Are you ready to inspire and amaze your 8th graders like never before?! Get ready to embark on an exciting journey of scientific discovery with our handpicked selection of 68 captivating science projects. These challenges are designed to not only educate but also ignite the curiosity and enthusiasm of your students. So, if you’re eager to create unforgettable learning experiences, join us as we explore these incredible 8th-grade science projects that will leave your students craving more. Let’s dive in!
1. What Makes Ice Melt the Fastest?
Grab your 8th graders’ attention with this hands-on challenge! You’ll need to arm your students with stopwatches and the essential materials: sand, sugar, and salt. The challenge is to measure the speed at which ice melts when in contact with different substances. This is a wonderful opportunity to spark discussions about environmental issues.
Learn More: Little Bins Little Hands
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2. Are Fingerprints Inherited?
Challenge your students to think about identity through the lens of genetics. With your encouragement, they’ll examine fingerprints and ponder questions about individuality. This project is suitable for budding scientists, detectives, and philosophers, and is a surefire debate starter!
Learn More: We Have Kids
3. Build an Infinity Mirror
Let your students’ creativity shine with a project that’s the perfect blend of art and science. Direct them in positioning mirrors so that the reflective surfaces are facing one another to create a mirror that gives the illusion of endless depth. What an awesome, mind-bending project that’s great for introducing concepts like optics.
Learn More: Instructables
4. Make Your Own Shampoo
Time to dabble in cosmetic chemistry! Your students will love the opportunity to make their own shampoo and then take the next step and compare it to store-bought versions. You’ll need some essentials like liquid soup, glycerine, and essential oils for this recipe.
Learn More: Humblebee & me
5. Can Plants Stop Soil Erosion?
Empower your students to be eco-warriors. Your youngsters will get their hands dirty by planting seeds to combat soil erosion. This project will help them dive into ecology, botany, and social responsibility; teaching them science while saving the planet!
Learn More: Life is a Garden
6. Build Your Own Solar-Powered Car
Future engineers, assemble! Allow your students to build solar-powered cars and then test them out. It’s a fusion of mechanical engineering and environmental science as they need to be hands-on in designing and building their cars before researching the best strategies to power them up. May the fastest, most efficient, car win!
Learn More: Home Science Tools
7. Make Your Own Bath Bomb
Transform your classroom into a fragrant laboratory by challenging your learners to create bath bombs and learn about the chemical reactions involved. Arm your youngsters with baking soda, citric acid, and some essential oils before encouraging them to find the best combination for the ultimate chemical reaction. It’s an aromatic journey into chemistry that’s exploding with fun and knowledge just waiting to be unlocked!
Learn More: Inspired by Charm
8. Extracting the DNA of an Onion
Are you looking for a microscopic exploration? Allow your students to venture into cellular biology by isolating onion DNA. This experiment will require a good scientific method as you guide your students in collecting the microscopic particles of an onion and using alcohol to separate the DNA. This experiment could serve as a gateway into discussions on genetics. Plus, it’s all done with easily accessible materials.
Learn More: Pak Science Club
9. Candy Chronography
Have you ever wondered about the chemistry behind the vibrant colors in candy? With a project that’s a feast for the mind and the eyes, your kiddos can now discover more! You’ll need a saltwater solution, candy, and filter paper to kick off this investigation. Guide your students to follow the scientific process by carefully working through each step in separating the mixture that makes their sweet treats so colorful.
Learn More: Science Sparks
10. Heart Health: How does heart rate change during exercise?
Get the heart and mind racing with this project! Get your students moving and prompt them to monitor their heart rates during different activities. It’s an educational journey into cardiovascular health: a blend of exercise and science that’s both fun and informative. Perfect for those seeking to learn while they burn calories.
11. Create Your Own Fossils
Immerse your kiddos in the fascinating world of fossils. Show them how fossils are formed over time and let them craft their own examples from shells or leaves using Plaster of Paris. This amazing project allows them to gain a better understanding of the process of fossilization and will bring an ancient past into your classroom!
