science projects for middle school students

40 Best Science Experiments & Projects for Middle School

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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. 

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.

For a comprehensive, printable guide to all of our amazing science experiments for middle school, including STEM projects, grab our  52 Science Projects and 52 STEM Projects Packs here . 

Free Science Challenge Calendar Guide

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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

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!

~ Projects to Try Now! ~

• Middle School Science Fair Project Ideas

Science Fair Project Ideas from Readers

• Projects & Experiments
• Chemical Laws
• Periodic Table
• Scientific Method
• Biochemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Medical Chemistry
• Chemistry In Everyday Life
• Famous Chemists
• Activities for Kids
• Abbreviations & Acronyms
• Weather & Climate
• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

It can be really hard to come up with a middle school science fair project idea. Sometimes it helps to see what others have done or to read project ideas. Have you done a middle school science fair project or do you have a good idea for a good middle school project? What's your project idea?

Ideas for Middle School Science Fair Projects

Following are ideas shared by other readers.

When you leave a fish in the dark it will eventually turn white . Try it please. It really works!

— kittycat60

Burn Those Old Clothes

In the 7th grade I did an experiment on which fabric burns the fastest. I cut up old clothes into equal pieces and let fire do the rest of the work. Got 1st place even while having a partner who did nothing. I thought it was a pretty fun experiment.

Test which bubble gum brand pops the biggest bubbles.

I did a science experiment on which types of nails rust the fastest. Try a nail in vinegar, water, or Pepsi.

— anonymoud

Crystal Race

I recorded how fast it took for crystals to grow using salt and sugar. I got fourth place, but the good thing was after they grew I got to eat the sugar crystals ! (Do not eat the salt.)

— Doodlebug1111

Ants Be Gone

Last year in 6th grade I did a science fair project with my friends and we did WHICH HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT REPELS ANTS BETTER LEMON JUICE, POWDER, OR CINNAMON? We got second place in the school.

Best Foods to Seal Cracks

I did an experiment on what foods are the best to seal cracks. I tried common foods, like peanut butter, pudding, jello, and ice cream. I then let them dry and put water in the cup with the crack measured what food stopped the water best. Got an A somehow... so easy!

—Guest 6666666666

Caffeine and Plants

I watered 3 plants with caffeine and 3 with water. Record your results and make a graph to see which one dies faster. It's so easy!! I got an A+

— bqggrdxvv

I did a science project on L.E.D lights and I got 1st place! Do L.E.D lights affect electricity usage? I took a normal light and measured the amps (you want the least amount of amps) and then I took the L.E.D light and measured the amps. It was pretty cool and I got 1st place and an A+!

Crayon Colors and Length of Lines

Does the color of a crayon affect how long of a line it makes? (Editor's note: If you use an entire crayon, this project could take a long time. One way to test this would be to mark equal, short distances on different colored crayons. Draw a line back and forth down a very large/long until you reach the mark on each color. Count the number of lines on the paper and see if they are the same for each crayon.)

Melting Candies Quickly

In 5th grade i did a project on which candies melt faster. All you have do is put different kind of candies (lollipop, Hershey, etc.) in hot boiling water and see which one melts the fastest. Also got 1st place!

— chiii say hello

Make a Volcano

Make a regular volcano but instead of baking soda use Mentos and pop . Watch your teachers be amazed.

When I was in 5th grade I did a project and won first place. It was a volcano and I used lots of research, which held it up well and helped me with the winnings. I loved it when I did this because I actually won so hooray!

— Kelsey Vandyne

Last year I did an underwater volcano . I won second place and got an A+ my teacher really liked the originality

Colored Fire

I did an experiment on colored fire . I bought chemicals like copper sulfate, and lit it after spraying alcohol on it. (you can also use salt). it was really awsome and I won the science fair . it was an easy A

— makhassak

Toilet Paper Roll Rockets

We got a toilet paper roll and cut a rubber band on one side then taped the rubber band so it went diagonally across the top then set it aside and got 3 straws and cut one straw 2 inches long taped the ends of the straws toget her with the little one in the middle then u put the rubber band in the middle of the two straws so it is touching the baby straw and some of the big straw will be hanging out the bottom pull it and let go it will shoot a long way this is a good way to test elastic potential energy epa

— hunger games

Sprouting Beans

I did a experiment where u try to find out if rubbing alcohol , baby oil, salt water, water, sugar water, or vinegar which one do plants grow best in? I got an A+

I did a project with my friends and get about 7 differents liquids like cola fanta lemon juice and you put different types of solid objects like chalk and see what dissolves fastest. Got a silver.

Microwave Power

You can microwave a marshmallow at different temperatures and see what happens. Make a chart of what happened. Make sure to take pictures. This is not a research project. This is a Scientific Method Project . REMEMBER: DON'T SET THE MICROWAVE TIMER HIGHER THAN 1 MIN! DO SECONDS AND ALSO HAVE AN ADULT SUPERVISE!!

Salty Eater and Eggs

When I was in 6th grade I did an experiment. We were trying to know how much salt do you need for an egg to float. To be honest, that's the easiest project EVER! you just put 2 cups of water: one with NO salt an one FULL of salt you put the eggs inside and the one with salt floats. and that's all. EASY 100!

— Miranda F.

Planty Liquids

My friends and I watered flowers with milk, lemonade, and coke for two weeks to see which would live the longest and die the fastest. got an A+!

—Guest Guest ME

Temperature of Water

i did this thing were I got a box of insulation and put a thermometer in there with a jar of cold water to see if it stayed cold (: try it !

— sydneyxguest

Banana Decay

My brother did this and got 2nd out of everybody in our school. He put a banana in a spot in the house that is room temp. A banana in the fridge, and a banana outside to see which decayed faster.

—Guest anonomus

Mentos Explosions

I bought 2 pops and shook them up. then I put 5 mento's in and when it started to go out I picked it up and it shot at my targets right on spot.

Get mint mento's candy and put in different sodas to see which soda goes the farthest (diet pepsi is the best)

it works really well. Take a rag and put black eyed beans in the rag and fold it up a week or two later they have sprouted and ready to grow beans!!!!!!!

Moon Phases

Which moon phase lasts longer? Look and see I'm not gonna tell ya :D

Keep It Cool

I got 3 boxes and in each box i filled it with aluminum foil, cotton, and one without anything and put inside nothing then i put in a juice in each box to seen which one keeps it most cold. I competed with 75 other schools and got 2nd place

Balloon Lung

Question: How does ur lung work? Well all u have to do is get an empty bottle and a little cone and a balloon.Turn the cone upside down and put the balloon on the pointy edge.Then stick the cone with the balloon on the end in the bottle.Then ur done squeeze the bottle!!!!!!!!

