8th grade science research projects

32 Exciting 8th Grade Science Fair Project Ideas

Welcome to the world of scientific exploration! The 8th grade science fair is an exciting opportunity for you to showcase your curiosity and creativity while delving into the fascinating realm of science.

In this crucial stage of your academic journey, you have the chance to select a project that not only interests you but also contributes to our understanding of the world around us.

Whether you’re passionate about biology, chemistry, physics, or any other scientific discipline, this is your chance to ask questions, conduct experiments, and make discoveries.

We will explore some intriguing 8th grade science fair project ideas to inspire your scientific journey and help you embark on an exciting research adventure.

Solar-Powered Devices :

Investigate the efficiency of different materials in harnessing solar energy to power everyday devices. You can build small solar panels using various materials like glass, plastic, or aluminum foil and measure their energy output. This project will not only promote sustainable energy but also give you insight into the world of renewable resources.

The Impact of Music on Plant Growth :

Explore the effects of music on the growth of plants. Set up an experiment where you expose plants to different genres of music and monitor their growth over time. This project delves into biology and psychology, as you can research how sound vibrations affect plant growth and the potential benefits of music therapy.

Water Purification Techniques :

Test and compare various water purification methods, such as filtration, distillation, and chemical treatments, to determine which one is the most effective in removing contaminants. This project addresses important environmental and health concerns, providing valuable insights into the purification of drinking water. Related: 100 Helpful Science Fair Project Questions

The Science Behind Slime :

Dive into the world of chemistry by examining the properties and behavior of slime. You can experiment with different slime recipes, altering ingredients like borax, glue, and water to create various textures and consistencies. Investigate the chemical reactions at play and the impact of these variations on the final product.

The Physics of Roller Coasters :

Design and build a small-scale roller coaster to demonstrate key physics concepts such as potential and kinetic energy, friction, and gravity. Test different factors like track height and loop size to understand how they influence the coaster’s speed and safety. This project combines engineering and physics principles, making it both educational and thrilling.

Microbial Mystery :

Investigate the microbial diversity in different environments. Collect samples from various locations, such as soil, water, or even your own hands, and use petri dishes to culture the microorganisms. You can then examine and identify the types of bacteria or fungi present. This project provides insights into microbiology and the importance of microbial communities in ecosystems.

Wind Turbine Efficiency :

Explore the efficiency of wind turbines in generating electricity. Design and build small-scale wind turbines using different blade designs and materials. Measure and compare their power output under varying wind conditions. This project delves into renewable energy sources and engineering principles.

Magnetic Levitation :

Investigate the principles of magnetic levitation (maglev) and build a simple maglev system. Explore how magnets and magnetic fields can be used to make objects levitate and move without friction. This project combines physics and engineering concepts, offering a glimpse into cutting-edge transportation technology.

Candle Burning and Oxygen Consumption :

Study the relationship between the burning of candles and the consumption of oxygen. Design an experiment to measure the amount of oxygen consumed when candles of different sizes and compositions burn. This project ties chemistry and biology together, exploring combustion and its effects on the environment.

Food Preservation Methods :

Test various food preservation methods like canning, drying, and refrigeration to determine which is most effective in preventing food spoilage. You can use different types of food items and monitor their freshness over time. This project is not only relevant to everyday life but also provides insights into food science and microbiology. Related: 20 Exciting First Day of School Science Activities

Effect of Smartphone Usage on Sleep Patterns :

Investigate the impact of smartphone usage before bedtime on sleep quality and duration. Conduct surveys and collect data on participants’ sleep patterns and smartphone usage habits. Analyze the correlation between screen time and sleep disturbances, shedding light on the effects of technology on our health.

Water pH and Plant Health :

Explore how varying levels of water pH affect the growth and health of plants. Create a series of solutions with different pH levels and water plants with them. Monitor the plants’ growth, appearance, and overall health over time. This project combines chemistry and biology, illustrating the importance of pH in agriculture.

The Physics of Paper Airplanes:

Explore the principles of aerodynamics by designing and testing different paper airplane designs. Investigate how factors like wing shape, size, and weight distribution affect flight distance and stability. This project combines physics and engineering, offering a fun and hands-on approach to understanding flight.

The Science of Chocolate :

Dive into the world of food science by examining the properties of chocolate. Investigate how temperature and ingredients affect the melting point, texture, and taste of chocolate. This project allows you to explore chemistry and culinary arts while satisfying your sweet tooth.

Electromagnetic Fields and Plant Growth :

Explore the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on plant growth. Set up an experiment where plants are exposed to various levels of EMFs generated by common household devices like microwaves or cell phones. Monitor the plants’ growth and health to determine if EMFs have any noticeable impact. This project delves into physics and biology, addressing concerns about the potential effects of EMFs on the environment.

The Effect of Different Soil Types on Plant Growth :

Investigate how various soil types (e.g., clay, sand, loam) affect the growth and health of plants. Plant the same type of seeds in different soil samples and monitor their growth over time. Analyze the role of soil composition in plant development and nutrient availability.

Comparing Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Plastics :

Study the decomposition rates of biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastics in different environments. Create controlled experiments to measure how long it takes for each type of plastic to break down under various conditions (e.g., sunlight, water, soil). This project addresses environmental concerns and sustainability.

The Relationship Between Exercise and Heart Rate :

Explore the connection between physical activity and heart rate. Design an experiment in which participants engage in different types and intensities of exercise while monitoring their heart rates. Analyze how exercise impacts heart rate and overall cardiovascular health.

The Chemistry of Food Coloring :

Investigate the behavior of food coloring in different liquids, such as water, oil, and milk. Explore how temperature and pH levels affect the dispersion and mixing of food coloring. This project allows you to delve into chemistry and food science while creating colorful displays.

Astronomy: Tracking Celestial Events :

Study celestial events such as lunar phases, solar eclipses, or meteor showers. Create a project that involves observing and documenting these events over a period of time. Learn about astronomy, the movement of celestial bodies, and how they impact our planet.

Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystems :

Investigate the impact of different pollutants on water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Collect water samples from various sources (e.g., ponds, rivers, or streams) and test for parameters like pH, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels. Analyze the data to understand the health of aquatic environments and the effects of pollution.

Sound Waves and Musical Instruments :

Explore the physics of sound by examining how different musical instruments produce distinct tones. Create a project that investigates the relationship between factors like instrument shape, materials, and tension on the pitch and quality of sounds produced. This project combines physics and music appreciation.

The Science of Soap Bubbles :

Delve into the world of chemistry and surface tension by studying soap bubbles. Experiment with different soap solutions and investigate how additives like glycerin or sugar affect bubble formation, size, and longevity. Explore the scientific principles behind the colorful patterns seen in soap bubbles.

Weather Patterns and Climate Change :

Analyze weather data over an extended period to identify trends and potential impacts of climate change in your region. Gather information on temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events. Present your findings to raise awareness about climate science and its relevance.

The Impact of Fertilizers on Plant Growth :

Conduct an experiment to determine how various types of fertilizers affect plant growth and health. Use different fertilizers with varying nutrient compositions and apply them to plants. Monitor and measure the growth and overall condition of the plants to draw conclusions about the effectiveness and environmental impact of fertilizers.

The Effect of Temperature on Battery Life :

Investigate how temperature impacts the performance of batteries. Set up an experiment where you test the lifespan and voltage output of batteries in different temperature conditions, ranging from hot to cold. This project delves into both physics and engineering, with real-world applications in electronics.

Antibacterial Properties of Natural Substances :

Explore the antibacterial properties of common natural substances, such as honey, garlic, or vinegar. Create cultures of bacteria and test the effectiveness of these substances in inhibiting bacterial growth. This project combines biology and health science, addressing the potential uses of natural remedies.

Static Electricity and Its Applications :

Study the principles of static electricity and its practical applications. Build various electrostatic generators and explore how they can be used for charging objects, such as the electrophorus or the Van de Graaff generator. This project combines physics and engineering, demonstrating the power of static electricity.

The Impact of Soil Erosion on Landscapes :

Investigate the effects of soil erosion on different types of landscapes. Create simulated erosion conditions and observe how soil erosion affects terrain, vegetation, and water quality. Analyze the importance of soil conservation and erosion control methods in environmental science.

Comparing LED and Incandescent Light Bulbs :

Explore the efficiency and energy consumption of LED and incandescent light bulbs. Set up experiments to measure factors such as brightness, heat generation, and energy usage for each type of bulb. This project delves into physics and energy conservation, showcasing the advantages of energy-efficient lighting. Related: 20 Fun Nerf Gun Science Experiments

Recommended:

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Sohaib Hasan Shah

Sohaib's journey includes 10+ years of teaching and counseling experience at BCSS School in elementary and middle schools, coupled with a BBA (Hons) with a minor in Educational Psychology from Curtin University (Australia) . In his free time, he cherishes quality moments with his family, reveling in the joys and challenges of parenthood. His three daughters have not only enriched his personal life but also deepened his understanding of the importance of effective education and communication, spurring him to make a meaningful impact in the world of education.

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All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

75 Science Fair Projects for 8th Graders

Are you looking for an intriguing eighth grade science fair project? We've got you covered with this carefully selected list of science fair projects specifically for eighth graders.

8th Grade Science Fair Project FAQ

What are some easy 8th grade science fair projects.

Each one of these easy science fair projects is ideal for eighth grade science students to learn important scientific concepts using readily available materials. These are terrific project ideas to get 8th grade students interested in science and have fun doing it!

Static Electricity: What's Attracting?

The Effect of Temperature on Fingerprints

Soap and Surface Tension

Bicycle Helmet Shock Absorption

Glowing in the Dark

Growing Plants from Fragmentation

Extracting DNA from Onions

Temperature and Solubility

Viewing Sunspots

Bacteria on Chopping Boards

Science fair project details right above the FAQ!

What is the best 8th grade science project ever?

We think the Extracting DNA from Onions science fair project is awesome for middle school students! This science project aims to demystify DNA by showing how easy it is to extract from onions and what DNA looks like when it's outside of the cell. It's a classic science experiment to learn about DNA and how DNA can be extracted from many kinds of cells. Check out the video on the project page where DNA is extracted from strawberries too! What other fruits and vegetables can you extract DNA from?

If you're looking for more 8th grade science projects, check out the 8th grade science fair projects at the top of this page! 

Check out more Best Science Fair Projects →

What are some cool 8th grade science fair projects?

Get ready to be amazed by these super cool science projects for 8th graders! With just a few common items, get ready for have tons of fun with a cool science fair project!

Soap Bubbles in Carbon Dioxide

Exploring Cave Formations

Busting Acne Bacteria

What are 5 testable questions for 8th grade?

A testable question is a question that we can answer through a science experiment. To do this, we do a control science experiment, then we change one thing in the experiment to see how it affects what happens. This is how we can discover the answer to our question! Eighth grade science students can use the following testable questions for a science fair project.

Do detergents affect plant growth?

Can drink and food taste different just by changing its color?

Does the color of light affect photosynthesis?

Does temperature affect seed sprouting?

What makes popcorn pop?

Here are more testable questions along with their science projects →

What are the top 10 science projects for 8th grade?

These are our top 10 science projects for 8th grade, with projects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and Environmental Science. These projects can be used as science fair project ideas or as a fun experiment to explore different areas of science!

Testing Fabric Types for Water Resistance

The Greenhouse Effect

Science project details right above the FAQ!

Can I do a 8th grade science fair project in a day?

Yes! Quick experiments or making a model can be a great option for a science fair project! Since you're short on time, they all use readily available materials. Here are quick science fair project ideas to get you started.

The Solar System: See it in the correct scale!

Create your own solar system model to scale on the sidewalk and take a walk through space! Solar System Scale Model on the Sidewalk

Chromatography reaction: Separating out colors!

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Let's find out by using chromatography to separate the colors of a green leaf! Uncovering Fall Colors

Heat reactions: Heat speeds things up!

Does the temperature of a room affect how quickly a candle burns? Burn Rate of a Candle

What are some hands-on ways to find inspiration for my science fair project?

There may be free admission days or free passes to a science museum near you! Check your local library for free museum passes, nearby science museums for free entrance days and your credit card for offers.

Find a science museum near you and prepare to be awed by all that you can learn there! I always learn something new and am inspired whenever I go to a science museum!

How do I start a science fair project?

What should I do after I have a science fair project idea?

How do I make a science fair board?

What is the scientific method?

What is the engineering design process?

Where can I find a science fair competition?

The www Virtual Library: Science Fairs website also has a collection of science fairs from all over the world, as well as national, state, regional, local, and virtual competitions!

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The Best 8th Grade Science Fair Projects

Rebecca Gray October 1, 2020 STEM Projects

8th Grade Science Fair Projects – Don’t make it harder than it has to be!

It’s happened. Your eighth-grader brought home an assignment that can strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere.  It’s true. The science fair is upon us.  The teacher has given them a lengthy rubric outlining all the requirements and presentation methods their assignment must adhere to.  The scope of the project is enough to make your head spin if this isn’t something you’ve already done with them in 7th grade.  The hardest part for most middle-school students is selecting age-appropriate science experiments that can be completed independently.

Hark! Fear not brave parents, for choosing an 8th-grade science project doesn’t need to be scary or overly complicated. Your rookie scientist just needs to find a question (hypothesis) that they really want to answer. Being interested in the outcome (conclusion) of their own project is an important part of getting them to do the work willingly rather than begrudgingly.

Check out some of the best 8th-grade science fair projects we’ve found to get your budding researcher’s wheels moving! (And don’t forget your trusty lab notebook to record methods and observations!):

1. How Does Stress Affect Body Temperature?

• Thermometer

How it’s done:

This project could illustrate why your student literally sweats that math test every week. Have your volunteers perform a timed math test or a series of difficult puzzles.  Take their temperature before and immediately after the high-stress activity, record, and compare! Did your volunteers stay cool under pressure? How  did stress affect their temperature regulation ?

2. Which Beverages Release the Most Gas?

• Baking Soda
• Heating Pad
• Bottles with narrow necks

When is a balloon actually a belch?  In this project of course!  Pour equal amounts of different beverages into individual bottles and add vinegar (to act like our stomach acids).  Placing the bottles on a heating pad will speed up this “mock digestion”.  One of the properties of gas states that gases expand to fill their container.  Expanding gases will inflate the balloons that have been stretched over the opening of the bottle, visually illustrating  which beverage releases the most gas !

3. What Effects Do Carbonated Drinks Have on Meat?

• 3 types of meat (i.e. steak, chicken, salmon)
• 3 containers
• 6 cans of carbonated soda

Did you know soda has a similar pH level to the human stomach? So soda should be able to digest meat as our stomachs do, right?  To test this hypothesis, place each different meat into a container and cover it completely with soda.  Observe the meat over several days.  Record observations.  Students can even weigh the meat before/after the experiment to include quantitative data along with their visual observations. Read more about why  this science project  works the way it does!

4. Create an Optical Illusion With an Infinity Mirror

• Cardboard box
• Mirror (same shape as the container)
• Mirrored window cling
• LED Christmas lights
• A sheet of plexiglass or acrylic
• Cutting tool

Mirror, mirror on the wall – Are you a mirror or a never-ending hall? Your student will create an optical illusion with some inexpensive and basic supplies.  Use adhesive to secure the mirror to the floor of the box.  LED bulbs are inserted through holes in the walls of the box.  The visual trickery lies in the mirrored window cling viewing window.  Check out this  optical illusion  in greater detail!

5. Can We Distill Saltwater With Solar Power?

• 2 plastic containers
• 25 mL graduated cylinder
• 800 mL beaker
• Modeling Clay
• 2 5mL funnels
• Flexible straws
• Steel washers
• Rubber bands
• Plastic Wrap

When ocean water evaporates, the salt is left behind. Collect this desalinated water with a simple DIY contraption. Containers of saltwater placed in the sunshine will begin to evaporate.  Cling wrap will cover the containers to collect evaporation. Use the heavy washers on top of the cling wrap to guide droplets of evaporated water down a gentle slope into the funnel.  The funnel and straw will empty into a waiting cup.  Cover the cup so no freshwater evaporates!  Check out a detailed assembly of the  water distiller !