Learn More: Mad About Science
12. Exploring Photosynthesis
Let there be light—and plant growth! Have your learners test how different colored light conditions affect photosynthesis by placing plants in a multicolored spectrum of light environments. They’ll uncover whether or not different wavelengths of light are more beneficial to photosynthesis than others. Talk about an illuminating look at this vital scientific process!
Learn More: YouTube
13. Build a Raft Powered by Surface Tension
Ahoy, maties! You can have your students crafting petite vessels and sailing them on the high seas of a classroom basin. Anchored in the science of surface tension, this hands-on lesson requires basic materials like sponges, toothpicks, and some detergent to make complex physics tangible.
Learn More: Be a Fun Mum
14. How Far Can You Throw or Kick a Ball?
Game on! Ask your students to measure their athletic prowess by seeing how far they can kick or throw a ball. Whether kicking soccer balls or hurling baseballs, you’ll guide them to capture metrics to explore force, distance, and trajectory. Science becomes a sport, and your students are its star players. Touchdown for team “Curiosity”!
Learn More: Science Buddies
15. Homemade Water Filter Project
Your students will become everyday heroes when you have them craft DIY water filters. Beyond learning, this project cultivates a sense of global responsibility. You’ll require a plastic bottle that’s been cut in half and filled with layers of sand and stone to act as the filter. The ultimate aim? Making the world a better place by learning how to filter water one drop at a time.
Learn More: Love to Know
16. Build a Simple Electric Motor
Here’s a project for your keen little sparkies! Your students will be excited when you steer them toward the magic of creating their very own motors. With a few basic materials, they’ll be able to use a battery to harness energy to give life to inanimate objects Sparks will fly, both literally and metaphorically.
Learn More: Education.com
17. The Power of Heat is Right Under Your Feet!
Welcome to the underworld of geothermal energy! Under your tutelage, your students will create a mockup of a tiny geothermal plant. With a pinwheel, a soup can, a heat source, and a few simple school materials, you’ll be able to model the generation of heat sources.
Learn More: Venessa Williams Blog
18. Plants on the Move! An Experiment on Phototropism
Transform your classroom into a botanical runway, with plants strutting toward their light source. Supply some seeds and develop an optimal germinating environment for your kiddos to see how they can best spur on plant growth! The student who generates the most phototrophic movements can be awarded a prize.
Learn More: UNTAMED Science
19. Rusting Out: How Acids Affect the Rate of Corrosion
Rust is the crimson signature of time and chemistry! Have your learners explore the ravages and beauty of oxidation by allowing them to observe how acids accelerate rusting. All you need to prepare is a simple acidic solution and a rusty nail!
Learn More: David Science Centre
20. Build Your Own Marble Machine
Ladies and gentlemen, start your marbles! First, you’ll allow your students to design the ultimate marble labyrinth. Then, the race is on: your young scientists will guide their marbles through an odyssey of obstacles to explore the effect of angles, curves, and slopes.
Learn More: Scientific American
21. Supercooling Water and Snap Freezing
Is it getting cold in here? Have your kiddos supercool water in a freezer for 2 hours and 30 minutes to discover if it can remain a liquid. Once they bring it out of the freezer have them shake the bottle and watch physics in action! This exciting project is a lesson in the unstable properties of supercooled liquids!
Learn More: YouTube
22. Making Your Own Marshmallows
S’mores anyone? Let your kiddos create some delicious marshmallows with this next idea! As they follow and play about with the recipe, they’ll discover that, by changing the amount of sugar and corn syrup used, they can make different kinds of marshmallows. All that’s left is to build a campfire and some graham crackers!
Learn More: The Flavor Bender
23. Discover Chlorophyll Variety in Plants
Have your learners explore the amazing properties of chlorophyll! Let them have a go at this series of 4 different experiments to learn if plants need sunlight to be green, what happens when chlorophyll is heated, how it reacts to water, and if it really is green! Your green-fingered kiddos will love these fun, hands-on experiments!