— HungerGames!!!!!

More Middle School Science Project Ideas

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• Science Fair Project Ideas
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• 5th Grade Science Fair Projects
• How to Do a Science Fair Project
• 8th Grade Science Fair Project Ideas
• 6th Grade Science Fair Projects
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70 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand

Because science doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. Regardless of how empty your cabinets may be, we think you are likely to have at least some of these things lying around at home. Watch as your students engineer a bridge, solve environmental issues, explore polymers, or work with static electricity. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!

1. Amplify a smartphone

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.

Learn more: Mum in the Madhouse

2. Send a teabag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For more safety, try this one outside!

Learn more: Coffee Cups and Crayons

3. Taste the rainbow

Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow! You’ll definitely want to have extra Skittles on hand so your class can enjoy a few as well!

Learn more: ToucanBox

4. Watch the water rise

Learn about Charles’s Law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.

Learn more: Team Cartwright

5. Set raisins dancing

This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes raisins to dance around in the water.

Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me/Dancing Raisins

6. Race a balloon-powered car

Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.

Learn more: ProLab

7. Crystallize your own rock candy

Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!

Learn more: Growing a Jeweled Rose

8. Make elephant-sized toothpaste

This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” You can also add an extra fun layer by having the kids create toothpaste wrappers for their plastic bottles.

Learn more: Steve Spangler Science

9. Repel glitter with dish soap

Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.

Learn more: Living Life & Learning

10. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Scholastic/Dish Soap Bubbles

11. Make neon flowers

We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some gerbera daisies, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!

Learn more: My Child Care Academy/Neon Flower

12. Build a Ferris wheel

You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.

Learn more: Teachers Are Terrific and eHow

13. Learn about capillary action

Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.

Learn More: 123 Homeschool 4 Me/Capillary Action

14. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

So simple and so amazing! All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and some water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Paging Fun Mums

15. Design a cell phone stand

Use your engineering skills and items from around the house to design and build a cell phone stand.

Learn more: Science Buddies/Cell Phone Stand

16. Give a balloon face a beard

Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon person!

Learn more: Go Science Girls/Static Electricity

17. Re-create the water cycle in a bag

You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag! Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.

Learn more: Grade School Giggles

18. Conduct an egg drop

Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Egg Drop

19. Engineer a drinking straw roller coaster

STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.

Learn more: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls/Straw Roller Coaster

20. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation

Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test! Finally, have them record their observations.

Learn more: Jennifer Findley/Apple Oxidation

21. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Desert Chica

22. Float a marker man

Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.

Learn more: Gizmodo

23. Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.

Learn more: STEAMsational

24. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.

Learn more: STEAM Powered Family

25. Learn to layer liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Wonder How To

26. Crush a can using air pressure

Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!

Learn more: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls/Can Crush

27. Make homemade bouncy balls

These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you will need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You will want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.

Learn more: Come Together Kids/Make Your Own Bouncy Balls

28. Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.

Learn more: iGame Mom

29. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Easy science experiments can still have impressive results! This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.

Learn more: KiwiCo/Carbon Sugar Snake

30. Create eggshell chalk

Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.

Learn more: Kidspot

31. Make a basic sundial

While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids will certainly get a kick out of creating their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.

Learn more: PBS Kids/Sundial

32. Learn about plant transpiration

Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments! Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.

Learn more: Teach Beside Me

33. Make naked eggs

This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis .

Learn more: Making Memories With Your Kids

34. Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: The Homeschool Scientist

35. Practice stop-motion animation

This is the perfect experiment for the budding filmmaker since they can decide on a backdrop, characters (toys), and story. Use a good stop-motion animation app to bring the film to life!

Learn more: Tinker Lab/Stop-Motion Animation

36. Turn milk into plastic

This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done!

Learn more: Science Buddies/Milk Into Plastic

37. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Floating Ping-Pong Ball

38. Launch a two-stage rocket

The rockets used for space flight generally have more than one stage to give them the extra boost they need. This easy science experiment uses balloons to model a two-stage rocket launch, teaching kids about the laws of motion.

Learn more: Science Buddies/Two-Stage Rocket

39. Pull an egg into a bottle

This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.

Learn more: Left Brain Craft Brain

40. Test pH using cabbage

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Education Possible

41. Clean some old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Gallykids

42. Clean up an oil spill

Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.

Learn more: Science After School Blogspot/Oil Spill

43. Blow up a balloon—without blowing

Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school yourself. This well-known activity demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases. Fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda. Fit the balloon over the top, shake the baking soda down into the vinegar, and watch the balloon inflate.

Learn more: All for the Boys

44. Construct a homemade lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid/base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.

Learn more: Education.com

45. Whip up a tornado in a bottle

There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles! Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.

Learn more: Cool Science Experiments HQ

46. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste and toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.

Learn more: Feels Like Home

47. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer

This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.

Learn more: Edventures With Kids

48. Mummify a hot dog

If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars ; just grab some baking soda and get started.

Learn more: Science Buddies/Science of Mummification

49. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide

This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.

Learn more: Sick Science!/YouTube

50. Make a magnifying glass from ice

Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.

Learn more: STEAMsational/Ice Magnifying Glass

51. Do the Archimedes squeeze

It sounds like a wild dance move, but this easy science experiment demonstrates Archimedes’ principle of buoyancy. All you need is aluminum foil and a container of water.

Learn more: Science Buddies/Archimedes Squeeze

52. Step through an index card

This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

Learn more: Mess for Less

53. Stand on a pile of paper cups

Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.

Learn more: Science Sparks

54. Mix up saltwater solutions

This simple experiment covers a lot of concepts. Learn about solutions, density, and even ocean science as you compare and contrast how objects float in different water mixtures.

Learn more: Science Kiddo

55. Construct a pair of model lungs

Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Surviving a Teacher’s Salary

56. Test out parachutes

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 by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: Inspiration Laboratories

57. String up some sticky ice

Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.

Learn more: Playdough to Plato

58. Experiment with limestone rocks

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

59. Recycle newspaper into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!

Learn more: STEM Activities for Kids

60. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

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

61. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)

62. Send secret messages with invisible ink

Turn your kids into secret agents! Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.

Learn more: KiwiCo/Invisible Ink

63. Build a folded mountain

This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!

Learn more: The Chaos and the Clutter

64. Play catch with a catapult

Catapults make fun and easy science experiments, but we like the twist on this one that challenges kids to create a “receiver” to catch the soaring object on the other end.

