Science topic wheel
Thirty topics from elementary and middle school science: life, earth, space and physical science. Spin one for a project, a mini research task or a warm-up question.
SpacespinCtrl+Enterspin while typingFfull screen
One entry per line. Add *3 after a name to give it three times the chance.
Winners show up here, newest first.
Colors
Ready-made list. Edit it to make it yours: changes stay on this device, and Reset brings the original back.Open in the main spinner →
Turning a topic into a project
- Spin, then turn the topic into a question you can test. “Magnets” becomes “Does a magnet still work through cardboard, plastic and water?”
- Write a prediction before touching any materials.
- Plan a fair test: change one thing, measure one thing, keep everything else the same, and repeat it three times.
- Share the results on a poster or in a two-minute talk: question, prediction, what happened, what it means.
Quick uses in class
- Five-minute warm-up: spin and ask students to write everything they already know about the topic. It doubles as a pre-assessment.
- Research sprint: pairs get 20 minutes and three trusted sources to find five facts and one question nobody can answer yet.
- Science fair brainstorm: each student spins twice and keeps whichever topic interests them more.
Testable ideas by grade band
- Grades 3–4: sink or float, plant growth, magnets, shadows. Each can be tested in a classroom with simple materials.
- Grades 5–6: friction (slide a shoe across different surfaces), erosion (sand trays and water), circuits with batteries and bulbs.
- Grades 7–8: chemical reactions (baking soda and vinegar, measured carefully), sound and pitch, animal adaptations using field guide data.
Anything involving heat, chemicals or mains electricity needs adult supervision and your school’s safety rules. Remove topics your room can’t support.
Questions and answers
How do I stop students all getting the same topic?
Turn on “Remove the winner after each spin”. Each topic leaves the wheel once claimed, and 30 slices cover most classes. Press Reset when the next class comes in.
Is a topic like volcanoes testable?
Not directly, so steer it: test how the angle of a slope changes how far baking soda “lava” flows, or research and compare three real eruptions. Some topics suit research better than experiments, and that is fine.
Can I add our curriculum units?
Yes. Clear the list and type your units, one per line. Two or three words each keeps them readable on the slices.