Education Corner

40 Best Science Experiments & Projects for Middle School

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Welcome to our curated collection of top science fair projects and experiments, perfectly tailored for the inquisitive middle schoolers. Our collection offers hands-on activities that will captivate young minds and ignite their passion for learning.

Science fairs during middle school years are less about competition and more about fostering a love for exploration, experimentation, and the thrill of the “Eureka!” moment. That’s why we have ensured that all the experiments on our list are fun and easy.

Through hands-on experimentation, students can gain a deeper understanding of scientific concepts, build confidence in their abilities, and cultivate a lifelong passion for learning.

So, get your lab coats and grab your goggles, as middle school experiments are waiting to unlock a world of knowledge and excitement!

1. Crushed Can

Crushed Can

Students will be amazed as they witness an ordinary can being transformed before their very eyes. By simply heating it and then rapidly cooling it, the can will be crushed as if by magic!

Learn more: Little Bins Little Hands

2. Water Bottle Rockets

In this engaging activity, students will have the opportunity to design, build, and launch their very own water-propelled rockets.

By adjusting variables like water level and air pressure, they’ll witness firsthand how these factors impact the rocket’s flight path and distance.

3. Cabbage Ph Indicator

Cabbage Ph Indicator

In this middle school science project, students will use red cabbage as a natural pH indicator to test the acidity or alkalinity of various household substances.

Learn more: Cabbage PH Indicator

4. Build a Solar Oven

Build a Solar Oven

By building these ingenious devices using simple materials, they will discover the incredible potential of renewable energy and its practical applications in everyday life.

Learn more: Solar Oven

5. Build a Helping Hand

Build a Helping Hand

In this captivating middle school science experiment, students will have the opportunity to construct their very own “Helping Hand” device.

Learn more: Science Buddies

6. DIY Lung Model

This captivating middle school project offers an exciting hands-on opportunity to explore the inner workings of our respiratory system.

By creating their own lung models using simple household materials, students will gain a deeper understanding of how our lungs function and the vital role they play in our bodies.

7. Flying Tea Bag

Flying Tea Bag

By harnessing the power of convection currents, students will learn about the fascinating relationship between heat and air pressure.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bag

8. Egg Float Experiment

Egg Float Experiment

In this captivating middle school science project, students will unlock the mysteries of density and water displacement while discovering the fascinating properties of eggs.

Learn more: Egg Float Experiment

9. Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction

This captivating middle school project is all about the magic of potential energy and kinetic energy. By carefully setting up a series of interlinked popsicle sticks, students will create a mesmerizing chain reaction that ripples through the entire structure.

10. How to See Sound

As they watch sound come to life through colorful visualizations, students will develop a deeper appreciation for the profound impact of sound in our daily lives.

11. Orange Peel Plate Tectonics

Orange Peel Plate Tectonics

In this captivating middle school project, students will delve into the dynamic world of Earth’s crust and explore the powerful forces that shape our planet’s surface.

12. Heart Pump

Heart Pump

In this captivating middle school project, students will embark on a hands-on exploration of the human circulatory system and discover the marvels of the heart’s pumping mechanism.

Learn more: Heart Pump Model

13. Invisible Ink

Invisible Ink

By concocting their own invisible ink, they’ll discover the science behind chemical reactions and learn how certain substances react to reveal hidden text when exposed to heat, light, or other catalysts.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

14. DIY Grow Box

DIY Grow Box

In this captivating middle school project, students will learn the wonders of plant growth and the art of nurturing a thriving garden.

By constructing their own affordable and innovative grow boxes using simple materials, they’ll have the perfect environment to observe the magical transformation from seeds to flourishing plants.

Learn more: Easy DIY Grow Box

15. Creative Ferris Wheel

By encouraging creativity and experimentation, this engaging experiment not only promises an exciting learning experience but also fosters teamwork and critical thinking

16. Alka Seltzer Rockets

Alka Seltzer Rockets

Prepare for a high-flying adventure with the Alka Seltzer Rockets science experiment! This exciting and explosive activity is a perfect choice for middle school students eager to explore the wonders of chemical reactions and rocketry.

17. Why do Apples Turn Brown?

Through hands-on exploration, middle school students will discover the role of enzymes and oxygen in this intriguing transformation.

18. Water Bending Experiment

By understanding the principles of surface tension and cohesion, you’ll be able to create mesmerizing effects, seemingly bending water with just a piece of static material.

19. Water Clock

Water Clock

Experience the magic of timekeeping in its most ancient form with the fascinating Water Clock project! In this hands-on experiment, students will venture into the realms of history, physics, and engineering as they build their own timekeeping device using just water and a few simple materials.

Learn more: Steam Powered Family

20. Paper Ball Run Challenge

Paper Ball Run Challenge

Get ready for a thrilling and creative adventure with the Paper Ball Run Challenge! In this captivating science experiment, you’ll explore the principles of motion, gravity, and engineering as you design and build your very own paper ball run.

21. Flood Barriers

Flood Barriers

As you construct and evaluate your barriers, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how floods occur and the importance of finding effective solutions.

Learn more: Teachers are terrific

22. Exploring the Law of Inertia Experiment Using a Fidget Spinner

Law of Inertia Experiment using a Fidget Spinner

This engaging experiment will help you unravel Sir Isaac Newton’s Law of Inertia in a fun and hands-on way. By using a fidget spinner, you’ll explore how the spinning motion persists due to inertia and how different factors can influence its behavior.

23. Air Pressure Impact on Ping Pong Balls 

By investigating the effects of air pressure on these lightweight spheres, you’ll uncover the secrets of flight, aerodynamics, and atmospheric pressure.

24. Rolling Uphill

In this experiment, you’ll witness the baffling phenomenon of a ball seemingly defying gravity by rolling uphill on a specially designed track.

25. Pick Up Ice with a String

Pick Up Ice with a String

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to lift ice using just a simple string? In this fascinating experiment, you’ll explore the principles of heat transfer and surface tension as you attempt to defy gravity and lift ice cubes with nothing but a string.

Learn more: Pick Up Ice with a String

26. Keep a Paper Towel Dry Under Water 

Keep a Paper Towel Dry Under Water

This captivating experiment will unveil the wonders of surface tension and hydrophobicity, as you attempt to create a barrier that defies the conventional wisdom of water soaking through paper.

Learn more: Keep a Paper Towel Dry Under Water

27. Upside Down Glass of Water

Upside Down Glass of Water

This mesmerizing experiment will unravel the fascinating concept of air pressure and its influence on liquids. As you turn a glass of water upside down and observe the water’s defiance of falling out, you’ll gain insight into the powerful role of air pressure in our everyday lives.

Learn more: Upside Down Glass of Water

28. Make a Wine Glass Sing

Have you ever wondered how to turn a simple glass of wine into a musical instrument? This captivating experiment will introduce you to the fascinating concept of acoustics and how sound waves interact with liquid-filled glasses.

29. Crush a Plastic Bottle

Crush a Plastic Bottle

Are you curious about the forces at play when we compress a seemingly indestructible plastic bottle? This captivating experiment will unravel the science behind how pressure and air interact to create this astonishing effect.

Learn more: Crush a Plastic Bottle

30. Ruler Changes Size

Get ready to witness an optical illusion that will challenge your perception of reality. In this captivating experiment, you’ll explore the fascinating phenomenon of light refraction and how it can make objects appear different than they really are.

31. Egg in a Bottle

Egg in a Bottle

Have you ever wondered how to get an egg into a bottle without breaking it? This mesmerizing experiment will introduce you to the concept of air pressure and how it can be harnessed to achieve the impossible.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

32. Water Doesn’t Leak Out Science Experiment

Water Doesn’t Leak Out Science Experiment

This hands-on activity not only sparks curiosity and amazement but also teaches you about the properties of gases and the laws of physics.

So, get ready to be astounded and dive into the magic of science with the “Water Doesn’t Leak Out” experiment – an entertaining and enlightening adventure that will leave you thirsting for more knowledge!

Learn more: Water Science Experiment

33. Pick Up a Ball with a Jar

This captivating experiment will introduce you to the fascinating concept of air pressure and how it can create a powerful force that defies gravity.

34. Glowing Water Science

This captivating experiment will introduce you to the fascinating properties of fluorescent materials and how they interact with light.

35. Fizzy Cloud Dough

Fizzy Cloud Dough

The fizzing reaction not only adds an element of excitement but also provides a great opportunity to explore the science of chemical reactions and the release of carbon dioxide.

Learn more: Fizzy Cloud Dough

36. Underwater Magic Sand

Underwater Magic Sand

Welcome to the enchanting world of “Underwater Magic Sand”! Get ready to witness the marvels of hydrophobic science and explore the secrets of this captivating experiment.

Learn more: Teaching Mama Org

37. Make Bouncy Polymer Balls

This captivating experiment will take you on an exciting journey into the realm of polymers and chemical reactions.

38. Use a Crayon as a Candle

Crayon candle

This hands-on activity not only sparks curiosity and excitement but also offers a safe and educational way to explore the science of combustion and the flammability of materials.

Learn more: Crayon Candle

39. Flame Test Colors

Flame Test Colors

Not only does it spark curiosity and wonder but also deepens your understanding of the emission spectra of elements.

So, get ready to illuminate your scientific knowledge with the “Flame Test Colors” experiment – an educational and visually stunning adventure that will leave you dazzled and eager to discover more about the fascinating world of chemistry!

Learn more: Thought Co

40. Grow A Bean Plant

By planting a simple bean seed and providing it with water, sunlight, and care, you’ll witness the fascinating process of germination and watch as your bean seedling sprouts and grows.

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  • 68 Best Chemistry Experiments: Learn About Chemical Reactions
  • 37 Water Science Experiments: Fun & Easy
  • Top 50 Fun Food Science Experiments

Exciting STEM Activities to Finish Off the Year

1) Rube Goldberg machines Who doesn’t love these? Grab a ton of recycled materials, some glue and tape and let the students be extremely creative! Read my blog post called How to Create an Exciting but Structured Rube Goldberg Machines Unit about how to keep everything organized and structured to keep your sanity!

2) Design and Create Solar Ovens with Pizza Boxes – Break out the marshmallows and chocolate and use the sun to create yummy treats.

3) Paper airplane contest – When I did this last year I was shocked at how many students have never made paper airplanes! 4) STEM Design and Build Magnet Mazes Students love to create themes such as amusement parks, farms, zoos, Disney World, etc. as they make obstacles for the magnets throughout the maze. Keep the project structured and organized so that the students stay on task. How to Create STEM Magnet Mazes.

5) Paper Roller Coaster – This requires minimum materials and lots of critical thinking.

6) STEM Design a Seed Dispersal Method – Making organic flowers and seeds out of recyclables really has the kids thinking.

7) Design and Build a Water Filter – Make the dirtiest water you can for the students to “clean”.

8) Foam Insulation Roller Coaster – Cut foam pipe insulation in half and twist it all over your walls for a super fun marble roller coaster.

9) STEM Design and Build Craft Stick Bridges – Have students first research bridge designs and then try to create the strongest one on their own.

10) Design an Aluminum Foil Boat to hold pennies. -Give students a certain amount of aluminum foil and have them design boats to hold weight.

11) STEM Mutualism Symbiosis Structured Project -Review relationships between animals and have students design two animals that have a symbiotic relationship.

12) Design an Egg Drop (with international rules) -An old favorite and this site has the basic rules.

13) Balloon Cars – Tons of fun racing these cars.

14) STEM Design and Build Electrical Circuit Games -Students design games using their knowledge of basic electrical circuits. We love to invite younger students in to play the games! This blog post describes how we do it. How to Create STEM Electrical Circuit Games.

15) Paper Ball Run Challenge  – Great, inexpensive activity.

16) Spoon and Popsicle Stick Catapults – We all love flinging things!

Entire STEM Based Units

17) Steven Spangler This website has tons of ideas for all types of labs.

18) Science Buddies -Great site for STEM ideas.

19) Science Spot – Survivor Science – An entire unit, based on the TV Show, that could take a week to cover.

20) Science Spot- Junk Box Wars. A well organized unit using cheap materials.

Messy But Lots of Science Going On

21) Bake bread with different ratios of ingredients for the students to taste test. Use any bread recipe and change out ingredients and/or proportions. Cooking chemistry is probably something most students never thought about.

22) Dissect hearts or a brain. Preserved materials are good but one year I had a butcher come in with some fresh organs, which was amazing!

23) Play With Dry Ice Day – Dry ice is super fun as long as proper supervision is in place.

24) Make Oobleck  -Whether each student makes their own or you make a giant batch, cornstarch and water makes a super fun goo to play with for hours.

25) Launch Alka-Seltzer Rockets – You will have to order old film canisters for these but they are worth it.

26) Make Ice Cream in a Ziploc Bag _ Such a great hot day activity with a lot of science to discuss.

27) Make Slime! – Instant crowd pleaser!

28) Make Puffy Slime using Shaving Cream – Not as stretchy but a fun, great smelling alternative to regular slime.

29) Make bubble experiments -Everyone loves bubbles! Have the students experiment with different wand shapes, bubbles inside of bubbles, or different proportions for the soap solution.

30) Density experiments -There are lots and lots of density experiments that you can come up with such as guessing if something will float in water or not, building density towers, oil and water experiments, etc.

Environmental Exploration Projects

31) Food Web Dice Roll Game For Events Causing Changes in Populations and Biodiversity -Students draw out a food web from a specific biome, connecting the plants and the animals of their food chains. They then roll a pair of dice that determines either a man-made or natural event that affects different aspects of that food web. If a specific plant or animal is affected by that event, then the lines are erased on their food web. Since this is a game of chance, not all of the students will come out with the same results at the end which leads to great discussions!

