science fair experiment ideas for middle school

40 Best Science Experiments & Projects for Middle School

Welcome to our curated collection of top science fair projects and experiments, perfectly tailored for the inquisitive middle schoolers. Our collection offers hands-on activities that will captivate young minds and ignite their passion for learning.

Science fairs during middle school years are less about competition and more about fostering a love for exploration, experimentation, and the thrill of the “Eureka!” moment. That’s why we have ensured that all the experiments on our list are fun and easy.

Through hands-on experimentation, students can gain a deeper understanding of scientific concepts, build confidence in their abilities, and cultivate a lifelong passion for learning.

1. Crushed Can

Students will be amazed as they witness an ordinary can being transformed before their very eyes. By simply heating it and then rapidly cooling it, the can will be crushed as if by magic!

Learn more: Little Bins Little Hands

2. Water Bottle Rockets

In this engaging activity, students will have the opportunity to design, build, and launch their very own water-propelled rockets.

By adjusting variables like water level and air pressure, they’ll witness firsthand how these factors impact the rocket’s flight path and distance.

3. Cabbage Ph Indicator

In this middle school science project, students will use red cabbage as a natural pH indicator to test the acidity or alkalinity of various household substances.

Learn more: Cabbage PH Indicator

4. Build a Solar Oven

By building these ingenious devices using simple materials, they will discover the incredible potential of renewable energy and its practical applications in everyday life.

Learn more: Solar Oven

5. Build a Helping Hand

In this captivating middle school science experiment, students will have the opportunity to construct their very own “Helping Hand” device.

Learn more: Science Buddies

6. DIY Lung Model

This captivating middle school project offers an exciting hands-on opportunity to explore the inner workings of our respiratory system.

By creating their own lung models using simple household materials, students will gain a deeper understanding of how our lungs function and the vital role they play in our bodies.

7. Flying Tea Bag

By harnessing the power of convection currents, students will learn about the fascinating relationship between heat and air pressure.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bag

8. Egg Float Experiment

In this captivating middle school science project, students will unlock the mysteries of density and water displacement while discovering the fascinating properties of eggs.

Learn more: Egg Float Experiment

9. Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction

This captivating middle school project is all about the magic of potential energy and kinetic energy. By carefully setting up a series of interlinked popsicle sticks, students will create a mesmerizing chain reaction that ripples through the entire structure.

10. How to See Sound

As they watch sound come to life through colorful visualizations, students will develop a deeper appreciation for the profound impact of sound in our daily lives.

11. Orange Peel Plate Tectonics

In this captivating middle school project, students will learn about the dynamic of Earth’s crust and explore the powerful forces that shape our planet’s surface.

12. Heart Pump

In this captivating middle school project, students will embark on a hands-on exploration of the human circulatory system and discover the marvels of the heart’s pumping mechanism.

Learn more: Heart Pump Model

13. Invisible Ink

By concocting their own invisible ink, students will discover the science behind chemical reactions and learn how certain substances react to reveal hidden text when exposed to heat, light, or other catalysts.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

14. DIY Grow Box

In this captivating middle school project, students will learn the wonders of plant growth and the art of nurturing a thriving garden.

By constructing their own affordable and innovative grow boxes using simple materials, they’ll have the perfect environment to observe the magical transformation from seeds to flourishing plants.

Learn more: Easy DIY Grow Box

15. Creative Ferris Wheel

By encouraging creativity and experimentation, this engaging experiment not only promises an exciting learning experience but also fosters teamwork and critical thinking

16. Alka Seltzer Rockets

Prepare for a high-flying adventure with the Alka Seltzer Rockets science experiment! This exciting and explosive activity is a perfect choice for middle school students eager to explore the wonders of chemical reactions and rocketry.

17. Why do Apples Turn Brown?

Through hands-on exploration, middle school students will discover the role of enzymes and oxygen in this intriguing transformation.

18. Water Bending Experiment

By understanding the principles of surface tension and cohesion, you’ll be able to create mesmerizing effects, seemingly bending water with just a piece of static material.

19. Water Clock

Experience the magic of timekeeping in its most ancient form with the fascinating Water Clock project! In this hands-on experiment, students will learn about history, physics, and engineering as they build their own timekeeping device using just water and a few simple materials.

Learn more: Steam Powered Family

20. Paper Ball Run Challenge

Get ready for a thrilling and creative adventure with the Paper Ball Run Challenge! In this captivating science experiment, you’ll explore the principles of motion, gravity, and engineering as you design and build your very own paper ball run.

21. Flood Barriers

As you construct and evaluate your barriers, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how floods occur and the importance of finding effective solutions.

