You can begin with a general search for a project in your child’s area of interest. For example, “8th grade science projects, marine biology” or “8th grade science projects, earth sciences.” This might yield some useful results, but you may be at risk of becoming overwhelmed with too many results, or too many projects that don’t suit your child’s curriculum or interests. 

If you’d like to browse several subject areas at once,  or if you are having difficulty narrowing down you results,  you can try searching for websites that contain large inventories of science project ideas.  Very often these databases, like the ones found at http://www.akronlibrary.org/DBS/SFDB/Default.aspx or http://www.youth.net/nsrc/sci/sci.index.html, are capable of being searched by grade level or subject, and have reliable science projects that are age appropriate for your student. This might be a better strategy than finding a project idea on an independently run website that might not be trustworthy. You can also find a free online 8th grade science project guide at http://www.middle-school-science-projects.com/guide.pdf

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Everyone loves a cool science experiment, right?  Well, if you are looking for a cool science experiment, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Frozen bubbles.  That is right, you can make bubbles last for a long time.  This can be really fun for the younger age group.   Baking soda bubbles is also a neat experiment for the bubble enthusiast.

Animal experiments are always fun.  How does variation in temperature affect animals?  Do animals have a color preference?  Are bugs or animals deterred by certain sounds? 

Food always makes for a cool experiment.  Some ideas include making light with fruit, plastic mild, moldy bred, and yeast.  You can also make your own butter in a jar and rock candy.  While you are considering the food category, why not do an experiment to see how much fat is in the food that you eat.

Balloons make interesting experiments as well, and there are so many things that you can do with them.  Some of the options include; balloon blast off, balloon car, balloon boat, straws and balloons, and balloon columns. 

Some other neat miscellaneous experiments include; how water pressure works, using food coloring to change to color of certain flowers, and homemade silly putty. 

Nature enthusiasts could try making their own little green house in a bottle.  You may also want to consider making a fossil for your science project.

There are countless other cool science experiments out there; it just takes a little research to discover the perfect one for your student.

Check out the science kits that can help you get started on your experiment today.

photo source:Archytos

Heat, did you ever think it would make a good science fair project?  Surprise, there are several different experiments that you can do involving heat. 

Do different colors absorb heat at different rates?  I am sure many of you have heard the saying, “Wear light colors in the heat”, why not test it to find out for sure.  Do different materials retain heat at the same rate?  You cold test this by using straw, sand, paper, and cloth.  How do different materials react to heat, is rubber different from plastic?

Along with heat comes the sun, which also lends itself to many experiments.  Testing the effectiveness of sunscreen is a great project.  You could also test the effectiveness of different strengths of sunscreen, with different brands. 

Evaporation rates also fall into the heat category.  You could experiment with the evaporation rates of different substances, and try to find things that help slow the evaporation rate.

Although heat may be fascinating, be sure to use caution when performing an experiment that involves heat, flames, or the sun.  You should take the proper precautionary measures to make sure that everyone remains safe. 

If you are running out of time on your project and need something that you can begin right away, check out all of the ready made kits that are available for purchase.
photo source: pastelman

If you are on the search for a middle school science project you are probably want an experiment that is a little more challenging than baking soda volcano. Parents, you can calm your fears, because there are plenty of options out there that will please your child as well as their science teacher.

Music is not only entertaining, but it is interesting and educational.  If you have a music lover, you may want to consider something like “music vs. noise”.  Many children love music, which makes this an interesting experiment for them.  However, you should take care to actually base your experiment on facts rather than opinions.

Eggs are also a fun topic, and there are countless projects related to eggs.  Some of which include; sinking eggs, egg in a bottle, floating eggs, egg spinning, the egg drop, and the process of eggs turning into chicks. Other than being fun for students, eggs are relatively low in cost, so if you need to start over, it will not be as disheartening.

Weather is also an interesting category.  You can choose from things like tornadoes, hurricanes, thunder, lightening, rain, hail, and fog.  Learning how a tornado forms, or what makes thunder so loud is fascinating.  Discovering the effects that weather has on the environment is a great project idea.            

These are only a few of the middle school science projects available.  There are several resources available to help you find the best project for your child.