32) Abiotic/Biotic Schoolyard Ecosystem Scavenger Hunt. -I do this activity at least three times during the school year. I take the kids outside and we walk around with the scavenger hunt guide, on their iPads, and observe the changing seasons. My blog post called Go Outdoors on an Exciting Schoolyard Ecosystem Scavenger Hunt! explains the components of the hunt.

33) Design an animal from two animals- This is a fun and interesting project where students take two unrelated animals and combine them into one. They need to determine it’s needs and habitat as well. The students love either drawing their new creatures or using a Photoshop app to combine two images.

34) Watch the Lorax Movie -I have never once had a class that wasn’t quiet and mesmerized watching this movie. Such great discussions can happen afterwards! I have seen extensions to this with students making the Truffle trees out of various materials. I also like to have the students write what would happen next if the movie continued.

35) Explore Pond Microorganisms as Bioindicators of Water Pollution .-If you have a pond nearby, or are you were able to collect pond water yourself, students love looking under the microscopes at the unbelievably diverse creatures! It’s very helpful to have reference images to know what they are finding. I also put together references as to which creatures are more or less tolerant of pollutants. My blog post called Identifying Pond Water Microorganisms as Bioindicators explains how I use them.

36) Build a Zoo -I know a lot of teachers do a variation of this project and it really is great. Students need to come up with the abiotic and biotic features for their specific animal and then design an enclosure with all of the needs met. The individual enclosures can then be put together into a giant map of the classroom zoo.

Critical and Creative Thinking Activities

37) CSI -This is just one of many websites describing how you can do a very fun CSI unit with lots of inexpensive and fun activities such as fingerprinting, mystery powders, acid and base testing, etc.

38) Genetic Project – This is one of my all-time favorites and it has become a favorite of my students as well! Students design a male and female alien that is especially adapted to a planet that they invent. They come up with the traits and then use Punnett squares to create the babies. I made this well structured which makes it easier. If time permits, we also love to make the aliens into three-dimensional creatures along with designing a planet surface.

39) Pringles Potato Chip Circle Challenge -If you haven’t seen this all over social media, the idea is that you stack the potato chips in a standing ring without using any glue or adhesive. It’s hard but it’s very satisfying when it works!

40) CER Image Prompts for Critical Thinking -I like to start and finish my year with a review of the basics of CER methods. The students like using the image prompts from either life, physical or earth science to figure out the scientific question asked.

41) Pretests for next year- This can be a good opportunity to see what the students know about your units for next year. This is particularly helpful if you teach multi levels of science in middle school.

Worthwhile and Interesting Research Activities

42) Research an Invasive Species -Many of our “local” animals and plants are actually invasive species. Students choose from a list of many different plants and animals and research the areas that are being invaded and how it occurred.

43) Research A Storm – Many kids are very interested in the big storms such as tornadoes, hurricanes and supercell thunderstorms. This is a very structured layout, with research prompts, and the kids can then present to the class.

44) Research a Scientist-I had a teacher friend who had the students research a scientist and then present to the class dressed up as that scientist may have dressed. The kids loved it and it was very interesting.

45) Research an Element-there are actually many different types of activities online for students to choose. I have seen making an advertisement for that element, a history of that element, a superhero made from the element, etc.

Crafty Science Projects

46) Make Shrinky Dinks -You will need access to an oven to do this project but the students really love it!

47) Paint T-shirts or lab coats-If the students have old shirts, or you have a budget for inexpensive lab coats, this can be a lot of fun with fabric paint.

48) Make Kites -You may be surprised how many kids have never flown a kite!

49) Build a Cardboard Mechanical Hand -This takes patience and time but, in the end, students understand the complexity of the human hand.

50) Design Growth Mindset posters for next year- have the students come up with their own mindset statements and make posters to hang around your classroom.

Ending the year with creativity and active, hands-on learning, is a great way to pull everything together. This is particularly important if the students have just sat through state testing and have very little mind space left for a deep unit. I am always pleasantly surprised at how engaged and enthusiastic they are with the end of the year science activities!

science projects for middle school students

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STEM Education Guide

20 STEM Projects That Are Great for Middle School

Krystal DeVille

February 15, 2024

science projects for middle school students

Middle schoolers experience a great time of exploration and learning during these formative years. Explore these middle school STEM projects, designed to enhance STEM education by engaging students in hands-on learning. Pick which ones you want to try first.

Simply click the title of each lesson in the list to get the full lesson plan for these great STEM challenges that align with lessons for middle school science, technology, engineering, and math objectives. Alongside these projects, we also offer a variety of easy STEM challenges that can serve as introductory activities for beginners.

I’ve gone through all the educational subscription boxes for teenagers and put together the best ones in this resource, teenagers’ top STEM subscription boxes.

Table of Contents

STEM Activities for Middle School Students

1.  i breathe what.

science projects for middle school students

Students enhance their problem-solving skills and understanding of the scientific method by exploring air quality through pollen, dust, and particulates using their homemade ‘pollution detectors.’ They will hypothesize what causes the differences and explain why engineers look at the particulate matter when they observe air quality.

2. Design a Bridge

This is a fun way of using simple machines and various materials, students design bridges that can hold 100 pennies for 30 seconds without collapsing, teaching them fundamental principles of physics. Review engineering concepts such as load and force with your classes before they get started. Consider using craft sticks as one of the materials, which are great for learning about weight distribution and structural integrity.

3. Spaghetti Soapbox Derby

science projects for middle school students

In this science experiment, pairs of students design, build, and test model vehicles made from dry pasta and hot glue, with the goal of rolling along a ramp and coasting as far as possible. This STEM activity focuses on using somewhat challenging materials in the best ways possible.

For an added challenge, students can use rubber bands to enhance the propulsion of their pasta vehicles.

4. Trail Planning Using Topographic Quadrangle Maps

science projects for middle school students

This earth science activity first calls for familiarity with US Geological Survey quadrangle maps. Working within set guideline requirements, students then use these maps to design a good route for a new recreational trail.

5. Bikini Bottom Genetics

Students apply an understanding of genetics in an analysis of sea creature genotypes that live in SpongeBob SquarePants’ neighborhood. They predict traits of offspring with the use of Punnett squares.

6. Design a Wristwatch for the Visually Impaired

Help your students review the engineering design process. They will then research, model, test and evaluate wristwatches for individuals with visual impairments as an exercise in applying engineering skills in the areas of bioengineering and biomedical engineering.

Take a look at our review of Groovy Lab in a Box . It’s hard to convey, but after reviewing about a dozen educational STEM subscription services, Groovy Lab Box has the most well-thought-out lesson plans!

Groovy Lab in a Box Full Hands-on Review

7. Use Your Shoe!

Teachers collect shoe size data from the class. As a group, they use the data to determine the mean, median, and mode. Students then use that information to make inferences about average shoe size and broader populations. This activity provides a review of how to calculate mean, median, and mode, along with methods to make inferences based on the sample.

While this article focuses on middle schoolers, we also recommend fun and educational STEM projects suitable for elementary students .

8. Mission to Mars

Following a storyline, task your students with completing various STEM challenges, including understanding chemical reactions through a Coke and Mentos experiment as part of a Mars emergency. Teamwork, engineering design, and the use of science topics in real life are all addressed.

9. Snack Time!

Using nutritional information labels from various packaged foods, students will organize and describe that info to show the data in a box-and-whisker plot, bar graph, and pie chart. This activity touches on both math and science standards.

10. No Valve in Vain

Teams of students employ the engineering design process to use tape and plastic tubing to create heart valve models. For this activity, the class reviews the engineering design process and the workings of a one-way valve.

For older kids, particularly high school students looking for more advanced challenges, please check out our article, The Best Science Sets for Teens .

The Best Science Kits for Teens

11. Marble Speed Traps with Lego Mindstorms

Students review the formula for velocity . Using drag and drop programming, they code the speed traps to measure the distance between the sensors and time it takes the marble to travel between them. They design the course, write the code, convert units, evaluate, and make changes as needed.

12. The Million Dollar Project

Students imagine inheriting and spending 1 million dollars with specific guidelines of how they may use that money. They research on the internet, record all purchases, learn to write checks, and track all their spending, which reinforces various mathematical concepts.

13. Explore the Law of Inertia using a Fidget Spinner

science projects for middle school students

Review the equations for torque and inertia with students. By removing lights (weight) from spinners, they can explore how the amount of time the device will continue spinning is affected by the mass.

14. Backyard Weather Stations

Working in groups, students describe the current weather and predict future conditions by observing cloud formations. They design backyard weather stations that could gather data for actual forecasting. Technologies for forecasting would be explored, along with weather basics.

15. Leaning Tower of Pasta

science projects for middle school students

Review compression and tension in structure stability with your class. Students use math and engineering concepts to design and build structures with long, dry spaghetti and marshmallows, to find which ones can withstand the largest amount of load.

16. Cleaning the Great Lakes

What better way to understand environmental science than by having students use limited materials to discover how to filter pollutants from dirty water? Teachers may use this challenge activity along with earth science units about water pollution or those concerning local lakes.

17. Soil Biosolarization: Sustainable Weed Killer

Serving as agricultural engineers, students explore the effectiveness of this sustainable weed control technique that uses organic waste instead of poisons. By using seed starter pots, they plant “weeds” and test the use of organic matter, like oatmeal, to see if it kills the weeds, assessing the impact of products and systems.

18. Renewable Energy: Power Your School

In pairs, students use real data to assess the possible use of solar or wind power generation at their school. Using science, math, and engineering concepts, they explore the differences between these two methods, use maps for an analysis of potential, and look at factors related to the feasibility of renewable energy at their location.

19. Generate Your Own Ocean Currents!

Encourage critical thinking and understanding of real-world applications as students design and construct ocean models to study wind-driven currents. Through this challenge project, they will explore circulation patterns, the Coriolis effect, and the transfer of heat from the global ocean convection cycle.

20. Scaling Up Candy Wrappers

Students bring in their favorite candy bar wrappers, choose a scale factor (larger than 5), and enlarge their wrappers to that scale in a drawing on grid paper. Scaling up candy wrappers is not just educational, but also a lot of fun, teaching kids about the math concept of scale factor. They can then color and display their finished projects!

21. Rube Goldberg Machines

What is a rube goldberg machine.

A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately complex contraption in which a series of devices perform simple tasks linked together to produce a domino effect, ultimately accomplishing a simple goal in a highly complex manner. Named after the American cartoonist Rube Goldberg, these machines are fantastic tools for teaching students about physics, engineering, and critical thinking.

Why Include Rube Goldberg Machines in Middle School STEM?

  • Encourages Creative Thinking : Building these machines requires students to think outside the box and use their imagination to solve problems.
  • Teaches Basic Physics Principles : Concepts like energy transfer, motion, and simple machines come to life in a Rube Goldberg project.
  • Enhances Teamwork and Collaboration : Students often work in teams, learning to communicate and collaborate to design and build their machines.
  • Develops Problem-Solving Skills : Students learn to troubleshoot and iterate, key skills in any STEM field.

Implementing Rube Goldberg Machine Projects

  • Introduce the Concept : Start with a brief history of Rube Goldberg and show examples of Rube Goldberg machines, either through videos or illustrations.
  • Define the Project Scope : Set clear goals and parameters. For example, each machine must have a minimum number of steps or complete a specific task.
  • Materials : Encourage creativity by allowing a wide range of materials, from household items to recycled materials.
  • Documentation : Have students document their design process, challenges, and solutions. This can be in the form of a journal, video, or presentation.
  • Presentation and Reflection : Allow students to present their machines to the class. Encourage them to discuss what they learned and how they overcame obstacles.

22. Egg Drop Challenge

What is the Egg Drop Challenge? An engaging physics experiment for middle schoolers, the Egg Drop Challenge involves designing a device to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height. It’s an excellent way for students to apply concepts of gravity, impact force, and material properties.

Why It’s Beneficial:

  • Encourages creative problem-solving.
  • Demonstrates physics principles like momentum and shock absorption.
  • Promotes teamwork and collaborative skills.

Implementing the Challenge:

  • Materials: Offer materials like straws, balloons, and craft sticks.
  • Design and Build: Students design and construct their egg-protecting devices.
  • The Drop: Test the devices by dropping eggs from a set height.
  • Analysis: Discuss the outcomes, focusing on physics concepts and design strategies.

Curriculum Alignment: This challenge complements the middle school physics curriculum, applying theoretical concepts practically.

23. The Index Card Tower Challenge

What is the Index Card Tower Challenge? The Index Card Tower Challenge is a straightforward yet engaging activity that introduces students to basic principles of physical science and engineering. Using only index cards, students are challenged to build the tallest possible tower. This activity is the best way to demonstrate concepts like balance, gravity, and kinetic energy, making it perfect for kids of all ages, including younger kids.

Why It’s Essential in STEM Curriculum:

  • Introduces Physical Science Concepts: Focuses on basic principles like stability and kinetic energy.
  • Encourages Creative Problem-Solving: Challenges students to think innovatively using simple materials.
  • Accessible to All Ages: Easily adaptable for different age groups, making it suitable for both younger kids and older students.
  • Prepares for Future Careers: Develops foundational skills useful in various STEM fields.
  • Materials: Provide students with a stack of index cards.
  • Build the Tower: Students experiment with different construction techniques to build their towers.
  • Discussion on Physical Science: After the activity, discuss how forces like gravity and kinetic energy influenced their designs.
  • Real-World Connection: Relate the activity to real-world structures and engineering challenges.

How It Fits Into STEM Courses: The Index Card Tower Challenge is a versatile activity that can be integrated into various STEM courses. It encourages students to apply scientific principles and think critically about engineering challenges, making it a valuable addition to any STEM curriculum.

