yourself. 

Building with jelly beans is a lighthearted way to explore balance, stability, and creativity. It's a fun invention idea that can be adapted to suit different age groups and skill levels, making it a versatile choice for parties, classrooms, or just a fun afternoon activity.

9. LEGO Toy Bricks

The integration of LEGO bricks in a invention project can be as simple as providing a set of standard bricks, plates, and tiles, or as advanced as incorporating Technic parts for more intricate projects. Students can use these bricks to construct models that represent mathematical concepts, such as geometric shapes and spatial relationships, or to engineer structures that demonstrate principles of physics, like balance and force.

10. DIY Anemometer

Understanding wind speed is a key part of weather observation, and a great way to learn is by creating your own DIY anemometer. This project provides a tangible way to engage with meteorological principles and serves as a valuable invention idea for a school project.

You will need cups, plastic balls, straws, sticks, toothpicks, and materials for a base.The construction involves creating rotating arms with the cups attached, all facing the same direction, and mounting this assembly on a base so it can spin freely in the wind.

11. A self-made Phone Holder

©Anzy's Art - Designfind.com

Smartphones have become a vital component of our daily routines, accompanying us on various occasions. However, managing them while multitasking, like consuming food while browsing the news, can be challenging. Why not creating your own phone stands? 

Students can sketch their design, considering the size of the phone and the desired angle for viewing or charging. After cutting the material to pieces, they should sand the edges to ensure safety and comfort when handling. To create a non-slip base, they can cut a piece of rubber or silicone to fit the bottom of the holder, providing stability.

12. An Egg Drop Challenge

Have you tried this super fun activity yet? The task set for children is to engineer a protective device utilizing a range of materials, typically those that can be recycled, to safeguard a raw egg during a significant drop.

Conduct the challenge in a controlled environment, with students taking turns to drop their egg protectors and observe the results. Finally, debrief the activity by discussing the successes and failures, highlighting the engineering principles applied and the lessons learned.

13. Bottle Rocket with Vinegar and Baking Soda

©STEM Little Explorers - Youtube

Here's the basic idea: when you mix vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (a base), they react to produce carbon dioxide gas. If this reaction happens inside a closed container, the pressure builds up. In a bottle rocket, this pressure eventually becomes so great that it forces the stopper out, propelling the bottle upwards – just like a real rocket!

14. DIY Catapult

This DIY catapult is an excellent invention idea for a school project. Constructed from precisely laser-cut wood, it showcases a simple yet effective design with a wheeled base, a pivoting arm, and an elastic band for launching. This project offers students a tangible way to understand concepts like potential and kinetic energy.

15. A Self-made Volcano

Creating a homemade volcano is a great invention idea for kids to learn about geology, chemistry, and the power of natural forces. Here's a simple guide to making a homemade volcano:

To carry out this experiment, some simple and easy-getting materials are needed, including a large plastic bottle, modeling clay or playdough, baking soda, vinegar, red food coloring and a spoon or funnel to pour the vinegar.

The first step is removing the label from the plastic bottle and cutting the top off, leaving the bottom part of the bottle. And then we should mold the modeling clay or playdough around the open top of the bottle to create a volcano shape. Here, make sure the clay is thick enough to hold its shape and cover the opening of the bottle.

After this operation, place the volcano on a tray or large pan to catch the "lava" that will flow out when the reaction occurs. Fill the bottle (now the volcano's crater) about halfway with vinegar. If you want to add color, you can add a few drops of red food coloring to the vinegar.

Slowly pour a small amount of baking soda into the vinegar-filled bottle. The baking soda reacts with vinegar to produce carbon dioxide gas, which causes the "lava" (vinegar and water mixture) to bubble up and overflow from the crater.

16. Mechanical Hand

Dive into the world of simple robotics with the invention idea of building a DIY mechanical hand using craft sticks and a few other readily available materials! You'll need craft sticks, craft cubes (both regular and with holes), a hot glue gun, a short piece of straw, small wooden dowels, rubber bands, a cable tie, and masking tape.

The construction involves several steps. First, you'll create hinges for the fingers using wood cubes and small pieces of straw as spacers. Then, you'll build the fingers themselves by gluing craft sticks and cubes together in a specific arrangement.

The hand also features an arm made from layered and glued craft sticks, along with a handle and a thumb rest for better grip. A clever trigger mechanism is created using dowels and more craft sticks, which, when squeezed, will cause the fingers to close. Rubber bands play a crucial role in providing the force to close the fingers when the trigger is activated. A cable tie is used to loosely hold the trigger in place.

