These computer science projects can be modified or adapted to suit the purposes of a homeschool class, a public or private school project, or a science fair project. Keep reading for more on computer science project ideas and tips.

• Devise an experiment to show the effects of the exposure to magnetism on storage media. Compare the effects on a variety of media such as DVDs, CDs, Zip storage, floppy disks (3-inch and 5-inch, if available), and videotapes. Which are affected? Why are some not affected, if they aren't?

• Build a simple computer of your own devising or from a kit. Explain its operation.

• Create an experiment to show what elements cause the most disruption of performance in a wireless network in a multi-story building.

• Create a model to demonstrate how a CPU works. Also use it to demonstrate the evolution of the CPU.

• Test the cooling efficiency of different computer fan systems.

• Build a model to show ergonomic best practice for a computer workstation.

• Create an explanation of what is needed to create a wired LAN (local area network).

• Make a test to show the difference in performance in demanding programs with various amounts of RAM and various amounts of free space on your hard drive. Test at least one game and graphics-intensive program that is not a game.

• Create an objective analysis that compares and contrasts Microsoft and Apple computers. Pay particular attention to the graphical user interface (GUI). Also consider programs that may work on one or the other system, but not both, as well as other unique features and capabilities.

• Make two advertisements - one in the style of the “I'm a Mac and I'm a PC” ads by Apple, and the other in the style of a Windows advertisement.

• Analyze the response to VISTA as opposed to Windows.

• Compare Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human intelligence. What kind of tasks is each superior in?

• Choose a robot that's been made in the form of a living creature. Analyze its functionality and effectiveness in terms of what it was designed to do.

• Write a paper on the role that hackers play in Internet security.

• Choose a type of application and test three examples of them. Compare and contrast them in every respect you can think of, from their disk space and CPU usage to their range of functionality, ease of use, and measures of the quality of whatever the program is meant to do, whether produce graphics or documents, or create sudoku games.

• Compare the file size of graphics produces in different formats, for example, png, jpg, tiff, eps, gif. Then compare the image quality and, in doing so, define a lossless image.

• Analyze how the file size of a document changes when you change nothing in it but the font that's used. Test to determine which fonts add the most to the file size.

• Write a program that says “Hello World!”

• Write a program that plays tic-tac-toe. Create one program that attempts to win every time. Create a program that attempts to lose every time.

• Compare and contrast different programming languages in terms of the capabilities and limitations.

• Test a variety of graphics cards with several games to see which function best.

• Compare and contrast results from various search engines and with various different search techniques. Explain what works best.

• Compare and contrast the anti-virus programs available and recommend what, in your estimation, is the best choice for Mac and the best choice for Windows. Are they the same?

• Create a model that demonstrates the operation of an email system of your choice.

• Create a set of guidelines for handling computer security with regard to anti-virus programs, Internet use, email use, messaging, chat rooms, passwords, and cache-clearing.