6. Are Our Fingerprints Inherited?

• Paper Towel
• Tracing paper
• White paper
• Magnifying glass
• Volunteers – 15 pairs of siblings, 15 pairs of unrelated individuals

Volunteers can touch tracing paper that’s been heavily scribbled on with pencil.  Place the index finger onto the sticky side of a piece of tape. That piece of tape now holds a clear fingerprint!  Using the magnifying glass, compare the fingerprints of siblings and non-related volunteers and record. Are they the same pattern? Read up on  fingerprints  to feel like a real detective!

7. Owl Pellet Fossil Reconstruction

• Owl Pellet (available online)
• Clean paper
• Tweezers, needles, and/or wooden probes to deconstruct pellet
• Owl Pellet Bone Chart
• Small papers to separate bones and waste between

Owl pellets (think cat hairball) hold evidence of an owl’s most recent meal. Gently use tweezers, needles, or wooden probes to separate the owl pellet into four quarters.  Carefully pick the quarters apart, and set aside the animal bones on a separate sheet of paper. Think of it like a treasure hunt – a really gross treasure hunt.  Use a  bone chart  to reconstruct and identify the animal found in the pellet.

8. How Does Color Affect Heating? A Look at Light Absorption

• 6-8 identical glass jars
• 6-8 pieces of colored construction paper
• Timer or clock
• Drill for making holes in jar lids

Wrap each jar with construction paper.  Fill each jar with equal amounts of room temperature water.  Take an initial temperature reading, and then another after each jar has been sitting beneath the heat source for an amount of time (i.e. – 30 minutes).  Record your observations, and decide if there is a particular color that absorbed more light/heat! Read about the  science behind this project  in depth.

9. Homemade Hand Warmers

• Jelly crystals
• Iron Fillings
• Calcium Chloride
• Zipper-Lock Bag

You may find yourself repeating  this project  for a cold night of trick-or-treating or winter caroling.  Fill the small cup with water and ¼ tsp. of the jelly crystals.  Allow time for water absorption.  Add iron fillings and Calcium Chloride to the bag.  Manipulate the bag to mix ingredients.  Feel the heat!  You can add numerical data to this experiment by taking the temperature of the polymer beads throughout the experiment.

10. What Makes a Diaper Absorb Moisture?

• New baby diaper
• Zipper-lock bag
• Small plastic cup

It’s probably been a while since you had diapers in your house if you’re helping your 8th grader with homework.  You can use scissors to open the diaper.  You’ll collect polymer powder from the diaper’s stuffing into a cup.  Pour water over and watch as the polymer gels.  You can increase the research level of  this project  by comparing diaper brands and measuring the water quantities each diaper can hold.

11. What Door Handle in the School Holds the Most Bacteria?

• Bacteria growing kit (Petri dishes with agar)
• Sterile cotton swabs

Try to talk your kid out of wearing gloves to school for the rest of the year after completing  this project .  Using sterile swabs, sample 5 dirty doorknobs at the middle school. Rub the swab in the petri dish, cover, label, and date. Get ready to be grossed out.  Observe the Petri dishes over the next few days and keep detailed records of the growth.  Which door handle hid the most bacteria?

12. Why Do We Need Tendons? Engineering a Bionic Hand

• ¾ inch dowel rod
• 1-inch X 4-inch pine plank
• 5 bags of small screw eyes (eyelets)
• 2 rolls of nylon string
• Wide rubber bands
• 1 open eyelet
• White spray paint
• ¾ inch sheetrock screws (x2)
• Basic power tools used under close adult supervision (grinder, jig saw drill press)

This experiment will make your child feel like Tony Stark, and teach them a bit about human anatomy.  You’ll cut and grind dowel rods to make mock “bone segments”.  Eyelets are inserted into bone segments where “tendons” and “ligaments” (string) will attach.  Spray paint all the bone segments white, for an authentic skeleton look.  The pine plank makes up the palm/wrist area.  Assembling this bionic hand  will earn you a high five from your teacher.

13. Which Mouthwash is Most Effective at Killing Bacteria?

• Multiple brands of mouthwash
• Petri dishes with agar for growing bacteria
• Sterile swabs

We predict your child will better about dental hygiene after this science project.   Swab the inside of your student’s mouth a couple of hours after eating, and apply the sample to the petri dish. Use the mouthwash according to the label, rinse with water, then take a second sample with a new swab.  Be sure to label each dish carefully. Repeat for each mouthwash type and compare bacterial growth. Try not to be grossed out, and determine  which brand of mouthwash works the best!

14. Can Caffeine Make Us Faster Typists?

• Caffeinated beverage
• A decaffeinated beverage (soda or coffee)
• Word Processing Program
• Test Subjects

Volunteers will type: “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.” as many times as possible in one minute after ingesting a non-caffeinated beverage. Repeat the timed typing exercise after a decaffeinated beverage. Keep your volunteers in the dark about which beverage is caffeinated!

Editor’s note:  Let us know how  this project  works out – We might need to install a new coffee machine in the office for faster blog posting!

15. Can we see sound?

• Uncooked rice
• Plastic wrap
• Sound source (Speaker, Pots and Pans, etc)

When your teenager blasts their music, it can feel like they’re banging on your brain!  Show them  how those sound waves look .  This project lets us visually see the movement of grains of rice created by sound waves from loud noise nearby.  You can use pots and pans or a stereo speaker as a sound source.

16. Investigating the effects of external stimuli on carnivorous plant digestion

• 3 Dionaea muscipula of similar size
• Small crickets (available at any pet store)
• 3 temperature controlled locations
• Thermometers

Plants straight out of a science fiction movie  are enough to make any student interested in this project!  You’ll look at external stimuli effects on the digestion time of the Venus flytrap.  Plants are placed in locations where temperatures can be monitored and controlled.  “Feed” the plant a cricket.  After the plant snaps shut, monitor how many days each plant spends digesting the insects.  Do warmer temperatures speed up digestion?  Make sure your student doesn’t try to feed their little brother to the plant.

17. Determining the Iodide content of different types of salt.

• Plastic cups
• 100mL graduated cylinder
• Distilled water
• Laundry starch solution
• Iodine antiseptic solution
• Medicine dropper
• 5 types of salt
• Hydrogen peroxide solution

Tell your eighth grader there’s no reason for them to be ‘salty’ about a little hard work.   This project  is inexpensive and has a short observation.  First, create a solution of distilled water, laundry starch, and iodine.  Stir and set aside.  Mix salt and distilled water and stir. Add 15mL of vinegar, then 15 mL of hydrogen peroxide.  Add 2.5 mL of the starch solution you set aside. Repeat these steps with each salt. What colors are you seeing?

18. What material blocks UV light most efficiently?

• UV reactive beads (available at most craft stores or online)
• Ultraviolet lightbulb (or a sunny day)
• Sunglasses, UV protecting clothing,sunglasses, sunblock, umbrella

This project will have your teenager arguing a little less about wearing sunblock on the next family vacation.  UV reactive beads change from white to vibrant colors when exposed to UV light.  You can coat the beads with sunblock, place them under sunglasses or UV protectant clothing, and compare the color changes.  You can compare sunscreen brands or SPF levels with this project.  Check out  these UV sensitive beads  in action.

19. How much electromagnetic radiation is emitted during cell phone use?

• Working cell phone
• Measuring tape
• Radio frequency meter

Is your teen obsessed with their cell phone?  This experiment  may make them hesitate to send that next text!  Use the radio frequency meter to test the electromagnetic radiation power emitted from all sides of the phone when a call is coming in, as well as when a text message is coming in.  Record the data, and analyze when complete. Does the amount of power differ when calling or texting? Does it decrease with distance?

20. What makes ice melt fastest?

• Ice cubes – same shape and size
• Glass bowls
• Calcium chloride (available at local hardware stores)

Is your science fair student old enough to shovel the walk this winter?  They could use this experiment to go the extra mile in de-icing the walk to the mailbox. Place the same number of ice cubes into separate bowls.  Apply each melting material to the ice.  Observe the melting ice.  Which bowl melts first? Record your results in your lab notebook.   Repeat the experiment  several times for accurate results.

21. Engineering earthquake-safe skyscrapers – Which design is the most stable

• Lego bricks
• 10X10 lego base plate
• Rubber balls
• Smartphone and Google’s free science journal app (It has an accelerometer feature.)

Are you an architect?  See if your structure designs can withstand the seismic activity of your shake-table.  Sandwiching four rubber balls between two sheets of plexiglass with rubber bands forms the base of a shake table that acts like an earthquake. Test the structural integrity of lego skyscrapers of different sizes and shapes.   This project  utilizes a cool (and free) Google feature called the “Science Journal App”.

22. Can you extract and store your own DNA?

• Isopropyl Alcohol (95% concentration) chilled in the freezer
• Liquid dish soap
• Wooden skewer

Sparking an interest in forensic pathology could start with this  crazy cool project .  First, create a saline solution with distilled water and salt.  Swish it around in your mouth for thirty seconds.  Spit it back into the paper cup and pour a bit into the test tube.  You’ll add a couple drops of liquid dish soap, some isopropyl alcohol, and voila! A milky white thread of DNA appears suspended in the test tube, ready to be wound around a wooden skewer.  You can freeze it in a vial for indefinite preservation!

23. Which soil type is most fertile for seed growth?

• 4-6 different soil types
• Easy-to-grow-seeds like beans
• Small pots or jars
• Paper towels
• Plastic bag

This project is simple and inexpensive  but may take a few weeks to track.  Start seeds in a ziplock bag between layers of damp paper towels.  Transfer seeds carefully to jars of soil.  Be sure to water them equally, and place them in a location where they have access to even amounts of sunlight.  Track and record plant height and appearance over several weeks and compare.

24. Create your own pH level test strips.

• Food processor
• Red cabbage
• Pot and burner
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Coffee Filters

Creating their own testing supplies  ups your scientist from rookie to novice! Add chopped red cabbage and boiling water to a food processor.  Give it a good whir, and then strain the mixture.  In a bowl, combine cabbage mixture and alcohol.  Dip the coffee filters into the solution and soak them.  Remove them to dry.  Cut dry filters into strips and store in a dry place for use in awesome future science projects!

25. Can simple plants protect landscapes from soil erosion?

• 6 empty 2-liter bottles
• 1 piece of plywood
• Plant seedlings

This project  shows your child how important vegetation is to keep the shape of our landscapes.  This is a great experiment if heavy rains are a part of your everyday landscape.  Create three different soil situations inside the two liters.  Pouring water through the two liters and into a waiting catch basin shows us how much soil erodes with water/rain, and how plants offer some protection from erosion.

26. Do breath mints actually cool your mouth?

• Strong breath mints
• 250 mL beaker
• Bottled water

The cool, minty feeling of a breath mint can’t just be an illusion, right?   Test the theory !  Add breath mints to room temperature water.  Stir gently for ten seconds.  Take the temperature of the water every 30 seconds for four minutes.  Record and compare the temperatures.  Is it really cooling your mouth?  You could offer the judges at the science fair a breath mint during your cool science presentation!

27. What is leaf chromatography?

• Soft, fresh, green leaves (spinach will work)
• Food processor (or mortar and pestle)

You’ll be amazed at the different colored pigments hiding in a green leaf.  Grind your green leaves into a pulp.  Add some isopropyl alcohol to cover the pulp.  Dip the coffee filter strip in until just the end touches the liquid.  As colors climb the coffee filter, they’ll separate.  Wait until the liquid has climbed to the top, then remove.  You can analyze and even identify the types of pigments on the strip such as  chlorophyll, carotenoids, and xanthophylls .

28. Which plants can resist the poison of a Black Walnut Tree?

• Radish seeds
• Young tomato plants
• Black Walnut hulls
• Measuring cup
• Plastic storage containers
• Cooking pot
• Potting soil

It’s a little known fact that Black Walnut Trees produce a substance known as “juglone” that is toxic to surrounding vegetation through  a process called allelopathy .  It’s a pretty dark defense mechanism.  By boiling the black walnut hulls, you can create a juglone contaminated water source and observe its effects on other plants.  You may have a botanist on your hands by the time it’s over!

29. Can a parabola improve wireless signal for at-home learning?

• A 20 x 15 cm piece of corrugated cardboard
• 20 x 25 cm piece of thin cardboard
• Aluminum foil
• Metric ruler
• Poster board
• Wireless Router
• A program that analyzes the strength of your wireless signal

This project can be helpful for students participating in virtual learning on a weak wireless signal.  Download  Sciencebuddies.org’s Parabolic Reflector Template  to begin this project.  Print and cut! This template will help you create a concave, aluminum foil covered parabolic reflector.  The reflector, when placed on the antennae of a wireless router, can be adjusted to increase or decrease signal strength. Perhaps  this project will help your family share the internet .

30. Is the pH level of rainwater in urban areas more acidic than in rural areas?

• pH testing strips (full range)

Humankind’s impact on our world is not always visible, but this has the makings of  a powerful pollution project .  You may be able to use Project #25 on this list as a partner project. Collect rainwater in an area near a busy urban freeway.  Collect rainwater in a suburban area.  Collect rainwater in a rural area.  Test the pH level of multiple samples and compare.  What do the pH levels say about possible pollution in those areas?

What’s The Big Deal With Science Projects Anyway?

Every amazing discovery in our life was made by a researcher who did a science project.  Computer programs, apps, vaccines, and medicine are all products of scientists’ project results.  Make sure your budding researcher knows STEM education is the future.   Learn why STEM Education is our world’s most important asset.  And don’t forget the eye protection!

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Are you looking for science activities to do with your 8th graders? No sweat. We have you covered. Check out our list of 16 science projects and experiments that you can try with your 8th graders this month.

• Yeast Metabolism with and without Aeration | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8 Biology experiment that evaluates the effects of glucose metabolism in yeast.
• Aspirin Absorption in Carbohydrate Solutions | All-Science-Fair-Projects.com – Grades 6-8, Does aspirin absorb into the bloodstream quicker if taken with a carbohydrate food? Test aspirin dissolution in an assortment of carbohydrate solutions.
• Bacteria and Toothpaste | All-Science-Fair-Projects.com – Grades 6-8, Do you know which toothpaste cleans your teeth best? In this project, you will row bacteria from your recently brushed teeth in petri dishes to find out the answer.
• How Do Roots Grow When the Direction of Gravity Changes? | ScienceBuddies.org -Grades 6-10, Plants respond to gravity by stems that grow upward and roots that grow downward. Experiment with germinating seeds and rotate them to make up down and down up. How do you think the growing seedlings will respond?
• Hydroponics vs. Soil Growth | All-Science-Fair-Projects.com – Grades 6-8, In this project, students find out if plants grow better in soil or a hydroponic solution.
• Puppy Proportions: Your Dog’s Early Months | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Find out how a puppy’s weight, growth, and proportions change early in their lives.
• Do Migratory Birds Like It Hot? | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Pick a species of bird and determine if there is a correlation between air temperature and where and when the birds migrate.
• That’s a Real Smile! …or is it? | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Can people tell the difference between a fake smile and a real one? Gather information from dozens of volunteers to find out.
• Build a Raft Powered by Surface Tension | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-10, Learn about the properties of surface water tension, and use it to propel a raft.
• Paw Preference in Pets | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 7-10, Are animals left-handed or right-handed like humans?
• Bat Detector: Listen to the Secret Sounds of Bats | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 7-10, Study the behavior of bats to find out how do they use echolocation to catch their prey
• Saving Migratory Animals | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 7-10, They’re here today but could be gone tomorrow. Examine the migratory path of a bird species and the similarities and differences between their winter and summer habitats. Recommend which locations should be preserved to protect these species.
• Globular Clusters | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 7-10, Explore “star gangs” in the Milky Way and beyond. Globular cluster are compact groups of about a million stars that move around in galaxies. Use statistical data to learn how globular clusters help us better understand the universe.
• Demonstrating the Separation of Mixtures | Education.com – Grades 7-10, Separate recycled objects to illustrate how mixtures are created.
• Customize Your Own Drum Set! | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 7-10, Build a drum set using household materials, a computer, Scratch, and a PicoBoard. Program your drum set to create a synthesized Hip hop, rap, classical, techno, or electronic drumbeat.
• Harmful Algal Blooms in the Chesapeake Bay | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 8-12, Harmful algal blooms affect the quality of water and impact people, marine animals, and birds. Study how water quality changes before, during, and after algal blooms.