Learn more: Science Buddies/Ball Launcher Challenge

65. Take a Play-Doh core sample

Learn about the layers of the Earth by building them out of Play-Doh, then take a core sample with a straw. ( Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here. )

Learn more: Line Upon Line Learning

66. Project the stars on your ceiling

Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: Mystery Science

67. Build a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Raising Lifelong Learners

68. Make it rain

Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.

Learn more: Mrs. Jones’ Creation Station

69. Use water to “flip” a drawing

Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick .

Learn more: Go Science Kids

70. Send a soda geyser sky-high

You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself! Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Scholastic/Soda Explosion

Looking for even more science fun? Get the best science experiments for grades K-8 here.

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Home » Tips for Teachers » 14 Science Experiments for Middle School — Unlock the Wonders of The World in Your Classroom

14 Science Experiments for Middle School — Unlock the Wonders of The World in Your Classroom

Unleashing a world of possibilities, middle school science fairs and experiences present the perfect opportunity for students to engage in captivating projects. Sometimes beginning such an adventure can be daunting, as it may not be clear how young learners should go about tackling their experiments.

Nevertheless, with some creative thinking, there’s plenty of potential to make these activities both enjoyable and achievable.

Especially for my readers, I have prepared a list of 14 science experiments for middle school students:

Let’s take a closer look at each of the experiments.

1. Crystals

With crystal growing, students of all ages get to discover a world of endless possibilities. From experimenting with the different stages during production and refining them until you reach your desired shape – like making an impressive flower design – it’s certain to be full of fun for everyone.

What You’ll Need:

• A real or fake flower
• Food coloring

• Boil some water, mix in borax and food dye to create a colorful solution.
• Carefully place your flower into the cup for several hours or overnight, so it can be transformed by magical crystals
• Once done, take out and see its transformation from an everyday petal to something unique that will amaze you.

Unleash your creativity and amaze even the biggest skeptics with this delightful experiment! It’s simple to set up yet produces stunningly beautiful results that will be sure to captivate students.

Here’s a video of Steve Spangler to sharing his latest crystal growing secrets using simple materials you can find around the house.

2. Copper Plate Coins

With the process of electroplating, you can easily bring a new level of artistry and excitement into something as ordinary as coinage.

Utilizing copper along with electricity, anyone is able to create unique designs on coins in no time! Besides being fun, this activity makes for an excellent educational experience too.

• A plastic cup
• Distilled white vinegar
• Two alligator clips (one red and one black)
• Two copper strips
• A nickel or quarter
• A 9v battery
• Battery snap
• Masking tape
• Rubbing alcohol

• Start by filling up your cup almost two inches high with some ordinary white or apple cider vinegar
• Then attach one end of the alligator clips to either side via small pieces of tape labeled “+” and “-“
• Submerge the copper strips at their opposite ends into the liquid for about three hours until it’s turned an intriguing greenish blue
• Grab that battery snap, place your battery inside and connect its leads before taking out those still-damp clips from earlier – but instead insert a cleanly rubbed down coin this time around.
• Give it fifteen minutes more underwater before removing when finished – voila, you have yourself a polished new piece of gorgeous custom currency coated in shiny metallic sheen.

Watch this video to fully understand how to conduct the experiment.

For an extra creative touch, you can spice up your project by taping on funky designs and patterns to the coin before plating it – get ready for a unique design that’s as eye-catching as it is fun.

3. A Solar Oven

Solar energy is more essential now than ever, and it’s surprisingly simple to teach children how it all works. By having them design their own solar ovens, they can take greener cooking projects on the go while camping or just at home.

• A cardboard pizza box
• Black construction paper
• Plastic wrap
• An oven mitt
• A thermometer
• Cooking ingredients (avoid raw meat)

• Start by cleaning out any leftover cheese and crumbs.
• Then draw a square one inch from the top of the box before cutting out three sides to form an upright flap.
• Wrap it tightly with foil and secure it with tape for durability.
• Line the bottom of the container with some black construction paper before taping two pieces of plastic wrap across inside edges to create an airtight seal – just don’t forget those rolled up newspapers stuffed in all four corners as insulation.
• Finally, use Mother Nature’s own ovens (the sun!) between 11 A.M.-2 P.M., whose heat is sure to cook something deliciously unique along this DIY journey you have embarked on!

With a bit of patience, determination and some know-how, this project is definitely within the reach for any young student. Plus – not only will you be learning essential skills, but there’s also the delicious reward at the end.

4. Dissect a Flower

Dissection is both an effective and engaging way to teach anatomy – but it can be tough for younger classes when the cost or contents don’t quite fit. That’s why flowers have become a great alternative: they offer up just as much knowledge, with little messiness and even less fuss.

• Flowers with easily identifiable parts
• Materials to draw
• Label the parts of the flower

• Carefully instruct students how to properly use a scalpel to make educated incisions and locate relevant parts of the flower like the pistil, stamen and others.
• Use the pins to keep the flower open and make it possible to really study the insides of the plant. During this time, students can draw what they are seeing and label each part as they are able to identify it.
• Chart the different lengths of the flowers each student is dissecting to open up discussion on how these differences may have occurred and how they make impact the flowers’ fertility.

Starting with simpler dissection exercises can be an exciting way to introduce students to the fascinating and intricate world of anatomy.

I suggest you watching this video, in order to fully understand the proces of the experiment.

5. Homemade Thermometer

Thermometers have an impressive history of being essential to many parts of our world, such as health and the environment. Believe it or not – making your own thermometer is just a few steps away.

• Modeling clay
• Red food coloring
• A clear straw
• A clear plastic bottle

• Combine water, rubbing alcohol and a few drops of food coloring to create an experiment that will amaze you.
• Create a leak-proof seal by wrapping modeling clay around the straw and bottle opening before placing it inside – but be sure to leave some uncovered
• Finally, test your thermometer works as expected; watch in wonderment at how heat causes the liquid mixture to rise up through the straw – red hues dancing across its surface.

With just a few simple steps, you can make your own thermometer and explore how heat affects the world around us.

Show your students how to turn middle school science into a fun and educational experience by testing pH levels with something as common (and delicious) as cabbage.

• A red cabbage
• Eye droppers
• Orange juice
• Window cleaner

• Start by chopping up your quarter head and adding it to a shallow pot.
• Simmer until you can start detecting its purple hue, then strain out the contents before transferring them into test tubes.
• Now comes the exciting part – as you add acids or bases, watch in wonderment as they cause an immediate color change – turning solutions crimson for acid substances or greenish-tinted when combined with basic ones!
• Don’t forget to write down each result on a handy worksheet so that all your experiments are recorded accurately and safely.

