Jump to main content

Eighth Grade, Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics Projects, Lessons, Activities (51 results)

Search
Refine Results
Filter by
Sort by
Riding on Air—Build a Real Hovercraft
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Looking for an exciting new mode of transportation? In this science fair project, you will build a working hovercraft that will glide over surfaces on a cushion of air. And it's simpler to build than you might think! Read more
How to Control a DIY Mini Drone with an Arduino™
Science Fair Project Idea
Engineering Design Process
Most drones fly with a mix of human input and autonomous control based on feedback from electronic sensors. This allows the drone to fly up and down when the human operator presses a joystick on a controller, but automatically hover at a fixed distance above the ground when the operator lets go of the joystick. In this project, you will explore drone programming with an Arduino. What types of inputs and sensors can you make your drone respond to? What behaviors and responses can you program… Read more
DIY Mini Drone: Altitude Control Circuit
STEM Activity
1
2
3
4
5
65 reviews
How do you make a drone fly up and down? In this activity, you will build a simple circuit to control the altitude of a popsicle stick drone. See this page for a complete list of our mini drone projects. You may wish to do the projects in order. Read more
Drone Control with an Analog Joystick
STEM Activity
1
2
3
4
5
24 reviews
How do you steer a drone using a controller with a joystick? Find out in this activity as you program an Arduino to interface with an analog joystick, similar to those found in most video game controllers. You can use the joystick to make a mini popsicle stick drone tilt side to side or move up and down. See this page for a complete list of our mini drone projects. You may wish to do the projects in order. Read more
Explore Matchstick Rockets
STEM Activity
1
2
3
4
5
60 reviews
If you have wondered how rockets are propelled forward or if you enjoy the excitement of launching a rocket, this is an activity for you! You will learn how to make tiny rockets from aluminum foil and matchsticks, and how to ignite them safely. Soon, you will be launching one rocket after the other! Your challenge will be to find the most reliable launching mechanism. Read more
How Does the Number of Parachutes Affect Terminal Velocity?
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever wondered how astronauts land safely back on Earth? Many spaceships use a small crew capsule with multiple large parachutes to bring the astronauts down to a gentle landing either on the ground or in the ocean. What happens if one or more of the parachutes fails to deploy? Can the astronauts still land safely? Find out as you explore the physics of falling with parachutes in this project.  Read more
Modifying a Car for Better Aerodynamics
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever seen those cool wind tunnel pictures of cars with streams of smoke blowing over them? You do not need access to a wind tunnel to do a car aerodynamics science project! In this project you will use cheap, readily available materials—tape and yarn—to visualize airflow over a car. You will examine how you can affect the airflow over the car by making changes, like adding or removing accessories or making body modifications out of cardboard and duct tape. Maybe you can… Read more
Studying Bernoulli's Principle
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Did you know that you can actually make objects come together by blowing air between them? Find out how wind changes air pressure to bring to objects together in this easy and fun science fair project! Read more
Aluminum Foil Boat Design: Surviving the Stormy Seas
Lesson Plan Grade: 6th-8th
1
2
3
4
5
4 reviews
People have used boats to transport things around the world for thousands of years. Unfortunately, those boats can be vulnerable to stormy seas and they can capsize. This lesson expands on the classic "aluminum foil boat" project. Normally, students would build a boat from a sheet of aluminum foil and see how much weight it can hold—in still water—before sinking. In this project, they will find out how well their boats hold up to waves! Read more
NGSS Performance Expectations:
  • MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
  • MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
  • MS-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
  • MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
Efficient Propeller Design
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
How does a helicopter generate enough lift to fly? How does a speedboat get moving fast enough to pull someone on water skis? Here's a project on designing propellers to do the job. Read more
< 1 2 3 4 5 6 >

Explore Our Science Videos

Quick Links X
Top
Free science fair projects.