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8th Grade Science Fair Project Ideas

ThoughtCo / Lara Antal

• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

8th grade science fair projects tend to involve the scientific method and designing an experiment and not making models or explaining processes. You'll be expected to present data in the form of tables and graphs. Typed reports and posters are the norm (sorry, no handwritten text). You should do the project yourself, rather than enlist heavy-duty help from a parent or older student. It's appropriate to cite references for any information that isn't common knowledge or that draws on the work of others.

Ideas for Chemistry Projects

• Does air temperature affect how long soap bubbles last? Does relative humidity?
• What ratio of vinegar to baking soda produces the best chemical volcano eruption?
• What type of plastic wrap prevents evaporation the best?
• What plastic wrap prevents oxidation the best?
• Can a saturated solution of sodium chloride still dissolve Epsom salts?
• If you shake up different kinds or brands of soft drinks (e.g., carbonated), will they all spew the same amount?
• Do all dishwashing detergents produce the same amount of bubbles? Clean the same number of dishes?
• How permanent are permanent markers? What solvents (e.g., water, alcohol, vinegar, detergent solution) will remove the ink? Do different brands/types of markers produce the same results?
• Is laundry detergent as effective if you use less than the recommended amount? More?
• Do all hairsprays hold equally well? Equally long? Does type of hair affect the results?
• What effect do additives have on the crystals? You could add food coloring, flavorings, or other 'impurities'.
• What steps can you take to maximize crystal size ? You can affect vibration, humidity, temperature, rate of evaporation, purity of your growth medium, and time allowed for crystal growth.
• How does the pH of soil relate to the pH of the water around the soil? You can make your own pH paper , test the pH of the soil, add water, then test the pH of the water. Are the two values the same? If not, is there a relationship between them?

Ideas for Projects About Living Things

• What effect does soap in water have on plants? Is the effect the same at very low soap concentrations as compared with high concentrations?
• How much plant food is too much?
• Are dogs (cats/fish/etc.) colorblind? If so, is the lack of color perception compensated by better light/dark vision?
• What types of words do babies learn to speak first?
• Are goldfish water chemicals really necessary or are they an unneeded expense?
• Can you graft a tomato plant onto a potato plant?
• Do plants react to the presence of other plants? music? different colored light?
• Will chilling an onion before cutting it keep you from crying ?
• Does catnip repel cockroaches better than DEET ?
• What percentage of an orange is water?
• Are night insects attracted to lamps because of heat or light?
• Can you make Jello using fresh pineapples instead of canned pineapples ?
• Does the presence of detergent in water affect plant growth?
• Does magnetism affect the growth of plants?
• Do the same types of mold grow on all types of bread?
• Does light affect the rate at which foods spoil?
• Can you use a household water filter to remove flavor or color from other liquids?
• Is the nutritional content of different brands of a vegetable (e.g., canned peas) the same?
• How do different factors affect seed germination? Factors that you could test include the intensity, duration, or type of light, the temperature, the amount of water, the presence/absence of certain chemicals, or the presence/absence of soil. You can look at the percentage of seeds that germinate or the rate at which seeds germinate.
• Is a seed affected by its size? Do different size seeds have different germination rates or percentages? Does seed size affect the growth rate or final size of a plant?
• How does cold storage affect the germination of seeds? Factors you can control include the type of seeds, length of storage, temperature of storage, and other variable s, such as light and humidity.
• What conditions affect the ripening of fruit? Look at ethylene and enclosing a fruit in a sealed bag, temperature, light, or nearness to other pieces or fruit.
• How close does a plant have to be to a pesticide for it to work? What factors influence the effectiveness of a pesticide (rain? light? wind?)? How much can you dilute a pesticide while retaining its effectiveness? How effective are natural pest deterrents?

Ideas for Physical Projects

• What paper airplane design flies the farthest? stays aloft the longest?
• What soils best support structures, such as buildings?
• What materials glow under black light ? Can you use the UV light to find invisible, possibly smelly, stains in your carpet or elsewhere in your house?
• Do white candles burn at a different rate than colored candles?
• How does the shape of an ice cube affect how quickly it melts?
• Do different brands of popcorn leave different amounts of unpopped kernels?
• How accurately do egg producers measure eggs?
• How do differences in surfaces affect the adhesion of tape?
• Are all potato chips equally greasy?
• Does the power of a microwave affect how well it makes popcorn?
• Do all brands of diapers absorb the same amount of liquid? Does it matter what the liquid is (water as opposed to juice or... um.. urine)?
• How are different soils affected by erosion? You can make your own wind or water and evaluate the effects on soil. If you have access to a very cold freezer, you can look at the effects of freeze and thaw cycles.

More Science Fair Project Ideas

• Middle School Science Fair Project Ideas
• High School Science Fair Projects
• Elementary School Science Fair Projects
• Plant and Soil Chemistry Science Projects
• Chemistry Science Fair Project Ideas
• Examples of Independent and Dependent Variables
• College Science Fair Projects
• Household Product Testing Science Fair Projects
• 9th Grade Science Fair Projects
• What Glows Under Black Light?
• 7th Grade Science Fair Projects
• Environmental Science Fair Projects
• Acid & Base Science Fair Project Ideas
• 6th Grade Science Fair Projects
• 4th Grade Science Fair Projects
• Grade School Science Fair Project Ideas

149+ Great 8th Grade Science Fair Projects & Experiments

Are you an 8th-grader looking for awesome 8th grade science fair projects? If yes, we are here to give the best science fair project ideas that will not only impress your classmates and teachers but also teach you valuable scientific concepts. 

Generally, Science fairs are a fantastic opportunity for students to explore the world of science through hands-on experiments and investigations.

We’ve compiled a list of over 149 intriguing and innovative science fair project ideas and experiments for 8th graders. Whether you’re interested in biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science, there’s something here for everyone. 

So, let’s dive into the exciting world of science and discover your next winning project!

Also Read: Science Research Topics

What Is A Science Fair

Table of Contents

Students of all ages, usually from elementary school to high school, show off their science projects, and tests, or study at a science fair. It is an educational event or competition. 

The main goal of a science fair is to get kids interested in topics like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Science shows give people the chance to do hands-on science research, learn how to think critically, and share their results with a larger audience.

A science fair is to promote scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and hands-on learning among students. Students explore scientific concepts, conduct experiments, and present their findings in a structured and often competitive setting.

How A Typical Science Fair Works

If you want to know what is a procedure in a science fair project and how it works, you can follow these points. It is such as;

1. Project Selection

Students choose a scientific topic or question that interests them and design a project around it. This could involve conducting experiments, collecting data, analyzing data, or building a model or prototype.

2. Research

Students research their chosen topic to understand existing knowledge and relevant scientific principles. They may also review literature, consult with experts, and gather background information.

3. Experimentation

If their project involves experiments, students plan, conduct, and document experiments carefully. They may need to follow the scientific method, including hypothesis formulation, data collection, and analysis.

4. Data Collection

Students collect data, which often includes measurements, observations, and other relevant information. They record their findings systematically.

5. Analysis 

After collecting data, students analyze the results to draw conclusions. They may use graphs, charts, and statistics to present their findings effectively.

Students create a display board or presentation to communicate their project to others. The display typically includes key information such as the problem statement, hypothesis, methods, results, and conclusions. Visual aids, diagrams, and photographs are often used to enhance the presentation.

7. Presentation

Students present their projects to judges, teachers, fellow students, and sometimes parents or the public. They may be asked questions about their work to assess their understanding and communication skills.

Top 149+ Great 8th Grade Science Fair Projects & Experiments

The following are the best 8th grade science fair projects ideas for students. It is such as;

Best 8th Grade Science Fair Projects In Biology 

• Plant Growth with Music
• The Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity
• Comparing Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers
• Testing the Antibacterial Properties of Common Household Items
• Which Food Attracts the Most Fruit Flies?
• The Effect of Light Color on Plant Growth
• Comparing the Efficiency of Natural and Chemical Pest Repellents
• Do Plants “Breathe” at Night?
• The Impact of Temperature on Seed Germination
• Microorganisms in Your Environment

Easy 8th Grade Science Fair Projects In Chemistry 

• DIY pH Indicator
• Electrolysis of Water
• The Effect of Temperature on Crystal Growth
• Comparing the Vitamin C Content in Different Fruits
• Chemical Reactions in Cooking
• Testing the pH of Household Cleaners
• Acid Rain’s Impact on Plant Growth
• The Chemistry of Baking Soda and Vinegar
• Testing the Effect of Temperature on Battery Performance
• The Science of Lava Lamps

Cool 8th Grade Science Fair Projects In Physics 

• The Relationship Between Air Pressure and Altitude
• The Pendulum’s Period
• The Effect of Surface Texture on Friction
• Constructing a Homemade Electromagnet
• Investigating Projectile Motion
• The Physics of Sound Waves
• The Relationship Between Light Intensity and Distance
• Comparing Solar Cell Efficiency
• Newton’s Laws in Everyday Life
• The Effect of Magnet Strength on Ferrofluid Behavior

Fast And Easy 8th Grade Science Fair Projects In Environmental Science 

• Water Pollution Testing
• The Impact of Oil Spills on Marine Life
• Air Quality Monitoring
• Waste Reduction Strategies
• The Effect of Ocean Acidification on Marine Shells
• Renewable Energy Sources
• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health
• The Impact of Deforestation on Carbon Dioxide Levels
• The Greenhouse Effect
• Recycling Plastics

Engineering Projects For 8th Grade Science Fair Projects Winners

• Designing a Wind-Powered Vehicle
• Building a Simple Electric Motor
• Designing a Solar Oven
• Creating a Hydraulic Robot Arm
• DIY Water Filtration System
• Paper Bridge Construction
• Balloon-Powered Car Design
• The Science of Flight
• Building a Simple Circuit Board
• Water Rocket Launch

Good Science Fair Space and Astronomy Projects

• Solar System Model
• Studying Lunar Phases
• Mapping the Night Sky
• Investigating the Effects of Microgravity
• Simulating Exoplanet Discoveries
• Modeling the Earth’s Seasons
• Rocket Science: Launching Model Rockets
• Studying Solar Flares and Their Impact on Earth
• Comparing the Characteristics of Planets
• Black Holes and Gravitational Waves

Earth Science Projects For Science Students In High School

• Volcano Eruptions
• Investigating Earthquakes
• Weather Patterns and Predictions
• Formation of Crystals in Rocks
• Soil Erosion and Conservation
• The Water Cycle
• Natural Disaster Preparedness
• Ocean Currents and Climate
• Investigating the Greenhouse Effect in Terrariums
• The Formation of Fossils

Great 8th Grade Science Fair Projects For Behavioral Science Projects

• The Impact of Music on Mood
• The Stroop Effect
• Memory and Recall
• The Influence of Peer Pressure on Decision-Making
• The Psychology of Color
• The Impact of Sleep on Academic Performance
• Effect of Social Media on Well-Being
• The Power of Persuasion
• Cultural Differences in Perception
• The Psychology of Decision-Making

Health and Medicine Science Fair Projects

• Comparing the Effectiveness of Natural Remedies
• The Impact of Exercise on Heart Rate
• Handwashing: The Science of Hygiene
• Healthy Eating Habits
• The Influence of Diet on Blood Sugar Levels
• The Effects of Stress on Health
• Microbiome Analysis
• Effects of Smoking on Lung Capacity
• The Science of Vaccination
• Analyzing the Impact of Sleep on Physical Health

Science Fair Robotics and AI Projects

• Building a Simple Robot
• Programming a Chatbot
• Obstacle-Avoidance Robot
• DIY Water Rocket Launch
• Voice-Activated Home Automation
• Machine Learning for Predictive Analytics
• 3D Printing and Robotics
• Autonomous Drone Programming
• Robotic Arm Control
• Deep Learning for Image Recognition

8th Grade Science Fair Social Sciences Projects

• Analyzing the Impact of Social Media on Relationships
• Studying Cultural Stereotypes
• The Influence of Advertising on Consumer Behavior
• Bullying Prevention Strategies
• Environmental Conservation Behavior
• The Impact of Empathy
• Media Influence on Body Image
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Understanding Prejudice and Discrimination
• The Psychology of Altruism

Computer Science and Programming 8th Grade Science Fair Projects

• Creating a Video Game
• Encryption and Data Security
• Coding and Debugging
• Website Development
• App Development
• Artificial Intelligence Chatbot
• Password Strength Analysis
• Data Visualization
• Machine Learning for Prediction
• Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking

Simple 8th Grade Agricultural Science Fair Projects

• Crop Rotation Experiment
• The Impact of Soil Types on Plant Growth
• Hydroponics vs. Soil-based Farming
• Pesticides and Pollinators
• Composting and Soil Fertility
• Plant Nutrient Analysis
• Aquaponics Systems
• Food Preservation Techniques
• The Impact of Fertilizer Types on Plant Growth
• Biodegradable vs. Non-Biodegradable Packaging

Best Material Science Projects

• Testing Conductivity of Materials
• Materials for Solar Cells
• Strength of Materials
• Materials for Filtration
• The Science of Superconductors
• Materials for Insulation
• Shape Memory Alloys
• Materials for Nanotechnology
• The Science of Polymers

Most Interesting Science Fair Projects In Materials for 3D Printing

• Geology and Earth Science Projects
• Mineral Identification
• Rocks and Minerals Collection
• Geological Mapping
• Earth’s Magnetic Field
• Plate Tectonics and Earthquakes
• Volcanic Eruptions
• The Rock Cycle
• The Geological History of Your Region

What Is An Abstract For A Science Fair Project

An abstract for a science fair project is a concise summary that provides a brief overview of your entire project. It’s typically one paragraph long and serves as a quick introduction to your project, giving readers a glimpse of what your project is about, what you did, and what you found. The abstract should include the following key elements:

1. Purpose/Objective: Explain the main goal or purpose of your project. What question were you trying to answer or what problem were you investigating?

2. Methodology: Briefly describe the methods and procedures you used to conduct your experiment or research. Include any important variables or materials used.

3. Results: Summarize the key findings or outcomes of your project. What did you discover or observe during your experiment or research?

4. Conclusion: State your project’s conclusion or the significance of your findings. What did you learn from your project, and how does it contribute to scientific knowledge or real-world applications?

5. Implications: If relevant, mention any potential implications or applications of your findings.

6. Recommendations: Suggest any recommendations for further research or experiments related to your project.

How To Choose A Good Science Fair Project

Choosing a science fair project can be an exciting but challenging task. Here are some steps to help you select the right science fair project:

1. Identify Your Interests

Start by thinking about your interests and passions. Consider what topics in science or technology fascinate you the most. Projects are more enjoyable and engaging when they align with your interests.

2. Narrow Down the Field

Science is a vast field. Narrow down your interests to specific areas like biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, environmental science, or computer science. This will help you focus your project search.

3. Review Guidelines

Review the guidelines and requirements provided by your school or science fair organizers. Ensure you understand the project length, presentation format, and any specific themes or rules for the fair.

4. Brainstorm Ideas

Brainstorm a list of potential project ideas within your chosen field. Think about questions or problems you’d like to explore. Don’t worry about the feasibility at this stage; just generate as many ideas as possible.

5. Research and Feasibility

Research each idea to determine its feasibility. Can you access the necessary materials and equipment? Is it safe to conduct the experiment? Are there resources available to help you understand the topic? Consider the complexity and time required for each idea.

6. Choose a Testable Hypothesis

Once you’ve narrowed down your ideas, choose one with a clear, testable hypothesis. A hypothesis is a statement that predicts an outcome. It should be specific, measurable, and based on existing knowledge.

7. Consult with Teachers or Mentors

Seek guidance from your science teacher or a mentor, if available. They can provide valuable input, help refine your project idea, and ensure it aligns with educational goals and safety standards.

Conclusion – 8th Grade Science Fair Projects

With these 149+ 8th grade science fair projects and experiments, students have a wide range of exciting topics to choose from. Keep in mind to select a project that aligns with your interests and challenges you to learn new concepts. 