Students can now explore the mysterious world of acids and bases in a fun, creative way. By testing different items with this method, students will develop an understanding of the general level of acidity. Unlocking secrets never seemed so easy.

After watching this video you’ll get understanding pH scales and identifying acidic and basic materials.

7. Oil Spills

Students may not be aware of the powerful tool human actions can take on our environment. While we’ve all seen pictures and videos from past oil spills, it’s only when students come face to face with how those events have profoundly impacted wildlife that they truly grasp their significance.

• Liquid soap
• Vegetable oil
• A toothbrush

• To find out how different substances interact with a feather, create a chart that compares water, oil and liquid soap.
• Observe whether the feather is absorbed or repelled when placed in each one of these liquids – noting any changes along the way.
• Splash some soapy water onto an oil-drenched feather to learn about its cleaning power, before finally measuring success by taking note of how easy it was (or wasn’t!) for your feathered friend to return to its original state!

This experiment will illustrate the devastating consequences of oil spills on our environment. It reveals how something as simple and harmless as a feather can be compromised, robbed of its ability to stay warm and dry due to contact with just one drop of oil.

Students will get a crash course in the major consequences of oil spills after watching this educational video.

Let this serve as an important reminder for us all to do whatever we can in protecting nature from further harm.

8. Water Clock

Water’s passage of time can be tracked by two distinct clocks. Inflow water clocks collect the liquid into a vessel, allowing users to measure its accumulation along graduated markings. Alternatively, outflow versions record how many escapes from their containers in order to calculate minutes and hours gone by.

• Styrofoam or Plastic Cup
• Small Plastic Lid – a pop bottle cap or milk jug cap works great
• String or yarn
• Toothpick or similar for poking a hole
• Bead (optional)
• Popsicle Stick

• Use a toothpick or something similar to poke a small hole through middle of plastic lid and bottom of styrofoam cup.
• Cut the string to length. To do this measure the distance from the top of the cup to just above the bottom of the cup.
• Then add a bit more length to ensure you have enough for tying on the cap and the bell.
• Run string through the hole you made in the plastic lid. To secure it, tie bead to one side of string (this keeps the yarn from slipping through) or create a large knot. The goal is to simply prevent the string from pulling through the hole.
• Tie a small bell to other end of string.
• Adjust your knots as required to ensure the string is the proper length.
• Place popsicle stick over top of cup and balance the bell on the end of the string on the popsicle stick, while the lid hangs down into the cup. Hold it in place while you fill the cup with water.
• The cap will float while the bell remains balanced on the popsicle stick.
• Immediately after adding the water you will notice the water starts dripping out of the bottom of the cup and into the jar and the water level will start going down. When the water drains outs, the bell will be pulled into the cup. The sound of the bell is your alarm.

Watch this video and try to make your own water clock.

9. Purify Water

With tap water becoming less and less reliable, it’s no surprise that so many are turning to filtration systems for their drinking needs. But how exactly do these machines in our homes get rid of contaminants?

Unveil the mystery behind clean and safe drinking with a closer look at this increasingly popular method!

• A measuring cup
• Two baby food jars
• Activated charcoal

• Mix ½ cup of water with 8 drops of food coloring
• Then fill up two jars halfway
• Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons of activated charcoal to one and secure the lids on both
• Observe what happens over the course four days

This experiment is not only compelling and easy to do, it also promises an enriching outcome – students gain a newfound appreciation for fresh, filtered water. What better way to teach the importance of clean H2O in this day and age?

Watch this video and learn how to do own water filter using simple materials.

11. Grow Box

As the warm days of summer fade, a chill creeps in that demands we put on layers before stepping outside. Our gardens go dormant as plants wilt and our own homegrown produce bows out for the season.

It’s with sadness that I bid goodbye to those freshly picked veggies from my garden – always providing so much more satisfaction than store-bought varieties!

• A computer paper box
• Aluminum Foil
• Glue Sticks
• Light Bulb Socket
• 15 Watt Fluorescent Light Bulb
• Old Plastic Lid
• Planting Pots
• A trey or other pot to catch the water
• Potting Soil

• Lining the inside of an empty computer box with tinfoil – use glue stick or double sticky tape to make sure it’s secure.
• Cut out a round hole on one side so that the top is exposed
• Add aluminum curtain over this opening in order to keep heat trapped within.
• Now get started planting: fill some pots with potting soil, place seeds onto them, then pour water – don’t forget to also screw in an interior light bulb as well.
• With appropriate care and attention (and plenty of watering),soon enough sprouts should start appearing after just 1 week.
• Get green-fingered now for amazing results later

Witness the wonder of growth and life with your kids! Planting in our easy grow box ensures there’s no lack of excitement even during winter. Watching tiny seeds turn into plants is sure to bring a smile on everyone’s face.

Here’s a video with 5 variations of cheap grow boxes.

12. How Color Influences Memory

Is there a certain hue that unlocks improved memory recall? Could the shade of your notes and flashcards be helping or hindering you in retaining information? Explore how colors can elevate nuance during study sessions.

• A variety of colored pens or markers
• Index cards
• Participants

• Gather willing participants from classrooms, offices or even online communities, select a few dates in history with corresponding events written on three sets of index cards.
• Black marker can be used for control group, colors that match emotional responses to certain events (like red for danger) is recommended as well
• Whereas random color should represent third set – all aimed at testing long-term memory potentials through oral or written examinations without additional study time needed afterwards.

This simple middle-school science experiment isn’t just a fun activity – it gives students an excellent opportunity to learn skills that can help them be successful with any subject.

This video has a lot to say about how color affects our mood and behavior.

13. Da Vinci Bridge

This modern engineering experiment breathes new life into a 500-year-old design from the master of innovation, Leonardo da Vinci. It stands apart among other bridge building experiments and is sure to make an impact.

• 8 pencils with 3 rubber bands
• 4 pencils with 2 rubber bands

•  Gather all the supplies you need to build the Da Vinci Bridge. You will need 8 pencils with 3 rubber bands, 4 pencils with 2 rubber bands, and loom bands of a similar size for extra friction.
• Mark out where you want the rubber bands to go on each pencil. For the pencils going on the sides of the bridge, you want to make sure the rubber bands are all lined up at about the same locations.
• Start building the bridge by putting pencils in position with rubber bands attached. Make sure both sides are symmetrically balanced during construction and no misalignment occurs.
• Secure the bridge by wrapping loom bands of similar size around each pencil to increase friction. This will help the bridge stay in shape and keep it from collapsing due to misalignment or imbalance.
• Once the bridge is completed, you can decorate it with extra decorations such as ribbons, streamers

Watch this tutorial on how to build your own the Da Vinci Bridge.