How To Make The Most Of These Fun STEM Activities for Middle School Students

Whether in STEM labs, at home, or in the classroom, engaging students with discussion questions throughout these hands-on activities is vital.

To connect with students’ interests, some of these STEM activities offer different ways, including the design or analysis of simple video games, blending technology with creativity.

We rounded up these projects specifically because they align with learning objectives and lessons for 6th to 8th-grade students. Ask how this applies to what they’re currently learning in class? What did the project demonstrate?

Let us know in the comments what your favorite Middle School STEM projects! We’d love to hear them.

2 thoughts on “20 STEM Projects That Are Great for Middle School”

I taught bridge building to sixth grade students. The only thing I taught them was information and diagrams about trusses. They had to take notes for their own use during construction. Gave them the materials, formed groups and gave them them help without interfering with their own ideas. The amount of enthusiasm I have seldom seen in middle school. They were so excited they told their other teachers about the project. The bridges were beautiful and so strong. It was great to see the application of the trusses! I am all for STEM activities!

These are some great activities thanks for sharing and I’ll use them at my school.

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Middle School Science Experiments

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Get ideas for science experiments targeted at the middle school educational level. Find out how to perform an experiment and get a hypothesis to test.

Fruit Battery Experiment

 Natthakan Jommanee / EyeEm / Getty Images

Make a battery using household materials and a piece of fruit. Does one type of fruit or vegetable work better than another? Remember, it's easiest to test the null hypothesis . Hypothesis: Current produced by a fruit battery does not depend on the type of fruit that is used.

Battery Experiment Resources

How to Make a Fruit Battery Electrochemical Cells Potato-Powered LCD Clock Human Battery Demonstration

Bubbles and Temperature

 Sascha Jung / EyeEm

Blowing bubbles is fun. There is a lot of science to bubbles, too. You can perform an experiment to see how factors affect bubbles. What is the perfect bubble solution? What makes the best bubble wand? Can you color bubbles with food coloring? Does temperature affect how long bubbles last? Hypothesis: Bubble life is not affected by temperature. Bubble Experiment Resources More about Bubble Life and Temperature Glowing Bubbles Bubble Fingerprints

Breakfast and Learning

You've heard about how important breakfast is to performance in school. Put it to the test! There are several experiments you can design around this topic. Does eating breakfast help you stay on task? Does it matter what you eat for breakfast? Would breakfast help you equally well for math as for English?

Hypothesis: Students who eat breakfast will not score differently on a vocabulary test than students who skipped breakfast.

Rocket Balloon Experiment

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Rocket balloons are a fun way to study the laws of motion, plus they use a safe propellant.

You can design a middle school experiment exploring the effect of balloon size on the distance a rocket travels, whether the temperature of the air makes a difference, whether a helium balloon rocket and an air balloon rocket travel the same distance, and more.

Hypothesis: The size of the balloon doesn't affect the distance a balloon rocket travels. Rocket Experiment Resources Make a Match Rocket Newton's Laws of Motion

Crystal Experiments

 mark watson (kalimistuk) / Getty Images

Crystals are good middle school experimental subjects. You can examine the factors that affect the rate of crystal growth or the form of the crystals that are produced.

Sample Hypothesis:

  • The rate of evaporation does not affect final crystal size.
  • Crystals grown using food coloring will be the same size and shape as those grown without it.

Crystal Experiment Resources Crystal Science Fair Projects What Is a Crystal? How to Grow Crystals How to Make a Saturated Solution Crystal Projects to Try

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Science Experiments For Middle Schoolers

Middle schoolers love science! These hands-on middle school science experiments can be completed in the classroom or at home, whether you’re exploring viscosity, density, liquids, solids, and so much more. Below you’ll find a great list of middle school science activities and experiments, including 7th grader science fair project ideas to get you started. 

science projects for middle school students

What is Middle School Science?

Are you looking for cool science experiments for kids that also offers a valuable opportunity to learn basic chemistry, physics, and earth science concepts? With simple ingredients and basic materials, your middle school students will have a blast with these easy science experiments.

You’ll find that just about every science experiment on the list below uses supplies you can easily find around the house or classroom or are quick and easy to pick up at the supermarket.

Mason jars, empty plastic bottles, baking soda, salt, vinegar, zip-top bags, rubber bands, glue, hydrogen peroxide, food coloring (always fun but optional), and various other common ingredients make science accessible to everyone!

Explore chemical reactions to simple machines, surface tension, gravity, buoyancy, and more with various science experiments, demonstrations, and activities.

Printable Science and STEM Packs

For a comprehensive guide to all of our science and STEM projects , make sure to look at these guides to get started today.

science projects for middle school students

Free Science Challenge Calendar Guide

Also, download our free printable 12 Days of Science Challenge to get started!

science projects for middle school students

Try These Science Experiments for Middle Schoolers

Grab a pen and make a list! Everything you need for educational and fun science is right here.

At the end of this huge list, you’ll find more science resource guides such as vocabulary words , book choices , and information on the science process !

Make simple airfoils and explore air resistance.

ALKA-SELTZER EXPERIMENT

What happens when you drop alka seltzer tablets into oil and water? This type of experiment explores both physics and chemistry. You can even look at the emulsification concept while at it.

science projects for middle school students

ALKA SELTZER ROCKET

Get ready for some fun with this Alka Seltzer Rocket. Easy to set up and simple to do, it is chemistry in action!

APPLE BROWNING EXPERIMENT

How do you keep apples from turning brown? Do all apples turn brown at the same rate? Answer these burning apple science questions with an apple oxidation experiment.

ARCHIMEDES SCREW

Archimedes’ screw, is one of the earliest machines used for moving water from a lower area to a higher area. Make an Archimedes screw that uses cardboard and a water bottle to create a machine to move cereal!

Atoms are tiny but very important building blocks of everything in our world. What are the parts of an atom?

science projects for middle school students

BALLOON EXPERIMENT

Also try our soda balloon experiment .

BLUBBER EXPERIMENT

How do whales stay warm in very cold water? Test out how blubber works as an insulator with this fun science experiment.

BOTTLE ROCKET

There’s nothing better than a baking soda and vinegar reaction when it comes to science experiments, and it is great for a variety of ages including middle schoolers. While a bit messy, it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore mixtures, states of matter, and basic chemistry.

science projects for middle school students

CABBAGE PH INDICATOR

Explore how re cabbage can be used to test liquids of varying acid levels. Depending on the pH of the liquid, the cabbage turns various shades of pink, purple, or green! It’s incredibly cool to watch, and kids love it!

CELLS (Animals and Plants)

Learn about the unique structures that make up plant and animal cells with these two free, hands-on STEAM projects.

science projects for middle school students

CANDY EXPERIMENTS

Take a sweet treat and apply science to it. There are a variety of ways you can experiment and explore candy for physics fun!

CRUSHED CAN EXPERIMENT

Love exploding experiments?  YES!! Well here’s another one the kids are sure to love except this one is an imploding or collapsing experiment! Learn about atmospheric pressure with this incredible can crusher experiment.

science projects for middle school students

DANCING CORN

Can you make corn dance? Explore a simple chemical reaction, with the addition of corn kernels. Also try it with raisins or cranberries !

DANCING SPRINKLES

Turn on your favorite tunes and make colorful sprinkles dance! Explore sound and vibrations when you try this fun   dancing sprinkles experiment.

DIY COMPASS

Learn what a compass is and how a compass works, as you make your own homemade compass. All you need are a few simple materials to get started.

DNA EXTRACTION

Usually, you can’t see DNA except with a high-powered microscope. But with this strawberry DNA extraction experiment, you can get the DNA strands to release from their cells and bind together into a format that’s visible with the naked eye.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Build a Candy DNA Model

EGG DROP EXPERIMENT

Take the egg drop challenge as you investigate what makes for the best shock absorber for dropping an egg without it breaking on impact.

EGG IN VINEGAR EXPERIMENT

Can you make an egg bounce? Find out with this chemical reaction, of an egg in vinegar.

ELEPHANT TOOTHPASTE

Explore an exothermic chemical reaction with hydrogen peroxide and yeast.

science projects for middle school students

DRY-ERASE MARKER EXPERIMENT

Create a dry-erase drawing and watch it float in water.

FLOATING RICE

Grab some rice and a bottle, and let’s find out what happens when you put a pencil in the mix!  Do you think you can lift a bottle of rice with a pencil? Try this fun friction experiment and find out.

science projects for middle school students

Green Pennies Experiment

Why is the Statue of Liberty green? It’s a beautiful patina, but how does it happen? Explore the science in your own kitchen or classroom by making green pennies.

Growing Crystals

There are several ways to explore super saturated solutions and grow crystals. Featured below is the traditional growing borax crystals science experiment . However, you can also grow edible sugar crystals or check out how to grow salt crystals . All three chemistry experiments are cool for kids!

science projects for middle school students

Heart Model

Use this heart model project for a hands-on approach to anatomy. You only need a few simple supplies and very little prep to make this fun heart pump model.

Invisible Ink

Write a message that no one else can see until the ink is revealed with your own invisible ink! Cool chemistry that’s perfect to do at home or in the classroom. Compare it with a different type of invisible ink with cranberry secret messages .

Liquid Density Experiment

This fun liquid density experiment explores how some liquids are heavier or denser than others.

Lemon Battery

What can you power with a   lemon battery ? Grab some lemons and a few other supplies, and find out how you can make lemons into lemon electricity!

science projects for middle school students

Learn how our amazing lungs work, and even a bit of physics with this easy balloon lung model. 

The chemical reaction in this magic milk experiment is fun to watch and makes for great hands-on learning.

Melting Ice Experiment

What makes ice melt faster? Investigate with a fun ice melting experiment that kids are sure to enjoy. Plus, try an icy STEM challenge.

Mentos and Coke

Here’s another fizzing experiment kids are sure to love! All you need are Mentos and Coke. It’s not a chemical reaction taking place like you might think.

Milk and Vinegar

Transform a couple of common kitchen ingredients into a moldable, durable piece of a plastic-like substance. Make plastic milk with a chemical reaction.

science projects for middle school students

Oil Spill Experiment

Apply science to the care and protection of the environment with this oil spill demonstration. Learn about an oil spill and investigate the best ways to clean it up.

Penny Boat Challenge and Buoyancy

Design a simple tin foil boat, and see how many pennies it can hold before it sinks.  How many pennies will it take to make your boat sink? Learn about simple physics while you test out your engineering skills.

Pepper and Soap Experiment

Sprinkle some pepper in water and make it dance across the surface. Explore surface tension of water when you try this pepper and soap experiment.

Pop Rocks and Soda

Pop rocks is a fun candy to eat, and now you can turn it into an easy Pop Rocks science experiment.

Potato Osmosis Lab

Explore what happens to potatoes when you put them in concentration salt water and then pure water.

Rising Water Experiment

Place a burning candle in water and watch what happens to the water. Explore the science of burning candles when you try this fun candle experiment.

science projects for middle school students

Salad Dressing- Emulsification

You can mix oil and vinegar for the perfect salad dressing! It’s called emulsification. Simple science you can set up with ingredients found in your kitchen cupboards.

Saltwater Density Experiment

Investigate whether an egg will sink or float in salt water.

Skittles Experiment

Explore what happens to skittles candy in water and why the colors don’t mix.

Screaming Balloon

This screaming balloon experiment is an awesome   physics activity! Explore centripetal force or how objects travel a circular path with a few simple supplies.

science projects for middle school students

Grab the glue and make a classic chemistry demonstration. Slime is all about science and a must try at least one. If you want a 2 for1, our magnetic slime is just about the coolest thing you’ll ever play with… it’s alive (well, not really)!

Stormwater Runoff

What happens to rain or melting snow when it can’t go into the ground? Set up an easy stormwater runoff model with your kids to explore what happens.

Surface Tension Experiments

Learn what the surface tension of water is and check out these cool surface tension experiments to try at home or in the classroom.

Walking Water

Watch the water travel as it makes a rainbow of color! How does it do that?

science projects for middle school students

More Helpful Science Resources

Science vocabulary.

It is never too early to introduce some fantastic science words to kids. Get them started with a printable science vocabulary word list . You’re going to want to incorporate these science terms into your next science lesson!

WHAT IS A SCIENTIST

Think like a scientist! Act like a scientist! Scientists, like you and me, are also curious about the world around them. Learn about the different types of scientists and what they do to increase their understanding of their specific area of interest. Read What Is A Scientist

SCIENCE PRACTICES

A new approach to teaching science is called the Best Science Practices. These eight science and engineering practices are less structured and allow for a more free – flowing approach to problem-solving and finding answers to questions. These skills are critical to developing future engineers, inventors, and scientists!

science projects for middle school students

Bonus STEM Projects for Kids

STEM activities include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  As well as our kid’s science experiments, we have lots of fun STEM activities for you to try. Check out these STEM ideas below…

  • Building Activities
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  • What Is Engineering For Kids?
  • Coding Activities For Kids
  • STEM Worksheets
  • Top 10 STEM Challenges For Kids

science projects for middle school students

Middle School Science Fair Project Pack

Looking to plan a science fair project, make a science fair board or want an easy guide to set up your own science experiments?

Go ahead and grab this free printable science fair project pack to get started!

science projects for middle school students

~ Projects to Try Now! ~

science projects for middle school students

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50 Best STEM Projects for Middle School Kids

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Science Activities for Middle Schoolers

Technology activities for middle schoolers, engineering activities for middle schoolers, math activities for middle schoolers.

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STEM projects for middle school are an excellent way to engage young minds and spark their curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math. Research supports that STEM activities positively impact the scientific creativity of middle school students. These exercises give students an enjoyable learning experience and promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities .

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SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.

Additionally, middle school STEM programs help foster interest in these subjects, develop skills, improve future job prospects, encourage creativity and innovation, and promote diversity and inclusivity. However, before delving into the exciting projects, it’s essential to understand why STEM programs in middle school are crucial for a student’s academic journey.

5 Essentials Of Middle School STEM Programs

In the modern work market, STEM education has increased. Students in middle school are at a pivotal point in their development, and exposure to STEM education can greatly impact how they grow academically and professionally. The following justifies the necessity of STEM programs in middle schools.

1. Fostering Interest in STEM

Middle school STEM programs offer an interactive and immersive approach to STEM education by providing hands-on opportunities for students to engage in projects and experiments, which can lead to deeper comprehension and enthusiasm for these subjects. The Journal of Pedagogical Research suggests that a STEM-focused learning environment can positively influence academic achievement in science. Moreover, STEM education provides students with practical applications of these topics in the real world, which fosters a heightened curiosity and drive for learning. 

2. Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities are emphasized in STEM education. Students’ minds are still developing throughout middle school. Thus, STEM education can aid in the development of the abilities necessary for success in the real world. 

3. Improving Future Job Prospects

Middle school STEM education can provide students with the essential abilities and skills necessary to pursue high-paying professions in the rapidly-growing STEM sectors of the contemporary economy. 

4. Encouraging Creativity and Innovation

Middle school STEM programs have been known to be a catalyst for fostering creativity and innovation among students. This is because these programs equip students with the necessary skills to design, build, and test their projects, which can be quite perplexing. By undertaking middle school STEM programs, children can develop the courage and aptitude to take risks, think outside the box, and solve problems in novel and unexpected ways.

5. Promoting Diversity and Inclusivity

The benefits of STEM education extend beyond just individual development, as it can also promote diversity and inclusivity among students. Regardless of background, all students have equal opportunities to learn and succeed in STEM. By introducing students to a wide range of STEM occupations and showcasing the achievements of underrepresented groups in these industries, middle school STEM programs can inspire kids from diverse backgrounds to pursue their interests in these disciplines.

What Does STEM Education for Middle Schoolers Look Like?

Photo Of Person Deriving Formula On White Board

Middle school STEM education is a way of teaching that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math. It’s exciting and interactive, aiming to help students become skilled in these subjects. The main goal is to give students the knowledge and abilities they need to handle the many challenges of our ever-changing technology-driven world.

“STEM education is not just about learning scientific concepts and principles; it’s about developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills that will benefit students throughout their lives.” – Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education.

Students are introduced to the fundamentals of STEM disciplines in middle school through practical, project-based learning . They investigate the scientific method, study the fundamentals of engineering and design, and become aware of the wonders of math and technology.

Middle schoolers can develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity through STEM education. Research suggest that STEM activities effectively develop positive views toward interdisciplinary education and 21st-century skills such as creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. By engaging in STEM activities , students can also improve their science process skills, STEM career interests, motivation, and views about STEM education. 

50 Best STEM Activities for Middle School Kids

Engaging in STEM activities for middle school kids, students can gain valuable skills and knowledge that will assist them in success in high school, college, and beyond. So, without further ado, let’s explore these best STEM activities for kids!

“STEM learning is vital for the future success of our students and our country. By engaging students in hands-on projects and encouraging their curiosity, we can inspire the next generation of innovators.” – Mae Jemison, former NASA astronaut and founder of the Jemison Group.

A girl doing science experiment

Science is essential to STEM education and can be incredibly engaging and exciting for middle schoolers. Here are some science-related STEM activities for middle school kids that can inspire young minds to discover the world around them.

  • Chemical Reactions: Mix baking soda and vinegar to observe the fizzy reaction. Try other combinations like lemon juice and baking soda.
  • Solar Oven: Cut a flap in a cardboard box and line it with foil. Place food inside and keep it in the sun to cook.
  • Egg Drop Challenge: Gather materials like straws, paper, and tape. Create a protective structure around an egg and drop it from a height.
  • Rock Candy Experiment: Dissolve sugar in hot water and grow crystals on a string suspended in the solution.
  • Volcano Eruption:  Build a clay volcano around a small bottle. Mix baking soda and vinegar inside the bottle for an eruption.

Illustration of kid trying the volcano experiment

  • Hovercraft: Glue a balloon to a CD, then inflate the balloon and place the CD on a smooth surface to create a hovercraft.
  • Slime Making: Mix glue, water, and borax solution to create slime. Explore different ratios for varying consistencies.
  • Bottle Rocket Launch: Fill a plastic bottle partially with water, then quickly attach a cork and pump air inside to launch the rocket.
  • Sundial Crafting: Place a stick vertically in the ground, and mark the shadow cast by the sun at different times of the day.
  • Plant Growth Study:  Plant seeds in pots with varying amounts of sunlight, water, and soil to observe their growth over time.

Girls doing exploring science together

  • Static Electricity: Rub balloons against clothing to create static charge. Test its effect on objects like paper and hair.
  • Dissecting Owl Pellets: Purchase owl pellets and use tweezers to carefully dissect them, identifying the bones of small animals.
  • Microscope Adventures:  Collect samples from ponds or leaves, place them on slides, and observe under a microscope to discover tiny organisms.

A girl looking through microscope

Now that we’ve explored some exciting science-related STEM ideas for middle school kids, let’s look at engaging technology activities to help students develop important coding, programing and digital literacy skills.

Illustration of kid uing tablet

Technology activities for middle schoolers are designed to introduce students to coding, programing, and digital design basics. These hands-on activities are a great way to build technical skills while fostering creativity and innovation. Here are a few technology-related STEM activities for middle school kids.

  • Coding Basics: Use online platforms like Scratch or Code.org to start learning coding concepts through interactive tutorials and projects.
  • Robotics Challenge:  Provide robot kits with instructions and coding software. Students follow the instructions to assemble the robot and write code to make it perform tasks.

Illustration of kids fixing robot together

  • App Design: Utilize app development tools or platforms like MIT App Inventor to design and prototype mobile apps. Students can create simple apps and explore different features.
  • 3D Printing: Teach students how to use 3D modeling software to design objects. Then, print the designs using a 3D printer.
  • Website Creation: Introduce HTML and CSS coding languages to build a basic website. Students can experiment with customizing their site.
  • Video Game Design: Use game development software like GameMaker or Unity to design and create simple video games with characters, levels, and gameplay.
  • Augmented Reality (AR) Exploration:  Explore AR technology using AR apps or platforms. Students can create interactive experiences by overlaying virtual objects on the real world.

Little girl in VR Headset

  • Green Screen Projects: Provide a green screen and video editing software. Students can record themselves against the green screen and use the software to replace the background with any image or video.
  • Electronic Circuits: Use a circuit kit with components like LEDs, resistors, and wires. Students follow diagrams to build circuits and learn about electronics.
  • Digital Storytelling: Use digital tools like PowerPoint or video editing software to create multimedia stories with text, images, and audio narration.
  • Internet Research Challenge: Assign specific research topics, and guide students on using search engines and reputable websites to find relevant information.
  • Cybersecurity Awareness: Conduct discussions and workshops on online safety, creating strong passwords, and protecting personal information from online threats.
  • Virtual Field Trips: Utilize virtual reality headsets or online platforms with virtual tours to take students on immersive journeys to museums, historical sites, or outer space.

Now that we’ve explored some exciting technology-related STEM projects for middle school kids, let’s shift our focus to engineering. These activities are designed to introduce students to engineering and design principles and provide hands-on opportunities to create and build.

Young boy doing doing science experiment

Engineering activities are a great way for middle schoolers to explore design principles, problem-solving, and creativity. These activities help develop important skills that benefit students in all aspects of life. Here are a few engineering-related STEM projects for middle school kids that are both fun and educational.

  • Popsicle Stick Bridges: Provide popsicle sticks and glue. Instruct students to design and build bridges using the sticks, aiming to make them sturdy enough to hold weight.
  • Hydraulic Lifts: Provide syringes, plastic tubes, and water. Students build a hydraulic lift system using syringes and water to lift objects.
  • Spaghetti Towers: Offer uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows as building materials. Challenge students to construct tall and stable towers using the two items.
  • Water Filtration:  Teach students about water filtration concepts. Provide various materials like sand, gravel, and cotton balls for them to build their filtration systems and test their effectiveness.

Illustration of kids doing water filtration experiment

  • Egg Parachute Drop: Provide materials like plastic bags, strings, and cushioning materials. Have students construct a parachute to safely drop an egg from a height.
  • Catapult Challenge: Gather materials like popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and plastic spoons. Instruct students to build a working catapult and launch small objects towards targets.
  • Mini Wind Turbines: Provide students with materials like cardboard, straws, and small motors. Guide them in creating miniature wind turbines to generate electricity from wind energy.
  • Simple Machines Exploration: Set up stations with different simple machines like pulleys, levers, and inclined planes. Allow students to experiment and learn how these machines work.
  • Sustainable Building Designs: Introduce sustainable building practices to students. Let them design and sketch eco-friendly and energy-efficient buildings or houses on paper.
  • Bristlebot Robots: Provide toothbrush heads, small vibrating motors, and batteries. Show students how to assemble these components into tiny robots called Bristlebots that move around.
  • DIY Waterwheel: Provide materials like popsicle sticks, cups, and a small water source. Students design and build a waterwheel to harness water energy.

While engineering activities focus on design and problem-solving, math activities for middle schoolers aim to build a strong foundation in mathematical concepts and practical applications. Let’s look at some engaging and hands-on math activities that middle schoolers can enjoy and learn from.

Young boy reading a book

Middle school math activities are made to help kids develop a solid mathematical foundation while also exposing them to real-world applications of mathematics. Through these exercises, students can improve their ability to think logically, solve problems, and appreciate the beauty of mathematics. A few math projects and activities are listed below for middle school students to try out.

  • Math Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of math-related items or problems for students to find and solve around the school or outdoors.
  • Fraction Pizza: Use construction paper to create “pizza slices,” and have students color in fractions to represent different toppings.
  • Math Board Games:  Introduce math-based board games like “Math Bingo” or “Math Jeopardy” to reinforce skills in a fun way.

Math board game

  • Math Art: Have students create geometric art using shapes, angles, and symmetry.
  • Math Puzzles: Provide various math puzzles like Sudoku, logic puzzles, or tangrams to challenge problem-solving abilities.
  • Real-World Budgeting: Assign students a hypothetical budgeting project to plan for expenses like groceries, entertainment, and savings.
  • Data Analysis with Graphs: Present students with real data sets and guide them in creating different types of graphs to analyze the information.
  • Math Escape Room: Design a math-themed escape room with puzzles and problems that students must solve to “escape.”
  • Geometry Construction: Teach students how to use a compass and straightedge to construct geometric shapes and angles.
  • Math Relay Race:  Divide students into teams and create a relay race with math problems they must solve to pass the baton.

Group of kids using a laptop

  • Mathematical Storytelling: Have students write stories or scenarios that involve math concepts and solve problems within the narrative.
  • Measurement Olympics: Set up a measurement-based competition, like seeing who can estimate and measure the length of various objects most accurately.
  • Math in Nature: Take students outside to explore the environment and find examples of math concepts like patterns , symmetry, and angles in nature.

Engaging in hands-on learning through math activities and projects can help middle school students develop a deep understanding and appreciation for mathematics. Having explored a variety of fun STEM activities for middle school, it’s worth considering how we can integrate STEM learning into other aspects of a student’s daily experience, including during recess or on the playground.

4 Ways To Integrate STEM Activities Into Middle School Playgrounds

Middle school is a pivotal developmental period for students, marked by a strong desire for knowledge acquisition and exploration. In this phase, students indulge in both physical activity and cognitive stimulation, and incorporating STEM projects for middle school can substantially enhance their educational experience. Thus, it is imperative to investigate why STEM activities should be included in the middle school playground, and one promising answer is through interactive learning stations.

1. Interactive Learning Stations

These learning stations offer a unique opportunity for students to learn while simultaneously enjoying themselves via experiential education. Specifically, students can engage in hands-on activities such as building miniature wind turbines or constructing solar-powered vehicles, which can enhance their problem-solving skills and deepen their understanding of STEM concepts.

2. Outdoor Laboratories

Students may conduct experiments and gather data in outdoor laboratories because they are situated in a natural setting. Weather stations, gardens, and animal habitats can all be included as part of these laboratories. Kids can develop a passion for science and receive real-world experience by participating in these events.

3. Technology Enhanced Playgrounds

The utilization of technology-enhanced playgrounds represents a novel opportunity to combine fitness and STEM activities, thereby improving student engagement in the form of augmented reality activities, interactive displays, and sensory tools. The resultant learning experience is distinctive and enriching. By integrating technology into gardening , students can augment their digital literacy in a enjoyable and educationally valuable manner.

4. Innovative Equipment

Innovative tools can be utilized to design fun STEM projects for middle school that pushes kids to think creatively. Programable robots, 3D printers, and virtual reality headsets are a few examples of this equipment. With the use of this equipment, kids can enhance their creativity and problem-solving abilities while learning more about STEM principles.

The academic achievement, physical health, and general well-being of children can all be dramatically impacted by including STEM activities in middle school playgrounds. By giving children the chance to participate in practical STEM activities, we can help them acquire crucial abilities that will set them up for future success.

Middle school completion is an indispensable prerequisite for reinforcing students’ aptitude and mastery in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). STEM challenges for middle school students are boundless and varied. We must encourage them to face challenges and in order to ensure that students are equipped for future prosperity, we must proffer them with diverting, interactive, and engaging STEM-related activities. Integration of STEM education within the middle school curricula can be accomplished through various methods such as interactive learning stations, avant-garde tools, and outdoor laboratories.

