Eighth Grade Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 11)

Extracting Onion DNA

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

In this project, you'll learn how to isolate DNA from onion cells, separating it from other cellular components in a manner that still preserves its structure and sequence. In the end, you'll have enough DNA to see with the unaided eye, and you'll be able to spool it to demonstrate its strand-like structure. Read more

How Old Is the Universe?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Would it surprise you to learn that no one knows the exact age of the universe? Astronomers have estimates, and as they gather increasingly precise data and measurements, they continue to refine those estimates to come up with more accurate estimates. In this project, you can look at data about stars in dense groups called globular clusters and come up with your own estimate for the minimum age of the universe. How closely will your estimate match those of other astronomers? Read more

Make Your Own Harmonica!

STEM Activity

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Can you name the bestselling musical instrument in the world? If you said harmonica, you are right! The harmonica was said to be patented in 1821 by Christian Buschmann, a 16-year-old German boy. Since then, it has become the top-selling instrument in the world and a household item in many places. Luckily, creating beautiful noise is not just an art—it is also a science! In this activity, you will design and explore your own harmonica-like instrument made from household items. Time to… Read more

Measuring Sugar Content of a Liquid with a Laser Pointer

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Did you know that you can figure out how much sugar is in a liquid without ever tasting it? In this science fair project, you will learn how to measure the concentration of sugar dissolved in a liquid by using a laser pointer, a hollow prism, and some physics. You will discover how refraction, or the bending of light, is the key to measuring the sugar content of a liquid with a laser pointer. Read more

Mixing Your Own Marshmallows: Finding the Right Ratio of Sugar to Corn Syrup

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Whether you are sitting around a campfire, or drinking hot chocolate after a day in the snow, nothing says fun quite like a marshmallow! Even its name is soft and spongy! In this cooking and food science fair project, you will make your own marshmallows several different ways, and discover the three special ingredients that give marshmallows their unique texture. You will also find out why they melt so quickly. Explore the science of these sticky, spongy sweets! Read more

Green Technology: Build an Electronic Soil Moisture Sensor to Conserve Water

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

Water is a valuable resource, and water shortages are a serious problem in many parts of the world. The problem can be made worse by people who waste water; for example, by watering a garden or using sprinklers on their lawn (or a farmer taking care of an entire field) when it has rained recently or the soil is already moist. How can you help conserve water and prevent such waste? One way is to build an electronic soil moisture sensor. This project will show you how to build a circuit that… Read more

Make a Heart Rate Monitor

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

People have a variety of reasons to use heart rate monitors. For example, patients in a hospital might have stationary, bedside equipment monitor their heart rate and alert medical staff in case of an emergency. Somebody going for a run might wear a portable heart rate monitor to keep track of their workout intensity. Heart rate monitors are not all the same—their appearance and function will vary depending on the intended use. In this project you will design, build, and program your own… Read more

Bioprinting: 3D Print with Living Cells! No 3D Printer Required.

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Do you get excited about 3D printing technology? Do you like to think about other applications for this technology? 3D printing techniques can also be used with living cells, a method called 3D bioprinting. In this science project, you will explore 3D bioprinting a gelatinous substance with plant seeds. This process is similar to real 3D bioprinting techniques being explored to create tissues and organs. Read more

Burning Calories: How Much Energy is Stored in Different Types of Food?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever wondered how nutritionists know how many Calories a certain food contains? In this project you will learn a method for measuring how many Calories (how much chemical energy) is available in different types of food. You will build your own calorimeter to capture the energy released by burning a small food item, like a nut or a piece of popcorn. This project gives a new meaning to the phrase "burning calories!" Read more

Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions— What Affects Their Rates?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions by factors of at least a million. Now that's acceleration! This project investigates how temperature affects how fast these enzymatic reactions occur. Read more

Eighth Grade Projects, Lessons, Activities (1,100 results)

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