14. Find Out How Sugary Drinks Affect Teeth

We all know that sugary drinks can have adverse reactions on our health, but what happens when we show young students the extent of those effects?

Seeing firsthand how soda and juice wreak havoc on teeth could be an eye-opening experience for them.

• A dark sugar-free drink like gatorade
• A dark juice like grape juice
• A dark soda like cola
• An orange juice

• Label each cup with its special beverage
• Add the eggs and place them in a secure area
• Monitor your progress every few hours
• After 24 hours of incubation, watch as the eggshells give you an intensified idea of how these drinks are impacting teeth like ename

Here’s an example how one of my colleagues experimented with her students.

Students in #PAGrade8 performing controlled experiments to determine which reactants are responsible for the changes observed in a chemical reaction. ?‍? ? #PAExplore @PA_Sciences pic.twitter.com/tT2Ew1Shpl — Middle School | Pulaski Academy (@PA_MidSchool) February 28, 2023

Keep Learning

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Overall, these science experiments for middle school are great for teaching middle school students the basics of science. Each experiment has its own unique approach to introducing scientific concepts and principles in an engaging way that will help them understand more complex topics later on.

Whether you’re looking for a fun activity or something educational, these experiments offer plenty of opportunities to explore different aspects of science with your middle schoolers. With patience and guidance from adults, kids can learn a lot about the world around them through experimentation!

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Paulie Ivanova is a novice teacher. She recently graduated as a teacher at the university and is full of new teaching ideas. She teaches elementary school students, so she doesn't get bored at work. Working with children Paulie is not afraid to experiment and is constantly applying new techniques.

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Edu News | January 26, 2022

24 stem lessons you can quickly deploy in the classroom.

Calling all teachers pressed for time, substitutes looking for classroom activities that don't require a lot of prep, and others hoping to keep students learning in especially chaotic times: We've got a new collection of lessons and activities that you can quickly deploy.

Read on to explore our collection of Quick and Easy STEM lessons and student activities , organized by grade band. Get everything you need to guide students through standards-aligned lessons featuring connections to real NASA missions and science as well as links to student projects, which can be led by teachers or assigned as independent activities.

Grades 9-12

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Make a Paper Mars Helicopter

In this lesson, students build a paper helicopter, then improve the design and compare and measure performance.

Subject Engineering

Time 30-60 mins

Student Project: Make a Paper Mars Helicopter

Build a paper helicopter, then see if you can improve the design like NASA engineers did when making the first helicopter for Mars.

What Tools Would You Take to Mars?

Students decide what they want to learn from a robotic mission to Mars and what tools they will put on their robot to accomplish their goals.

Subject Science

Rockets by Size

Students cut out, color and sequence paper rockets in a simple mathematics lesson on measurement.

Subject Math

Rocket Math

Students use rocket manipulatives to help them develop number sense, counting, addition and subtraction skills.

Tangram Rocket

Students use tangrams to create rockets while practicing shape recognition.

Time 1-2 hrs

Student Project: Build a Rover and More With Shapes

Use geometric shapes called tangrams to build a rover and other space-themed designs!

Time Less than 30 mins

Student Project: Build a Rocket and More With Shapes

Use geometric shapes called tangrams to build a rocket and other space-themed designs!

Mineral Mystery Experiment

Students explore the science behind an intriguing planetary feature by creating saline solutions and then observing what happens when the solutions evaporate.

Grades 2-12

Time 2 sessions of 30-60 mins

Student Project: Do a Mineral Mystery Experiment

Dissolve salts in water, then observe what happens when the water evaporates.

What Do You Know About Mars?

Students decide what they want to learn from a robotic mission to Mars.

Melting Ice Experiment

Students make predictions and observations about how ice will melt in different conditions then compare their predictions to results as they make connections to melting glaciers.

Parachute Design

Students design and test parachute landing systems to successfully land a probe on target.

Planetary Poetry

In this cross-curricular STEM and language arts lesson, students learn about planets, stars and space missions and write STEM-inspired poetry to share their knowledge of or inspiration about these topics.

Student Project: Write a Poem About Space

Are you a space poet, and you didn't even know it? Find out how to create your own poems inspired by space!

Ocean World: Earth Globe Toss Game

Students use NASA images and a hands-on activity to compare the amounts of land and surface water on our planet.

Simple Rocket Science Continued

Students gather data on a balloon rocket launch, then create a simple graph to show the results of the tests.

Spaghetti Anyone? Building with Pasta

Students use the engineering design process to build a structure to handle the greatest load and gain first-hand experience with compression and tension forces.

Student Project: Building With Spaghetti

Use spaghetti to build a tower modeled after the giant structures NASA uses to talk to spacecraft.

Simple Rocket Science

Students perform a simple science experiment to learn how a rocket works and demonstrate Newton’s third law of motion.

Soda-Straw Rockets

Students study rocket stability as they design, construct and launch paper rockets using soda straws.

Student Project: Make a Straw Rocket

Create a paper rocket that can be launched from a soda straw – then, modify the design to make the rocket fly farther!

Rocket Activity: Heavy Lifting

Students construct balloon-powered rockets to launch the greatest payload possible to the classroom ceiling.

Design a Robotic Insect

Students design a robotic insect for an extraterrestrial environment, then compare the process to how NASA engineers design robots for extreme environments like Mars.

Student Project: Design a Robotic Insect

Design a robotic insect to go to an extreme environment. Then, compare the design process to what NASA engineers do when building robots for Mars!

How Far Away Is Space?

Students use measurement skills to determine the scale distance to space on a map.

Student Project: How Far Away Is Space?

Stack coins and use your measurement skills to figure out the scale distance from Earth's surface to space.

Planetary Travel Time

Students will compute the approximate travel time to planets in the solar system using different modes of transportation.

The Ring Wing Glider

In this simple engineering design lesson, students turn a piece of paper into an aircraft wing and then try to improve upon their design.

Student Project: Make a Paper Glider

Turn a piece of paper into a glider inspired by a NASA design.

How Do We See Dark Matter?

Students will make observations of two containers and identify differences in content, justify their claims and make comparisons to dark matter observations.

Grades 6-12

Let's Go to Mars! Calculating Launch Windows

Students use advanced algebra concepts to determine the next opportunity to launch a spacecraft to Mars.

Find our full collection of more than 250 STEM educator guides and student activities in Teach and Learn .