By providing middle schoolers with the best STEM activities, we can encourage and kindle their passion, empowering them to create a better future. Let us, therefore, take the initiative and encourage our schools to allocate sufficient funding toward STEM education. This will help our children realize their full potential and have a transformative impact on the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can middle school stem instruction aid pupils with learning disabilities.

STEM instruction can be modified to meet the needs of children with varying learning preferences and aptitudes. All pupils can benefit from the promotion of problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.

At what age can you start STEM?

STEM education can start as early as preschool and continues through elementary, middle, and high school. Introducing STEM concepts early helps foster curiosity and lays the foundation for future learning and exploration in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Does incorporating STEM activities into middle school playgrounds come with any risks?

When incorporating STEM activities into playgrounds, safety should always come first. It’s critical to correctly identify risks, train staff members and teachers, and maintain equipment.

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Resource Center Home > Science Projects > Projects by Grade > Middle School Projects

Middle School Projects

Make it easy for middle school students to start doing real science with these hands-on projects that cover the following topics: Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, Physics, and Technology.

science projects for middle school students

This Turkey Family Genetics activity is a fun way to teach your student about inheriting different traits and spark a lively conversation about why we look the way that we do.

Thanksgiving eBook

Fun & Easy Science Activities Your Kids Will Love!

science projects for middle school students

Ever wonder what to do with that left over pumpkin from Halloween or the pumpkin you bought for decorative purposes? How about turning it into a science project?

science projects for middle school students

Use this Heart Worksheet to test your knowledge of the five basic parts of the human heart.

science projects for middle school students

Find great ideas for science fairs by subject and grade!

  • Earth Science
  • Physical Science
  • Social Science
  • Medical Science
  • Mathematics
  • Paleontology

Botany Science Projects for Middle School Students

Looking for a good middle school science fair project, or projects for the classroom? Plants are great for simple experiments that yield great results. Plant experiments take time, but they’re inexpensive and take up little space. Give some of these “green” experiments a try:

POLLUTION ASSAY Duckweed is a tiny, floating water plant found in ponds. These plants can be used to test the effects of pollution. Let a bucket of tap water sit out for 24 hours to let the chlorine evaporate. Mix up a standard solution of any water-soluble plant fertilizer, then mix 10 parts of the dechlorinated water with 1 part of the fertilizer. Pour the mixture into petri dishes or clear plastic cups. Add ten duckweed plants to each cup. Choose a pollutant that you want to test and add a small amount to half of the cups. Try things that people sometimes pour down street drains that they shouldn’t, such as used motor oil or garden chemicals. Use small amounts to simulate how diluted the chemical would be by the time it reaches a stream. Cover the cups or dishes to prevent evaporation and observe for several weeks (add water if needed). Count the number of individual duckweed plants in the cups daily.

MEASURING TRANSPIRATION Transpiration is the evaporation of water from the surface of a leaf, which draws water from the roots all the way to the top of the tree. How much water does one tree pull from the ground ever hour? Here is a simple way to find out.

One way is to enclose several leaves that are still attached to a tree in a large plastic bag. Choose a leafy twig that is on the shady side of the tree on a dry day. Use a twist tie to fasten the bag around the twig that the leaves are attached to. Leave in place for an hour. At the end of the hour, see if there is any water in the bag. If so, remove the bag and pour the water into a measuring cup or a graduated cylinder. Divide the amount of water by the number of leaves in the bag to get the amount of water transpired per leaf. Then estimate the total number of leaves on the tree. Multiply this amount by the amount of water transpired per leaf, and you’ll have a pretty good estimate of the total amount of water that the tree transpired. Try this with different species of tree to see if different trees transpire at different rates.

EFFECTS OF ELEVATED CARBON DIOXIDE News of global climate change has a lot of people asking what will happen to plants when carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are high? Find out with a simple experiment. Plant bird seed mix or radish seeds in small pots. Let the seeds germinate and the plants get off to a good start. Then cover each pot loosely by placing each in a gallon-sized zipper-type plastic bag. Seal the bags, but place a straw in the zipper to allow some air in and out. For your control group, leave just as they air with regular air. For the experimental group, add carbon dioxide to the air. Mix one-half teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of vinegar in a small cup and place the cup in one of the experimental bags. Do the same with the remaining bags. The vinegar and baking soda will release carbon dioxide. Repeat the application of carbon dioxide every two days, and watch your plants for several weeks. Is there any difference in growth rates or appearance? How will you measure the effects?

PLANT GROWTH: LIGHT, GRAVITY, ROOTS, AND SHOOTS How do plant shoots “know” to grow up and roots “know” to grow down? To find out, soak some bean or corn seeds in water overnight. Fold several layers of paper towel so that they will fit inside of a sandwich-sized zipper-type plastic bag. Moisten the towel and place the seeds in a row across the middle of the towel. Lay a piece of facial tissue over the seeds and press to hold them in place. Rinse the plastic bag with vinegar followed by water to help prevent mold, then place the seeds on their paper inside. Tape this bag in a sunny window. Prepare a similar bag and tape it inside of a closet door. Observe for several days until the seeds germinate. Which way to the roots go? Which way do the shoots go? Now turn the baggies one-quarter turn so that the roots and shoots are horizontal and watch for several more days. Do the roots or shoots turn? In what direction? What effect does light have on the direction that roots and shoots grow? What is the effect of gravity?

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science projects for middle school students

24 HIGHLY Customizable Engineering Projects for Middle Schoolers

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These projects really make a student think. Great engineering projects for middle school will challenge students in new ways and show them how many possibilities are out there!

Before everything else, my absolute favorite has to be popsicle stick engineering . The potential for creative and unique creations is truly off the charts. Be sure to check it out – this took years to develop in the Innovative Arts classroom!

science projects for middle school students

Unique engineering projects with tutorial videos

This site has been built to help students learn by creating (and a lot more) – here are the projects that are crazy fun to make!

science projects for middle school students

The pinball machine project is very popular with middle school students. The marble drop projects are so fast and interesting that they need to be limited in class!

Want to design in 3D? Here is everything you need.

It is surprising how quickly and easily a person can learn how to 3D design in TinkerCAD. The Complete Beginners Guide will have you creating in minutes.

How to teach TinkerCAD to beginners

Engineering with micro controllers? Yes please!

Learning to program a micro:bit is crazy easy. Even an arduino can be easy to program (if you use TinkerCAD circuits, anyway!)

learn to program your microbit kit

Additional Engineering Projects for Middle School

Engineering projects provide students with an exciting opportunity to learn scientific principles and unleash their creativity. There are plenty of engineering project ideas that can be used to engage middle schoolers in the classroom. From building bridges to exploring renewable energy sources, there are countless ways to bring engineering into the classroom. 

Creating Bridges 

One fun way to introduce engineering concepts is through bridge building. Bridge building teaches students about force, weight, and tension—all important concepts in engineering. Students can use simple materials like straws, popsicle sticks, or even cardboard boxes to construct a bridge that can hold a certain amount of weight. This exercise also encourages creative problem-solving and teamwork as students work together to create a bridge that is strong enough to hold the desired weight.

Just move two tables a set distance apart and hang weights from the bridges to test. It is LOADS of fun.

Exploring Renewable Energy Sources  

Exploring renewable energy sources provides several excellent opportunities as engineering projects for middle school. Solar, wind, and water are all popular renewable energy sources that students can explore in an engaging way. For example, students can build a model wind turbine out of simple materials like PVC pipes or cardboard boxes and explore how much electricity it generates when exposed to different types of wind speeds. They can also experiment with different angles at which the turbine blades are placed in order to maximize efficiency. Many engineering projects for middle school are possible from this one topic.

An Engineering Projects for Middle School Favorite: Robotics 

Robotics offers another great avenue for engineering projects for middle school. Students can build robots with everyday materials like cardboard boxes or plastic containers, while incorporating motors and other electronic components as they become more familiar with robotics concepts.

Possible Projects Gallery:

science projects for middle school students

Engineering Challenges 

One of the best ways to engage middle schoolers with engineering concepts is through engineering challenges. These activities can be used as a fun way to introduce students to basic engineering principles in an interactive and hands-on way. Some examples include creating a bridge out of paper or popsicle sticks, building an elevator out of cardboard boxes, or designing robots out of recycled materials. 

Use an engineering project to teach other important topics

This site has all the resources that are included in Innovative Arts class. Below are the resource categories (and how this site got it’s name!)

Puzzle stands for 'Mindset Lessons'

Lastly – Consider Engineering Field Trips 

When it comes to introducing STEM concepts, there is no better way than taking your students on a field trip! Taking your class on a tour of a local science museum or engineering lab will not only help them understand what engineers do, but will also give them the opportunity to ask questions and see real-world applications firsthand. Additionally, many museums offer special programs geared specifically towards younger audiences that focus on robotics and highly engaging demonstrations – perfect for exposing your students to cutting edge technology! 

I am creating this site to advance student creativity and help students to take ownership of their learning . The resources on this site are intentionally open-ended and a part of my Innovative Arts curriculum .

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Black History Month for Kids: Google Slides, Resources, and More!

60 Wet and Wild Outdoor Science Activities and Experiments

The whole world is one big science classroom.

Examples of outdoor science activities on a green background, including kids exploding a soda geyser and making a rain gauge out of a clear bottle.

The only thing more fun than hands-on science is taking it outside! These outdoor science activities are perfect for taking advantage of sunny days. Fly kites, dissect flowers, experiment with sound and water, and so much more! There is something on our list for everyone from adults all the way down to toddlers. You’ll only need simple supplies for most of these, so any teacher or family can head out to learn about chemistry, biology, physics, and more.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Gaze at the clouds

Outdoor science activities include this frame made of wood craft sticks framing a cloud in the sky.

Look up and take some time to admire the clouds. Craft this cute “cloud viewer” and find a cloud in the sky. Then, identify what type it is, and learn more about how clouds form.

Learn more: Cloud Viewer—Little Bins for Little Hands

2. Fly a kite

Outdoor science activities can include children flying homemade kites in the evening

You can learn a lot about physics when you make and fly your own kite. Experiment with different designs to see whose kite flies the highest or the longest.

Learn more: Inner Child Fun

3. Wrap a watermelon in rubber bands …

Outdoor science activities like this one pictured involve food. Students are seen wrapping rubber bands around a small watermelon

You’ve probably seen videos of this making the rounds online, so why not try it out yourself? This is one of those outdoor science activities that’s easy to do, but make sure you wear safety equipment like goggles.

Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

4. Assemble a nest

Outdoor science activities involve items from nature like this small nest built from sticks, yarn, feathers, and more

Birds build intricate nests, and they make it look easy. Can you do the same? Gather some materials outdoors, and try to make your own nest.

Learn more: Views From a Step Stool

5. Explore 1 square foot

Outdoor science activities involve getting outside like this one where kids are shown examining the flora and fauna in one square foot of ground

There’s an amazing amount of life in every square foot of nature. Grab your magnifying glasses or microscope, and take a closer look at the ground you walk on every day.

Learn more: One Square Foot—Little Bins for Little Hands

6. Explode a DIY seed pod

Students popping a balloon and letting the seeds inside fly on the wind.

Find out how some plants spread their seeds far and wide with this cool balloon experiment. Fill it with seeds and air, then pop it outside on a breezy day and watch the seeds fly!

Learn more: Around the Kampfire

7. Send a soda geyser sky-high

Students running away as foam explodes from soda bottles (Outdoor Science)

This is one of those outdoor science activities that simply can’t be done anywhere other than outdoors. Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Soda Experiment—Scholastic

8. Compost food scraps in a bottle

Child checking a plastic bottle containing layers of soil, vegetables, and more

Food waste is a big problem, contributing to much of the material that winds up in landfills. Teach kids how to compost with kitchen scraps in a plastic bottle, and use the compost to feed your plants.

Learn more: Busy Mommy Media

9. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Outdoor science activities can be messy like this large carbon snake growing out of an aluminum pie plate of sand pictured.

If you’re looking for outdoor science activities that are sure to excite your students, try this eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration. You only need simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand, but the element of fire makes this experiment best done outdoors.

Learn more: KiwiCo

10. See the greenhouse effect in action

Glass jar covered in plastic wrap with a thermometer inside, next to a thermometer lying on the ground

Climate change can be a contentious topic, so start by teaching kids about the greenhouse effect, which is easy to see and understand using this simple experiment. Then, urge them to explore data collected by scientists so they can learn to make informed decisions about topics like global warming.

Learn more:  Teaching Science With Lynda

11. Construct a dirt battery

Outdoor science activities often involve dirt like this Ice cube tray filled with dirt, with screws and copper wire and small LEDs

This outdoor science project is similar to building a battery from a lemon, but you also get to dig in the dirt! Kids learn about electric currents and conductivity.

Learn more: Dirt Battery—Teach Beside Me

12. Test the power of sunscreen

Two kinds of sunscreen with a piece of black construction paper

We slather kids in sunscreen when they’re playing outside, but do they understand why? Try this fun little experiment, which demonstrates how sunscreen protects from the sun’s harmful rays.

Learn more: STEM Sunscreen Experiment—JDaniel4’s Mom

13. Build a solar oven

Outdoor science activities can involve the sun like these solar ovens built from pizza boxes with s'mores cooking inside

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Desert Chica

14. Forecast the weather with pine cones

Four pinecones sitting in a row

Fun fact: Pine cones open and close according to the weather in order to protect or disperse the seeds inside. Use that fact to your advantage and create a pine cone weather station in your backyard.

