We invite you to enrich your 8th grade lessons with a number of unique learning opportunities that have a strong focus on STEM skills. In being exposed to these spheres of learning, students are given more exposure to STEM careers and the huge variety of working fields available.
1. Make ice cream using home-sourced food items and materials.
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Sugar
- Half-and-half. Alternatively, milk or heavy whipping cream may be used.
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Ice cubes
- Small, sealable bags, such as pint-sized or sandwich-sized Ziplocs
- 2 Gallon-sized sealable bags
- Oven mitts
- Timer
2. Create an optical illusion using a cardboard box, mirror, LED Christmas lights, acrylic, adhesive, and a cutting tool.
3. Learn about muscles as you tap into biology and construct a simple muscle machine that requires the use of scissors, a pencil, an empty crate, a push pin and bobbins, string, and double-sided tape as well as zip ties, water, and a plastic bottle.
- Scissors
- A Pencil
- Empty crate
- A push pin
- Bobbin
- String
- Double-sided tape
- Zip ties
- Water
- A plastic bottle
4. Make a model of working lungs to demonstrate the process of respiration, using a plastic bottle, straws, balloons, and rubber bands.
- 2-liter empty plastic bottle with cap
- 2 plastic drinking straws
- 2 9-inch balloons
- 2 rubber bands
5. Create a Helix DNA structure using licorice, mini-marshmallows, and toothpicks
6. You'll require the use of a balloon and measuring tape in this cool challenge that measures lung capacity!
7. Make a fire snake using sane, baking soda, a plate or bowl, sugar, lighter fluid, and matches as well as a bucket of water and measuring cups.
- Sand
- Baking soda
- Sugar
- Small ceramic plate
- Small cup
- Measuring spoons
- Lighter fluid
- Matches
- Bucket of water
8. Make a Lichtenberg Figure by using polyethylene sheets as an insulator and then talcum powder, powdered sulfur, or lycopodium powder to reveal the fractal pattern.
9. Code a computer to play tic-tac-toe using online software- how cool is that! To get familiar with the objectives, play tic-tac-toe at home.
10. Make 3D Printed flowers using a computer, 3D printer, and colorful scraps of filament.
- Computer
- 3D Printer
- Colorful scraps of filament
11. This is a stand-out technology challenge in which you are challenged to make your very own laser people counter using an assortment of electrical components.
- WEMOS D1 Mini
- VL53L1X ToF Sensor Module
- Small breadboard
- Jumper wires
- Long Micro USB Cable
- USB power brick
- Soldering iron
- Laptop with Arduino IDE
12. Design a bristle bot using a scrubbing brush as well as more materials, linked below.
13. Mummify a hot dog during a history class for a fun STEM challenge that requires the use of meat hot dogs, disposable gloves, a paper towel, a metric ruler, string, a kitchen scale, an airtight plastic container, baking soda, and a lab notebook.
14. Make a simple wave machine to demonstrate the effect of currents, using clay, skewers, and duct tape.
15. Use an assortment of materials to help you achieve the creative task of designing a Rube Goldberg machine!
16. Build a circuit using an assortment of materials that can detect if fresh produce, such as fruit and vegetables, are ripe and ready.
- Various colored construction paper
- Corrugated cardboard
- Tape
- Small cardboard box
- A red and green fruit or vegetable such as a tomato
- Digital multimeter
- 2 Alligator clip leads
- Jumper wire kit
- 3 AA battery holder
- 3 AA batteries
- N-channel MOSFET
- Photoresistor
- 10 kΩ potentiometer
- Diffused red LED
- 2 pack of 120 Ω resistor carbon film
- Lab notebook
17. Looking to up the anti on 8th grade STEM challenges? Build a hydraulic arm using corrugated cardboard, syringes, tubes, toothpicks, superglue, an X-acto knife, and a pair of scissors.
18. Crush a soda can using air pressure in this fascinating STEM challenge!
- Empty soda can
- Medium size bowl
- Coldwater
- Stovetop burner
19. Make a barometer to measure atmospheric pressure using an empty tin, balloons, a rubber band, a coffee stirrer, a paper clip, glue, and a metric ruler.
- Empty tin can
- Balloons
- 1 thick rubber band
- A coffee stirrer or thin straw
- A paper clip
- Glue
- A ruler with metric measurements
20. Build a putt putt course using an assortment of hardware store tools. Don't forget to practice your geometry skills whilst building!
- Protractor
- Straightedge, or ruler with a metal edge
- Calculator
- Measuring tape
- Golf ball
- Putter
- 16 Feet of wood, 2 x 4-inch dimension for hole framing
- 4 Steel corner joints
- Screws
- Drills
21. Make your very own spring scale to help with measuring quantities for cooking by using springs, a metal weigh, a piece of wood, a clamp, and a metric ruler.
- A few springs with different lengths, diameters, and stiffness
- A metal weight
- Sturdy support, such as a piece of wood, from which to hang the springs.
- Clamp
- Metric ruler
22. Improve your math abilities by using math cards to match a story problem to the correct answer
23. Make an octant kaleidoscope through which to enjoy symmetrically patterned illusions, by using cardboard, mirrors, and other classroom materials!
- Cardboard - You can use cardboard boxes that I'm sure we all have at home.
- 3x Mirrors
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Glue
- Tape
24. Challenge yourself to solve an assortment of problems presented on unique task cards.
25. Design your dream house using graphing paper and a pencil to map out your plan.
- Graphing paper
- Pencil
26. Play Connect 4 by answering and posing math questions against their matching answers using this fun family game.
27. Create a tetrahedral kite using straws, wrapping paper, scissors, and kite string to bring your craft to life!
28. Build da Vinci's bridge with the help of loom bands and pencils and use weighted objects to test the strength of your structure as an added challenge.
- Loom bands
- Pencils
- Weighted household objects
29. Use a pack of cards to practice quick math in revision challenges by applying a different operation to each suite in the deck and completing the sum at a given time.
30. Practice two-step algebra equations as you draw quiz cards from the Math stacks deck.
We aim for awe-inspiring learning and hope that you find success with the above STEM activities in your future lessons. Challenge older learners to engage in STEM projects, complete fair projects, explore various chemical reactions, and test out the engineering design process! STEM has a multitude of benefits for high school-aged learners and we'd encourage teachers to try their best to deliver learning material in a fun and understandable manner, even at this level.
28 Awesome Seventh Grade STEM Challenges