For games, articles, and more activities from NASA for kids in upper-elementary grades, visit NASA Space Place and NASA Climate Kids .

Explore more educational resources and opportunities for students and educators from NASA STEM Engagement .

TAGS: Lessons , Teachers , Educators , Parents , Substitutes , Activities , Students , Science , Engineering , Quick and Easy

Kim Orr , Web Producer, NASA-JPL Education Office

Kim Orr is a web and content producer for the Education Office at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her pastimes are laughing and going on Indiana Jones style adventures.

20 Science Experiments for Middle School Students

Instructions

An electrochemical cell.

The Fruit Battery

The amazing human battery, the potato powered clock, the rocket balloon, the balloon powered car, the match rocket, newton’s laws of motion, salt water conductivity experiment, crush the can experiment, demonstration of centripetal force, demonstration of centrifugal force, neutralization experiment, the homemade thermometer, cleaning water with sunlight, extracting dna from spinach, acids and bases producing colors, cleaning copper pennies, measure heights with your shadow, make beeswax lip balm.

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50 Best Stem Projects for Middle School That Encourage Creativity

Science Activities for Middle Schoolers

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

• Interactive Learning Stations
• Outdoor Laboratories
• Technology Enhanced Playgrounds
• Innovative Equipment

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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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?

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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 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.

• 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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50 Awesome Physics Science Experiments for Middle School

August 1, 2022 //  by  Carly Gerson

Physics is a subject that can be difficult for students to understand. With complex equations and situations, students often struggle to visualize what the problem actually means. Experiments and activities are an excellent way for students to create a simulation of what the problem looks like in real life. Not only do experiments and activities help students better understand the situation, but also create an interactive way to engage students.

Read on to learn about fun and educational experiments!

1. Newton's Cradle

Newton's Cradle is a classic physics experiment that uses basic materials to demonstrate kinetic energy and potential energy . Students will love watching after the initial drop how the marble causes the other marbles to move. This is a great way to demonstrate the basic concept of energy transfer in an engaging way.

Learn More: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

2. Simple Bernoulli Experiment

The Bernoulli experiment is an excellent way to teach students about pressure in the air. This is also a great experiment for teachers with limited materials. Students will use construction paper, tape, a bendy straw, a ping pong ball, scissors, and a pencil to demonstrate how large vehicles like planes can stay high in the air. This abstract concept will be brought to life quickly!

3. Car Science Experiment for Air Resistance and Mass

One physics concept that will be fun to teach your students is the impact of mass on motion. Your students will feel like modern physicists as they place cars with different masses on their race track. While it may seem like a simple experiment, students can complete many trials to find an average time to go down the track based on mass.

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4. Archimedes' Screw Simple Machine

This fun project is a great way for school students to learn about moving liquids, in particular water. Archimedes' Screw is a commonly known machine that moves water upward and transfers it from one place to another. Kids will love watching as the liquid moves through their homemade creations.

5. Layering Liquids Density Experiment

Children will love participating in this tasty and colorful activity. Have students use different colored juices or beverages to test out the density of each one. Everyone will watch in amazement as the different colored liquids float to different places. This experiment requires the basic supplies of a beaker and different types of liquids.

Learn More: Inspiration Laboratories

6. Launching Easter Eggs Experiment

This activity would make for an incredibly fun science fair project or a great science activity during the Easter season. Using a mini catapult and plastic eggs, students will test how mass impacts the distance traveled by the egg. This experiment will definitely make your students smile!

7. Balloon in a Bottle Properties of Air Experiment

Balloon science is a fantastic way to engage your students in physics learning! Students will follow along in amazement as the balloon is inflated inside of the plastic bottle. By changing the properties of the bottle, students will learn about how air moves and is transferred.

Learn More: Steve Spangler Science

8. Elephant Toothpaste

Elephant toothpaste is a viral science experiment that is taking over the internet. Students will enjoy this explosive science experiment that combines dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and a few other ingredients to make this silly-looking creation.

Learn More: Teach Beside Me

9. How to Make a Pendulum Wave

This physics science project is both fun to make and incredible to look at! Using washers and a few other simple materials, students will stare at their experiment for hours on end. Besides being mesmerizing, students will learn about waves and motion.

Learn More: NightHawkInLight

10. Creating Catapults

A homemade catapult is a great way to use cheap materials in a science experiment. Have students use household materials to determine which combination makes for the best catapult.

Learn More: Science Gal

11. Inertia Tower Activity

This creative activity uses sheets of paper or index cards to separate a tower of cups. The object of this activity is to remove the papers without disturbing the rest of the tower. Students will love this engineering project.

Learn More: Perkin's E-Learning

12. Marshmallow Catapult

This marshmallow catapult is a great way to test out your students' engineering skills. Using materials like a tissue box and pencil, students will have so much fun trying out different sizes and shapes of marshmallows to see which one goes the furthest.

Learn More: Random Scraps

13. Rice Friction Experiment

Friction can be a challenging concept to teach middle school students. Your students will love getting a better understanding through this simple science experiment. Using a plastic bottle, funnel, chopstick, and rice, students will learn how to increase and decrease friction.

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14. Balancing Robot

Add arts and crafts to physics class in this fun and adorable activity. Students will learn about balance and distribution of mass. You can even have your students color their robots and then compete!

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15. Heat Energy Ice Cream Lab Activity

Students will be their own heat source in this delicious science experiment. Have students learn about heat transfer and the reaction between the liquid and salt. Once students are done learning, this tasty experiment will be a hit!

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16. Gravity and Free-Fall Inquiry Lab

Students can use one of their favorite childhood books to learn about the concept of gravity. Using a stuffed moose and a muffin, students can learn about how mass and other factors impact gravity and the speed of falling.

Learn More: The Trendy Science Teacher

17. Color Mixing Tray Experiment

Students can learn all about color and how light transforms color in this interactive activity. Afterward, students can create their own color wheel!

18. How to Make Corncob Popcorn

For science teachers looking to better engage their students, look no further than this tasty activity. Students will learn about pressure and how heat impacts the corn kernels and make delicious popcorn!

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19. Skittles Density Rainbow

Using a different quantity of Skittles in each liquid, students will learn about how solids impact the density of liquids. This is a cool science experiment your students will ask to do again and again.

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20. Mini Wave Model

This more complex activity will be one that your students will want to bring home and show their families. Since this activity uses a drill and hot glue, adult supervision is incredibly important.

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21. Dancing Raisins Science Experiment

Students will love this fun science experiment as they watch the carbonation of the soda water lift the raisins and "make them dance". Students will also learn about density.