Learn more: Pine Cones—Science Sparks

15. Construct a LEGO waterwheel course

Outdoor science activities can utilitze water like this one pictured. A child playing with a water course built from LEGO bricks

Are you looking for outdoor science activities for kids who love to build with LEGO? Explore the power of water with a cool homemade LEGO water course that includes a dam and a water wheel. This engineering project is fun to play with when you’re done.

Learn more: LEGO Course—Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

16. Blast off with bottle rockets

Colorful rocket built from a plastic bottle and a bike pump

A simple adapter kit lets you turn an empty plastic bottle into a soaring rocket. Kids learn about pressure and Newton’s third law of motion with this perennially popular outdoor science project.

Learn more: Bottle Rockets—Science Sparks

17. Put together a simple microscope

Cup with plastic wrap over the top, with water on top of the wrap

This DIY microscope isn’t very powerful, but it does magnify small objects so you can see details. It’s also really simple to make. (Looking for a stronger microscope you can take on the go? Try this portable model that hooks up to your cell phone. )

Learn more: Mini Microscope—Childhood 101

18. Create nature discovery bottles

Outdoor science activities often use natural elements like these water bottles with leaves and flowers inside

Stroll through the great outdoors and have kids collect interesting natural objects. Use recycled soda or water bottles to display their specimens.

Learn more: Discovery Bottles—Little Bins for Little Hands

19. Make sun prints

Sunprints of nature objects

You’ll need to buy special paper for this outdoor science project, but it’s easy to find. Kids will love creating their own patterns and experimenting to find which objects work best.

Learn more: PBS for Parents

20. Assemble an anemometer

Anemometer made from egg carton pieces, wood dowels, and a spool

Scientists use anemometers to measure wind speed. Build this DIY version and do some weather science with your class.

Learn more: Pi’ikea Street

21. Find the best soap bubble solution

Some outdoor science experiments involve bubbles like this one showing a student blowing a soap bubble through a bubble wand

It’s easy to mix your own soap bubble solution with just a few ingredients. Let kids experiment to find the best proportion of ingredients to blow the longest-lasting bubbles with this fun outdoor science activity.

Learn more: Science Buddies—Bubble-ology

22. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Student creating an enormous soap bubble with string on sticks

Bubbles are part of many fun outdoor science activities. Once you’ve blown the longest-lasting bubbles, move on to creating the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Giant Bubbles—Scholastic

23. Launch Ping-Pong balls with a catapult

Child stomping on one side of a catapult made with a can and board, launching a ping pong ball into the air

Young kids will simply adore building this basic catapult and watching Ping-Pong balls soar! Older kids can experiment by changing the position of the fulcrum, the length of the board, and the objects being flung.

Learn more: Catapult—Buggy and Buddy

24. Brew some elephant toothpaste

Speaking of foamy messes, elephant toothpaste (OK, it’s not really used by elephants) creates a huge exothermic reaction that will blow kids away.

Learn more: Science Bob

25. Play a game of Nature Bingo

Spring Walk and Fall Walk printable Bingo cards

Give your nature walk more direction by giving students specific items to seek out. You can make your own boards, or hit the link below for free printables for every season.

Learn more: Massachusetts Audubon Society

26. Test out parachutes

Child standing on a stepladder, dropping a toy attached to a paper parachute

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected on windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: How To Make a Parachute — Inspiration Laboratories

27. Start a nature journal

Outdoor science activities can include journaling like this nature journal made from a paper bag with checklist, blank pages, and pencil

Nature journals are a great way to partner writing and outdoor science while building kids’ observational skills. You can use any sturdy notebook or check out the link below for free printable journal pages and a fun DIY carry-along journal project.

Learn more: Nature Journal—Edventures With Kids

28. Make and plant DIY seed bombs

Use recycled materials to create “seed bombs.” Then plant them in the schoolyard or send kids home to use them in their own gardens. Students learn about ecology, recycling, and plant life cycles.

29. Experiment with limestone rocks

Student pouring water on a large rock in a glass bowl

Kids  love to pick up rocks, and there are plenty of great science experiments you can do with them. In this one, you pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!

Learn more: Limestone Rocks—Edventures With Kids

30. Contribute to citizen science

Screen shot of Project Noah site showing a spotting of a Hickory Horned Devil caterpillar

Use a cell phone to snap pictures of everything you find on a nature walk, then report those sightings to Project Noah. This citizen science project is dedicated to documenting every living thing on Earth! ( Teachers, get ideas for using Project Noah in your classroom here. )

Learn more: Project Noah

31. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

Rain gauge made from a plastic water bottle

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.

Learn more: NurtureStore

32. Learn about plant transpiration

Plastic bag taped around the end of a tree branch, enclosing leaves

This simple project demonstrates how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration. The supplies and method are simple enough for anyone to try it.

Learn more: Transpiration—Teach Beside Me

33. Swing a glass of water to learn about centripetal force

Woman holding a board suspended at the corners from string, with three glasses of water on the board (Outdoor Science)

When you do this experiment right, you won’t make a mess at all. But while kids are still getting the hang of swinging glasses of water around their heads, you’ll probably want to make this an outdoor science activity.

Learn more: Sick Science!

34. Learn to identify trees

Science activities often use found objects in nature like these Jars and bottles containing leaves and pinecones with labels identifying types of trees

Give trees a closer look and learn to identify them by their leaves and seeds. These jars preserve the leaves and seeds for future study too.

Learn more: Identify Trees—Edventures With Kids

35. Go on a nature scavenger hunt

Printable Five Senses Nature Scavenger Hunt sheet with pencil, rock, leaves, and dandelion

Take kids outdoors to use their five senses with this free printable scavenger hunt activity. They’ll hone their observation skills and learn so much about the world around them.

Learn more: Nature Scavenger Hunt—Childhood 101

36. Help monarch butterflies

Students looking at monarch caterpillars on milkweed

You may have heard that monarch butterflies are struggling to keep their populations alive. Join the fight to save these beautiful insects by planting your own butterfly garden, monitoring monarch populations, and more. Get all the info you need at the link.

Learn more: Monarch Watch

37. Count tree rings to explore dendrochronology

Outdoor science activities can use printables like this A Tree's Life at a Glance printable lying on a tree trunk

Your students might know you can count tree rings to find out how old the tree is, but do they know why that’s true? Students will undoubtedly get a kick out of exploring dendrochronology.

Learn more: Tree Rings—Edventures With Kids

38. Seek out signs of birds

All About Birds Scavenger hunt printable on a clipboard

Have you ever noticed that birds can be difficult to spot, even though signs of them are all around? This free printable scavenger hunt helps you find evidence that birds live nearby. Just look for nests and food sources and listen for their sounds.

Learn more: Inspiration Labs

39. Attract birds with a DIY bird feeder

Bring all the birds to the yard with this easy recycled bird feeder project. Kids can learn to identify common backyard birds in your area. Visit The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s educators’ resource page for more ideas.

40. Identify birds with an app

Smartphones showing the Merlin Bird ID app (Outdoor Science)

Some birds are easy to identify, but others stump even longtime bird-watchers. If you’re looking for outdoor science activities for kids who love feathered friends, check out the free Merlin Bird ID app. Snap a pic, answer a few questions, and the app will provide you some probable identifications, just like that.

Learn more: Merlin Bird ID

41. Become a human sundial

Students drawing and measuring their shadows with sidewalk chalk

Choose a sunny day and grab some sidewalk chalk—your students are about to become sundials! They’ll practice measuring skills and learn about the movement of the sun across the sky.

Learn more: Rhythms of Play

42. Harness the power of the wind

Outdoor science activities like this one show a student holding a homemade wind turbine

Wind turbines have become common sights in some parts of the country as we explore alternative energy sources. Build your own to learn how they work with this outdoor science experiment.

Learn more: Build a Wind Turbine—Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

43. Explode plastic baggies (and make a big mess)

Child stepping on a plastic zipper bag filled with a foaming substance

Vinegar and baking soda experiments are always a big hit with kids, and this one is no exception. They’ll love seeing the bags pop from the chemical reaction, and you’ll be glad the mess is outside.

Learn more: Kids Activities

44. Estimate the height of a tree

Student using a pencil to estimate the height of a tree

Kids work in pairs to estimate the height of a tree in this project that puts the M in STEM. Get a free printable at the link below to walk you through the process.

Learn more: From ABCs to ACTs

45. Build a light box

Student peering into a painted cardboard box with red and blue water bottles inserted into the top

Kids can entertain themselves for hours with a big empty cardboard box. Channel that energy by turning a box into a place to learn about light refraction and reflection, using colored water in plastic bottles.

Learn more: True Aim Education

46. Float a baking-soda-powered boat

Toy boat made from styrofoam, bottle cap, and straws, floating on water

Here’s another experiment using the classic baking powder and vinegar reaction. This one uses it to power these cute little DIY boats! A kiddie pool is the perfect spot for this outdoor science project.

Learn more:  The OT Toolbox

47. Conduct an egg drop

Egg surrounded by paper straws taped together in a pyramid shape (Outdoor Science)

Here’s another classic outdoor science project you won’t want to move inside—the egg drop. Challenge kids to engineer a container that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Egg Drop—Buggy and Buddy

48. Slide into friction science

Child sending a rock down a playground slide

Head out to the playground, gather up a variety of objects, and hold races to see which ones make it down the slide first. This is a fun introduction to friction and inclined planes.

Learn more: Friction Science—Buggy and Buddy

49. See water pollution in action

Plastic bin full of filthy water and litter (Outdoor Science)

Learn about the challenges of cleaning up polluted water sources like rivers and lakes with this interesting outdoor science activity. Pair it with a visit to a local water treatment plant to expand the lesson.

Learn more: Water Pollution—JDaniel4’s Mom

50. Test your local water quality

Water testing strip and instruction sheet

Once you’ve “cleaned up” your water, try testing it to see how clean it really is. Then head out to test other types of water. Kids will be fascinated to discover what’s in the water in their local streams, ponds, and puddles. Water-testing kits are readily available online— try this set available on Amazon .

Learn more: The Homeschool Scientist

51. Set up a musical science pool

A kiddie pool has different size metal mixing bowls in it and a child's hand is seen with a wooden spoon inside them.

This project is equally fun as a sensory experience and as a science experiment. Fill a kiddie pool with water, then place inside metal mixing bowls of different sizes. Finally, let kids experiment with different combos of waters, bowls, and drumsticks (i.e., wooden spoons).

Learn more: And Next Comes

52. Paint a shadow with homemade chalk paint

science projects for middle school students

Head outside and have kids trace the outlines of their shadows. Then mix up some homemade chalk paint and let kids get creative painting their shadows.

53. Get in some unstructured outdoor time

While this video isn’t a specific experiment, it advocates for kids getting outside and having a chance to explore. Kids can gather things that catch their eye and then sort leaves, flowers, shells, etc., by pattern, shape, or anything else they wish.

54. Create a rainbow

Is there anything prettier than a rainbow? Your students will undoubtedly love seeing that they can make one themselves!

55. Make a homemade zip line

A string has a clip on it from which a pipe cleaner and plastic Easter egg are hanging.

This experiment could be done inside too, but we think it would work even better with more space outdoors. Give kids a wide variety of materials so they can work diligently to build something to transport a plastic Easter egg safely across the zip line.

Learn more: The Secret Life of Homeschoolers

56. Dissect a flower

Outdoor science activities can include flowers like this image that shows step-by-step dissection of a flower.

Your students will be so fascinated to learn just how much is hidden under the exterior of their favorite flower. Have some magnifying glasses on hand so your students can get a closer look at all the different parts of the flower and even the pollen.

Learn more: Elemental Science

57. Make and melt frozen oobleck

blue frozen blocks in different shapes like hearts and stars are shown.

You’ll need cornstarch, water, a bowl, a spoon, and ice cube trays to make this oh-so fun sensory science experiment. If you really want to get wild, include some food coloring and glitter since kids will enjoy personalizing their oobleck. Once the oobleck is frozen, bring it outside and let it melt. As it melts, have students study the consistency changes.

Learn more: Inspiration Laboratories

58. Create lightning in a bottle

This experiment is best suited for older kids or perhaps as more of a demonstration for younger kids. This is a great lesson on static electricity and it will certainly leave your students stunned!

59. Create tree bark rubbings

As far as outdoor science activities go, this one is so simple yet such a fun way for the tiniest learners to discover nature and trees in particular. Grab some tape, peeled crayons, and paper, then head outdoors!

60. Float beach balls in the air

A man is shown holding a leaf blower that is pointing toward a beach ball that is floating in the air.

Want to amaze your students while also teaching about Bernoulli’s principle? The basic idea is that fast-moving fluids have lower pressure than slow-moving fluids. Balance a beach ball in just the right spot above the leaf blower, where the forces of gravity and air pressure are equal. This will result in a floating ball!

Learn more: Fizzics Education

Outdoor science activities don’t have to be limited to spring or summer! Bookmark the Coolest Winter Science Experiments and Activities .

Plus, get all the latest teacher tips and tricks, straight to your inbox, when you sign up for our newsletters .

The only thing more fun than hands-on science is taking it outside! These outdoor science activities will appeal to kids of all ages.

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35 Christmas-Themed Science Experiments for Middle Schoolers

October 5, 2022 //  by  Sharayah Lynn Grattan

Let’s heat up our lesson plans this winter season with some STEM activities and fun science experiments inspired by Christmas and the holidays! From engineering challenges to earth science, math, technology, and chemistry; there are so many exciting science resources with a holiday theme. Middle school is a transformative time for students to get interested in science and how it impacts the world around us. So, browse through our 35 simple science activities, and pick a few your students will tell their friends and family about over winter break.