Learn More: Science Projects
24. Test The Best Insulation Materials
Your kiddos will become mini-builders for this project! Provide a range of materials and allow your students to test which contains better insulating properties! They’ll hypothesize, research, and experiment all in the pursuit of energy efficiency. Let them build it and knowledge will come.
Learn More: Teach Engineering
25. Test For Hard Water
Suds galore! Have your little researchers collect water samples from different sources and conduct a simple test to determine which source has the hardest water. They’ll shake their water samples up to observe which creates the most bubbles, this indicates the softest water! The bubbles may disappear, but your kiddos’ curiosity never will!
Learn More: Layers of Learning
26. Applying Hooke’s Law: Make Your Own Spring Scale
Ready, set, stretch! Your students will create spring scales as they apply their knowledge of physics laws to measure weight and tension. What a fun, hands-on way to explore Hooke’s Law in your classroom!
Learn More: Julian Trubin
27. How to Make the Boldest, Brightest Tie-Dye
Did you know there’s science behind the fun swirls and patterns of tie-dye? Give each of your kiddos a white t-shirt to scrunch up, then use rubber bands to hold the shirts in place whilst you dip them into the dyes! Have them try out different materials to learn how different fibers react differently to colors! Who knew science could be so colorful?
Learn More: Handmade Charlotte
28. Fallen Arches: The Surprising Strength of Eggshells
Your kiddies will turn sceptics into believers with this un-egg-spected experiment. They’ll load weights onto eggshells to demonstrate their surprising strength. To have them totally captivated, place eggs in their cartons on the ground and ask for a volunteer to stand on it – they’ll be amazed to discover it supports their weight! It’s an eggs-ample of engineering fundamentals, served sunny side up!
Learn More: Scholastic Parents
29. Make Your Own Crystals
There’s no denying the enchanting qualities that crystals possess! Have your kiddos grow their very own crystals, and in the process, learn about solubility and saturation. Your first step is to get your young scientists to saturate some water with salt, then ideally, you’ll add some food coloring for effect. Leave the water to evaporate and they’ll be amazed at the crystals left behind!
Learn More: Science Fun for Everyone
30. The Effect of Oil Spills on Wildlife
Learn all about the impact that oil spills have on our planet with this next project idea. Start by setting up some trays with water and some plastic fish, then add some cooking oil. Next, set your kiddos on the almost impossible task of getting the oil out of the water. This is a sobering lesson in man-made disasters but one that could shape future eco-warriors. Planet-saving starts in your classroom!
Learn More: Boundless Brilliance
31. Roll a Can With Static Electricity
Step right up, future Einsteins! Have your kids rub a balloon on their heads and watch the magic unfold. Once charged up with this static electricity, they can then maneuver cans without even touching them! Prepare for their minds to be electrified!
Learn More: Boundless Brilliance
32. Blow Up A Balloon Using Sugar And Yeast
Show your learners how to inflate a balloon by creating a chemical reaction! Have them place some yeast, sugar, and a little water inside a plastic bottle, then stretch a balloon over the opening. Then stand back and witness science and culinary arts merge into a gas-filled wonder! It’s a super exciting and very visible experiment that’s sure to get them excited!
Learn More: Happy Brown House
33. Bend a Bone With Vinegar
Merge nutrition and science learning with this next project idea! Have your kiddos use vinegar to dissolve calcium and soften bones into rubbery textures. This spellbinding experiment highlights the importance of calcium in our bodies and getting enough of it in our diets. Your kids will definitely drink up their milk after this experiment!
Learn More: Science Bob
34. Make a Fog Tornado
Meteorological wonders will take center stage as your learners craft their own mini-tornadoes with this next idea! Under your guidance they can slowly add warm water to dry ice to create fog, then whip this up into a tornado using a specialized simulator. Step aside, weather apps – the future meteorologists are here. Classroom weather reporting has never been this exhilarating!