22. Learning With Dry Ice

Using dry ice is a great way to teach students about how clouds are formed. Inspire future meteorologists in this visually appealing experiment.

Learn More: Penguin Dry Ice

23. Sink or Float Experiment

If you are looking for experiments with water that will keep kids cool and entertained on a hot day, try out this food floating activity. Students will use different fruits and vegetables to see if it floats on water or sinks to the bottom.

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24. Learning About Arches

Students can learn about how heavy-weight objects such as cars on a bridge are supported through arches. This activity will have students test out different types of arches to see which one holds the most weight.

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25. Heat Changing Colored Slime

This unique experiment requires very specific materials, but when purchased will lead to a really cool science experiment. Students will love learning about thermodynamics and how heat can change the color of certain materials.

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26. Homemade Marble Run

Using household materials, create a track for marbles using only objects your kids find in the house or in the classroom. This activity can also be done by purchasing PVC pipes or other more traditional track materials. Your kids will love testing out different types of marble runs and seeing how it impacts the time it takes the marble to complete it.

27. Candy Bar Sink or Float Activity

Students can use their favorite tasty treats to make predictions on whether their candy will sink or float. This would be a great activity to complete at home or in the classroom during the Halloween season.

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28. Ice Hockey Puck Friction Experiment

In this activity, students will use different flat circular items like bottle caps and coins to determine which materials make the best ice hockey puck. This activity will help students learn about friction. This is a great experiment for an icy winter day.

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29. Transfer of Momentum Basketball Activity

For a quick science activity during recess or on a sunny day, have students use different-sized balls to learn about momentum. Students will have so much fun playing and learning at the same time.

Learn more: Frugal Fun 4 Boys

30. Pumpkin Boats 

Have students learn about buoyancy and density in this fun pumpkin challenge. Students can make different-sized pumpkin boats and then make predictions about whether or not their pumpkin boat will sink or float.

Learn More: The Preschool Toolbox

31. Air Resistance Experiment

Using differently sized and types of pieces of paper, students will learn about air resistance as they drop the different pieces of paper from high up and watch them fall. Have students time how long their paper took to hit the ground and what they learned about air resistance.

Learn More: Little Bins For Little Hands

32. Growing Pumpkins Inside of Pumpkins

While this is more of a biology and ecology activity, students of all ages will love learning about nature and caring for their very own pumpkin. Students can experiment in different growing conditions and track the time it takes for the pumpkins to grow.

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33. How to Make a Hovercraft

Using simple household materials, students can learn about air resistance in this unique craft. Students will love creating their very own hovercraft that they can take home and practice what they learned at school back at home.

34. Forces and Motion Worksheet

Determine your students' level of understanding of force and motion with this worksheet. You can use this as a pre or post-unit assessment to see what your students already understand and what they still need to learn.

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35. St. Patrick's Day Balloon Rockets

This holiday-themed activity is a great way to teach students about air resistance and acceleration. Kids will attach their balloons to a track on a string and let go to watch their balloons quickly move along the track.

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36. Marshmallow Shooter

Your students will love this silly activity that incorporates a favorite sweet treat and a unique contraption. The marshmallow will go flying through the air and students will notice how the force of the pull impacts the motion of the marshmallow.

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37. Gravity and Magnetism Science Experiment

This exciting activity will have your students wanting to learn more about magnetism and how it works! Simply use a large magnet and paper clips to demonstrate how magnetism counteracts gravity.

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38. Magic Toothpick Star Experiment

Students will watch in awe as this science experiment seems to create magic. With simple materials like toothpicks and water, students will learn about the properties of liquids and how they impact solids.

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39. Water Powered Bottle Rocket

Bottle rockets are a fun science experiment to bring the science classroom outdoors . Students will love learning about pressure and how it impacts the velocity of an item. You can even have your students decorate their own rockets!

40. Surface Tension Experiment

Surface tension is a unique concept that students will experience in their life. Using dish soap and pepper, students will watch as the pepper seems to magically move away from them.

41. Magnetic Levitation Activity

For another magical seeming activity, attach some magnets to a surface. Then poke a pencil (or another object) through the circular magnets. Your students will be amazed as they watch the power of magnetism making your pencil seemingly float!

Learn More: Arvin D. Gupta Toys

42. Friction Ramp

Students can learn all about friction between different objects in this easy-to-set-up experiment. Have students make equal-sized "cars" made of different materials. Then students will watch as they see which cars move and which ones fail to budge.

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43. Walking on Eggs

Students will love this seemingly sneaky activity where they walk on a carton filled with eggs. Your students can make predictions as to why the eggs don't break and reflect on their knowledge of arches.

Learn More: Playdough To Plato

44. Rubber Band Powered Car

This adorable craft will teach your students about force and how when force is applied, there is motion. Students can also try to see which rubber band car will move the farthest and go the fastest.

45. Making a Water Wheel

An at-home or in-classroom water wheel is a great activity to replicate how water powers vehicles and creates power. Your students will love seeing how their creations allow for movement to occur.

Learn More: Deceptively Educational

46. DIY Pulley Physics

This pulley system will show your students that simple machines aren't always so simple. Using whatever materials your students can find and some string, they can create intricate pulley systems along your classroom walls. This would make a great display for the entire school year.

Learn More: The Homeschool Scientist

47. How to Make an Orange Sink or Swim

Your students will watch in awe as they learn that they can change the density and buoyancy of an object by slightly altering the object. All you will need is an orange, a jar, and some water! This is an easy experiment to have all of your students partake in.

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48. Paper Airplane Test

Paper airplanes have been around for a very long time! Your students can test out different designs to see which shape of the paper airplane will fly the furthest and which shape will stay in the air the longest. The designs can include different materials as well as differently folded airplanes. This activity would make for a great classroom competition!

Learn More: Feels Like Home

49. Rising Water Experiment

Water experiments in the classroom can be so much fun! This activity will teach your students how fire can impact water and make it rise.  Your students will love watching what seems like magic! Since this activity includes fire, it requires close adult supervision.

50. Physics Mystery Bag Challenge

This unique physics activity has students work in groups to solve a physics mystery. Each group of students receives the same bag of mystery items and is told what type of machine they need to create. The challenge is that there are no instructions. Using the items, students will compete to see which group creates the best of the designated machine.

Learn More: Teaching Highschool Math

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Middle and High School Students to Explore Careers in STEM Fields at SUNY Potsdam

Suny potsdam hosts students from across the region and nyc for exploration of careers in stem, sponsored by arconic.

