Middle School, Physics Science Experiments (Page 3)

Making A Candy Waterfall: Can Solids Flow Like Liquids?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

What do sand, Skittles, and cereal have in common? They are all granular materials, which means they are made up of solid particles, but they can actually flow like liquid! Imagine pouring the sand out of a bucket or pouring the cereal out of a box— a lot like pouring water, right? In this physics science project, you will investigate how the size of granular materials affect how they flow. Read more

Stealthy Shapes: How to Make an Aircraft Invisible to Radar

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever dreamed about becoming invisible? Or about making something else invisible, like the mess all over your room? Invisibility may sound like the stuff of science fiction (remember Star Trek's "Cloaking Device"?), but in reality, military vehicles, like planes and ships, can be made less observable, or even invisible, to different detection methods—like radar, sonar, or infrared sensors—by using stealth technology. In this engineering science fair project, you'll find out… Read more

How the Strength of a Magnet Varies with Temperature

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Physicists sometimes study matter under extreme conditions. For example, think of the emptiness of interstellar space vs. the unimaginable crush of pressure at the center of a neutron star, or an object dipped in liquid nitrogen vs. the tiles on the space shuttle during re-entry. Here's an experiment on permanent magnets in "extreme kitchen" conditions that you can try at home. 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

How to Build an X-ray Machine

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

When you have your X-rays taken at the dentist's or doctor's office, do you ever wonder how the X-ray machine works? Or better yet, how you could make one yourself to use for experiments? This how-to guide provides detailed instructions for high school students and adult do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts to construct and use a homemade X-ray machine safely. Read more

Measuring Sugar Content of a Liquid with a Laser Pointer

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Did you know that you can figure out how much sugar is in a liquid without ever tasting it? In this science fair project, you will learn how to measure the concentration of sugar dissolved in a liquid by using a laser pointer, a hollow prism, and some physics. You will discover how refraction, or the bending of light, is the key to measuring the sugar content of a liquid with a laser pointer. Read more

Ping Pong Pickup Challenge

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

In this engineering challenge, you will build a device that can pick up a ping pong ball from a distance and return it to a start line. The farther away the ball is, and the fewer materials you use to build your device, the higher your score. You can see how other students have tackled this and other annual Science Buddies Engineering Challenges. Read more

Stay warm with thermal insulation

STEM Activity

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148 reviews

What do you do when it gets very cold in winter? You probably turn your heater on, put on an extra layer of clothes, or cuddle under a warm blanket. But have you ever thought about why a jacket helps you stay warm? What is the purpose of our clothes, and why are they made from fabrics and not foils? Find out the answers in this activity; your results may even tell you the best way to stay warm in the cold! Read more

Investigate the Motion of a Pendulum

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

"Swing me higher, Mommy, higher!" Kids love to ride the swings at the playground. The back-and-forth motion of a swing demonstrates the physics of a pendulum. In this experiment, you will investigate the factors that affect the speed and duration of a pendulum's swing, also called an oscillating motion. You can even use your phone and a sensor app to record your pendulum's movement and determine its period of oscillation. Read more

Rocket Catcher Challenge

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

Inspired by real-world reusable rockets, in this engineering challenge, you will design and build a device to catch a falling rocket so it lands vertically. Drop the rocket from higher and higher heights to get a better score! The 2025 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

Middle School, Physics Science Experiments (223 results)

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