Learn More: Scinight Weebly
35. Rainwater Acid Test
Study the chemical science of rain with this next idea! Have your kiddos collect and measure the acidity of rainwater over time, using pH testing equipment, and they’ll not only learn about the concept of acid rain but also get hands-on experience with environmental science methodology. This is science making a real-world impact!
Learn More: STEAM Powered Family
36. Dissect a Flower
Who’s ready for some floral surgery? Don your lab coats, botanists of tomorrow! With a scalpel in hand, your kiddies will dissect a flower, exploring its intricate anatomy. Ovaries, stamen, and petals become the stars of this horticultural show. What a blooming marvelous science project idea!
Learn More: Elemental Science
37. Make a Water Purifier
It’s time to get your hands dirty and your water clean! Set the scene for your eager youngsters – they’re in the wild and have run out of water. How do they survive? Creating a layered water filter of course. You’ll need to provide them with charcoal, stones, and sand and allow them to experiment to find just the right technique to clean their H2O. The result? Pure learning, in every drop!
Learn More: Water Filter Advisor
38. Build a Candle-Powered Thermoelectric Fan
Engineers, ignite your creativity! This isn’t just a cool science project, it’s also a great example of renewable energy. Challenge your kiddos to discover just how much energy a tealight candle can generate by building their own thermoelectric fan! This simple paper windmill and a tealight candle show what an enormous potential this type of renewable power has. Science and sustainability, united!
Learn More: Instructables
39. Do White Candles Burn Faster Than Colored Candles?
Does style have an impact on substance? Let your kids decide after this next project! Get them to predict which will burn faster, white or colored candles before they put their different colored candles to the test, burning them side by side. Guide them to record the burn rates and wick lengths, and then let them write up their results! They’ll no longer be in the dark on this question after this project!
Learn More: Just Crafting Around
40. Make a Lightning Spark
Sparks will fly this next project idea! Have your students rub a styrofoam block on their heads to build up a static charge, then place the block on the table. They can then place an aluminum pie tin on top and move their fingers close to the tin to see the tiny sparks! It’s like a tiny, safe lightning storm right in the classroom.
Learn More: Ingrid Science
41. Make Exothermic Elephant Toothpaste
Get ready for a frothy spectacle! Get your kids to mix baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, and some food coloring in a bottle which will then erupt with an oozing foam called elephant toothpaste. Chemistry has never been this silly!
Learn More: WLTX
42. Go Fishing For Ice
It’s ice fishing, but not as you know it! Set your kiddos the challenge to lift a piece of ice, using only a piece of string. Just when they’re about to give up, you can reveal your method! Add a sprinkle of salt to the string which will create the perfect conditions where the ice will melt a little then refreeze, but to the string this time. This is science, not angling, and it’s all about understanding density and melting points!
Learn More: Steam Powered Family
43. Make Glowing Bubble
Turn down the lights and turn up the fun! Your learners will jump at the chance to make glow-in-the-dark bubbles using fluorescent dye and black lights. This experiment, whilst visually stunning, is also the perfect opportunity to learn about phosphorescence. Light up their curiosity and their classroom!
Learn More: The Maker Mom
44. Bring The Bernoulli Principle To Life
Lift-off achieved! With nothing more than a hairdryer and a ping pong ball, your kiddos will witness the Bernoulli Principle in action. Face the hairdryer upwards, hold the ball above it, and then switch on to demonstrate how the pressure created stops the ball from falling. Aeronautics has never been this accessible or this fun!
Learn More: Studious Guy
45. Make Magnetic Putty
The allure of magnetism awaits! Have your students combine water, craft glue, and iron filings to transform ordinary putty into a magnetic learning experience. Once their putty is ready, give them magnets and watch the fun begin! The results of this sensory science activity will be truly magnetizing!