Middle and high school students from across the region and New York City will be immersed in STEM activities at SUNY Potsdam this fall, including exploring insects under the microscope and more than 20 other activities.

SUNY Potsdam is hosting approximately 600 middle and high school students from across the North Country and even from New York City this fall, for the College’s Careers in STEM Events, sponsored by Arconic.

Students will get the chance to choose from hands-on activities, learning from faculty and students in SUNY Potsdam’s programs in science, technology, mathematics and the health sciences .

The participating districts include Beaver River, Canton, Lisbon, Madrid-Waddington, Norwood-Norfolk, Parishville-Hopkinton, Potsdam and St. Lawrence central schools, as well as Ellis Preparatory Academy in the Bronx. The first event was held on Oct. 27, with more visits planned for Friday, Nov. 3 and Tuesday, Nov. 28.

The goal of the unique field trips is to expose young people to opportunities in the STEM fields, working in the College’s laboratories and science facilities alongside faculty and current students. Participants can choose from more than 20 different activity sessions—exploring paleontology fossils, using digital microscopy to view insects, yeasts and chloroplasts, taking in a planetarium show or a chemistry “magic” show, drawing fractal trees in JavaScript, completing an exercise performance test, trying our species’ oldest hunting techniques with the atlatl, planting seedlings using aeroponic tower gardens, learning about wilderness survival decision-making, visiting the biology animal lab, and much more.

SUNY Potsdam is hosting 600 middle and high school students for a series of Careers in STEM Events, sponsored by Arconic. Seen here is a photo from last fall’s inaugural event.

Visiting high school students take part in activities in the exercise science lab at last year’s first Careers in STEM Event at SUNY Potsdam. More events are planned for Nov. 3 and 28.

A free lunch with trivia will be hosted for all participants, thanks to the generous support of Arconic . There will be a discussion about careers in STEM, followed by a raffle.

All sessions will be held in SUNY Potsdam’s laboratories and science facilities, including the newly renovated labs and museum in Timerman and Stowell Hall, as well as the WISER Greenhouse .

The Careers in STEM Event is just one of several educational outreach events that SUNY Potsdam faculty and staff have developed over the past year. The College also hosts professional development workshops for area K-12 educators, along with ongoing field trip opportunities to expose young people to a range of fields of study and advanced facilities firsthand.

About SUNY Potsdam: Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu

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Alexandra jacobs wilke, you also might be interested in:, suny potsdam welcomes brent parker as new vice president for business affairs, suny potsdam launches new career-ready computer science degree concentrations, crane school of music honors music of gregoria karides suchy in centennial concerts.

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• university of new orleans
• campus news
• uno biology professor nicola anthony helps train conservation scientists

CAMPUS NEWS: NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Conservation scientists, uno biology professor nicola anthony helps train conservation scientists via field school in central africa.

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University of New Orleans biology professor Nicola Anthony, far left first row in blue, conducted research in Gabon, Africa as part of a field training school. This photo was taken in front of the mayor’s office in Lastourville.

This past summer University of New Orleans biological sciences professor Nicola Anthony immersed herself in the culture and ecology of the tropical forest and rural villages in the central African country of Gabon as part of a research field school aimed at training the next generation of conservation scientists.   For three weeks, Anthony helped lead a group of international scientists and students in the field-based biodiversity research program organized through ECOTROP, the Ecole de Terrain en Ecologie Tropicale.

ECOTROP is a field training program in tropical ecology supported through Anthony’s endowment and by an 11-member consortium, of which UNO is a member. Funding and technical support are also provided through the Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, University of Omar Bongo and National Park service in Gabon, and the French Research Institute for Development and Agricultural Research for International Development.

Anthony holds the University of New Orleans Freeport-McMoran Chair in Wildlife Sustainability. She is also a member of the steering committee of the newly founded Congo Basin Science Initiative that aims to promote conservation and education across the region.

Gabon is dominated by tropical forests and is an important stronghold for many forest mammals, Anthony said.

“The goal of the field school is really to provide students with training in what we might refer to as biodiversity sciences or field-based biodiversity sciences,” Anthony said. “So, we have different working groups focused on different aspects of biodiversity and the environment.”

The school is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in various fields such as the study, management and conservation of biodiversity, geology, geography, soil sciences, archaeology and environmental anthropology.

The overall research goal of this project is to understand how past human history has affected current levels of biodiversity. Specifically, the team hypothesizes that former village sites may promote biodiversity through greater soil fertility and the deliberate planting of beneficial trees.

Last summer, Anthony said, there were four main research groups: An archaeological group that examined human history in caves around Lastourville; a soil science group that looked at the structure and composition of the soil at sites where humans were present and where humans were absent; an ethno-botany team that researched the medicinal and edible plants in the forests and interviewed villagers to find out their uses; and the wildlife group that inventoried large mammals through camera trap surveys and worked with villagers on patterns of hunting in the area.

“Basic field training in the tropics is really important because it provides people with opportunities to further their careers and it also builds greater awareness of the environment and the problems that the environment faces,” Anthony said. “It brings people to work directly with local communities and see why the work they do in the field can be important for conservation.”      

UNO graduate student Emily Bowers, who is pursuing a master’s degree in biology, participated in the field school in 2022.   “The forests in Gabon are described as the ‘last stronghold of the African forest elephant,’ and there are numerous endangered species in these forests. Learning about conservation techniques in a place that is full of biodiversity was priceless and amazing,” Bowers said. “This type of research is important because biodiversity is important to maintain healthy ecosystems on the Earth.”

The trip to Gabon was Bowers’ first trip outside of the United States, and she said she learned about Gabonese culture and bridging the gap of communication with people who did not speak the same language as she did.

“I also learned how complicated conservation issues and policies are; balancing economic issues with conservation issues is definitely a tight-rope walk,” Bowers said.

Awdrea Lysiane Ibinga Manga of Gabon participated in the school for two years—once as a student and then as a National Park representative for her country. Ibinga Manga, who arrived at UNO this fall, is looking to pursue a master’s degree in biology.

“This field school allowed me to make the decision to continue my studies in biology,” said Ibinga Manga, who wants to pursue a career as a conservation biologist and focus on biodiversity in her country.

Anthony, who has been a part of field research schools in Gabon for two decades, said she appreciates the natural beauty of the area and the welcoming nature of the people of Doume, the isolated village located along the Ogooué River where most of their research takes place.

“We camp in the village, and we spend a lot of time interacting with the people who live there,” Anthony said. “It allows you to appreciate how other people live their lives. Not everyone has the privilege, in my opinion, of living in a Gabonese village and learning about their culture and relationship with the forest.”

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