Science fair experiments help students develop an in-depth knowledge of scientific concepts. Furthermore, they also become acquainted with the scientific method – an integral component of science research.
Students can explore reaction time through this engaging project that tests how factors such as hunger, being full and being in different rooms affect reactions times.
Solar Oven Project
Utilize the power of solar energy with this science project that teaches kids about its workings. They’ll build a simple solar oven from cardboard, aluminum foil and plastic wrap – and harness its full potential!
Children will create a “window” by cutting a flap from the top of a box and covering it with foil to reflect sunlight and retain heat inside. They’ll also construct a cardboard shelf to elevate food inside their oven as they experiment with different reflective materials.
Discover chemistry and reaction time through this project that demonstrates how temperature influences yeast fermentation (and ultimately makes delicious root beer!). Students can also examine whether music has an effect on plant growth.
Candle Carousel Project
The candle carousel science project is an engaging hands-on experiment that demonstrates convection, force and motion principles using everyday materials that are readily available and can easily be performed at home.
Use dinner candles or taper candles for this project, testing various samples as even identical candles may contain slight variances that alter their performance.
To create the base of a carousel, start by cutting away one of the aluminum pie pans’ tilted rims so it resembles a flat circle of aluminum. Mark its center with a dot and four dots (each marked by an “X”) around its edge as shown in Figure 16. Finally, insert a skewer into its nut before setting it atop its stand.
Surface Tension Project
Discover the world of surface tension with this classic experiment! It shows how water drops behave like skins and remain spherical shapes like raindrops on leaves or insects swimming across pond surfaces.
Discover chemistry through water as you construct a single-beam balance to directly measure surface tension. The science behind this phenomenon lies within water molecules themselves – where positive hydrogen ends are attracted by negative oxygen ends, creating surface tension.
Encourage students to water plants using different liquids as an engaging science fair project idea. They can study how rainwater, tap water, salt water and even soda affect plant growth!
Lightbulb Project
Selecting an engaging project topic is key to conducting a successful science fair experiment. Choose something that interests your student from the outset; otherwise they might lose motivation and the project won’t be as effective.
Students taking biology-themed 8th grade projects may wish to investigate whether plants grow faster hydroponically or in soil. Furthermore, they could investigate whether classical music affects plant growth, or see whether DNA-extraction from household supplies may be possible.
Students looking for an engaging chemistry experiment can use iodine to accurately determine the starch content in various food items, or they could “spherify” water and test whether different salts block UV light more effectively.
Paper Cup Structure
Aspiring architects can transform this hands-on science fair project into a fascinating experiment to test the strength of paper. Your students will be amazed by its results!
Establish that plants do indeed seek out sunlight with this 8th grade science fair project that also explores plant growth.
Are peppermint candies really the key to increased concentration? Take this experiment a step further to test both reaction time and student’s reactions.
Discover the effects of temperature on yeast fermentation with this straightforward 8th grade science fair project. Gain knowledge of spherification as part of an enjoyable 8th grade science fair project using water testing kits as the focus point.
S’mores Oven
Harness the power of the Sun to melt chocolate and warm marshmallows for a tasty snack! This solar oven activity makes a fun learning activity about solar energy as well as greenhouse effect.
Kids will create solar ovens out of a pizza box and aluminum foil, using black construction paper and clear plastic wrap as part of the experiment to demonstrate how aluminum foil reflects sunlight while black construction paper absorbs heat while clear plastic creates a greenhouse effect.
Students can cook their s’mores and compare how they appear before and after being heated – this provides an ideal opportunity to practice 21st Century skills such as communication, collaboration and teamwork.