Learn More: National Mag Lab
46. Stress and Body Temperature
For this experiment, all you’ll need is a thermometer and a timer. Grab some friends and test out if stress really raises our body temperature. Test the normal/resting temperature, then test before an exam or a big game and see the results!
Learn More: Education.com
47. Fizz and Meat
Get your lab coat, don your chef’s hat, and get ready for a gastronomic gala of bubbles and giggles! Show your kiddies the intriguing reactions between carbonated drinks and meat. Have them follow the method for this experiment – simple steps of placing meat in soda – and then be ready to record the reactions. Acid meets protein, and the culinary chemistry unfolds.
Learn More: Pinterest
48. Infinity Mirror Illusion
You ever gone into a fancy bathroom and seen 100 identical faces staring back at you? This cool engineering science experiment is a little more complicated but is sure to impress your classmates. See the materials and steps you need to follow and get building!
Learn More: Science Buddies
49. Immune System Science
You’ll need a jar, some salt, and iron fillings to play the part of a pathogen, and a magnet to act as antibodies. This is an age-appropriate science experiment that is a bit challenging but will show you how amazing your immune system really is!
Learn More: Science Buddies
50. Make Your Own Hand Warmers
Winter is coming, and science is ready! Your kids will be enthralled as you suggest that they engineer their own hand warmers using calcium chloride and iron filings. It’s DIY chemistry for those chilly outings so get ready to say goodbye to cold fingers and hello to thermal innovation!
Learn More: Steve Spangler Science
51. Diaper Science
Welcome to the lab, junior material scientists! Have your students conduct absorbency battles among different diaper brands to crown one the winner. From dribble to deluge, you’ll ask them to find out which diaper reigns supreme. No infants are involved, just absorbent polymers at play!
Learn More: Cortez Corner
52. Tendons and Bionic Hands
Anatomy meets robotics! It’s time to engage your biology students with a working model of the hand! Have them craft models to understand the role tendons play in hand movements. It’s a hands-on look at the biomechanics of the human body. Who knows, this could be the start of them building the bionic hands of the future!
Learn More: Pinterest
53. Seeing Sounds?
Hear it, see it, believe it! Show your learners how to make sound waves visible using water and wine glasses, making the glasses ‘sing’. First, you can encourage your students to watch for the physical effects of the sound waves like ripples on the water’s surface. Then it’s time to let them experiment and have a little fun making different notes and maybe even a musical glass band.
Learn More: Igamemom
54. Carnivorous Plants
Who’s hungry—for knowledge? Here, you’ll need to provide your students with a mini-horror movie setup as they feed bugs to carnivorous plants and then monitor the pH and enzyme levels to discover how these strange plants actually eat the bugs! They’ll love this fun and slightly gory biology lesson in predation and digestion.
Learn More: Education
55. Cell Phone Radiation
Dial into the invisible world of radio frequencies! Have your kiddos measure the electromagnetic waves emitted by cell phones to get a better understanding of the tech they can’t live without! It’s a scientific call to explore the unseen yet omnipresent radiation. Who’s up for dialing into the safety debate?
Learn More: Science Buddies
56. The Science of Slime
Get your class to embrace the ooze in this fascinating exploration of slime chemistry! Let your kiddies have fun as they concoct various slime recipes and delve into the science behind their gooeyness. What a superb hands-on sensory experience that they’re sure to love.
Learn More: Hillary’s Teaching Adventures
57. How Salty Does the Sea Need to Be for an Egg to Float?
Your kiddos will enjoy ‘eggs-perimenting’ with eggs for this next project idea! Let them dive deep into the science of buoyancy and salt concentrations as they test the different conditions under which an egg can stay afloat. This project will give them a first-hand understanding of density and salinity. How egg-citing!