Check out 24 Hour Science Projects

today and get your science experiments!

photo source: wvubush

It’s always a good idea to consult with your child’s science teacher when trying to find a good science project,  especially at the 6th grade level. This way, you’ll be sure to know what the class is currently studying to keep the project relevant but not redundant, and clarify any requirements or deadlines that some 6th graders might not quite know how to manage yet.

Science project books, easily found at the public library, are reliable and easy to use resources for finding and executing a science project. Trying the library is a great way to teach your child to search for books by subject matter, in this case looking for science projects or the subject matter that interests them, and to ask for help from the librarian if you need it. 

Finally, the internet is a great place to find huge amounts of 6th grade science project ideas, but you have to know where to look to save yourself time. While you can begin with a general search for science project ideas, it might be a good idea to search more specifically for websites like http://www.akronlibrary.org/DBS/SFDB/Default.aspx that are searchable by subject matter or grade level, so that you aren’t finding projects that are too easy or difficult for your student. Another great tool is the free project guides found at http://www.middle-school-science-projects.com/guide.pdf 

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Public libraries or school libraries often carry books geared toward children full of fun and age appropriate projects. Be sure to look for one with good instructions and pictures to help you along. Your child’s teacher or science teacher might also be a great resource for finding a science experiment. The teacher  might be able to help you find a kids science experiment idea that is relevant to what your child’s class is studying in science at that time. Finally, the internet has many websites geared toward science experiments for kids. Searching for kids science experiments will yield tons of helpful results,  many of which are free like the science project guides you can find at http://www.24hourscienceprojects.com/guide.pdf. Remember to have fun by doing a project your child is interested in, and always be safe!

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24 Hour Science Projects!

What do you when more than one of your kids has a science project?! Science Projects for families with more than one child can be an daunting task for parents. Science fairs are generally held at about the same time, so even if kids are in different schools, their projects probably have due dates that are near each other. Here are four ideas to simplify the process.

1. Let kids work together on the same project. They can each do the experiment, and will each have to do a science board or report, but you’ll only have to help find one idea and gather the materials from one list. This is the way to go if your kids are in different schools – like one in middle school and one in elementary school.

2. Use different variables for the same experiment. If you’re comparing amounts of Vitamin C in substances, for example, let one child test various canned fruit juices, and another child test different juices from fresh fruit. The research and procedure is the same, but the experiments are different. Our Middle School Science Projects package has this experiment, making this an easy choice.

3. Recycle projects. Our family has always done projects together, then saved them in the attic. One year one of our boys used the same experiment his brother had done the year before. We redid the experiment, but reused the science board, simply adding the fresh data and photographs.

4. Submit different types of the same project. If your school science fair allows it, one child can submit and experiment based project, and the other submit a demonstration. For example, one child can demonstrate how to take the shell off an egg without boiling, and another can experiment to see if water goes through the membrane.

Science projects are supposed to be wonderful learning experiences for kids – and they can be. Don’t let your family get bogged down in the process. Look for ways to streamline and coordinate, and make science fair time a fun educational time for your kids.

Finding a middle school science project that lives up to our teachers expectations has always been a challenge for our family. We were required to do an experiment based, investigative project for the science fair. There are five types of science projects, but most internet sites and books had projects that were actually demonstrations or models. It’s very important that you read the directions from your teacher and/or the science fair, and make sure that the project your child chooses fits into the right category – especially in middle school.

Here are the five types of projects.

1. Investigative projects – Most science fairs require students to submit an investigative science project. This type of project has an experiment that tests an hypothesis. The experiment will follow the scientific method, and may require a control group. (If you’re unfamiliar with this vocabulary, check out the free resource below!)

An example of an investigative project would be “How does salt affect the boiling point of water?” This can easily be tested by our experiment which adds different amounts of salt to water and recording the temperature at which it boils.

If you see the words experiment, scientific method, control and/or variable on the project instructions, you’ll probably need an investigative project. As mentioned before, they’re not easy to find. (Hint: We’ve got a whole pack of investigative projects at 24 Hour Science Projects…)

2. Demonstration projects – In this type of project a student demonstrate a scientific principle, and lots of time the teacher wants it presented in front of the class as an oral report. There is no true experiment performed, because there won’t be a control or different variables. (Another hint: We’ve got five demonstration project guides in our “Watch This!” Science Project guides.

