Eighth Grade, Space Exploration Science Experiments (74 results)

Here's a cool project that shows you how to use images from an orbiting observatory to measure how fast the Sun rotates. Read more

The sun sometimes releases huge bursts of electrified gases into space. These bursts are called coronal mass ejections (or CMEs). When CMEs are directed towards Earth they can generate auroras, the spectacular atmospheric displays also known as "northern lights" (photo by Chris VenHaus, 2001). In this project you'll use images from the SOHO satellite to measure how fast CMEs move. Read more

A mass driver is a proposed device that could launch payloads into space using a long tube lined with electromagnets (Figure 1). Some scientists argue that such a launch system would offer long-term cost savings over the use of chemical rockets. Scientists have proposed theoretical electromagnetic launcher designs as far back as the 1970s (O'Neill 1979). More recently, some have proposed the use of railguns originally developed for the U.S. Navy (McNab and McGlasson 2022). Other types of… Read more

Have you ever wondered how life began on Earth? Or how life could get started on other planets? To help us better understand how life began, many scientists try to figure out what it would have been like to live on early Earth. In this science project, you will try to grow microscopic life that could have survived some of the harsh conditions of early Earth! Read more