Learn more: Teachers are terrific

22. Exploring the Law of Inertia Experiment Using a Fidget Spinner

This engaging experiment will help you unravel Sir Isaac Newton’s Law of Inertia in a fun and hands-on way. By using a fidget spinner, you’ll explore how the spinning motion persists due to inertia and how different factors can influence its behavior.

23. Air Pressure Impact on Ping Pong Balls 

By investigating the effects of air pressure on these lightweight spheres, you’ll uncover the secrets of flight, aerodynamics, and atmospheric pressure.

24. Rolling Uphill

In this experiment, you’ll witness the baffling phenomenon of a ball seemingly defying gravity by rolling uphill on a specially designed track.

25. Pick Up Ice with a String

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to lift ice using just a simple string? In this fascinating experiment, you’ll explore the principles of heat transfer and surface tension as you attempt to defy gravity and lift ice cubes with nothing but a string.

Learn more: Pick Up Ice with a String

26. Keep a Paper Towel Dry Under Water 

This captivating experiment will unveil the wonders of surface tension and hydrophobicity, as you attempt to create a barrier that defies the conventional wisdom of water soaking through paper.

Learn more: Keep a Paper Towel Dry Under Water

27. Upside Down Glass of Water

This mesmerizing experiment will unravel the fascinating concept of air pressure and its influence on liquids. As you turn a glass of water upside down and observe the water’s defiance of falling out, you’ll gain insight into the powerful role of air pressure in our everyday lives.

Learn more: Upside Down Glass of Water

28. Make a Wine Glass Sing

Have you ever wondered how to turn a simple glass of wine into a musical instrument? This captivating experiment will introduce you to the fascinating concept of acoustics and how sound waves interact with liquid-filled glasses.

29. Crush a Plastic Bottle

Are you curious about the forces at play when we compress a seemingly indestructible plastic bottle? This captivating experiment will unravel the science behind how pressure and air interact to create this astonishing effect.

Learn more: Crush a Plastic Bottle

30. Ruler Changes Size

Get ready to witness an optical illusion that will challenge your perception of reality. In this captivating experiment, you’ll explore the fascinating phenomenon of light refraction and how it can make objects appear different than they really are.

31. Egg in a Bottle

Have you ever wondered how to get an egg into a bottle without breaking it? This mesmerizing experiment will introduce you to the concept of air pressure and how it can be harnessed to achieve the impossible.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

32. Water Doesn’t Leak Out Science Experiment

This hands-on activity not only sparks curiosity and amazement but also teaches you about the properties of gases and the laws of physics.

So, get ready to be astounded and dive into the magic of science with the “Water Doesn’t Leak Out” experiment – an entertaining and enlightening adventure that will leave you thirsting for more knowledge!

Learn more: Water Science Experiment

33. Pick Up a Ball with a Jar

This captivating experiment will introduce you to the fascinating concept of air pressure and how it can create a powerful force that defies gravity.

34. Glowing Water Science

This captivating experiment will introduce you to the fascinating properties of fluorescent materials and how they interact with light.

35. Fizzy Cloud Dough

The fizzing reaction not only adds an element of excitement but also provides a great opportunity to explore the science of chemical reactions and the release of carbon dioxide.

Learn more: Fizzy Cloud Dough

36. Underwater Magic Sand

Get ready to witness the marvels of hydrophobic science and explore the secrets of this captivating underwater magic sand experiment.

Learn more: Teaching Mama Org

37. Make Bouncy Polymer Balls

This captivating experiment will take you on an exciting journey into the realm of polymers and chemical reactions.

38. Use a Crayon as a Candle

This hands-on activity not only sparks curiosity and excitement but also offers a safe and educational way to explore the science of combustion and the flammability of materials.

Learn more: Crayon Candle

39. Flame Test Colors

Not only does it spark curiosity and wonder but also deepens your understanding of the emission spectra of elements.

So, get ready to illuminate your scientific knowledge with the “Flame Test Colors” experiment – an educational and visually stunning adventure that will leave you dazzled and eager to discover more about the fascinating world of chemistry!

Learn more: Thought Co

40. Grow A Bean Plant

By planting a simple bean seed and providing it with water, sunlight, and care, you’ll witness the fascinating process of germination and watch as your bean seedling sprouts and grows.

Similar Posts:

• 68 Best Chemistry Experiments: Learn About Chemical Reactions
• 37 Water Science Experiments: Fun & Easy
• Top 100 Fine Motor Skills Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

72 Science Projects for 7th Graders

Looking for engaging science fair projects for a middle school science fair? Our handpicked collection of science fair projects for 7th graders is a great place to start!

7th Grade Science Fair Project FAQ

What are some easy 7th grade science fair projects.

Each of these science fair projects are easy for seventh grade science students do. Explore how glow-in-the-dark sticks work, discover how far apart planets really are, and make your own geode crystal with borax!