Learn More: Go Science Girls
58. Musical Influence on Plant Growth
Your kids will jump at the opportunity to experiment with their diverse musical tastes. Challenge them to hypothesize about which genre of music will result in the most growth. As they expose plants to various genres of music and document their development, they’ll gain insights into the influence of sound vibrations on living organisms. The results could be surprising!
Learn More: Sites at Penn State
59. Chocolate Meltdown
Are you looking for an interactive way to explore thermodynamics? Your students will be eager to experiment with various chocolate types under the same heat conditions and uncover the melt-down mysteries of their favorite treat. What a delicious way to explore thermodynamics!
Learn More: YouTube
60. Physics of Roller Coasters
Let’s turn your classroom into an amusement park! Your kiddies will be thrilled to follow your instructions on building miniature roller coasters and have their eyes opened to the exciting physics concepts behind these towering attractions, such as gravity, inertia, and momentum. Who knew physics could be this fun?
61. The Effect of Temperature on Battery Life
Allow your learners to turn up the heat (or cool it down) to explore how temperature changes affect battery power output. This experiment will charge up their understanding of practical physics and everyday tech. Not only is this project a super learning experience, but it’ll also help them look after their own tech even better and prolong battery life!
Learn More: YouTube
62. Soil Composition
Get your students’ hands dirty! Having your class learn about soil types and analyzing their composition and nutrient content is sure to be an enriching learning experience for them! It’s a super topic to make them more ecologically aware, as you encourage them to unearth the fascinating world beneath their feet.
Learn More: Orlando Science Center
63. Understanding Erosion
Make geology fun with this hands-on project idea! Sculpting miniature landscapes becomes a lesson in geological processes for your kiddos when you ask them to demonstrate the effects of wind and water erosion. The thrill of watching their landscapes morph will make this learning stick and ensure they gain an appreciation for the ever-changing face of our planet.
Learn More: YouTube
64. Effect of pH on Enzymes
Science doesn’t get much sweeter than this next idea! Roll out the welcome mat for bromelain, the enzyme in pineapple juice! Your learners will study how pH changes can affect enzyme functions with this easily accessible introduction to the complex world of biochemistry.
Learn More: Practical Biology
65. Balloon Rockets
3 -2 -1 blast off! Newton’s third law takes flight in this exciting activity. By constructing and launching balloon rockets using just a balloon, some tape, string, and a staw, your kiddos will explore the action-reaction principle. There’s no doubt they’ll also have a ‘blast’ in the process!
Learn More: What Do We Do All Day
66. Testing for Starch
The search for starch gets a fun twist for this next idea! Have your 8th-grade scientists make predictions then use iodine to test various food items for starch. Providing your class with the opportunity to uncover hidden starch will give them a glimpse into the world of food science and nutrition. Who knew science could be so appetizing?
Learn More: The Happy Housewife
67. Cooking with the Sun
The quest for efficient solar ovens is on! Challenge your kiddies to design the most effective cooker using renewable energy and the power of the sun. Prompt them to use their problem-solving skills to cook an egg or make a s’more. Finally, a science experiment where they can eat the results!
Learn More: The Krazy Coupon Lady
68. Exploring Density
Density isn’t just a number, it’s a spectrum. Your learners will revel in the opportunity to bring this scientific concept to life in an aesthetically pleasing way! They’ll use liquids with different densities which will separate into distinct sections to create a colorful density column!
Learn More: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics are covered in 8th Grade science?
Some of the main topics covered in 8th Grade science are weathering and soil, structure and composition of the atmosphere, human impact on resources, animal and plant cells, living things, and the environment, matter, atoms, elements, and the periodic table, chemical reactions, motion and forces and electricity, and magnetism.
How can a student win a Science Fair?
Students must pick an interesting topic and learn everything they can. They should plan their project, make a clear and professional display of their work, and practice their presentations.
What are some simple science experiments?
There are many experiments that do not require a lot of materials, some examples of these in the list above include: finding out the best tie-dye fiber, making the perfect bath bomb, and measuring your heart rate during exercise.
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