1. Christmas Milk Magic!  

This experiment doesn’t have to be a seasonal science activity, but the food colors we chose put us in the Christmas spirit! Fill a container with milk and have your students drip some food coloring around in the milk. Using cotton swabs dipped in dish soap, touch the milk to see what magic happens!

Learn More:  Fun Learning For Kids

2. Melting Snow Experiment

Here is a great experiment to try with your middle schoolers as a beginner lesson on making hypotheses and testing results using the scientific method. Find balls of snow or ice, pour different temperature water over the snow, and time to see which melts the fastest.

Learn More:  Inspiration Laboratories

3. Candy Cane Break Down!

There are a variety of experiments that involve testing how different solutions affect materials. To get into the Christmas mindset, we are going to see which liquids can dissolve candy canes. Ask your students to pick which liquids to test and record the results.

Learn More:  Lemon Lime Adventures

4. DIY Stained Glass Ornaments  

I remember trying to create stained glass designs when I was a teenager. These gingerbread house ornaments are such a fun Christmas project to try with your students. Pipe cleaners can frame the house and a mini cookie cutter can outline your gingerbread man.

Learn More:  The Educators Spin On It

5. Magnetic Christmas Tree Fun!

Explore the power of magnets with this fun challenge suitable for any grade level. Once you cut out a tree shape from cardboard and decorate it with ornaments made with paper clips, use a toy magnet to move the ornaments around the tree like magic!

Learn More:  Science Sparks

6. Christmas Egg Drop Challenge

You may remember this fun activity from when you were in middle school. Students get into pairs or teams and attempt to build a structure to protect their egg when dropped from the top of a building. Provide Christmas decorations such as tinsel and ribbons for students to use when building their egg vehicles.

7. Evergreen Science

Time for a little fresh air and earth science fun with this outdoor STEM activity! Go over the types of evergreen trees, their characteristics, and what climates they can be found in. Depending on where your school is, take your students outside to smell, touch, and collect samples from the trees we enjoy during the holidays.

8. DIY Christmas Sensory Bottles

No matter what age your students are, sensory bottles have been shown to bring a lot of stress relief and can help kids and teenagers who have a hard time concentrating or processing their emotions in the classroom. Ask students to bring in their own clear bottles and provide a variety of small Christmas decorations for them to fill their bottles with.

Learn More:  Stir The Wonder

9. Disappearing Sugar Stripes

What happens when you mix warm water with sugar? The sugar dissolves! This is a chemical reaction that can be demonstrated easily with candy canes. Give each student a candy cane and let them drop theirs in warm water and see how the red color begins to dissipate.

Learn More:  Playdough To Plato

10. Christmas Tree Slime

What’s the science behind the slime? There are tons of different recipes out there to try, but this one has a clear/green consistency that is made using glue, liquid starch, and water. Provide a bunch of Christmas craft materials for your students to add to their slime for a sensory experience.

Learn More:  Little Bins For Little Hands

11. DIY Star Ornaments

Creativity is king with these adorable DIY Christmas ornaments perfect for any grade level to try! What you’ll need to make this science craft are some cookie cutters, red and green yarn, glue, and pins. Help your students wind their yarn and stabilize their designs to dry before they bring them home to put on their trees!

Learn More:  One Little Project

12. Cranberry Engineering

What can your students build using toothpicks and cranberries? Give them the supplies and make it a team challenge to see who can build the tallest structure within the time limit!

Learn More:  Artful Parent

13. DIY Snow Crystals

Talk about simple! You can make these crazy cool crystal snowflakes by just boiling water and salt, then pouring the liquid into jars and placing your pipe cleaner flakes inside for a few days.

Learn More:  Modern Homestead Mama

14. Storm in a Jar!  

Here is a simple STEM lesson with mind-blowing visual results! What happens when you mix white paint, baby oil, and water in a clear jar? Nothing too exciting until you drop in some Alka-seltzer tablets and watch the snowstorm begin!

Learn More:  Taming Little Monsters

15. Meaningful Science with Pinecones

Let’s enter our middle school STEM lab and see how pinecones react depending on the humidity of the environment they are in. We can test this by placing them in clear jars with different substances such as air, and cold/warm water, and record the changes.

16. Spinning Christmas Tree 

Looking for some technology activities to get your middle schoolers’ brains turning? This experiment needs a few engineering materials to make the motor for your trees, such as batteries, copper wire, and magnets. Follow the instructions in the link to teach your learners the power of science!

Learn More:  123 Homeschool 4 Me

17. Melting and Molding Gumdrops

This edible experiment is a combination of science and baking, and can be done in a classroom with a heat source or at home in the kitchen! Gumdrops are made of sticky sugar and other components that expand and combine when heated. Grab some Christmas cookie cutters and make fun and delicious sugary designs.

Learn More:  Kindergarten Worksheets And Games

18. A Bridge of Sugar!

Another gumdrop experiment with holiday science magic! Can you believe this bridge STEM challenge with gumdrops and toothpicks can hold some impressively heavy stuff? Give your students the materials and see which team can build the strongest bridge the fastest!

Learn More:  Tiny Beans

19. DIY Candy Cane Bath Bombs

Let’s get fizzzzzy with this candy science experiment that will leave your skin refreshed and your mind filled with new and exciting STEM knowledge. To make these bath bombs your students will need acid and a base to react creating bubbly and aromatic magic!

20. Peppermint Oobleck Motor Skills

Oobleck is a combination of corn starch and water that creates a gooey mixture great for sensory play! For your older kids, make simple science a game by adding peppermint candies to the oobleck and see how many they can grab with tweezers in 30 seconds.

21. DIY Bubble Wrap Jell-o!

Check out some fascinating candy science that your students can enjoy at the end of class. Bubble wrap can be used as a mold to make this Christmas candy for STEM learning. To make them you’ll mix boiled water and cranberry or peppermint flavored gelatin, then use a syringe to fill in the bubbles!

Learn More:  Instructables

22. Oil and Water Color Theory Science

It is well-known that water and oil don’t mix very well, and this can make for some fun color experiments with a Christmas theme! Use red and green food coloring mixed with water and add it to clear glass with oil to see how the colors dance.

23. DIY Christmas Rock Candy Ornaments!  

Our favorite science experiments are the ones we can eat after! To make the rock candy rings your students can help you boil water and sugar then let it cool into crystals. Some fun earth science concepts can be explored such as precipitation and evaporation!

24. Shadow Puppets and Light Science

How does light move and travel? What happens when there are objects in its path? Help your students make Christmas puppets from paper and see how they interact with various light sources.

25. Sleigh Race Science!

Explore how the size and weight of objects affect their speed with this cute holiday-themed science experiment using mini lego cars and paper sleigh tops. You can have your students design and build their own ramps to test out each car.

26. Mint Chocolate Kitchen Science!

Teenagers love it when an experiment has a sweet ending. This kitchen science experiment shows how materials can change states from solids to liquids and back. Help students melt chocolate, pick some fresh mint leaves, and dip them to make leaf-printed chocolate pieces for observation and snacking!

27. Gingerbread House Engineering

It’s time for our favorite edible classroom challenge to do during the holiday season, gingerbread house building! Split your students into teams and give them all the tasty treats they’ll need to build the strongest gingerbread house possible. Test at the end of class to see who’s can withstand the most wind and weight!

28. DIY Reindeer Toothpaste

Now, this experiment sounds safe to eat, but beware, It’s only for reindeer! The chemistry behind this bubbly, minty, mixture is the reaction happening between yeast, hydrogen peroxide, water, and oxygen.

29. Building Marshmallow Snowmen

What type of sugar can best hold together marshmallows? Ask your students to guess before beginning this building challenge. Provide a few different types of edible adhesives, and have your students pick the one they think holds the best. Once their snowmen are constructed, let them dry and test to see which sticks together the best!

30. Polar Bear: Blubber and Insulation

Are your middle schoolers curious as to how polar bears and other animals with blubber stay warm in such cold climates? Here is a simple experiment to show how insulation works! Use rubber gloves, lard/shortening, ice water, and a stopwatch to demonstrate.

31. Bendy Candy Canes  

You can’t get much easier than this seasonal, hands-on experiment, best done at home or in a classroom with an oven. To set up, heat the candy canes to a point where they get puffy, then let them cool a little before students use different instruments to pick them up and mold them.

32. Crystal Wreaths

These borax crystal ornaments are breathtaking, a scientific wonder, and easy enough to make in the classroom. Trim some pieces of a wreath, tie them in a circle, and set them in a bowl of borax dissolved in water for a few days and see the amazing results!

Learn More:  Steam Powered Family

33. Flying Tinsel

A styrofoam cup, a tin pie pan, some wool, and some tinsel are what your students will need to make some science magic! This experiment shows how positive and negative charges work together to make tinsel react in sky-high ways.

Learn More:  Exploratorium

34. Fake Snow Science

With so many recipes out there for DIY fake snow, which has the best results overall? This experiment has your students make 4 different snow recipes and put them through a series of tests to see which functions the best.

Learn More:  Left Brain Craft Brain

35. Christmas Math STEM Challenges

Now, this website has a bunch of engaging and challenging math activities for middle school level students. A few you can choose from are 3D shape ornaments, congruent triangles, and equation printables.

Learn More:  Math Giraffe

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science projects for middle school students

WELCOME TO SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS WORLD !

Welcome to Science Fair Projects . I would like to ask you a question: exactly what is required to be a wonderful scientist? Think about one of the most popular researchers you understand-- Isaac Newton, Louis Pasteur, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Pierre as well as Marie Curie, Stephen Hawking, and so forth. Just what do all these people share? Well, for one point, they're all very smart. Sometimes they also taught themselves the majority of what they knew about their certain subject. Actually, Sir Isaac Newton needed to develop a brand-new branch of mathematics (calculus) just to solve the issues he was attempting to perform in physics. There is something else they all had in common that set them besides the other wise people of their time-- their ability to ask inquiries. Simply having a great mind isn't always sufficient. To be a fantastic researcher, you have to have the ability to take a look at a trouble that hundreds, maybe also thousands, of individuals have currently taken a look at as well as been unable to fix, as well as ask the question in a new means. Then you take that question and develop a brand-new method to address it. That is just what made Newton and also the others so renowned. They coupled knowledge with a curiosity that stated, "I wish to know the solution to this." After creating the right concerns, they discovered methods of answering those questions and inevitably arrived for their explorations and science fair projects .

Science is the endeavour to bring together by means of systematic thought the perceptible phenomena of this world into as thorough-going an association as possible. To put it boldly, it is the attempt at a posterior reconstruction of existence by the process of conceptualisation - A. Einstein

Could you be the next Thomas Edison and create something the world has awaited, or the following Isaac Newton and also answer a question no one has had the ability to respond to? Definitely! To do it needs something all kids have normally and numerous adults want they still had-- interest. Science Fair Projects World will help you to use that interest by introducing you to five significant locations of science-- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, the Earth and Sky, and also the Human Body. You will exist with a number of inquiries that will certainly assist you to begin believing like a researcher. Maybe you've asked a few of these questions prior to; as an example, why is the sky blue? A few of them will probably be new to you. Because asking the best concern is just the primary step towards being a wonderful researcher, this publication will additionally assist you in finishing the 2nd action: the experiment. Following each question there will be an experiment that will aid you find on your own a few of the enigma and magic of scientific research. There are 3 various types of experiments supplied in this publication-- basic activities you could do swiftly, larger as well as much more complicated experiments, and scientific research tasks.

The Scientific Method For Science Fair Projects

First, let's take a look at the beginning factor for all science fair projects experiments : the Scientific Method. It was made well-known by an Italian guy called Galileo in the sixteenth century. It is easy and also will aid you ask and also respond to much of the questions you have regarding science. There are 5 components to the Scientific Method: Observe some task in the globe around you. Compose a feasible explanation for that task, called a hypothesis. Use your theory to make forecasts regarding the task. Test those forecasts. Decide regarding your hypothesis and also its ability to forecast the activity. Why did the young scientist bring art materials to science course? She desired to draw some final thoughts! Scientists have used this approach for centuries to understand their world. Now it's your turn! The fun part that exists on this website in that you can start checking out practically anywhere and also comply with the concept that you like. And also if ScienceFair-Projects.org doesn't take the suggestion as for where you wish to go, utilize your creative imagination as well as maintain persistence and thoroughly research the idea. You are welcome to join this amazing journey right into the world of experimental science. Welcome aboard Science Fair Projects - let us begin the journey!

Some Ideas For Free Science Fair Projects

  • engineering challenge
  • food coloring
  • simple supplies
  • lung capacity
  • cleaning power
  • objects float
  • paper towels

Science Fair Projects

With the help of our web developer Bobs SEO and years of experiments, we have assembled hundreds of free, illustrated science fair project ideas and science project experiments. These are ideal projects for elementary school, middle school, and high school students. Many of the science fair project ideas have drawings with clear, easy to read follow diagrams and instructions.

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Students presenting projects for prizes at regional science fair next month

Rett Nelson

Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

Students at work on a science project.

IDAHO FALLS – Hillcrest High School, along with White Pine STEM Academy and American Heritage Charter School, are joining forces to host what they’re calling “the largest science fair in the state.”

It’s happening on March 7 at the Melaleuca Events Center. About 150 students will showcase a science project based on the category of their choice. Prizes will be awarded for the top three high school projects in each category and the top five middle school projects. Judges will also select their top four for the best overall.

“The goal that we have is to let kids present to an audience because that’s what really makes them grow and learn the most,” says Barbara Nelson, a teacher at Hillcrest who is helping to organize the event. “We want them to present to actual scientists and people (working in that type of career).”

Winners of the regional science fair have the option of competing in the National STEM Festival coming up on April 12.

