Atom Timeline

• Do a timeline highlighting the steps that led to the discovery of the atom. From Greek atomists to scientists in the 15th and 16th centuries, the atom has gone through a process of discovery which has led to our understanding of this building block of matter. Use dioramas to capture a moment in the atom's history or create miniature models to illustrate how the understanding of the attributes of an atom has changed over time.
  
  

Virtual Models

• Traditional science projects often consist of models of atoms, however these models are usually made of plastic or clay. Creating a virtual model of matter is a unique twist on this traditional science project. Work with a graphic designer and have your child sketch out the image of data that she would like displayed in a virtual format. Animate the virtual model so that when the student reveals her science project, she will be able to show a "living and breathing" atom.
  
  

The Size of an Atom

• If your child's focus is on the size of an atom in relation to other elements, it is good to have visuals that represent the difference in spatial ratio between an atom and other forms of matter. An atom is 1 million times smaller than the thickest human hair. Find things that vary greatly in size and present a chart illustrating the size on an atom. A photo of a small ant next to a large whale is an example of the difference in size between a strand of human hair in an atom. According to the "Physics Factbook," the diameter of an atom is approximately 0.1 to 0.5 nm. The weight of different atoms varies greatly, however the size of atoms is relatively the same. For example, an atom of Plutonium is 200 times heavier than an atom of hydrogen. Presenting this type of information, including visuals, is an interesting science project on atoms.
  
  

How Atoms Bond

• In order to create a unique and functional science project, a student may choose to focus on how atoms bond. There are different types of bonding that an atom creates. A common type of bond is called a covalent bond. A covalent bond is created when two atoms share electrons. This science project highlights the differing orbits around the atoms and the subsequent numbers of electrons in each orbit. For example, the first orbit of an atom has two electrons and the fourth orbit has 18 electrons. Theoretically an atom can form covalent bonds with 18 other electrons. Highlight this information with visual diagrams and models to make a unique science project on atoms.