It offers the opportunity for creative exploration. Additionally, ensure that your project adheres to safety guidelines and ethical considerations.

The process of conducting a science fair project involves problem-solving, critical thinking, data collection, analysis, and presentation skills. Whether you’re interested in biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and environmental sciences, there’s a fascinating project waiting for you. 

So, pick your favorite project idea, dive into your research, and enjoy the wonderful world of science! 

What makes a winning science fair project?

If you want to win at the higher science fair levels, originality and innovativeness are extremely important. Develop a new method or technique, or research something nobody knows about.

What are the 7 steps of the scientific method?

There are seven steps to the scientific method: Question, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Analysis, Conclusion, and Communication.

What is a good science fair question?

These are examples of good science fair project questions: How does water purity affect surface tension? When is the best time to plant soy beans? Which material is the best insulator?

What is science project work?

A science project is an independent study of a particular topic that uses the scientific method in order to answer a specific question about how or why something is being impacted in our world.

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8th Grade Science Projects: Experiments, Model Building, DIYs, And Investigation

April 2, 2024 //  by  Katie Trethewy

Are you ready to inspire and amaze your 8th graders like never before?! Get ready to embark on an exciting journey of scientific discovery with our handpicked selection of 68 captivating science projects. These challenges are designed to not only educate but also ignite the curiosity and enthusiasm of your students. So, if you’re eager to create unforgettable learning experiences, join us as we explore these incredible 8th-grade science projects that will leave your students craving more. Let’s dive in!

1. What Makes Ice Melt the Fastest?

Grab your 8th graders’ attention with this hands-on challenge! You’ll need to arm your students with stopwatches and the essential materials: sand, sugar, and salt. The challenge is to measure the speed at which ice melts when in contact with different substances. This is a wonderful opportunity to spark discussions about environmental issues. 

Learn More:  Little Bins Little Hands

Looking for fun and educational kits for kids? Check out our Favorite Subscription Boxes for Kids

2. Are Fingerprints Inherited?

Challenge your students to think about identity through the lens of genetics. With your encouragement, they’ll examine fingerprints and ponder questions about individuality. This project is suitable for budding scientists, detectives, and philosophers, and is a surefire debate starter! 

Learn More: We Have Kids

3. Build an Infinity Mirror

Let your students’ creativity shine with a project that’s the perfect blend of art and science. Direct them in positioning mirrors so that the reflective surfaces are facing one another to create a mirror that gives the illusion of endless depth. What an awesome, mind-bending project that’s great for introducing concepts like optics.

Learn More: Instructables

4. Make Your Own Shampoo

Time to dabble in cosmetic chemistry! Your students will love the opportunity to make their own shampoo and then take the next step and compare it to store-bought versions. You’ll need some essentials like liquid soup, glycerine, and essential oils for this recipe.

Learn More:  Humblebee & me

5. Can Plants Stop Soil Erosion?

Empower your students to be eco-warriors. Your youngsters will get their hands dirty by planting seeds to combat soil erosion. This project will help them dive into ecology, botany, and social responsibility; teaching them science while saving the planet!

Learn More:  Life is a Garden

6. Build Your Own Solar-Powered Car

Future engineers, assemble! Allow your students to build solar-powered cars and then test them out. It’s a fusion of mechanical engineering and environmental science as they need to be hands-on in designing and building their cars before researching the best strategies to power them up. May the fastest, most efficient, car win!

Learn More:  Home Science Tools

7. Make Your Own Bath Bomb

Transform your classroom into a fragrant laboratory by challenging your learners to create bath bombs and learn about the chemical reactions involved. Arm your youngsters with baking soda, citric acid, and some essential oils before encouraging them to find the best combination for the ultimate chemical reaction. It’s an aromatic journey into chemistry that’s exploding with fun and knowledge just waiting to be unlocked!

Learn More: Inspired by Charm

8. Extracting the DNA of an Onion

Are you looking for a microscopic exploration? Allow your students to venture into cellular biology by isolating onion DNA. This experiment will require a good scientific method as you guide your students in collecting the microscopic particles of an onion and using alcohol to separate the DNA. This experiment could serve as a gateway into discussions on genetics. Plus, it’s all done with easily accessible materials. 

Learn More:  Pak Science Club

9. Candy Chronography

Have you ever wondered about the chemistry behind the vibrant colors in candy? With a project that’s a feast for the mind and the eyes, your kiddos can now discover more! You’ll need a saltwater solution, candy, and filter paper to kick off this investigation. Guide your students to follow the scientific process by carefully working through each step in separating the mixture that makes their sweet treats so colorful. 

Learn More:  Science Sparks

10. Heart Health: How does heart rate change during exercise?

Get the heart and mind racing with this project! Get your students moving and prompt them to monitor their heart rates during different activities. It’s an educational journey into cardiovascular health: a blend of exercise and science that’s both fun and informative. Perfect for those seeking to learn while they burn calories.

11. Create Your Own Fossils

Immerse your kiddos in the fascinating world of fossils. Show them how fossils are formed over time and let them craft their own examples from shells or leaves using Plaster of Paris. This amazing project allows them to gain a better understanding of the process of fossilization and will bring an ancient past into your classroom!

Learn More: Mad About Science

12. Exploring Photosynthesis

Let there be light—and plant growth! Have your learners test how different colored light conditions affect photosynthesis by placing plants in a multicolored spectrum of light environments. They’ll uncover whether or not different wavelengths of light are more beneficial to photosynthesis than others. Talk about an illuminating look at this vital scientific process!

Learn More: YouTube

13. Build a Raft Powered by Surface Tension

Ahoy, maties! You can have your students crafting petite vessels and sailing them on the high seas of a classroom basin. Anchored in the science of surface tension, this hands-on lesson requires basic materials like sponges, toothpicks, and some detergent to make complex physics tangible. 

Learn More:  Be a Fun Mum

14. How Far Can You Throw or Kick a Ball?

Game on! Ask your students to measure their athletic prowess by seeing how far they can kick or throw a ball. Whether kicking soccer balls or hurling baseballs, you’ll guide them to capture metrics to explore force, distance, and trajectory. Science becomes a sport, and your students are its star players. Touchdown for team “Curiosity”!

Learn More:  Science Buddies

15. Homemade Water Filter Project

Your students will become everyday heroes when you have them craft DIY water filters. Beyond learning, this project cultivates a sense of global responsibility. You’ll require a plastic bottle that’s been cut in half and filled with layers of sand and stone to act as the filter. The ultimate aim? Making the world a better place by learning how to filter water one drop at a time. 

Learn More: Love to Know

16. Build a Simple Electric Motor

Here’s a project for your keen little sparkies! Your students will be excited when you steer them toward the magic of creating their very own motors. With a few basic materials, they’ll be able to use a battery to harness energy to give life to inanimate objects Sparks will fly, both literally and metaphorically. 

Learn More:  Education.com

17. The Power of Heat is Right Under Your Feet!

Welcome to the underworld of geothermal energy! Under your tutelage, your students will create a mockup of a tiny geothermal plant. With a pinwheel, a soup can, a heat source, and a few simple school materials, you’ll be able to model the generation of heat sources.

Learn More:  Venessa Williams Blog

18. Plants on the Move! An Experiment on Phototropism

Transform your classroom into a botanical runway, with plants strutting toward their light source. Supply some seeds and develop an optimal germinating environment for your kiddos to see how they can best spur on plant growth! The student who generates the most phototrophic movements can be awarded a prize. 

Learn More: UNTAMED Science

19. Rusting Out: How Acids Affect the Rate of Corrosion

Rust is the crimson signature of time and chemistry! Have your learners explore the ravages and beauty of oxidation by allowing them to observe how acids accelerate rusting. All you need to prepare is a simple acidic solution and a rusty nail!

Learn More: David Science Centre

20. Build Your Own Marble Machine

Ladies and gentlemen, start your marbles! First, you’ll allow your students to design the ultimate marble labyrinth. Then, the race is on: your young scientists will guide their marbles through an odyssey of obstacles to explore the effect of angles, curves, and slopes. 

Learn More: Scientific American

21. Supercooling Water and Snap Freezing   

Is it getting cold in here? Have your kiddos supercool water in a freezer for 2 hours and 30 minutes to discover if it can remain a liquid. Once they bring it out of the freezer have them shake the bottle and watch physics in action! This exciting project is a lesson in the unstable properties of supercooled liquids!

22. Making Your Own Marshmallows

S’mores anyone? Let your kiddos create some delicious marshmallows with this next idea! As they follow and play about with the recipe, they’ll discover that, by changing the amount of sugar and corn syrup used, they can make different kinds of marshmallows. All that’s left is to build a campfire and some graham crackers!

Learn More: The Flavor Bender

23. Discover Chlorophyll Variety in Plants

Have your learners explore the amazing properties of chlorophyll! Let them have a go at this series of 4 different experiments to learn if plants need sunlight to be green, what happens when chlorophyll is heated, how it reacts to water, and if it really is green! Your green-fingered kiddos will love these fun, hands-on experiments!

Learn More: Science Projects

24. Test The Best Insulation Materials

Your kiddos will become mini-builders for this project! Provide a range of materials and allow your students to test which contains better insulating properties! They’ll hypothesize, research, and experiment all in the pursuit of energy efficiency. Let them build it and knowledge will come.

Learn More: Teach Engineering

25. Test For Hard Water

Suds galore! Have your little researchers collect water samples from different sources and conduct a simple test to determine which source has the hardest water. They’ll shake their water samples up to observe which creates the most bubbles, this indicates the softest water! The bubbles may disappear, but your kiddos’ curiosity never will!

Learn More: Layers of Learning

26. Applying Hooke’s Law: Make Your Own Spring Scale

Ready, set, stretch! Your students will create spring scales as they apply their knowledge of physics laws to measure weight and tension. What a fun, hands-on way to explore Hooke’s Law in your classroom!

Learn More: Julian Trubin

27. How to Make the Boldest, Brightest Tie-Dye

Did you know there’s science behind the fun swirls and patterns of tie-dye? Give each of your kiddos a white t-shirt to scrunch up, then use rubber bands to hold the shirts in place whilst you dip them into the dyes! Have them try out different materials to learn how different fibers react differently to colors! Who knew science could be so colorful?

Learn More: Handmade Charlotte

28. Fallen Arches: The Surprising Strength of Eggshells

Your kiddies will turn sceptics into believers with this un-egg-spected experiment. They’ll load weights onto eggshells to demonstrate their surprising strength. To have them totally captivated, place eggs in their cartons on the ground and ask for a volunteer to stand on it – they’ll be amazed to discover it supports their weight! It’s an eggs-ample of engineering fundamentals, served sunny side up!

Learn More: Scholastic Parents

29. Make Your Own Crystals

There’s no denying the enchanting qualities that crystals possess! Have your kiddos grow their very own crystals, and in the process, learn about solubility and saturation. Your first step is to get your young scientists to saturate some water with salt, then ideally, you’ll add some food coloring for effect. Leave the water to evaporate and they’ll be amazed at the crystals left behind!

Learn More: Science Fun for Everyone

30. The Effect of Oil Spills on Wildlife

Learn all about the impact that oil spills have on our planet with this next project idea. Start by setting up some trays with water and some plastic fish, then add some cooking oil. Next, set your kiddos on the almost impossible task of getting the oil out of the water. This is a sobering lesson in man-made disasters but one that could shape future eco-warriors. Planet-saving starts in your classroom!

Learn More: Boundless Brilliance

31. Roll a Can With Static Electricity

Step right up, future Einsteins! Have your kids rub a balloon on their heads and watch the magic unfold. Once charged up with this static electricity, they can then maneuver cans without even touching them! Prepare for their minds to be electrified!

32. Blow Up A Balloon Using Sugar And Yeast

Show your learners how to inflate a balloon by creating a chemical reaction! Have them place some yeast, sugar, and a little water inside a plastic bottle, then stretch a balloon over the opening. Then stand back and witness science and culinary arts merge into a gas-filled wonder! It’s a super exciting and very visible experiment that’s sure to get them excited!

33. Bend a Bone With Vinegar

Merge nutrition and science learning with this next project idea! Have your kiddos use vinegar to dissolve calcium and soften bones into rubbery textures. This spellbinding experiment highlights the importance of calcium in our bodies and getting enough of it in our diets. Your kids will definitely drink up their milk after this experiment!

34. Make a Fog Tornado

Meteorological wonders will take center stage as your learners craft their own mini-tornadoes with this next idea! Under your guidance they can slowly add warm water to dry ice to create fog, then whip this up into a tornado using a specialized simulator. Step aside, weather apps – the future meteorologists are here. Classroom weather reporting has never been this exhilarating!

35. Rainwater Acid Test

Study the chemical science of rain with this next idea! Have your kiddos collect and measure the acidity of rainwater over time, using pH testing equipment, and they’ll not only learn about the concept of acid rain but also get hands-on experience with environmental science methodology. This is science making a real-world impact!

Learn More: STEAM Powered Family

36. Dissect a Flower

Who’s ready for some floral surgery? Don your lab coats, botanists of tomorrow! With a scalpel in hand, your kiddies will dissect a flower, exploring its intricate anatomy. Ovaries, stamen, and petals become the stars of this horticultural show. What a blooming marvelous science project idea!

Learn More:  Elemental Science

37. Make a Water Purifier

It’s time to get your hands dirty and your water clean! Set the scene for your eager youngsters – they’re in the wild and have run out of water. How do they survive? Creating a layered water filter of course. You’ll need to provide them with charcoal, stones, and sand and allow them to experiment to find just the right technique to clean their H2O. The result? Pure learning, in every drop!

38. Build a Candle-Powered Thermoelectric Fan

Engineers, ignite your creativity! This isn’t just a cool science project, it’s also a great example of renewable energy. Challenge your kiddos to discover just how much energy a tealight candle can generate by building their own thermoelectric fan! This simple paper windmill and a tealight candle show what an enormous potential this type of renewable power has. Science and sustainability, united!

39. Do White Candles Burn Faster Than Colored Candles?

Does style have an impact on substance? Let your kids decide after this next project! Get them to predict which will burn faster, white or colored candles before they put their different colored candles to the test, burning them side by side. Guide them to record the burn rates and wick lengths, and then let them write up their results! They’ll no longer be in the dark on this question after this project!

40. Make a Lightning Spark

Sparks will fly this next project idea! Have your students rub a styrofoam block on their heads to build up a static charge, then place the block on the table. They can then place an aluminum pie tin on top and move their fingers close to the tin to see the tiny sparks! It’s like a tiny, safe lightning storm right in the classroom.

41. Make Exothermic Elephant Toothpaste

Get ready for a frothy spectacle! Get your kids to mix baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, and some food coloring in a bottle which will then erupt with an oozing foam called elephant toothpaste. Chemistry has never been this silly!

42. Go Fishing For Ice

It’s ice fishing, but not as you know it! Set your kiddos the challenge to lift a piece of ice, using only a piece of string. Just when they’re about to give up, you can reveal your method! Add a sprinkle of salt to the string which will create the perfect conditions where the ice will melt a little then refreeze, but to the string this time. This is science, not angling, and it’s all about understanding density and melting points!

43. Make Glowing Bubble

Turn down the lights and turn up the fun! Your learners will jump at the chance to make glow-in-the-dark bubbles using fluorescent dye and black lights. This experiment, whilst visually stunning, is also the perfect opportunity to learn about phosphorescence. Light up their curiosity and their classroom!

44. Bring The Bernoulli Principle To Life

Lift-off achieved! With nothing more than a hairdryer and a ping pong ball, your kiddos will witness the Bernoulli Principle in action. Face the hairdryer upwards, hold the ball above it, and then switch on to demonstrate how the pressure created stops the ball from falling. Aeronautics has never been this accessible or this fun!

45. Make Magnetic Putty

The allure of magnetism awaits! Have your students combine water, craft glue, and iron filings to transform ordinary putty into a magnetic learning experience. Once their putty is ready, give them magnets and watch the fun begin! The results of this sensory science activity will be truly magnetizing!

Learn More:  National Mag Lab

46. Stress and Body Temperature

For this experiment, all you’ll need is a thermometer and a timer. Grab some friends and test out if stress really raises our body temperature. Test the normal/resting temperature, then test before an exam or a big game and see the results!