3. Research project – Basically this is a science report. Students research a topic, and write what they discovered. Any type of science topic can be used for a research project.

4. Models – For a model project, models are built to explain a scientific principle or structure.

5. Collections - In this type of project a collection of objects is displayed to give an overview of a topic. An example would be a rock collection or a display showing pictures of various animals in a specific family.

Every middle school science fair will have slightly different criteria for projects. As you search for a project, make sure it’s the type of project your school requires. If you need help, check out “The Non-Scientist Parent’s Guide to Science Fair Projects“, which has guides for all the different types of science projects – including the experiment based ones! There is a vocabulary list that gives simple definitions to those vocabulary words you learned in middle school, but promptly forgot.

Believe it or not, science projects are designed to help students learn about science. Figure out which type of project your school requires, and you’ll be one step closer to showing your child how much fun science can be!

Find all sorts of science projects with our excellent guides, including middle school science projects.

Preparing a middle school science project.

1. Choose the right kind of project. Most of the time, you’ll have to do an experiment that follows the scientific method – also known as an investigatory project. Collections, models, and even demonstrations are usually not accepted in middle school science fairs.

2. Be interested in your topic. If you like what you’re doing, you’ll learn more. And if you’re learning, your project will show that you are interested. Judges love that!

3. Do the project and do it yourself. This should go without saying, but I get emails all the time asking for a project that is already done. Trust me, teachers can tell if you copy and paste information directly from the internet, take someone’s results from a book. They’ll also know if your mom did all the work.

4. Make sure you include all required elements. Experiment logs, charts, graphs, supply lists and even photographs are often part of the judging at the science fair. Make sure that you follow the directions exactly.

5. Design an attractive science board. Be neat. Use bright colors, attractive fonts, interesting props, and clear pictures. Think of a catchy title so you’re science project will get noticed.

Sixth grade, seventh grade, and eight grade – three great chances for you to learn more about science and more about making a presentation with your middle school science fair project.

Parents, get a free guide to middle school science projects- including how to find experiments with step by step instructions – at 24 Hour Science Projects.

Easy and fast, they’ll help you submit an outstanding – and maybe winning – middle school science fair project.

Of course, a fun science project isn’t the final goal. The real purpose of a science project – not just in middle school – is to teach the child about the wonderful world of science. To do that, teachers and science fair administrators usually have strict guidelines about what a project or experiment must include. Experiments follow the scientific method. Demonstrations must explain a scientific principle. All projects must include research and references.

But a science project is also supposed to whet a child’s appetite for science. A fun and interesting project will make a student want to learn even more about our fascinating world and the scientific laws that govern it. And a fun science project is a great way to do just that.

Here are some ideas for science projects that are fun – but will also expand a child’s science knowledge and experience:

1. Explain the concept of density. Pour water, Karo syrup, rubbing alcohol, and vegetable oil into a tall container. Watch how they layer. Then drop in different items, like a penny, a cork, a Lego or a candle, and see where they float – or sink. The concept of density is advanced enough for middle schoolers, but can still be understood by kindergartners.

2. Demonstrate how yeast gives off gas. Put yeast in a bottle of warm water, top it a balloon, and watch the balloon fill up with gas. This project can be done as a demonstration in front of the class, or as an fun science experiment.

3. Show how a chemical reaction can be hurried. Plop Alka Seltzer into a cup of water and time it. Then crush the Alka Seltzer, and watch it fizz even faster after you put it into a cup of water. Still another time, reduce the amount of water, add Alka Selter, and see how fast it dissolves. This is a demonstration science project, and is terrific to wow even the most bored middle schoolers.

4. Find out how a chicken egg is a cell with a selectively permeable membrane. Soak a raw egg in vinegar for a weekend. The shell will come off. Then put the egg into dark syrup and watch what happens! This is another fun science project that can be done as an investigation or a demonstration.

5. Experiment with static cling. Rub a sheet of plexiglass with a wool sock, then show how balloons and hair stick to it. Or, try make a ball of aluminum foil dance, as shown in this You-Tube video.

Step by step instructions for these projects are available at 24 Hour Science Projects. You’ll also find all sorts of reference materials to help with the science involved – not to mention creating that all important science project board. We’ll definitely be able to steer you in the right direction as you search for fun science projects.