Sustainable Cities and Communities, Middle School Science Projects (Page 2)

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

If you have ever prepared a cup of coffee or tea with sugar, you have probably seen that the grains of sugar quickly dissolve and completely disappear in hot water. But sugar is not the only type of solid that can readily dissolve in a liquid. In fact, there are some types of rocks that can be dissolved by common liquids. It might be hard to imagine large, hard rocks being eaten away by some ordinary fluids, right? But it actually happens all the time! In this geology science project, you will… Read more

Which Liquid Works Best for Evaporative Cooling?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

When we get hot, we sweat. Sweating helps cool us down. When the water evaporates, it removes energy from our bodies. This sort of evaporative cooling can also be used to cool homes using what are referred to as swamp coolers. In some cases, these coolers may be more energy-efficient than traditional air conditioners. In this chemistry science fair project, you will find out which liquid works best for evaporative cooling. Read more

Do Your Storm Drains Keep the Ocean Trash Free?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Did you know that there is plastic in the ocean? It probably isn't too hard to imagine that some of the plastic that litters roadways, sidewalks, and parks finds its way into the ocean. So, how much do you think is in there? Hundreds of pounds of plastic? How about thousands of pounds? No one knows for sure, but estimates, based on scientific surveys, suggest the amount is in the range of millions of pounds of plastic! Of course, the ocean is big, over 300 million square kilometers, so… Read more

Detect Litter with Machine Learning

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

Litter is not only an eyesore but also a serious threat to wildlife and the environment. While some littering is intentional, much of it occurs accidentally–such as when trash falls from garbage trucks or strong winds scatter waste from bins. Machine learning offers a powerful solution for detecting litter, paving the way for future innovations, including autonomous robots capable of cleaning up our surroundings. 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

Is There a Whole Lot of Shaking Going On? Make Your Own Seismograph and Find Out!

Science Fair Project Idea

Engineering Design Process

If you live in an area where earthquakes happen, you might be especially interested in this science project. You will learn how to build your own seismograph and how to use it to detect ground motion. Read more

Volcanoes

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

The papier-mâché volcano is a real classic, but there are many other ways to make an even more exciting and interesting science project focused on volcanoes! To get started on your own volcano-based science project, you will want to first have an understanding of how volcanoes form. This is related to tectonic plates. The entire outer shell of the Earth, known as the lithosphere, is made up of tectonic plates that are constantly moving. There are seven or eight large tectonic… Read more

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

Earthquakes

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Visit the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program to find out about global patterns of earthquake incidents (USGS, 2006). Can mapping earthquakes help identify fault lines? They also have a list of science fair project ideas. Another great resource for earthquake-oriented science fair projects is by Jeffery Barker (Barker, 1994). Build a model to study the forces of an earthquake using sandpaper-covered blocks. What are the forces involved? How are stress and friction in balance along a fault line?… Read more

How Fast Do Seismic Waves Travel?

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Have you ever wondered how fast a seismic wave from an earthquake travels? In this geology science project you can figure this out using historical seismograph data that you can collect from the comfort of your own computer. You will use a web interface to a network of seismometers run by the Northern California Earthquake Data Center, at the University of California, Berkeley. From the seismograms you make, you will be able to measure the time it took for the seismic waves to travel from the… Read more

Sustainable Cities and Communities, Middle School Science Projects (34 results)

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