Learn More: Education.com

47. Fizz and Meat

Get your lab coat, don your chef’s hat, and get ready for a gastronomic gala of bubbles and giggles! Show your kiddies the intriguing reactions between carbonated drinks and meat. Have them follow the method for this experiment – simple steps of placing meat in soda – and then be ready to record the reactions. Acid meets protein, and the culinary chemistry unfolds.

Learn More: Pinterest

48. Infinity Mirror Illusion

You ever gone into a fancy bathroom and seen 100 identical faces staring back at you? This cool engineering science experiment is a little more complicated but is sure to impress your classmates. See the materials and steps you need to follow and get building!

Learn More: Science Buddies

49. Immune System Science

You’ll need a jar, some salt, and iron fillings to play the part of a pathogen, and a magnet to act as antibodies. This is an age-appropriate science experiment that is a bit challenging but will show you how amazing your immune system really is!

50. Make Your Own Hand Warmers

Winter is coming, and science is ready! Your kids will be enthralled as you suggest that they engineer their own hand warmers using calcium chloride and iron filings. It’s DIY chemistry for those chilly outings so get ready to say goodbye to cold fingers and hello to thermal innovation!

Learn More: Steve Spangler Science

51. Diaper Science

Welcome to the lab, junior material scientists! Have your students conduct absorbency battles among different diaper brands to crown one the winner. From dribble to deluge, you’ll ask them to find out which diaper reigns supreme. No infants are involved, just absorbent polymers at play!

Learn More: Cortez Corner

52. Tendons and Bionic Hands

Anatomy meets robotics! It’s time to engage your biology students with a working model of the hand! Have them craft models to understand the role tendons play in hand movements. It’s a hands-on look at the biomechanics of the human body. Who knows, this could be the start of them building the bionic hands of the future!

53. Seeing Sounds?

Hear it, see it, believe it! Show your learners how to make sound waves visible using water and wine glasses, making the glasses ‘sing’. First, you can encourage your students to watch for the physical effects of the sound waves like ripples on the water’s surface. Then it’s time to let them experiment and have a little fun making different notes and maybe even a musical glass band.

Learn More: Igamemom

54. Carnivorous Plants

Who’s hungry—for knowledge? Here, you’ll need to provide your students with a mini-horror movie setup as they feed bugs to carnivorous plants and then monitor the pH and enzyme levels to discover how these strange plants actually eat the bugs! They’ll love this fun and slightly gory biology lesson in predation and digestion. 

Learn More: Education

55. Cell Phone Radiation

Dial into the invisible world of radio frequencies! Have your kiddos measure the electromagnetic waves emitted by cell phones to get a better understanding of the tech they can’t live without! It’s a scientific call to explore the unseen yet omnipresent radiation. Who’s up for dialing into the safety debate?

56. The Science of Slime

Get your class to embrace the ooze in this fascinating exploration of slime chemistry! Let your kiddies have fun as they concoct various slime recipes and delve into the science behind their gooeyness. What a superb hands-on sensory experience that they’re sure to love. 

Learn More: Hillary’s Teaching Adventures

57. How Salty Does the Sea Need to Be for an Egg to Float?

Your kiddos will enjoy ‘eggs-perimenting’ with eggs for this next project idea! Let them dive deep into the science of buoyancy and salt concentrations as they test the different conditions under which an egg can stay afloat. This project will give them a first-hand understanding of density and salinity. How egg-citing!

Learn More: Go Science Girls

58. Musical Influence on Plant Growth

Your kids will jump at the opportunity to experiment with their diverse musical tastes. Challenge them to hypothesize about which genre of music will result in the most growth. As they expose plants to various genres of music and document their development, they’ll gain insights into the influence of sound vibrations on living organisms. The results could be surprising!

Learn More: Sites at Penn State

59. Chocolate Meltdown

Are you looking for an interactive way to explore thermodynamics? Your students will be eager to experiment with various chocolate types under the same heat conditions and uncover the melt-down mysteries of their favorite treat. What a delicious way to explore thermodynamics!

60. Physics of Roller Coasters

Let’s turn your classroom into an amusement park! Your kiddies will be thrilled to follow your instructions on building miniature roller coasters and have their eyes opened to the exciting physics concepts behind these towering attractions, such as gravity, inertia, and momentum. Who knew physics could be this fun?

Learn More: YouT u be

61. The Effect of Temperature on Battery Life

Allow your learners to turn up the heat (or cool it down) to explore how temperature changes affect battery power output. This experiment will charge up their understanding of practical physics and everyday tech. Not only is this project a super learning experience, but it’ll also help them look after their own tech even better and prolong battery life!

62. Soil Composition

Get your students’ hands dirty! Having your class learn about soil types and analyzing their composition and nutrient content is sure to be an enriching learning experience for them! It’s a super topic to make them more ecologically aware, as you encourage them to unearth the fascinating world beneath their feet.  

Learn More: Orlando Science Center

63. Understanding Erosion

Make geology fun with this hands-on project idea! Sculpting miniature landscapes becomes a lesson in geological processes for your kiddos when you ask them to demonstrate the effects of wind and water erosion. The thrill of watching their landscapes morph will make this learning stick and ensure they gain an appreciation for the ever-changing face of our planet. 

64. Effect of pH on Enzymes

Science doesn’t get much sweeter than this next idea! Roll out the welcome mat for bromelain, the enzyme in pineapple juice! Your learners will study how pH changes can affect enzyme functions with this easily accessible introduction to the complex world of biochemistry. 

Learn More: Practical Biology

65. Balloon Rockets

3 -2 -1 blast off! Newton’s third law takes flight in this exciting activity. By constructing and launching balloon rockets using just a balloon, some tape, string, and a staw, your kiddos will explore the action-reaction principle. There’s no doubt they’ll also have a ‘blast’ in the process!

Learn More: What Do We Do All Day  

66. Testing for Starch

The search for starch gets a fun twist for this next idea! Have your 8th-grade scientists make predictions then use iodine to test various food items for starch. Providing your class with the opportunity to uncover hidden starch will give them a glimpse into the world of food science and nutrition. Who knew science could be so appetizing? 

Learn More: The Happy Housewife

67. Cooking with the Sun

The quest for efficient solar ovens is on! Challenge your kiddies to design the most effective cooker using renewable energy and the power of the sun. Prompt them to use their problem-solving skills to cook an egg or make a s’more. Finally, a science experiment where they can eat the results!

Learn More: The Krazy Coupon Lady  

68. Exploring Density

Density isn’t just a number, it’s a spectrum. Your learners will revel in the opportunity to bring this scientific concept to life in an aesthetically pleasing way! They’ll use liquids with different densities which will separate into distinct sections to create a colorful density column! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics are covered in 8th grade science.

Some of the main topics covered in 8 th Grade science are weathering and soil, structure and composition of the atmosphere, human impact on resources, animal and plant cells, living things, and the environment, matter, atoms, elements, and the periodic table, chemical reactions, motion and forces and electricity, and magnetism.

How can a student win a Science Fair?

Students must pick an interesting topic and learn everything they can. They should plan their project, make a clear and professional display of their work, and practice their presentations. 

What are some simple science experiments?

There are many experiments that do not require a lot of materials, some examples of these in the list above include: finding out the best tie-dye fiber, making the perfect bath bomb, and measuring your heart rate during exercise.

Discover Explore Learn

101 Science Fair Ideas for 8th Graders: Unleash Your Inner Scientist

Are you looking for some fun and interesting science fair ideas for your 8th-grade project? Science fairs are a great way to showcase your creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills.

You can choose a topic that interests you, design an experiment, and present your results to your classmates, teachers, and judges. But how do you find a good science fair idea?

There are so many possibilities, and you want to pick something that is original, feasible, and relevant. To help you out, we have compiled a list of 101 science fair ideas for 8th graders, divided into different categories.

Whether you are interested in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, or something else, you are sure to find something that sparks your imagination.

• The Effect of Different Types of Fertilizers on Plant Growth
• Investigating Tooth Enamel Erosion: Effects of Various Liquids
• Natural Mosquito Repellents: Extracts vs. Mosquitoes
• The Photosynthesis Palette: Effects of Light Colors on Plants
• Purifying Water: Building a Simple Filtration System
• Nature’s Cleaners: Removing Stains with Natural Agents
• The Effect of Caffeine on Heart Rate
• The Effect of Music on Memory
• The Effect of Exercise on Lung Capacity
• The Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity

• The Chemistry of Making Ice Cream
• Make a Battery with Metal, Air, and Salt Water
• Make Your Own Shampoo
• The Reaction Between Baking Soda and Vinegar
• How an Instant Cold Pack Works
• Color Changing Iodine Clock Reaction
• The Effect of Temperature on Crystal Growth
• The Effect of pH on the Rate of Rusting
• The Effect of Soap on Surface Tension
• The Effect of Solutes on the Freezing Point of Water
• Drop an Egg to Prove the First Law of Motion
• Build a Rube Goldberg Machine
• Make a Simple Electric Motor
• Make a Simple Electromagnet
• Make a Simple Speaker
• Make a Simple Telescope
• Make a Simple Periscope
• Make a Simple Kaleidoscope
• The Effect of Air Resistance on Falling Objects
• The Effect of Friction on Sliding Objects

Engineering

• Develop a Robotic Hand
• Construct a Wind Turbine
• Create a Solar Oven
• Build a Water Filter
• Design a Bridge
• Engineer a Catapult
• Design a Parachute
• Construct a Roller Coaster
• Create a Paper Airplane
• Build a Marble Run

Earth and Environmental Science Experiments

• Monitor Algae Growth
• Assess Soil Moisture Levels
• Test Soil pH
• Evaluate Air Quality
• Analyze Water Quality
• Investigate the Greenhouse Effect
• Examine the Impact of Acid Rain
• Study the Effects of Global Warming
• Observe the Consequences of Erosion
• Explore the Benefits of Composting

Astronomy Models

• Simulate the Solar System
• Demonstrate the Moon’s Phases
• Illustrate Solar and Lunar Eclipses
• Represent Earth’s Seasons
• Model Oceanic Tides
• Depict Planetary Orbits
• Show Earth’s Rotation and Revolution
• Construct Constellation Models
• Model a Star’s Life Cycle
• Create a Crater Formation Model

Psychology Experiments

• Conduct the Stroop Effect Test
• Investigate the False Memory Effect
• Explore the Serial Position Effect
• Study the Anchoring Effect
• Examine the Halo Effect
• Observe the Bystander Effect
• Test the Placebo Effect
• Analyze the Priming Effect
• Research the Dunning-Kruger Effect
• Investigate the Pygmalion Effect

Sociology Studies

• Examine Gender’s Impact on Academic Performance
• Study Age’s Influence on Generosity
• Explore Cultural Effects on Food Preferences
• Assess Social Media’s Impact on Self-Esteem
• Investigate Music’s Effect on Mood
• Examine Video Games’ Influence on Aggression
• Analyze Peer Pressure’s Role in Decision-Making
• Study Group Size’s Effect on Cooperation
• Explore Diversity’s Impact on Creativity
• Investigate Competition’s Role in Motivation

 Video Games

• Impact of Video Games on Brain Activity
• Effect of Video Games on Mood
• Influence of Video Games on Vision
• Video Games and Learning Outcomes
• Video Games and Social Skills Development
• Creativity Enhancement through Video Games
• Physical Health Effects of Video Gaming
• Video Games and Environmental Awareness
• Ethical Reasoning Influenced by Video Games
• Cultural Competence through Video Gaming

Computer Science

• Teach a computer to play tic-tac-toe
• Use Artificial Intelligence to classify emotions
• Build an App
• Identify objects with Machine Learning
• Make a Motion Sensor Alarm
• Design your own video game
• Code a calculator
• Make an encryption program
• Create a chatbot
• Program a music synthesizer
• Develop a web crawler

Making Your Science Fair Project Shine

If you’re a fan of volcano projects then, starting a science fair project will be an exciting journey into the world of science and new ideas. But with so many great projects out there, it can be tough to make yours stand out.

To grab attention and make people remember your project, you need to be creative. This means coming up with fresh and different ideas that make your project unique.

Think outside the box, question the usual ways of thinking, and add your own original twist to your work. While it’s great to be imaginative, remember to base your ideas on solid science and do thorough research.

This balance between creativity and science is key to a successful project.

Tip: Another successful project idea for the next Science Fair can be food molding .

Thorough Research

Doing thorough research is really important for your science fair project. Look into your topic, learning all the small details and important points.

Make sure to use information from trustworthy sources, do careful experiments, and look at your results carefully and fairly. Your research is the strong base that makes your project believable and convincing.

Having a good plan is like having a map for your project. Write down each step of your research, how you’ll do your experiments, and how you’ll look at your data.

Think about what might go wrong and have backup plans ready. A clear plan helps you work better and keeps you organized and confident .

Effective Communication: The Art of Storytelling

Your science fair project is more than just a science experiment; it’s like a story you get to tell. Share your results clearly and with excitement.

Use things like graphs, diagrams, and charts to help explain your work and make it more interesting. Get your audience involved with hands-on activities and interesting questions.

Good communication can turn your project into an exciting story. Think of your science fair project as a chance to grow and learn new things.

Enjoy the ups and downs, and value what you learn along the way. Stay curious and let your love for science drive you.

Remember, the journey is just as important as the end result. Your project shows how hard you’ve worked, your creativity, and your science skills.

With these tips, you can make your project really special and memorable. Let your project stand out and make a lasting impression at the science fair.

Can I integrate technology like AR or VR into my science fair project?

Absolutely! Incorporating augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) can make your project more interactive and engaging. For instance, you could use VR to simulate an environment related to your project, or AR to provide a more immersive explanation of your findings.

How can I involve the audience in my science fair presentation?

Interactive elements can greatly enhance audience engagement. Consider incorporating simple experiments or demonstrations in which the audience can participate, or interactive quizzes related to your project. This not only makes your presentation more memorable but also helps in explaining complex concepts.

Is it beneficial to collaborate with local scientists or experts in my project?

Collaborating with experts can add depth and credibility to your project. They can provide valuable insights, resources, and guidance. Just ensure that your project remains primarily your own work, and give appropriate credit for any assistance received.

How can I use social media to enhance my science fair project?

Social media can be a powerful tool to document and share your project’s progress. You can create posts or videos explaining your experiments , share interesting findings, or even conduct online surveys. This not only broadens your project’s reach but also helps in receiving feedback and ideas.

What role can storytelling play in my science fair project?

Storytelling can make your project more relatable and engaging. You can weave a narrative around your project, explaining the problem you’re addressing, your journey of discovery, and the implications of your findings. This approach can make complex scientific concepts more understandable and interesting.

How can I ensure my project is environmentally sustainable?

Consider using recycled or eco-friendly materials and focus on sustainability in your project design. If your project involves experiments, ensure they are environmentally safe. Projects that address environmental issues or promote sustainability often stand out for their relevance and ethical considerations.

Final Words

In summary, the 101 science fair ideas for 8th graders span a wide array of subjects, from biology to computer science, offering students a chance to explore their interests and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These projects are more than just assignments; they are opportunities for young learners to engage in scientific inquiry, express creativity, and build confidence.

The key to a successful science fair project lies in choosing a topic that excites the student, conducting thorough research, and presenting the findings effectively. This experience not only enriches their knowledge but also fosters a lifelong passion for science and discovery.

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Science Struck

Eighth Grade Science Fair Projects

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Your 8th grader may come home with an assignment that makes every parent nervous: the science fair. Help them choose an intriguing experiment to fulfill the requirements.

Students should use the scientific method to form and pose their question, research their topic area, develop and test a hypothesis with experimentation, then report back their findings and discuss results with others.

Rube Goldberg Machine

Rube Goldberg was a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist famous for creating complex machines using an extraordinary chain of events to achieve simple tasks. Constructing science projects inspired by Rube Goldberg is an excellent way to learn the laws of physics while showing creativity and engineering skill. Students should design their own machine that incorporates simple machines with kinetic energy concepts such as simple machines kinetic energy. They should verbally describe their contraption’s workings while being able to physically demonstrate it multiple times throughout class; any harmful materials (mousetraps, explosives etc) are prohibited as they could cause harm; students must not use mousetraps, explosives explosives explosives explosives explosives explosives explosives explosives or substances which would create large messes, fire or anything that would harm.

