Middle School Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 62)

Leaky Clues to Dam Design: How Reservoir Height Affects Hydroelectric Power Production

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

It's hard to believe that the same water that you use every day to quench your thirst, cook with, bathe in, swim in, and wash your clothes and dishes, is capable of another trick—it can make electricity! Electricity can be generated through the flow or through the fall of water. A big, fast-flowing river, for instance, contains a lot of moving energy that provides enough pressure to turn the blades of a turbine and run an electric generator. This same pressure can also be created though… Read more

Magnetic Levitation: Experiments with 'Anti-magnets'

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

What happens if you hold a magnet next to water? You might think that water is not affected by magnetism, but in fact, the water is slightly repelled. Believe it or not, if the magnet is strong enough, you can use this effect to levitate objects that contain water, including insects and even small frogs! In this science project, you will learn about diamagnetism. Materials that are repelled by both poles of a magnet are called diamagnetic. The magnets you will use are not strong enough to float… Read more

Make a Candle Flame Jump

STEM Activity

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There are many occasions to light candles. When you did, have you ever looked closely at the flame? Which part of the candle is actually burning? Can you tell? Is it the wick, the solid wax, the liquid wax or something else? In this activity you will light some candles to find out—no special occasion required! Read more

Make a Color Detector App to Help Colorblind People

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

Do you know anyone who is colorblind, or are you colorblind yourself? What if you could carry a device in your pocket that could identify colors for you? Many people already carry around the device they need to do this - a smartphone! Since phones have built-in cameras, you can make an app that uses the camera to identify colors. In this project you will use a program called MIT App Inventor that makes it easy for anyone, even with no programming experience, to design your own mobile app. Read more

Make a Glitter Surprise Package

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

Have you ever seen a video of a glitter prank package? They usually show an unsuspecting person opening a package or a gift, only to be sprayed by a shower of glitter. Former NASA engineer Mark Rober got tired of thieves stealing packages off his porch, so he decided to build an elaborate decoy glitter package*, as he shows in this video. Mark's device involves a lot of custom software, electronics, and 3D printing, so might seem a little intimidating if you are new to engineering. The summary… Read more

Make a Homemade Fly Trap

STEM Activity

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Have some pesky flies in your kitchen that you cannot seem to get rid of? In this project you will build your own simple fly trap from a plastic bottle. Get ready to get rid of those flies! Read more

Make a Hygrometer with Strands of Hair

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Does your hair go crazy when the weather turns damp? Did you know that strands of hair can relax and lengthen when the humidity increases and then contract again when the humidity decreases? In fact, hair strands can be used as the basis for a hygrometer, a device which measures the humidity level in the air. Will a hygrometer help you to predict bad hair days(!) or can you use it to help predict the weather? Read more

Make a Mood Tracker

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

How do you feel right now? Do you remember how you felt a few hours ago? How about yesterday or last Wednesday? What if you could track your emotions throughout the day and use this information to help improve your mood and well-being? In this science project, you will program a simple, pocket-sized device that you can carry around with you to log your feelings whenever you want or on a specific schedule. Read more

Make a Sunprint Using Objects from Nature!

STEM Activity

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Have you ever wondered how artists are able to replicate intricate details in nature on paper or canvas? In this activity, you will depict these details in a different way! Using Sunprint® paper and sunlight, you too can make breathtaking representations of objects found in nature. Read more

Make Your Own Piezoelectric Pickup for Acoustic Guitar

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

In this project you'll learn how to make a piezoelectric pickup for acoustic guitar using inexpensive components. You can then connect your acoustic guitar to an amplifier, and record your own music. If you are interested in electronics and like playing acoustic guitar, this could be the perfect project for you. Read more

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

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