Eighth Grade, Environmental Science Science Projects (Page 2)

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: Saving Migratory Animals

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Extinct might be a word you associate with animals that lived long ago, like the dinosaurs, but did you know that over 18,000 species are classified as "threatened" (susceptible to extinction) today? Scientists involved in wildlife conservation have a tough job; they are in charge of determining what needs to be done to prevent a species from becoming extinct. Habitat, food supply, and impacts of local human populations are just a few of the factors these scientists take into account. It is a… Read more

How Clean is Your State's Energy?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Where does your electricity come from, and how does it affect the environment? In this project, you will use data on electricity generation from power plants across the United States to compare the fuel sources and emissions from power plants in one state to national averages. You will also examine past trends and use them to estimate how the state’s fuel mix and emissions might change in the future if recent patterns continue. Read more

Predicting Future Water Quality with Machine Learning

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Understanding the water quality of our rivers, streams, and lakes is critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems and sources of drinking water. Dissolved oxygen is one key water quality measurement that impacts aquatic life. But how can we predict how water quality might change in the future so we can intervene to keep our water healthy? With machine learning! In this project, you will gather water quality data for a location of your choice and use a random forest model to predict future… Read more

Disappearing Act: How Fast Do Different Biodegradable & Compostable Materials Decompose?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever seen a product labeled "biodegradable" or "compostable" and wondered just how well it decomposes? A lot of different products claim to be biodegradable or compostable, such as food containers, bags, packaging materials, and spoons and forks. Not only do they clearly come in different shapes and sizes, but they are made of different materials as well. Do they decompose differently, and, if so, which decomposes the fastest? In this science project, you will make your own indoor… Read more

Going Green as You Clean: Are 'Green' Detergents Less Toxic Than Conventional Detergents?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

There is strong interest in "going green," including using products that cause less environmental damage when they are disposed of. In this environmental sciences project, you will compare the toxicity of "green" and conventional liquid detergents using worms as test organisms. Read more

Feeding Earthworms: Do Different Diets Affect Them and the Soil They Enrich?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Interested in helping the environment, and don't mind getting dirty? In this project you get to mix it up with earthworms, soil, and various types of organic kitchen scraps. The basic idea is to set up small earthworm colonies to compost different types of food waste. You test the soils in each type to see how diet affects both the earthworm population and the nutrients they put back into the soil. This project takes a little time, but it's worth it. You'll help the environment and learn… Read more

Dissolved Oxygen in Water vs. Temperature

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

To survive, we need oxygen in the air we breathe. Oxygen is also essential for most aquatic organisms, but there is much less oxygen available in water than in air. How much oxygen can dissolve in water? Does the temperature of the water matter? Learn how to measure dissolved oxygen and then see how oxygen concentration changes with water temperature. Read more

Predicting How Urban Wildfires Will Spread

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Urban wildfires can cause devastating loss of life and property. Can we save lives by predicting how and where these fires will spread? What protective measures can we take to save buildings from the fires? In this project you will use a computer model to simulate how wildfires spread in populated areas, and experiment with different protective measures to try and save houses from burning. Read more

Using Daphnia to Monitor Water Toxicity

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

One way to test for the presence of toxic compounds in a water sample is a bioassay. In a bioassay, a living organism serves as a detector for toxins—the same way canaries were used in coal mines to detect invisible toxic gases. In this project, water fleas (Daphnia magna), a freshwater crustacean, are used in a bioassay to monitor water quality. Many variations of this experiment are possible. Read more

Comparing Different Types of Irrigation Systems

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

With heat waves impacting the world globally, many gardeners, farmers, and scientists are turning to passive irrigation systems that reduce fossil fuel emissions while keeping plants well-watered and alive in the sweltering heat. In this science experiment, you will compare and contrast the effectiveness of passive irrigation systems compared to traditional surface irrigation systems and their impact on overall plant growth. Read more

Eighth Grade, Environmental Science Science Projects (47 results)

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