Eighth Grade Science Experiments (Page 172)

Build an Adaptive Game Controller for a Raspberry Pi

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

People with limited mobility, especially in their hands, may not be able to use traditional video game controllers. Adaptive game controllers use a variety of peripherals, like larger buttons, foot pedals, or specialized joysticks, to let people with limited mobility play video games. This video shows how to build a very simple adaptive controller that works with Scratch games on a Raspberry Pi. Can you build an adaptive game controller for a hardware platform and game of your choice? If you… Read more

Building Paper Bridges: Family Science Spotlight

Blog Post

Build bridges from paper to explore civil engineering in this family STEM activity. Does the shape of the materials make a difference? What helps make a bridge strong? In this family science activity, explore bridge engineering with kids by making paper bridges that stretch between stacks of books. How does changing the shape of the materials (the paper) change the strength of the bridge? This is a fun and creative science activity you can do with… Read more

Building Toys: Doing Fun Science at Home during School Closures (Activity #5)

Blog Post

Follow along with a Science Buddies parent who is using family STEM activities to keep her kids learning at home during the COVID-19 school shutdown. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Today's adventure... playtime and science time converge when building parachutes for favorite toys. Building Toys Drives Away Boredom "I'm bored" is one of those sentences I hate as a parent. It ranks right up there with "Are we there yet?". These days… Read more

Calling It Quits: What Is the Most Effective Way to Quit Smoking?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Maybe you know someone who smokes, and you want to help them to quit. They've probably already told you how hard it is to stop once a person has started smoking. This project tries to answer the question: What is the most effective way to stop smoking? Read more

Camera 'Shakes'

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

You can compare the picture quality for photos taken at different shutter speeds with the camera handheld vs. with the camera on a tripod. (This is best done with a camera that has manual exposure control.) Read more

Camouflage Science: Weekly Science Project Idea and Home Science Activity Spotlight

Blog Post

In this week's spotlight: a pair of zoology science projects that let students and families explore how some animals use camouflage so they can better blend in with their surroundings. Does camouflage really make a difference when it comes to the relationship between predators and their prey? Give it a try in fun hands-on science activity using M&M® and Skittles® candies. If you are a hungry predator trying to grab a specific color of M&M, how hard will it be to find your… Read more

Can Copper Foil Snails?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

If you have a garden, you probably know about snails (or their shell-less relatives, slugs). You may even be looking for a good way to keep them from getting into your garden and eating up the results of all your hard work. In this science project, you will take a scientific look at one method of discouraging this garden pest. Read more

Can Garlic Prevent Crown Gall?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Crown gall is a plant disease caused by the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This project uses tomato plants to investigate whether garlic extract can prevent crown gall infection. Read more

Can Mulch Reduce Garden Water Requirements?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Divide a part of your garden into two equal plots, with each plot receiving equal amounts of sun. Cover one plot with two inches of organic mulch, such as compost or ground bark. Leave the other plot uncovered. Use the same amount of water for each plot for two or three weeks. At the beginning of the experiment, and at one-week intervals, dig down and check the soil in each plot for moisture content. Which plot holds water better? Which plot shows better plant growth? (McCausland, 2006) Read more

Can you spot the dot?

STEM Activity

Have you ever wanted to make something disappear (maybe your homework!)? In this activity we will take advantage of the way your eyes and your brain talk to each other, to make colored dots seem to appear and disappear (sorry, it probably won’t work on your homework)! Read more

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