Science fair projects should inspire student’s curiosity. Instead of offering cookie-cutter investigations with predictable outcomes, encourage them to come up with their own questions for investigations and create their own investigations.
Help 8th graders discover answers to their inquiries with these exciting projects for them to do in class. From hands-on experiments covering an array of subjects to fascinating results, these projects offer something fun for every grade!
Rube Goldberg Machine
Rube Goldberg Machines are named for the cartoonist who would make fun of overly complicated gadgets, and these machines showcase their principles artistically and entertainingly. Each step in its chain reaction is precisely choreographed so as to lead on to the next with precision and creativity.
Students work in small groups to assemble complex machines using the materials provided. Their challenge lies in using one of six simple machines (incline plane, screw, pulley, lever wheel axle wedge) in order to complete specific tasks.
Color-Changing UV Beads
These fun beads provide students with an exciting and easy way to introduce UV radiation, sensing sunlight and changing color accordingly. Starting out pearly white in darkness, when exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UV) they turn vibrant colors before returning back indoors where their colors return to off-white again.
UV beads can help students better comprehend the electromagnetic spectrum, where all forms of energy can be classified as either waves or particles and various frequencies have different energies. Furthermore, they can be used to test UV-blocking capabilities of sunscreen products.
Optical Illusions
At this age, children are eager to gain knowledge about the world around them and are curious to understand its inner workings. Science experiments provide a great way for kids to satisfy this curiosity while also getting hands-on experience with basic scientific principles and the scientific method.
Optic illusions teach children about how the brain interprets visual information. For instance, the Hering illusion causes two lines to seem warped as our brain interprets radial patterns as moving towards us; other optical illusions rely on brightness variations or staring long enough at red images to cause retinal desensitization and cause us to perceive green instead of red images.
Hydraulic Elevator
Hydraulic elevators employ Pascal’s Principle to transfer enormous amounts of force. A pump sends pressurized hydraulic oil into a cylinder linked to an elevator car, which rises as its piston moves up through a hole in the floor. Pressing “down” will reverse this flow of hydraulic fluid and allow its gradual descent by pressing on “down” button.
Home hydraulic elevators don’t require a machine room and tend to be cheaper to install than their traction counterparts, plus they provide a quieter ride with reduced vibrations.
Spherification
Spherification is an eye-catching molecular gastronomy technique that can add an eye-catching flair to many meals, from olives and liquid croquettes to melons caviar and even desserts like cheesecake. Spherification adds an intriguing dimension that brings something new to every bite you take.
Students can experiment with the spherification process using fruits, juices and wine to produce different flavors and textures. By taking part in this activity they’ll gain knowledge of proper resting times as well as how acidity impacts outcomes.
With this easy but engaging science project, give your 8th graders an opportunity to discover what goes into making an effective sports drink! They’ll analyze a number of popular brands and even develop their own drink!
Cars
As students transition into eighth grade, they’re ready to tackle more intricate experiments that focus on exploring the whys and hows of science. This collection of age-appropriate projects will both spark their imaginations while helping prepare them for a science fair competition.
An edible science experiment designed to teach kids about chemical reactions is a fun and informative way of helping them gain an understanding of moles, molecules and formula weights.
Explore chemistry through an intriguing experiment which pits different laundry detergents against each other for effectiveness, teaching students about oxidation processes.
Combine physics and engineering in this fun project that challenges students to design and construct a machine capable of volleying a Ping-Pong ball back and forth. Students will gain insight into force, momentum, and friction through this hands-on learning opportunity.
Batteries
Your kids who love science will appreciate this hands-on experiment that shows them how batteries operate. Batteries use chemical energy to generate electrical current. Electrons in metal electrodes react differently, producing an uneven distribution of electrons between the anode and cathode electrodes causing an electric current to flow between wire and light bulb.
Water pollution has an overwhelming effect on ecosystems worldwide, which makes this science project on soil and water quality analysis so essential for students. Not only will students gain valuable knowledge from this endeavor, but they’ll also learn how to clean up and conserve water sources.