Middle School Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 14)

Do Submarines Need Fins?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

What keeps a submarine from spinning out of control? In this science project, you can investigate how submarines use stabilizing fins to move forward. You might even figure out the secrets to maneuvering a submarine! Read more

Explore the Mixing Behavior of Liquids

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever wondered why some liquids mix together easily, like when you mix different juices to make a fruit punch, while others do not mix at all, like oil and water? What happens to liquids when they are mixed depends on their mixing behavior. Some liquids blend, whereas others form separate layers. If you do it right, you can even stack liquids on top of each other just like solid objects! Want to see for yourself? In this science project, you will investigate the mixing behavior of… Read more

Generate Electricity with a Lemon Battery

STEM Activity

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Can you imagine how your life would change if batteries did not exist? If it were not for this handy storage of electrical energy, the radio in a car would not function, nor would the lights. A pacemaker or hearing device would need to be plugged into a wall outlet in order to function, and do not forget all portable electronic devices like phones, digital music players, or tablets, which are all powered by batteries. With all the frustration you might have endured coping with dead batteries,… 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

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

Launching Homemade Baking Soda Rockets

STEM Activity

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Have you ever enjoyed watching something lift off into the air, like fireworks at a show or a spacecraft launching? It can be an amazing experience. It is thrilling to see something lift off against Earth's gravity. To launch a spacecraft, its rockets give it a strong push that is due to a chemical reaction. This means that every time you see a spacecraft launch, you are watching chemistry at work. In this activity you will get to blast an object into the air using two simple… 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

Measure Up with a Homemade Thermometer

STEM Activity

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Are you eager to understand how everyday items work, or interested in making useful objects and instruments yourself? Have you ever imagined you could build your own thermometer? In this activity, you will make a liquid thermometer to track how temperatures vary with location, indoors or outdoors. What will turn out to be the hottest spot in your home? What about the coolest? Your very own homemade thermometer will be able to tell you! Read more

2022 Paper Ball Run Challenge

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

In this engineering challenge, you will build a ball run from paper and tape, but there's a twist! You want to make your ball run as slow as possible. How long can you make it take for the ball to get from the entrance to the exit? You can see how other students have tackled this and other annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenges. Read more

Can Peppermint Improve Reaction Times?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Did you know that some teachers give their students a peppermint candy on state testing days? Is it to give the kids sweet-smelling breath? Or are the teachers hoping for something more on the important testing day? In this human biology science fair project, you'll explore whether or not peppermint influences scores on different types of tests. Read more

Middle School Projects, Lessons, Activities (1,334 results)

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