RELATED | American Heritage Charter School earns top honors at Eastern Idaho Science and Engineering Fair

American Heritage students Logan Krohn and Jasmine Lima made it to nationals last year. Their projects recently won the National STEM Challenge as well.

Jasmine and Logan

Hayley Hartner, one of Nelson’s high school students, was a finalist.

The Idaho STEM Action Center has hosted regional science fairs for the last seven years. Organizers opted not to hold it in 2024 as they work to revamp it.

Nelson and her team didn’t want students in eastern Idaho to miss out so they decided to host their own.

Alaysha Whitworth, a science teacher at American Heritage, is another organizer for the event. She says giving students a chance to research a topic and present it to the community is an invaluable experience.

“Some students are not geared toward science, math and engineering but it’s really cool to let them explore that side of education. They learn how to collaborate with others and how to present to adults. Finishing a big, long project gives them pride in their work … and it’s pretty special,” Whitworth says.

Both teachers are grateful to Melaleuca for allowing them to use the venue and to the Lewis Corporation and STEM Action Center for collectively providing $2,600 to pay for prizes and lunch that day.

RELATED | Two local kids’ inventions earn spot in national competition

The science fair will begin at 9 a.m. and go until 2 p.m. They’re looking for judges to award prizes. Whitworth encourages students and community members to get involved.

“It’s a great opportunity to try something new in a field that’s growing in Idaho. There are thousands of unfilled jobs in the STEM fields. We can help expose students to this industry and maybe (they’ll pursue) a career,” says Whitworth.

To learn more or sign up to participate, send an email to [email protected] .

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Mid-ohio valley students compete at regional science fair.

science projects for middle school students

Milea Miihlbach, a seventh-grader from Ravenswood Middle School, talks to judge Candace Lewis Friday during the Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at the Grand Pointe Conference Center. Miihlbach’s project was on plant growth in different soil. She said she concluded the top soil from her garden worked better than store-bought soil. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

VIENNA — Fifty-one projects by 64 students from five counties were on display Friday at the Grand Pointe Conference Center for the Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

One of those projects was “How Soil Affects Plant Growth!” by Milea Miihlbach, a seventh-grader from Ravenswood Middle School.

“It really opened my eyes to how nutrients affect plants and how they grow,” Miihlbach said. “I’m really going to focus on how I fertilize my soil now.”

Miihlbach conducted an experiment to test how yellow squash plants grow in different soil types. She hypothesized that potting soil would be best for growing the plants in pots. However, the results showed that the plants grew faster and healthier in topsoil collected from the student’s garden. The topsoil produced 5cm of growth over three weeks, while the potting soil only resulted in 1.5cm of growth.

Miihlbach said her father is an agriculture teacher and he was a big influence on her project.

science projects for middle school students

Ripley High School students Jayden Goosman and Easton Haile speak to judge Jason Potts at the Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at the Grand Pointe Conference Center Friday. Their project was titled “The Study of the Impact of Weight and Spine on the Velocity” and looked at how this affects the flight of an arrow. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“He has really taught me a lot as I have gotten older,” Miihlbach said. “And he’s really told me how nutrients can affect how plants do and even how it can affect how the animals that you feed it to grow.”

She said the nutrients already present in topsoil from decomposing plants and animal waste, like her garden, supported better growth. She said she would like to add additional experiments to test other soil types like clay or sand. Other factors that can influence plant growth, like weather, soil properties, and climate, also needed to be examined, she said.

“There’s so much that goes into just how plants grow, it’s really interesting to me,” Miihlbach said.

Ainslie Koreski, an Edison Middle School seventh-grader, asked if the length of a string affects the number of swings of a pendulum in one minute.

Koreski cut three strings into lengths of 16cm, 26cm and 36cm and then dropped them from an angle of 45 degrees with a washer on the ends to see how many swings each could do in a minute. She concluded the longer string swung 87 times, the middle length string swung 70 times and the smallest clocked in at 52 swings.

science projects for middle school students

“I was really surprised by the gap difference,” Koreski said.

She said this kind of experiment was important for engineering and science jobs and that she enjoys public speaking. She has wanted to become a lawyer since she was young and enjoys debating different opinions and ideas.

“We used to do debates in elementary school where they give two kids each their own side of the debate and they’d have to debate against the other in front of the class,and I love them because they’re so fun,” Koreski said. “I just love debating and talking to people about different opinions and ideas, and going against each other for it. I just think it’s so interesting to see both sides of a situation.”

Ripley High School students Easton Haile and Jayden Goosman did their project on “The Study of the Impact of Weight and Spine on the Velocity.” The project looked at the kinetic energy of arrows and how factors like the arrow’s spine affect its ability to fly.

“The main focus of the experiment was the spine,” Goosman said. “The spine of the arrows, the flex that it has, all arrows flex. It’s called the archers paradox.”

science projects for middle school students

“Just A Swingin!” was a science project on display by Edison Middle School seventh-grader Ainslie Koreski at the Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at the Grand Pointe Conference Center Friday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Haile and Goosman said they were both avid hunters. They said this experiment was important because the arrow’s spine affects its ability to humanely kill animals like deer during hunting.

“If you don’t have enough kinetic energy when you’re shooting an arrow, it won’t go all the way through or it won’t go enough to penetrate and make an ethical kill,” Haile said. “So, you got to have enough kinetic energy.”

The pair said hunting for them isn’t just about the kill. They both see hunting and managing deer populations as important for both sustaining the animals, and providing food for local communities through meat donations. They also said patience and preparation are key aspects of the sport and that they view bow hunting as a way to spend time in nature and find peace.

“It’s about going out there and spending time in nature,” Haile said.

Goosman said it was his escape from daily stresses.

science projects for middle school students

Edison Middle School seventh-grader Ainslie Koreski demonstrates how she used a 45-degree angle to test how quickly a washer tied to string would lose momentum. Koreski said the longer string would be the first to start to slow down and that she was surprised by those results. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“Just sitting out there and letting the birds chirp, and everything just happens around me,” Goosman said.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at [email protected]

Know Someone Who Could Be Teen of the Week?

You can suggest a Mid-Ohio Valley youth that goes above and beyond to be featured as the Teen of the Week by submitting their name and contact information for a parent, guardian or school official to [email protected] .

science projects for middle school students

Edison Middle School seventh-grader Ainslie Koreski receives her first place ribbon and medal from event coordinator Kayla Brown Friday at the Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at the Grand Pointe Conference Center. Koreski finished first in the Physics and Astrology category for her project “Just A Swingin!” (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

science projects for middle school students

Milea Miihlbach, a seventh-grader from Ravenswood Middle School, receives a 2nd place ribbon from event coordinator Kayla Brown Friday at the Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at the Grand Pointe Conference Center. Miihlbach’s project was on plant growth in different soil. She said she concluded the top soil from her garden worked better than store-bought soil. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

science projects for middle school students

Ripley High School students Easton Haile and Jayden Goosman receive a 1st place medal and ribbon from event coordinator Kayla Brown Friday at the Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at the Grand Pointe Conference Center. The pair will be moving on to the state level with their project “The Study of the Impact of Weight and Spine on the Velocity.” (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

science projects for middle school students

A group of Jackson County students, that included Milea Miihlbach, a seventh-grader from Ravenswood Middle School, back row second from the left, and Ripley High School students Jayden Goosman and Easton Haile, back row right, pose for a picture after the Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at the Grand Pointe Conference Center Friday. A total of 51 projects by 64 students from five counties were on display with the winners moving on to the WV State Science and Engineering Fair in March. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

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  3. Top 13 Science Experiments For Middle School Students (Includes Bonus!)

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  1. Middle School Science Experiments

    Science Buddies' middle school science projects are the perfect way for middle school students to have fun exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our middle school projects are written and tested by scientists and are specifically created for use by students in the middle school grades.

  2. 40 Best Science Experiments & Projects for Middle School

    1. Crushed Can Students will be amazed as they witness an ordinary can being transformed before their very eyes. By simply heating it and then rapidly cooling it, the can will be crushed as if by magic! Learn more: Little Bins Little Hands 2. Water Bottle Rockets The Sci Guys: Science at Home - SE1 - EP18: Water Bottle Rockets Watch on

  3. Fun Science Projects and Experiments for Middle School Students

    Fun Science Projects and Experiments for Middle School Students Email Try one of the fun science projects featured in this video! Whether you're looking for a few hours of easy science fun, or a more in-depth school or science fair assignment, Science Buddies makes it easy for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to find the perfect project!

  4. Middle School Science Projects (Search: School)

    Science Buddies' middle school science projects are the perfect way for middle school students to have fun exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our middle school projects are written and tested by scientists and are specifically created for use by students in the middle school grades.

  5. Middle School Projects, Lessons, Activities

    Science Buddies' middle school science projects are the perfect way for middle school students to have fun exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our middle school projects are written and tested by scientists and are specifically created for use by students in the middle school grades.

  6. 50 Fun End of Year Science Activities for Middle School

    Are you looking for meaningful, end of year science activities for your middle school students? written by Karen Sinai 50 Fun End of Year Science Activities for Middle School Updated May 18, 2022

  7. 20 STEM Projects That Are Great for Middle School

    20 STEM Projects That Are Great for Middle School Krystal DeVille February 15, 2024 Activities and Games Math Middle schoolers experience a great time of exploration and learning during these formative years. Explore these middle school STEM projects, designed to enhance STEM education by engaging students in hands-on learning.

  8. Middle School Science Fair Projects

    Updated on January 13, 2020 Coming up with an idea for a middle school science fair project can be a challenge. There is fierce competition to find the coolest idea, and you need a topic considered appropriate for your educational level: Elementary School Projects Middle School Projects High School Projects College Projects

  9. Science Experiments for Middle School Students

    Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated on September 12, 2019 Get ideas for science experiments targeted at the middle school educational level. Find out how to perform an experiment and get a hypothesis to test. Fruit Battery Experiment Natthakan Jommanee / EyeEm / Getty Images Make a battery using household materials and a piece of fruit.

  10. Science Experiments For Middle Schoolers

    Below you'll find a great list of middle school science activities and experiments, including 7th grader science fair project ideas to get you started. What is Middle School Science? Are you looking for cool science experiments for kids that also offers a valuable opportunity to learn basic chemistry, physics, and earth science concepts?

  11. 50 Best STEM Projects for Middle School Kids

    STEM projects for middle school are an excellent way to engage young minds and spark their curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math. Research supports that STEM activities positively impact the scientific creativity of middle school students.

  12. Middle School Projects

    Make it easy for middle school students to start doing real science with these hands-on projects that cover the following topics: Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, Physics, and Technology. Filters By SubjectExtras Reset Thanksgiving Family Genetics Activity

  13. 60 Phenomenal Physics Science Experiments For Middle School

    Read on to discover 60 phenomenal physics science experiments to try out with your middle school students! 1. Newton's Cradle. Newton's Cradle is a classic physics experiment that uses basic materials to demonstrate kinetic energy and potential energy.

  14. Free Science Activities for Middle and High School Students

    Free Science Activities for Middle and High School Students We're Loving These Free Science Activities, Videos, and More for Middle and High School The periodic table of candy? Yes please! Sponsored By Ward's Science featuring Ward's World By Elizabeth Mulvahill Feb 12, 2020 Brought to you by Ward's Science featuring Ward's World

  15. Botany Science Projects for Middle School Students

    Find out with a simple experiment. Plant bird seed mix or radish seeds in small pots. Let the seeds germinate and the plants get off to a good start. Then cover each pot loosely by placing each in a gallon-sized zipper-type plastic bag. Seal the bags, but place a straw in the zipper to allow some air in and out.

  16. 24 HIGHLY Customizable Engineering Projects for Middle Schoolers

    The pinball machine project is very popular with middle school students. The marble drop projects are so fast and interesting that they need to be limited in class! Want to design in 3D? Here is everything you need. It is surprising how quickly and easily a person can learn how to 3D design in TinkerCAD.

  17. 60 Interactive Outdoor Science Activities and Projects

    Learn more: Around the Kampfire. 7. Send a soda geyser sky-high. This is one of those outdoor science activities that simply can't be done anywhere other than outdoors. Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added. Learn more: Soda Experiment—Scholastic.

  18. 35 Christmas-Themed Science Experiments for Middle Schoolers

    Middle school is a transformative time for students to get interested in science and how it impacts the world around us. So, browse through our 35 simple science activities, and pick a few your students will tell their friends and family about over winter break. 1. Christmas Milk Magic!

  19. Science Fair Projects Ideas, High School, Middle School, Grades

    Science Fair Projects. With the help of our web developer Bobs SEO and years of experiments, we have assembled hundreds of free, illustrated science fair project ideas and science project experiments. These are ideal projects for elementary school, middle school, and high school students. Many of the science fair project ideas have drawings ...

  20. 15 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in 2024

    ARCC Summer Programs offer middle school students the opportunity to embark on transformative adventures, service projects, and cultural exchanges in domestic and international destinations. Led by experienced leaders and educators, participants engage in meaningful service projects that make a positive impact on local communities while ...

  21. 100+ High School Science Fair Projects: Award-Winning Science Fair

    High School Science Fair Project Ideas, Organized by Subject Life Science. Compare the effect of antibiotics on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. (Grow your own cultures with agar & Petri dishes. For a sample procedure and more project ideas, see our bacteria science project guide.) Run a bioassay to test for toxicity in water or soil.

  22. Students presenting projects for prizes at regional science fair next

    About 150 students will showcase a science project based on the category of their choice. Prizes will be awarded for the top three high school projects in each category and the top five middle ...

  23. Mid-Ohio Valley students compete at Regional Science Fair

    VIENNA — Fifty-one projects by 64 students from five counties were on display Friday at the Grand Pointe Conference Center for the Regional Science and Engineering Fair. One of those projects ...