Middle School Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 3)

Rubber Band Car Challenge

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

In this engineering challenge, you will build a car powered by nothing but a rubber band. The farther the car goes, and the fewer materials you use to build it, the higher your score. The 2024 Science Buddies Engineering Challenge is over, but you can check out this page to see our other past engineering challenges and what this year's challenge will be! Teachers, lesson plan versions of this challenge are also available. Read more

Build a Paper Airplane Launcher

STEM Activity

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Here's a challenge: Try throwing a paper airplane by moving just your wrist (don't move your elbow or shoulder). It's hard, isn't it? How could you get a paper airplane to fly far if you can use only a short distance to launch it? Try this activity to find out! Read more

Build the Best Paper Bridge

STEM Activity

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Bridges come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. What makes a bridge the strongest? Find out in this fun activity as you build simple bridges with paper and test to see how much weight they can hold. Read more

Which Filtration Material Leads to the Best Drinking Water?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Do you filter your tap water before drinking? Many commercials claim these filters make your drinking water cleaner and safer. But what, exactly, are these filters doing, and is the water really cleaner afterward? The cleaning power comes from their filtering material, called activated carbon. It exists in various forms: powder, granules, foams, and blocks. Do you think it matters what type of activated carbon is inside the filter? In this project, you will investigate whether larger or smaller… Read more

Make a Paper Circuit

STEM Activity

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Do you like arts and crafts projects like drawing, painting, cutting shapes out of construction paper, or origami? Instead of drawing that bright sun or lights in a house, imagine adding real lights to your artwork! This project will show you how, by introducing you to the world of electronics with "paper circuits." Paper circuits are made with just a few simple items; you can use a battery and some copper tape to add tiny lights to your project. The best part is that it is easy to do, and you… Read more

Investigate the Kinetics of the Color Changing Iodine Clock Reaction

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

The iodine clock reaction is a favorite demonstration reaction in chemistry classes that usually requires toxic or hazardous chemicals. During the reaction, two clear liquids are mixed, resulting in another clear liquid. After some time, the solution suddenly turns dark blue. The reaction is called a clock reaction because the amount of time that elapses before the solution turns blue depends on the concentrations of the starting chemicals. In this green chemistry project, you will use a… Read more

Make a Parachute

STEM Activity

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Have you ever wondered what a parachute and an open rain jacket have in common? They both trap air and slow you down when you move fast! In this activity, you design a parachute for a miniature action figure. Tissue paper or a plastic bag and a few strings is all it takes to make your figure into an expert skydiver. Read more

Explore Optical Illusions: Build an Infinity Mirror

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Do you want to trick friends and visitors with an amazing optical illusion? In this engineering design project you will learn how to build an infinity mirror,with built-in lights that make the mirror look like a deep tunnel with no end. But pick the mirror up and look behind it, and you will see that it is only a couple of inches thick! Read this project to find out not only how this illusion works, but how to design and build your very own infinity mirror from scratch. Read more

2026 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? Read more

Remove Microplastics from Water with Bioremediation

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever walked by an ocean, lake, or river and seen plastic trash? Have you ever wondered how microplastics might be impacting the creatures living in these places? In this science project, you will investigate how yeast can be used in bioremediation to remove microplastics from contaminated water. Read more

Middle School Projects, Lessons, Activities (1,332 results)

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