Discover if shampoo really does make hair grow thicker with this hands-on chemistry experiment designed for 8th grade science fair competitions. Enjoy seeing how different genres of music affect plant growth in this high school science experiment!

This art and science project provides kids with an introduction to electromagnetic spectrum theory as well as light and color reactions. Additionally, this experiment helps children recognize the significance of wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and hats whenever going outdoors.

Start this activity by giving each student a UV-detecting bead. Have them string it onto a piece of ribbon and wear it all week, keeping a journal about where and how often they wear it.

Each bead features photochromic dye that changes color when exposed to ultraviolet rays, but these beads are reversible – they will go back to their original state once the light goes away. Students will observe how quickly this reaction happens and use that data to predict when their beads will change back. They’ll then test their predictions and conduct experiments investigating how temperature affects this rate of transformation.

Optical Illusions

Optical illusions serve to illustrate how our eyes and brains can deceive us. Through simple visual tricks, optical illusions illustrate how the eye recognizes certain signals more strongly than others and assigns more importance than expected to certain things.

The Hermann Grid is one of the more well-known optical illusions. Although it appears as just a black and white grid, you may notice faint black dots near where two white lines cross, due to different receptors’ signals being received by your eye.

Try more complex optical illusions that feature two pictures at once, like the ambiguous cylinder or vase illusion. Also explore color perception, how color impacts our perception of an image or whether girls detect optical illusions faster than boys.

Reaction Time

Eighth grade science experiments provide kids with an incredible insight into the world. Students can test how different liquids affect a plant’s ability to grow, construct a Rube Goldberg machine or produce optical illusions. Furthermore, this collection offers experiments designed to teach engineering principles, physics theories and chemical reactions – among many more topics!

Reaction time is an integral aspect of human biology and an ideal science fair project topic. Students will measure their reaction time by catching a ruler that drops in front of them; they’ll also learn about nerve signals traveling from eyes to brain and then to fingers so that reaction times can be measured precisely. Students can experiment with factors that may alter reaction times such as being hungry or full, using dominant hands instead of non-dominant ones and different levels of cognitive processing ability versus lower cognitive processing ability (DCH).

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The Best 21 8th Grade Science Projects

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Science is an incredibly fascinating and insightful subject that can teach young students a lot about the world they live in, and how they interact with it.

It can be an incredibly rewarding and enriching subject to study, but you need to make sure that you maintain their focus so that they learn as much as possible.

This is very often easier said than done, but with the right activities, you can easily get the kids involved with the subject, and help them to enjoy themselves, while also learning a lot of valuable information.

However, there are so many science project ideas out there across the web, so you have probably found yourself a bit overwhelmed by choice.

Luckily, we are here to take you through the very best 8th-grade science projects that you can try out with the students to help them to learn. 

Read on down below to get started!

1. Fingerprints

This biology-focused activity will help the children to learn a little more about genetics, as well as some of the many things that make them unique and special.

Get the kids to create thumbprints on paper, with a little bit of ink, and then encourage them to take this paper home to grab thumbprints of their parents or even their siblings. 

Once the kids bring them back to class, ask them to investigate some of the ways that fingerprints might be similar between generations, as well as how their own fingerprints differ from those of other children in the class.

2. Chlorophyll In Plants

Chlorophyll is one of the most important components in many unique plants across the world, and it is the key component in providing much of the green color that these plants boast.

There are numerous ways that you can experiment with chlorophyll in class, and help your children to better understand what it does, and how levels of it can differ from plant to plant. 

These experiments look at which leaves boast the most color, and which ones, thus, contain the most chlorophyll.

3. Making Marshmallows

This excellent activity will teach the students a lot about food science, especially how mixing together specific ingredients with specific values will create very different final results.

This is an incredibly fun project that will allow the students to get sticky and messy, while also creating delicious treats that they can then enjoy together once the project has been wrapped up.

The students will love getting involved with this project, while also learning a lot about how chemistry plays a key role in the kitchen!

4. Material Insulation Experiment

This experiment will help to teach the students to recognize the difference between conduction and insulation. 

The students will be tasked with using various household materials to decide which materials work best as insulators against different temperatures.

This can also help to teach the students the role that insulation plays within construction, and how our buildings are kept insulated from the outside world. 

5. T-Shirt Tie Dye

Tie-dye t-shirts are back in fashion massively, so the students will really love getting involved with this project that not only results in some wonderful-looking t-shirts but also helps them to learn about the various materials that are used to make t-shirts.

This experiment will tell the students a lot about the different fibers used to make t-shirts, as well as where those fibers are derived from, helping them to gain a greater appreciation of what goes into making their various belongings.

6. Creating Crystals

This chemistry experiment will easily be one of the coolest experiments that the students will have ever experienced, as it makes use of only a few very simple materials, and yet results in incredible and observable results that the students can even bring home with them to show off to their parents.

The students will be able to create crystals of all kinds of shapes and colors, by making use of food dyes, so they can create some of the coolest crystal formations around.

7. The Water Cycle

We loved playing around with this experiment, because it helped the students to understand how rain works, what it does, and how it comes about.

This amazing experiment will help the students to understand the water cycle, and the role that it plays in helping nature to continue thriving.

The experiment is also incredibly easy to set up, so you can easily get it ready for your class’ lesson in no time, and help them to learn.

8. Bendy Bones

This wacky science experiment will allow the students plenty of time to play around with science, and they will definitely get a laugh out of the results of this experiment.

After leaving the bone within the jar of vinegar for some time, it will become bendy.

This will teach the students how different acids dissolve and eat away at different parts of organic matter, which is what allows the acids to make the bones bendy and flexible.

You can also use this as a great opportunity to reaffirm the importance of milk and calcium in creating strong bones.

9. Flower Dissection

Dissection is a key part of many children’s school science experiences, but with this experiment, they don’t have to worry about the grisly task of dissecting an animal. 

This experiment allows the students to carefully dissect flowers in order to see the various components in the average flower that help them to thrive and grow to be healthy.

This incredibly fascinating experiment allows the students to get directly involved, and learn in a more interactive manner.

10. Create Elephant Toothpaste

This is a really exciting experiment that will get the entire class involved and allows the students to get a little bit messy. 

This experiment will teach the students about various chemical reactions, and what happens when certain elements are mixed together.

The kids will delight in seeing the chemical reaction take place, and watching as the ‘Elephant Toothpaste’ compound flows out of their chosen bottle or vessel.

It will also teach them a lot about exothermic reactions, and how they play a key role in creating specific compounds.

11. The Effect Of Stress On The Body

Stress can have a very physical effect on the human body, and this experiment will help the students to understand what it is that stress does to the body, and the many ways in which the body reacts to stress.

The experiment is very simple, and involves the students taking measurements of body temperature at a relaxed state, and the body temperature when in a state of stress. 

The students will likely find themselves very surprised by some of the results, and the experiment will prove incredibly valuable in teaching them about stress, and why it needs to be carefully managed for the betterment of physical and mental health.

12. Create Infinity Mirrors

Visual illusions are not only incredibly hypnotic to look at, but they can also easily be used for educational purposes, to teach students about how light interacts with the world around them.

With just a few basic materials, and a little bit of ingenuity, your students can easily create an experiment that results in an infinity-mirror effect that proves incredibly mind-blowing to look at.

The students will love creating these infinity mirrors, and looking at the immensely trippy results that they produce. 

13. Sound Experiments

Teaching students about how sound travels can often involve the use of dull and unexciting charts to depict soundwaves, but with this awesome experiment, you can help the students to actually visualize the effect that sound has on the world around it. 

There are a number of different experiments that you can do with your students to show off the unique movements of sound, so make sure to try out a number.

The students will enjoy watching as sound causes different reactions to occur within different materials.

14. Hard Water Experiment

This experiment will help students to understand what it means for water to be ‘Hard’, and how the hardness of water can cause the water to react in different ways when different materials are placed into it.

We loved performing this experiment with the students, because it was incredibly easy to set it all up, and yet resulted in a truly enriching learning experience that helped the students to learn a lot about chemistry and some of the various compounds that can be found in water.

15. Rube-Goldberg Machines

To help teach your students about the power of gravity, and the effect that it has on everyday objects, then this experiment is an incredibly safe bet.

Encourage the children to get creative, to create machines that allow small balls to roll around from point A to point B.

Make sure to provide the students with plenty of simple construction materials, like disposable cups, popsicle sticks, and glue! 

The students will really enjoy creating machines that allow the balls to move quickly, and competing to create the most exciting machines in the class.

16. Homemade Water Filters

One of the experiments we touched upon just earlier involved the students learning a little more about the various compounds that can be found in ‘Hard’ water, while this experiment helps them to take this knowledge a little further, to understand how to extract these compounds from water.

The students will love creating the filters themselves, and then watching as the water they put through it becomes filtered and the compounds are removed! 

We loved how simple this experiment was, despite how fascinating and exciting the end results proved to be.

17. Raft Building

This experiment allows the students to make use of very simple materials in nature, or you can bring in a number of materials for them to choose from to create their own rafts. 

This experiment will teach the students about surface tension, and how it is key in helping their rafts to float on the surface of the water. 

This experiment can also include a competitive element, as you can challenge the students to create the most effective raft, and see which one can bear the greatest load before sinking! 

18. Candy Chromatography

Candies like Skittles and M&Ms include all kinds of coloring agents that help to give them such vibrant and colorful looks.

This experiment takes advantage of this and allows the students to watch as the colors slowly bleed out of these candies, onto paper.

What we loved about this experiment was that it was incredibly easy to put together, and only involved a few basic components that came together to create some great results. 

Watching as the colors bled out of the candies provided a great socializing opportunity for the students to grow closer as they watch with excitement.

19. Extracting Onion DNA

It can be incredibly mindblowing for young students to learn about the chemicals that make up numerous organic items, and biological materials.

This experiment allows the students to get up close and personal with DNA, without having to make use of any fancy technology, or microscopes! 

This experiment is also incredibly easy for the children to get involved with, and allows them to work together to better understand the basics of DNA, and the role that DNA plays in making each onion unique.

The experiment also allows the students to get a little bit messy, which makes the lesson more satisfying for everyone!

20. Ice Race

This simple experiment makes use of the slippery nature of ice, as the students compete to discover which materials will help ice to melt quicker, and thus allow it to move more quickly along a set path.

This experiment is not only a lot of fun and allows the students to get a little bit competitive, but it also teaches them about how certain chemical reactions can generate heat, and thus cause ice to melt at differing rates.

This experiment is also mostly mess-free, so teachers don’t need to worry about hours of cleanup after it is wrapped up!

21. Phototropism Experiment

This experiment is sure to blow the students’ minds, as they will learn about how plants actively seek out light sources, in order to grow more efficiently. 

The experiment is done over a long period, as the students move their lights around slightly day upon day, above the plants, to watch as the plants move accordingly, in order to take advantage of this light, and grow more effectively. 

This experiment will help to teach the students about the inner lives of plants, and how they manage to grow so effectively, even in harsher conditions where there may be less available light.

For more inspiration, take a look at these 9th-grade science projects .

These are just a small few of the best 8th grade science projects that you can try with your class, but they are easily amongst the very best.

If you are looking for fun and engaging ways to get your students involved with the world of science, then you simply need to try a number of these experiments in class! Looking for more information? Take a look at how anchor charts can help with science class.

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At most schools, 8th grade is the last year that students participate in the Science Fair. Help your 8th grader make the most of his or her last Science Fair!

In this post, we’ve assembled 20 great science fair project ideas for 8th grade. We link each project description to its original source, where you can get more information and step-by-step instructions.

Do Baseball Stadium Dimensions Affect Batting Statistics?

By reviewing hundreds of stats, you can predict if your hypothesis is true or false.

Recommended for Grade 8+.

Source: www.sciencebuddies.org

How Does Fabric Softener Affect the Flammability of Different Fabrics?

Testing fabrics with and without added fabric softener show the scientist about fire retardant fabrics.

Recommended for Grades 8+.

Source: www.projects.juliantrubin.com

Identifying Counterfeit Bills

Why does the bank teller hold the bill under a purple light? Why does the cashier put a check mark on the bill using a special marker? Test these and find out how to identify counterfeit currency.

Source:  http://www.ScienceProject.com

3 Great Science Fair Projects for 8 th  Graders

Interesting ideas and instructions for 3 different projects, including the best way to soundproof a garage.

Recommended for grades 8+.

Source: MakeScienceFun

Science Fair Projects on Earthquakes

This site offers several different project ideas related to earthquakes. There are links available for additional information.

Recommended for Grades 7-8.

Source: www.earthquake.usgs.gov

The Science of Fingerprints by Leonard Bloch

Fingerprints offer a fun way to explore the science of forensics. This site offers some basic experiments and then takes the student on a “Crime scene” investigation using their fingerprint knowledge.

Source: www.fun-science-project-ideas.com

Gender Difference in Resting Pulse Rate of 7 th Graders

This experiment tested to see if gender made a difference in resting heart rates. Follow the scientist’s experiments to see what you conclude.

Source:  www.sciencefair-projects.org

Do Humans Have a Blind Spot?

This experiment will test if humans have a blind spot in their vision and how to find it.

Source: www.exploratorium.edu

Taste and Smell

This experiment tests the relationship between taste and smell. The site offers great guidelines, links for research and much more.

Recommended for Grades 6-8.

Source: www.sciencefair.math.iit.edu

Does Chewing Gum Make You Smarter?

This will test the theory that chewing gum will help you perform better on tests and other mental challenges.

Recommended for grades 6-8.

Source:  www.education.com

Which Gear Gives the Best Performance in a Kart Race?

These two scientists give you all of their tips to reproduce this experiment on your own to determine who will win your race.

Source: www.pbskids.org

How to Power a Radio with Solar Power

Learn how to power up a radio using the power of the sun!

Source:  www.makeitsolar.com

The Science of Tsunamis

Find out what effect the water depth has on a wave’s velocity.

Recommended for Grade 6-8.

Source: www.sciencebuddies.co

Cleaning Coins

This project explores the effectiveness of various cleaning solutions in cleaning tarnished and oxidized coins.

Source: www.education.com

Is There Chemical Contamination in Your Stream or Creek?

Using lettuce as a bioassay, students can test the quality of water. Check out these experiments for your science fair project.

Source: www.ars.usda.gov

Solar Cell Power Output vs Temperature

In this project you will build a simple circuit and experimental setup to investigate whether the power output of a solar cell changes with ambient temperature.

Does Music have an Effect on Biological Systems?

This experiment will help to determine if music has an effect on the growth rate of vegetation.

Recommended for grades 7-8.

Source: www.cool-science-projects.com

Exploring Skyscraper Design with Legos

Can you determine the best design for a skyscraper? Test out your hypotheses using Legos.

Source: www.mpmideas.com

Science Fair Projects for 8th Graders

The 8th grade science fair is not just another school event, it’s a rite of passage in the academic journey of students that lets them really spread their wings and discover their passions. It’s a unique event where curiosity meets scientific rigor, setting it apart from the science fairs of earlier grades. By 8th grade, students are often ready to bring a maturity and depth of understanding that elevates their projects from the simple demonstrations seen in earlier science fair projects, to explorations of complex concepts. This is where we start to see our change makers emerge! Get ready to let that curiosity and passion flourish as we tackle the the Science Fair for 8th Graders!

Unlocking the Wonders of Science The 8th Grade Science Fair

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How the 8th Grade Science Fair Is Different

In contrast to the earlier grades, the 8th grade science fair demands a higher level of rigor and scientific inquiry. Middle school students are expected to delve deeper into the scientific method, showcasing not just their results but also an understanding of the experiment process and implications. The projects at this level often involve greater innovation, more sophisticated materials, intricate methodologies, and an expectation of greater autonomy in the research process.

Now this doesn’t mean parents won’t be involved, but unlike earlier years when the science fair projects were a family affair, grade 8 is when students should be more independent when it comes to their projects. Let them take the reins and really take ownership of this project.

