Middle School Science Experiments (Page 81)

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

You might know that lead can be toxic, and that you can get lead poisoning from eating or inhaling old paint dust. Lead is called a heavy metal, and there are other sources of heavy metals that can be toxic, too. Silver, copper, mercury, nickel, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium are all heavy metals that can be toxic in certain environments. In this experiment, find out if one common heavy metal, copper, can be toxic to an aquatic environment. Read more

Holes That Do Not Leak!

STEM Activity

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Did you know that at sea level there are about 15 pounds of air pressing on each square inch of your body? This air is very helpful in our daily lives. For example, this layer of air helps to keep the Earth from getting inhospitably cold or hot. It can even help keep a bottle with holes in it leak-free! Try the activity to find out how. Read more

How a Comet's Size Affects How Fast It Melts

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Comets—big lumps of rock, ice, and frozen gases that orbit the Sun—are among the most amazing heavenly objects seen in the night sky. The glowing tail behind the comet's nucleus inspires wonder. But did you know that a comet's tail is evidence that it's melting? As a comet passes by the Sun on its orbital path, it starts to melt. But do bigger comets melt faster than smaller comets? In this astronomy science project, you will investigate how the size of the comet affects the… Read more

How Do You Get Heat from a Supercooled Solution? Explore the Chemistry Within Hand Warmers

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

You're at the high school football game and it's getting pretty chilly as the sun goes down. You're determined to keep cheering for your team, but your hands are freezing—have you ever tried hand warmers? The chemistry within these little packets is pretty cool. Hand warmers provide a unique and fun way to study the chemistry of crystal formation and heat generation. By pressing a button in a pouch, which contains a supercooled solution, you start a rapid exothermic (heat-producing)… Read more

How Does Solar Cell Output Vary with Incident Light Intensity?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Solar cells are an alternative method for generating electricity directly from sunlight. With this project, you can get down to the atomic level and learn about the world of solid-state electronics as you investigate how solar cells work. Your experiment will measure the effect of changing light intensity on power output from the solar cell. A possible variation would be to investigate the effect of changing the color of the light. Read more

How Protective is Your Helmet?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Every time you hop on your bike or gear up for football or baseball practice, your helmet is your first line of defense. Whether you’re coasting downhill or tackling on the gridiron, impacts happen — and they can cause more than just bumps and bruises. Scientists tell us that forceful hits to the head can lead to concussions or even more serious brain injury over time. Correct helmet design, proper fit, and good cushioning all help reduce those risks. For example, bicycling is one… Read more

How to Build on Mars!

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

The idea of a colony on Mars is exciting! In this science project, you will tackle one of the challenges a Martian colony will face: what will buildings on Mars be made of? In this project, you will make bricks from Martian-like ground cover and measure how strong these bricks are. Read more

How to Design a Great Cat Toy

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Do you love animals and want to help keep them healthy? Well, here's your chance to design and tailor a toy that will bring out your pet's most playful nature. In this science fair project, you'll evaluate the skills and activities of your pet and determine what kinds of toys most excite your pet and make him or her lively and curious. So call your furry or feathered friend, and let the frolicking begin! Read more

Human Perception of the Anomalous Mirror Symmetry Illusion

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

The Science Buddies project Design Your Own 3D Printed Optical Illusion shows you how to make your own 3D printed "anomalous mirror symmetry" illusions (Figure 1). The illusions are based on the work of Dr. Kokichi Sugihara. You can read his original paper about the illusions in the Bibliography. Figure 1. Two versions of the "impossible arrow" shape that appears to point to the right while its reflection in the mirror appears to point to the left. Which version of… Read more

Ice Cream Science: Weekly Science Project Idea and Home Science Activity Spotlight

Blog Post

In this week's spotlight: a food science family science experiment and independent student science fair project that takes a deeper look at the chilly process of making ice cream. You can make your own ice cream using one of a variety of shaking or rolling processes, including using a baggy to hold the ingredients! How does adding salt to the ice mixture used to freeze the ingredients affect the process? Make your own ice cream to find out! Chemistry of Ice-Cream Making: Lowering the… Read more

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