17. Magnetic Slime

To teach students about magnetism and polymer science, making magnetic slime in the classroom is an excellent engaging project in scientific exploration.

To make magnetic slime, students will need clear glue, liquid starch, iron filings, and a strong magnet. The process begins with mixing the glue and starch in a container, then stirring in the iron filings to create a magnetic, gooey substance. Once the slime has formed, students can use the magnet to manipulate the slime, observing how it reacts to the magnetic field.

The magnetic slime project encourages creativity by allowing students to design their slime creations, such as animals, shapes, or even abstract art pieces. They can also explore the limits of the slime's stretchability and its interaction with different magnetic forces.

18. Non-Newtonian Fluid

Discover the strange world of non-Newtonian fluids with this easy invention idea for students: oobleck - a classic example of a non-Newtonian fluid.

Creating a non-Newtonian fluid, such as oobleck, in the classroom is a fascinating way to introduce students to the concepts of fluid dynamics and the properties of matter.

To make oobleck, students will need cornstarch and water. The mixture, when prepared in the right proportions, exhibits shear-thinning behavior, meaning it becomes a solid under stress but flows like a liquid when not under pressure.

Teachers can guide students through the process of mixing cornstarch and water to create the oobleck, emphasizing the importance of the ratio and the unique properties of the resulting substance. Once the oobleck is made, students can explore its characteristics by poking, squeezing, and even dancing on it, as the fluid's viscosity changes with the applied force.

19. DIY Telescope 

The allure of the universe has captivated people throughout history, and crafting a homemade telescope provides an exhilarating opportunity for students to delve into the mysteries of the night sky. By assembling a telescope from basic components such as cardboard tubes, optical lenses, and reflective mirrors, children can gain insights into the fundamentals of light manipulation, celestial studies, and the expansive cosmos.

20. A Balance Scale

Utilizing everyday items such as a plastic coat hanger, cups, and string, students can create their own hanging balance to explore the principles of weight and equilibrium. This project offers numerous opportunities for variation, such as categorizing objects by shape or material, making it a versatile STEM activity that can be revisited frequently. 

21. Plant Growth Chamber

A DIY plant growth chamber is an excellent idea for an invention convention, allowing you to showcase understanding of plant science and environmental control. 

It can be constructed using a clear plastic container, such as a repurposed fish tank or a large plastic bin, which will serve as the chamber. You can then fill the base with soil and plant seeds, ensuring to label them for easy identification.

To control the environment, the chamber should be equipped with a light source, such as fluorescent bulbs, to mimic natural sunlight, and a temperature regulator to maintain a consistent temperature. 

22. Circuit Experiment

Circuit experiments are a great invention idea for middle school students to gain practical knowledge about electricity, circuitry, and the design of electrical systems through the construction of DIY circuits with basic tools such as batteries, wires, and light bulbs.

Tutorial Resources: Circuit projects for students

23. Mini Water Cycle Model

Understanding the water cycle is crucial, and building a mini model is a great way to learn! For this invention idea for a school project, you'll need a clear plastic container, such as a large bottle or jar, with a lid. Fill the bottom with a layer of soil or sand to represent the ground. Add a small amount of water to the soil to simulate groundwater. Attach a sponge or cotton wick to the side of the container, with one end submerged in the water and the other end extending to the top of the container. This will mimic the evaporation process.

Place the container in a sunny spot or under a lamp to encourage evaporation. As water evaporates, it will condense on the cooler lid, forming droplets that represent clouds. These droplets will then drip down the wick, simulating precipitation, and return to the soil, completing the cycle. This model visually demonstrates the key stages of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

24. Water Filter Bottle

Creating a water filter is an engineering challenge. Students begin by assembling a filtration device using two 0.5-liter water bottles, one with the bottom cut off to serve as the filter chamber. They secure cheesecloth around the neck of the top bottle and fill it with various filter media, such as cotton balls, coffee filters, or activated carbon, to create layers that will filter the water. Students then pour simulated wastewater, a mixture of distilled vinegar, food coloring, dust, soil, hair, and water, into the top bottle and observe the filtration process. They measure the pH and conductivity of the water before and after filtration using pH test strips and a homemade conductivity tester. The goal is to achieve the clearest and purest water possible, with the winning team's water being the most transparent.