We are in middle school now, and it is the perfect time for students to start identifying areas they may want to study, or even possibly pursue as a career. We want our teens to embrace discovery and curiosity through learning. The science fair project is an opportunity to test the waters of future fields of study, without any commitment beyond this one project. So let them explore and get excited!

Unique Science Fair Project Ideas for 8th Graders

Finding the perfect project for the Grade 8 Science Fair can feel challenging, but the best place to start is by looking at the curriculum. What are you studying and learning about this year? In many school districts, 8th grade covers:

• the human body and life systems,
• machines, structures and mechanisms
• energy and energy transfer,
• Earth sciences

Take a look at the curriculum and see what interests you. Your passion and curiosity for a project will definitely show. So make sure you pick something that gets your creative juices flowing!

Want more ideas? Here are a few science fair ideas from the STEAM Powered Family archives that are perfect for 8th graders.

The Chemistry of Food

Exploring how different ingredients or processes affect food is a fascinating topic for aspiring chefs and bakers. They can dive into how different temperatures affect the crystallization of sugars in candy making , or maybe explore how different flour or yeast affects bread making , or dive into the world of cookies and see how different temperatures of butter affect the cookies. The best part of these experiments is that you also get to eat them!

Heat transfer and energy transfer are a common subject matter in 8th grade. In a Solar Oven Project students combine physics, environmental science, and a bit of culinary fun. Build a solar oven using simple materials like cardboard boxes, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. The objective is to understand how solar energy can be harnessed and used for cooking. The best part with this project is making some delicious treats like s’mores or pizza.

Build a Candle Carousel

This physics experiment and STEM project challenges students to come up with different designs to find the most functional rotor design for a windmill powered by candles. Students will learn about thermodynamics and aerodynamics as they test different designs with their Candle Carousel .

Homemade Battery

Chemistry and physics come alive in this project. Using items like lemons , pumpkins , or potatoes , copper coins, and zinc nails, students can create their own batteries. This experiment teaches about chemical reactions and electrical circuits. Plus, it’s always thrilling to see a small LED light up from power generated by fruits or vegetables.

Water Filtration System

This is a great project for budding environmental scientists. Start by doing a Water Quality Analysis on local water sources by testing for pH and pollutants. Then investigate how to purify or filter water using various materials like sand, gravel, and charcoal. It’s a practical exploration of environmental engineering and raises awareness about the importance of clean water.

Plant Growth with Different Liquids

Perfect for those interested in biology and botany. Here, students can grow plants and water them with different liquids (like water, milk, juice, etc.) to see the effects on plant growth. It’s a simple yet effective way to understand plant biology and the importance of proper nutrients. We conducted two experiments, one experiment explored the impact of acid rain and the other experiment looked at water pollution .

The Greenhouse Effect

Another great project for students interested in environmental sciences is to explore the Greenhouse Effect . We conducted an experiment that demonstrated the Greenhouse Effect, but what can you come up with to combat these heat trapping molecules?

Crystal Growing

A project that is stunningly beautiful and educational… growing crystals! This science fair project is perfect for budding geologists and rock hounds. By creating crystals using substances like borax , salt , sugar , or alum , students can learn about saturated solutions and the process of crystallization. It’s a bit like magic, watching these beautiful structures form over time. Turn it into a science fair project by exploring how different ingredients form different crystalline structures, or maybe how heat affects crystal formation . We did a version of this project idea as part of a Christmas Crystal Gnome Project that could easily be changed into a Science Fair Project.

Reaction Time Testing

One of the subjects covered in most 8th grade curriculums is the human body and one facet of that is exploring reaction times. There are a few different ways you can explore reaction time , including what might affect reaction times. Perhaps explore whether being hungry or overly full affects reaction times. Maybe time of day. Or reaction times with a dominant hand versus non-dominant. You can have a lot of fun with this reaction time science fair project and turn it into an interactive demonstration that science fair goers will love.

Homemade Seismograph

Constructing a basic seismograph using simple materials can be a fascinating project exploring the effects of earthquakes. This allows students to record and understand seismic activities, tying in physics, earth science, and engineering (by exploring how to earthquake proof buildings).

Analyzing Microbial Growth on Different Surfaces

This project involves swabbing various surfaces and culturing the bacteria in petri dishes. Students can study microbiology, learn about hygiene and public health, and even delve into data analysis by comparing growth rates. They can also explore how different soaps impact bacteria growth.

Bio-Plastics from Household Ingredients

This project explores the creation of biodegradable plastics using common kitchen ingredients like gelatin , or milk . It’s an innovative way to discuss sustainability, environmental science, and chemistry, especially in the context of reducing plastic waste. Take this topic even deeper for the science fair by exploring the biodegradation of the different bioplastics you make. Compare how these bioplastics break down to provide insight into environmental sustainability.

Invisible Ink

For students who love history and sleuthing, they will enjoy doing an Invisible Ink science fair project where they can explore the different ways to make invisible ink . This can provide a fascinating opportunity to combine historical studies with chemistry.

Basketball and the Perfect Shot

For your sports loving kids, explore creating a project that allows them to dig into the physics and science of sport. In our project, we looked into the science behind basketball and getting the perfect basket. By building a basketball model we created an interactive experience that was both educational and fun.

Oobleck – Exploring Matter

A fun way to explore matter as part of your science fair project is to test different types of Oobleck. Oobleck is a non-Newtonian Fluid and makes a fascinating study in matter. Does the perfect oobleck recipe exist? See what you find!

Launch the Fair with Catapults

There is so much you can do with Catapults at the Science Fair. These simple machines are a great way to really launch learning and fun at the fair!

Magic Milk Investigation

The best science fair project ideas come from asking, “ what would happen if… ” In this case, we wondered what the impact would be on the fat content of the milk on the Magic Milk colorful reactions. The results were really fascinating!

Crafting a Winning Science Fair Project

Once you have picked your project, you might be wondering how to make it the best Science Fair Project. Here are a few of our best tips, but if you need more more guidance visit our resource on Elementary Science Fair Projects or our Guide to the Science Fair .

The Question

Every great Science Fair Project begins with a question that piques your curiosity. Choose something you’re genuinely interested in exploring.

Research Thoroughly

Go beyond Google, you need to dig in and really research your topic. Go to the library, contact professional organizations, and talk to experts in the field. Well conducted research may open up even more exciting and innovative approaches you can take with your idea. Make sure you understand the science behind your project. The more you know, the better you can design your experiment and interpret your results.

Make a Plan and Document Meticulously

Just like you would make an outline for an essay, spend time creating a plan for your project. Then make sure you detail every step of your experiment. Be meticulous in your approach. Ensure you record all the steps, every part of your process, and your findings accurately.

Think Outside the Box

Innovation is key. Don’t be afraid to try something new or take a different approach to a common problem. Remember all that research you did, get creative and see what you can bring to the research from your unique perspective. Maybe you can solve a problem and become a changemaker!

Focus on the Presentation

How you communicate your findings is just as important as the experiment itself. Create clear, concise displays and practice explaining your project in a way that’s both engaging and informative. One tip I love is to video tape yourself doing your presentation. This can help you fine tune until it is perfection.

This reminds me… proof! Make sure you have proofed everything numerous times for any errors. Get someone you trust to also proof your materials to ensure they are mistake free. This includes your report, displays and any other materials you create to go with your project.

Anticipate Questions

You are the expert on your project. Be ready to answer questions about your methodology, findings, and the implications of your investigations. The better you understand your work, the more confidently you can discuss it. My tip is to get your family or friends to watch your presentation and ask questions. You can even send the video of your presentation to get their feedback to help you prepare for those questions.

The 8th grade science fair is more than just a bunch of experiments, it’s a platform where young minds learn to question, explore, and innovate. By embracing the challenges and opportunities it presents, students not only gain valuable scientific knowledge but also develop skills in critical thinking and problem-solving that will serve them well in their future academic and professional careers. Most of all, use this as an opportunity to develop those passion projects, foster a love of learning, and embrace curiosity!

Top 99+ Science Fair Project Ideas for 8th Grade Students

Looking for science fair project ideas for 8th grade students? Discover captivating experiments tailored for 8th graders, igniting curiosity and showcasing scientific skills.

Are you prepared to turn your curiosity into scientific magic and have an absolute blast along the way? Grab your favorite snack (how about some brain fuel?), get comfy, and let’s dive into a world of super cool projects that will make your science fair experience unforgettable.

Are you feeling the excitement? Because I’m pumped up and ready to rock this science fair with you! Let’s make it happen!

Table of Contents

Importance of Science Fair Project Ideas for 8th Grade

Check out the importance of science fair project ideas for 8th grade:-

Messy Science Playdates

Imagine 8th-grade science fair projects as the ultimate playdate with science. No dull lectures, just hands-on experiments – it’s like dipping your toes into a pool of curiosity and making a splash!

Chase Your Curiosity Trail

Think of these projects as treasure hunts for your questions. Instead of sticking to textbooks, 8th graders get to be the explorers of their own curiosity trails. It’s like following a trail of wonders and discovering the secrets of the scientific jungle.

Mad Scientist Vibes

Ever wanted to be a mad scientist in a lab coat? Well, now’s the chance! Science fair projects are like your personal laboratory where you can mix, create, and let loose your inner mad scientist – minus the evil laugh (unless you want to add that too!).

Skills Buffet for Life

These projects aren’t just adding points to your science scoreboard; they’re building a whole set of life skills. From tackling puzzles to working in a team, 8th graders are gearing up with skills that will turn them into all-around rockstars – both inside and outside the classroom.

So, whether you’re causing mini-explosions in the kitchen or decoding the mysteries of the backyard, 8th-grade science fair projects are your VIP passes to a world where learning is an adventure, science is a playdate, and curiosity is your compass!

How do I Get Started with a Science Fair Project? 

Hey there, budding scientist! Ready to rock your science fair project? Here’s the lowdown to kickstart your journey:

• Follow Your Passion: What gets you pumped? Think about what sparks your interest in science. Start from there!
• Zoom In: Now, hone in on something specific. Choose a question or problem that makes you go, “Hmm, I wonder!”
• Dive into Research: Time to do a little detective work! Hit the books, surf the web—soak up all that juicy info about your topic.
• Make a Guess: Take a stab at it! What do you think might happen? Trust your gut and make a hypothesis.
• Plan Your Experiment: Map out your game plan. What materials do you need? How will you set up your experiment?
• Gather Your Gear: Raid your kitchen, scavenge your closet—grab whatever you need. Get creative and use what you have!
• Test it Out: Ready, set, go! Dive into your experiment. Follow your plan, jot down observations, and don’t forget to have fun!
• Check Out the Results: What did you discover? Take a peek at your data. Look for any surprises or interesting patterns.
• Share Your Story: Spread the word! Practice explaining your project and get ready to blow some minds at the science fair.

And there you have it—your recipe for science fair success! Now go on, get out there, and let your inner scientist shine!

Also Read: Service Project Ideas for High School

List of Science Fair Project Ideas for 8th Grade Students

Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas for 8th grade students: 

• Experiment with different types of music to see how they affect heart rates.
• Grow veggies in your backyard and see how they respond to sunlight and water.
• Test natural bug repellents to keep mosquitoes at bay.
• Watch ants to see what foods they prefer.
• Check if caffeine affects sleep in mice.
• See how soil types impact seed growth.
• Hatch chicken eggs at different temperatures.
• Test natural vs. chemical cleaners on stains.
• Try different diets on fruit flies.
• Check if packaging affects food freshness.
• Test the acid levels of popular drinks and their effects on teeth.
• See which cleaner is best at removing stains.
• Bake bread and study the chemistry behind it.
• Rust metal in different temperatures.
• Learn about cooking oils’ chemical compositions.
• Boil water with different salt levels.
• Grow crystals with different pH levels.
• Study soap or vinegar’s chemical makeup.
• Check fruit color vs. vitamin C content.
• Investigate pH changes in flavored water.
• Bounce balls of different materials.
• Swing pendulums of various lengths.
• Test paper airplanes in windy conditions.
• Roll balls down ramps at different angles.
• Play with magnets to see their strength.
• Strum guitar strings of different lengths.
• Stretch rubber bands and observe changes.
• Drop objects to measure gravitational pull.
• See how light bulbs’ energy usage varies.
• Push toy cars across different surfaces.

Environmental Science

• Grow plants in polluted vs. clean water.
• Watch how deforestation affects soil.
• Study CO2 levels in urban vs. rural areas.
• Simulate an oil spill and its effects on wildlife.
• Track bird migration during climate changes.
• Examine how cities impact local animals.
• Map how weather affects local ecosystems.
• Experiment with recycling vs. dumping trash.
• Observe litter’s impact on animal behavior.
• Compare algae growth in warm vs. cool water.

Earth Science

• Mimic erosion with different soils.
• Experiment with shadows to study sunlight angles.
• Build models to understand earthquakes.
• Check erosion rates with and without vegetation.
• Simulate volcanic eruptions’ ash clouds.
• Use ice to sculpt landscapes.
• Plant in different soils to see growth.
• Test water quality in clean vs. dirty areas.
• Measure tide patterns with moon phases.
• Study rock weathering in various environments.

Engineering

• Build and break model bridges.
• Test soundproofing materials like egg cartons.
• Design solar panels for optimal sunlight.
• Construct wind turbine blades for efficiency.
• Power toy cars with solar or wind energy.
• Insulate houses for energy savings.
• Make rockets for distance and speed.
• Shape boats for maximum buoyancy.
• Measure bike speed with different gears.
• Create parachutes to slow down falls.

Computer Science

• Model ecosystems with population dynamics.
• Encrypt messages and crack the codes.
• Study social media’s impact on behavior.
• Design video games for player engagement.
• Monitor screen time’s effect on focus.
• Predict weather patterns with algorithms.
• Track smartphone usage for productivity.
• Code robots for different tasks.
• Analyze traffic flow for city planning.
• Simulate stock market trends with data.

Mathematics

• Explore repeating patterns in nature.
• Find Fibonacci sequences in flower petals.
• Sort numbers with different algorithms.
• Play with prime numbers’ unique properties.
• Calculate shapes’ areas and perimeters.
• Make geometric shapes from everyday items.
• Graph different types of number sequences.
• Study triangles’ angles and side lengths.
• Chart real-life data with graphs.
• Discover infinity’s role in math.

Health Science

• Practice stress-relief techniques like deep breathing.
• Monitor sleep habits and its impact on focus.
• Track diets and heart health.
• Try mindfulness exercises for mental health.
• Exercise and track mood changes.
• Limit screen time and observe sleep patterns.
• Listen to music for relaxation.
• Monitor self-esteem and social media use.
• Form support groups for stress management.
• Meditate to improve emotional balance.

Social Science

• Study group decisions and peer pressure.
• Compare school achievements across incomes.
• Explore friendships in the age of social media.
• Survey cultural norms and their impacts.
• Check family dynamics and mental health.
• Discuss gender roles and career choices.
• Survey parenting styles and academic success.
• Observe leadership styles and personalities.
• Compare teaching methods for engagement.
• Assess school environments’ impact on grades.

These project ideas offer hands-on learning and real-world applications, perfect for sparking curiosity and making science fun!

What is the best science experiments for Class 8?

Check out some of the best science expeirments for class 8:-

• Fizz-Pop Chemistry Show : Ever seen vinegar and baking soda team up? Mix them, and watch the fizz party! It’s not just a chemical reaction; it’s a spectacular display of science in action. You’re practically hosting a mini fireworks show in a jar!
• Liquid Magic Density Tower : Picture this – a tower of liquids that don’t mix! Create your own magical density tower using liquids like oil, water, and syrup. It’s like a liquid rainbow that defies gravity right on your desk.
• Gadget Gurus: Simple Machines Edition : Step into the shoes of an inventor! Build simple machines like levers or pulleys using everyday materials. It’s not just a science experiment; it’s your chance to be a genius inventor crafting tools that make life easier.
• Sun Chef Solar Oven Extravaganza : What if you could cook using the power of the sun? Enter the solar oven! Create your own sun-powered kitchen and become the chef of the future. It’s like baking cookies with sunshine – a taste of science and deliciousness.
• Microscopic Safari Adventure : Grab a microscope and embark on a safari, not in the wild, but in the microscopic world! Explore tiny plant and animal cells like a detective solving mysteries. It’s not just science; it’s a journey into the unseen wonders of life.
• pH Party with Colorful Chemicals : Get ready for a pH party where colors tell the tale! Test the acidity of everyday substances using funky pH indicators. It’s not just science; it’s like being a detective decoding the secret identities of household items.
• Eco-Explorer in a Jar : Transform into an eco-explorer with your own mini-world in a jar. Watch plants, soil, and tiny critters create a living ecosystem. It’s not just an experiment; it’s your personal nature documentary unfolding right on your desk.

So, whether you’re causing a chemistry commotion or going on a microscopic safari, Class 8 science experiments are not just lessons – they’re your ticket to a world of thrilling, hands-on exploration!

So, there you have it – science fair project ideas for 8th grade are like treasure maps to a land of curiosity and fun.

Imagine your classroom transforming into a wild science safari, with you as the fearless leader. Whether you’re mixing up potions, building contraptions, or decoding the language of plants, these projects are your backstage pass to the coolest show in town.

So, go ahead, dive in, get your hands dirty (in a totally awesome way), and let the science fair be your stage. Because in the world of 8th-grade science projects, the spotlight is yours, and the discoveries are endless!

FAQs (Science Fair Project Ideas for 8th Grade Students)

1. how can parents support their 8th-grade students in their science fair projects.

Parents can support their children by providing guidance, helping with research, and ensuring they have the necessary materials for their project.

2. What’s the importance of making a hypothesis in a science fair project?

A hypothesis sets the direction for the experiment and helps students make predictions about the outcome.

15 Eighth Grade Science Fair Projects and Classroom Experiments”:

Are you an eighth-grade student looking for science fair project ideas? Look no further! We have compiled a list of 15 exciting and educational science fair projects that are perfect for your grade level. These projects cover various scientific disciplines and can be easily done in a classroom setting. Let’s dive in!

• “Exploring the Effects of Different Liquids on Plant Growth”: Investigate how different liquids, such as water, milk, and juice, affect the growth of plants.
• “The Power of Sunlight: Building a Solar Oven”: Build a solar oven and explore how it uses sunlight to cook food.
• “Bouncing Balls: Investigating the Factors Affecting Bounce Height”: Study the factors that affect the height of a bouncing ball, such as the type of ball or the surface it bounces on.
• “Fruit Battery Power”: Use fruits like lemons, oranges, or potatoes to create a simple battery and power a small device.
• “Can Plants Communicate?”: Test whether plants can respond to sound or music and observe any changes in their growth.
• “The Mathematics of Music”: Study the relationship between different musical notes and mathematical patterns.
• “Water Filtration: Clean Water for All”: Build a water filtration system and test its efficiency in removing impurities.
• “The Effects of Music on Memory”: Investigate how listening to music affects memory recall in different tasks.
• “Static Electricity: Hair-Raising Experiments”: Explore static electricity by conducting experiments with balloons, hair, and other objects.
• “The Science of Color: Creating a Chromatography Art”: Separate different color pigments using chromatography and create a unique artwork.
• “How Do Different Surface Materials Affect Sliding Friction?”: Examine how different materials, such as sandpaper or plastic, affect the friction between objects.
• “The Chemistry of Slime”: Experiment with different ingredients to create slime and understand the science behind its viscosity.
• “The Life Cycle of Butterflies”: Observe and document the life cycle of butterflies, from egg to adult, and learn about their habitats.
• “Building a Simple Circuit”: Construct a basic circuit using batteries, wires, and light bulbs to understand the concept of electricity flow.
• “The Physics of Roller Coasters”: Explore the principles of physics by building a small roller coaster model and observing how it affects the motion of a marble.

These are just a few ideas to get you started on your science fair journey. Remember to choose a project that interests you the most and have fun experimenting! Good luck with your eighth-grade science fair project!

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Let customers speak for us

I teach adult SpEd/transition students, some of whom have the goal of being able to work with money. This type of worksheet allows us to assess money recognition. I can use it with my limited mobiity students by providing daubers for them to use if working a marker or crayon. We have laminated some of them to use with dry erase markers or post it dots.

Class loves them

I thought I was ordering the really big paw since it said large, but this is the small one about the size of my palm. I would recommend putting some thing next to the paw print to show size.

I needed good old basic letters to reinforce letter formation for older students (2nd grade) so I didn't want something too "kiddy" or a page full of graphics and less content. This fit the bill! Perfect :)

My 3 year old is really enjoying this activity. I like how she gets the reward of eating m&ms upon completion of the activity. The only improvement I would suggest is that each box could be a little bigger, to make it easier for little ones to point to each m&m and not mess up the count accidentally.

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100 Last-Day-of-School Activities Your Students Will Love!

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50 Sensational 7th Grade Science Fair Projects and Classroom Activities

Mummification, oxidation, electroplating, and more!

Engage every student with these 7th grade science fair projects, whether they’re interested in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, or any other discipline. Plus, find interesting classroom demos, experiments, and hands-on activities to spice up your lesson plans!

To make it easier to find classroom activities or science fair ideas for 7th grade, we’ve rated all the projects by difficulty and the materials needed:

Difficulty:

• Easy: Low or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much anytime
• Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
• Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time or effort
• Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
• Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
• Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete

Biology and Ecology Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade

Chemistry science fair ideas for 7th grade, physics and engineering science fair ideas for 7th grade, 7th grade science classroom demos, experiments, and hands-on activities.

Want to learn more about animals or human behavior, the environment around you, or other life science topics? Try these 7th grade science fair projects.

Learn whether color affects memory

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Can certain colors improve your memory? This experiment explores that idea using different text, background colors, and blue light settings on devices.

Learn more: Colors and Memory at Education.com

Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. In this experiment, students use eggs to determine how soda and juice stain the teeth and wear down the enamel. (Bonus: Have students try different toothpaste and toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.)

Learn more: Eggshell Experiment at Feels Like Home

Extract DNA from an onion

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Learn how to extract DNA from an onion (most of what you need you can find at home, and you can get 95% ethanol at Amazon ). Then, turn it into an experiment by applying the theory to other fruits or vegetables to see if you can get similar results.

Stretch your mind with a flexibility experiment

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

Find out how important stretching really is by comparing the flexibility of willing test subjects before and after stretch exercises. This is a great experiment for fitness fans.

Learn more: Flexibility Experiment at We Have Kids

Construct a DIY grow box

Design a grow box using a cardboard box, foil, and a plug-in light socket . Then, use it for all kinds of plant-based science fair ideas for 7th grade students.

Learn more: DIY Grow Box at Uplifting Mayhem

Collect and control biofilm

Bacteria that accumulate on objects in the water form a substance called biofilm. In this 7th grade science fair project, students build an apparatus to collect biofilm and then experiment with ways to reduce the amount of biofilm that accumulates over time.

Learn more: Biofilm Experiment at The Homeschool Scientist

See if caffeine helps you type faster

People seek out a jolt of caffeine when they’re feeling sluggish, but does it really help them perform better? This 7th grade science fair project tasks students with answering that question using the scientific method.

Find out if all plants are phototropic

You probably already know that many plants grow toward the light. But do all of them respond in the same way? Test several types of plants to find out.

Devise a water filtration system

Plenty of homes use water filtration systems these days, but how do they really work? This chemistry experiment explores how charcoal filters impurities from drinking water.

Learn more: Water Filtration at The Homeschool Scientist

Determine whether text abbreviations are a new language

Kids are fluent in text-speak, but does it really count as a whole new language? In this 7th grade science fair project, students research language and the history of texting, then compile a texting glossary and consider texting’s practical applications.

Learn more: Text Language at Education.com

If you’re fascinated by test tubes, beakers, and Bunsen burners, check out these interesting 7th grade science fair projects and ideas.

Design your own slime

Chances are good your students already love making and playing with slime. Turn the fun into an experiment by changing the ingredients to create slime with a variety of properties, from magnetic to glow-in-the-dark!

Copper-plate some coins

Students need just a few simple supplies to perform electroplating, but the results are always impressive. (Get copper strips  and 9V battery snap connectors with alligator clips on Amazon.) Turn this into a 7th grade science fair project by changing up the variables (does temperature matter?) or items being electroplated.

Learn more: Electroplating at KiwiCo

Swab and test for germs

Germ experiments are one of the most popular science fair ideas for 7th grade students. Swab household items, school supplies, and more to discover what’s living on the items around you.

Learn more: Germ Experiment at Angelic Scalliwags

Spherify your favorite beverage

Spherification is a hot trend in top restaurants, but 7th grade science students can easily replicate it at home with a spherification kit . This is a cool chemistry experiment, and tasty too!

Test calorie counts in packaged foods

Ever wonder how scientists determine how many calories are in your food? Try this experiment to find out!

Explore mummification

First, learn how to mummify a hot dog using baking soda as a desiccant. Then, experiment with other desiccants or items to turn this into a bona fide experiment.

Play around with oxidation

Can you find a way to slow or prevent oxidation (rusting)? This is one of those 7th grade science fair ideas that’s simple in concept but has lots of practical applications.

Learn more: Oxidation Experiment at Teach Beside Me

Blow hot or cold bubbles

Blowing bubbles may sound like too much fun for a science project, but when conditions like temperature are altered, the experimental part kicks in. What conditions do you need to blow a bubble that freezes?

Learn more:  Bubble Life & Temperature at ThoughtCo.

Whip up some eggshell chalk

Use the calcium in eggshells to make your own sidewalk chalk. Then, tinker with the recipe to see if you can make the chalk last longer, resist water, or other variables.

Learn more: DIY Chalk at Kidspot

See the effect of acid rain on plants

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This simple project tests whether acid rain has any effect on plant life, using vinegar in place of fossil fuels. Experiment with different acid concentrations and pH levels for a more advanced version.

Learn more: Acid Rain Experiment at STEAM Powered Family

Explore the laws of motion, the science of energy, or STEM challenge engineering ideas through 7th grade science fair projects like these.

Drive a balloon-powered car

Engineer a balloon-powered car using basic materials from around the house (even the wheels are bottle caps!). Experiment to see how far or fast you can make the car go.

Learn more: Balloon Car at Prolab

Construct a geodesic dome

Budding engineers will love designing, building, and testing the strength of the fascinating geodesic dome. This experiment requires nothing more than newspaper and masking tape!

Design a solar oven

Students experiment with the best way to build a solar oven, exploring thermal energy, reflection, convection, and other physics concepts. They can serve up their experiment results along with their final reports!

Learn more: Solar Oven at Children’s Science Center

Lend a helping hand

This is a great individual or group 7th grade science project, as it encourages students to use and hone their design and engineering skills to make a working model of a hand. If you’ve got robotics skills, take this project to a more advanced level.

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. Build a model and test the amount of weight it can hold, or craft a full-size version to put Da Vinci’s plan into action.

Construct a water clock

You’ll blow your 7th grade science students’ minds when you tell them they’re going to build a clock using engineering that’s been around for thousands of years. The supplies are simple, but the results are pretty neat!

Learn more: Water Clock at STEAM Powered Family

Generate electricity

In this science fair project, kids build a generator from scratch. Turn it into an experiment by varying the materials to see if you can increase the amount of energy it produces.

Test the elasticity of balloons

Explore whether heat and cold have an effect on elasticity using balloons. Try this with other materials too to expand the project. ( Find more balloon science here! )

Freeze water in an instant

Explore the concept of nucleation (the process of chain reactions) by turning water into ice in seconds! Make this a 7th grade science fair project by trying the same process with other liquids.

Auto-feed your pet

Difficulty: Advanced / Materials: Advanced

Can you build a device that feeds your pets automatically? Even better, can you make it inexpensive and easy for others to build too? This project has real practical applications.

Use these classroom activities to teach human biology, mechanical engineering, and more physics and chemistry concepts in engaging and exciting ways.

Use Oreos to teach mitosis

A 7th grade science activity that doubles as a sweet treat? Your students are going to love this activity using Oreo cookies and colorful sprinkles to make cellular mitosis models.

Learn more: Oreo Mitosis at Ballin With Balling

Twist pipe cleaners to explore meiosis

Meiosis is similar to mitosis, but it’s specific to the production of gametes. These hands-on models use basic materials like pipe cleaners and beads to make the process easier to visualize.

Learn more: Meiosis Models at Science Prof Online

Teach about “Homer-o-stasis”

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Advanced

This is such a fun way to teach kids about the concept of homeostasis! Get all the instructions you need at the link.

Learn more: Homer-o-stasis at The Trendy Science Teacher

Sort jelly beans to learn genetics

If you’re learning about how genetic traits are passed along from parent to child, try this jelly-bean demo. When you’re finished, you can enjoy a sweet treat!

Learn more: Jelly Bean Genetics at The Owl Teacher

Design a pinball machine

Give your class basic supplies like rubber bands, plastic cups, and cardboard boxes. Then challenge them to create their very own pinball machines!

Learn more: Pinball STEM Challenge at Student Savvy

Conduct a carbon cycle lab activity

If you’ve got access to some basic chemicals, conduct this lab that helps students see the carbon cycle in action using their own breath.

Learn more: Science Lessons That Rock

Make a tea bag float on air

This easy experiment is a cool way to show kids how heat affects air molecules, making hot air rise. They’ll need some supervision with the fire, so try this out on the playground for extra safety.

Learn more: Floating Tea Bags at Coffee Cups and Crayons

Learn how salt affects density

Explore the salinity of various bodies of water, then re-create their waters to see if you can make an egg float or sink. Experiment with other objects too.

Learn more: Saltwater Density at Uplifting Mayhem

Watch the greenhouse effect in action

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

Learn more: Greenhouse Effect at Teaching Science With Lynda

Blow bubbles to explore cell membranes

Kids are never too old to enjoy bubbles, so use them to learn more about cell membranes in this fun 7th grade science activity.

Learn more: Cell Membrane Bubbles at The Trendy Science Teacher

Marvel at a density rainbow

We learn early on that oil floats on water, but where do other liquids fit in? Students find out when they conduct this colorful density experiment that has them layer different substances, making a rainbow.

Ride the wave (machine)

Learning about wave action? Build this surprisingly easy wave machine for hands-on exploration.

Learn more: Wave Machine at Engaging Science Labs

Create a taxonomy system

Students can step into Linnaeus’ shoes by creating their own system of taxonomy using a handful of different dried beans. This is a fun 7th grade science project to do in groups, so students can see the differences between each group’s system.

Learn more: Taxonomy Project at Our Journey Westward

Bake an edible cell model

Sure, students could build a cell model out of clay, but cake and candy are so much more delicious! Check out the link below to see how one teacher does it.

Learn more: Edible Cell Model at Weird Unsocialized Homeschooling

Swing a glass of water

This classic science experiment teaches kids about centripetal force. Be forewarned: This could potentially make a bit of a mess, so consider taking this one outside.

Simulate natural selection with a lab activity

Travel to the Galápagos Islands and follow in Darwin’s footsteps as students explore finch beak adaptations in this clever natural selection lab.

Learn more: Natural Selection Lab at Teach To Serve

Participate in Project FeederWatch

Citizen science projects bring science to life for kids! One of our favorites is Project FeederWatch, where kids put out bird feeders and then count and report on their visitors. This is a great way to build a love of birding for life.

Learn more: Classroom Resources at Project FeederWatch

Experiment with basic substances to learn about chemical change

If you’re introducing lab work and chemistry basics to 7th graders, this easy lab is a great way to do it. They’ll learn safety procedures and get to feel like “real” scientists as they pour, mix, swirl, and more.

Learn more: Chemical Change Lab at Super Sass and Science Class

Assemble an edible DNA model

DNA models are always more fun when you can snack on them afterwards. Want to make this a healthier activity? Use fruits and veggies to make models instead.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model at Hess UnAcademy

Craft a food web marble maze

Combine a STEM challenge with learning about food webs in this clever project. Kids will love the hands-on aspect, and it will really help the learning stick.

Learn more: Food Web Marble Maze at Teach Savvy

Keep the STEM learning going with these 15 Items All Middle School Math Classrooms Need .

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