Chocolate Asphalt

Making Lightning in a Pan

Glow Sticks: Temperature Effects

Geode Rock Borax Crystal

Does Cooking Deplete Vitamin C?

Solar System Scale Model on the Sidewalk

Color and Taste

Uncovering Fall Colors

Growing Mold

Carbonation and Packaging

Science fair project details right above the FAQ!

What is the best 7th grade science project ever?

We love the Fast Food Nutrition project for seventh grade science students. This project encourages students to look more closely at the nutritional value of fast food that's easily available. This project is not only a research project on fast food nutrition, but it also gives middle school students the opportunity to interview willing test subjects about their eating habits.

If you're looking for more 7th grade science projects, check out the 7th grade science fair projects at the top of this page! 

Check out more Best Science Fair Projects →

What are some cool 7th grade science fair projects?

Get ready to be amazed by these super cool science projects for 7th graders! With just a few simple materials, students fascinated by the solar system, how things glow-in-the-dark, unexpected chemical reactions and more, will have too much fun!

Glowing in the Dark

Make Plastic from Milk

The Dissolving Meat Myth

What are 5 testable questions for 7th grade?

A testable question is a question that we can answer through a science experiment. To do this, we do a control science experiment, then we change one thing in the experiment to see how it affects what happens. This is how we can discover the answer to our question!

Here are some testable questions that our seventh grade science projects investigate.

Do detergents affect plant growth?

Can drink and food taste different just by changing its color?

Does the color of light affect photosynthesis?

Does temperature affect seed sprouting?

What makes popcorn pop?

Here are more testable questions along with their science projects →

What are the top 10 science projects for 7th grade?

These are our top 10 science projects for 7th grade, covering biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. Find out how sugary drinks affect teeth, make electricity with your own body or test your design and engineering skills by making a foil bug walk on water! These projects can be used as science fair project ideas or as a fun experiment!

Hamsters and Time of Day

Plant Density and Growth Rate

Water Strider Challenge: Make a Bug Walk on Water!

Human Body Battery

Left-Handedness and Mirror Writing

Making Antibubbles

Soil as an Electrical System

Tooth Decay Experiment with Eggs

Science project details right above the FAQ!

Can I do a 7th grade science fair project in a day?

Yes! Quick experiments or making a model can be a great option for a science fair project! If you want to do a quick science fair project, we have science project ideas on various topics to get you started.

The Solar System: See it in the correct scale!

Create your own sidewalk chalk solar system model and take a walk through space! Solar System Scale Model on the Sidewalk

Chromatography reaction: Separating out colors!

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Let's find out by in this chemistry experiment using chromatography to separate the colors of a green leaf! Uncovering Fall Colors

Heat reactions: Heat speeds things up!

Does the temperature of a room affect how quickly a candle burns? Burn Rate of a Candle

What are some hands-on ways to find inspiration for my science fair project?

There may be free admission days or free passes to a science museum near you! Check your local library for free museum passes, nearby science museums for free entrance days and your credit card for offers.

Find a science museum near you and prepare to be awed by all that you can learn there! I always learn something new and am inspired whenever I go to a science museum!

How do I start a science fair project?

What should I do after I have a science fair project idea?

How do I make a science fair board?

What is the scientific method?

What is the engineering design process?

Where can I find a science fair competition?

The www Virtual Library: Science Fairs website also has a collection of science fairs from all over the world, as well as national, state, regional, local, and virtual competitions!

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Science Projects > Science Fair Projects > Science Fair Projects for Middle School  

Science Fair Projects for Middle School

Middle school science fair projects are often a turning point for students.

Grades 5-8 permit students more time to do in-depth thinking. That’s important for developing a science fair project around a topic that interests you.

All middle school science fair projects should use experimentation to answer a testable question.

In other words, use the scientific method 4 steps . But don’t worry—it’s not as hard as it sounds!

For in-depth info on choosing a topic, performing your experiment, and presenting your project, see our free science fair guide (pdf).

Browse our science fair kits  for more project ideas and easy-to-use kits.

Life Science Ideas

• Compare the germination of monocot seeds and dicot seeds . Experiment with different factors, like sunlight, fertilizer or water, that affect germination (seed sprouting) speeds.
• Experiment with how the pH of soil affects plant growth. (Use a soil analyzer .) Develop an experiment that tests the importance of CO 2 to plant health.
• Do plants grow differently under different wavelengths of light (like ultraviolet and fluorescent)?
• Design an experiment to discover the effects of abnormal radiation on plant growth, using irradiated seeds that are treated at different radiation levels.

• Microbiology for kids : Use a microscope to study pond protozoa . (Find them in a local pond or grow them yourself. To experiment with specific species, purchase a live culture .) How do heat, light, and water pH affect them? You could also do a pond water study to determine the various effects of pollutants on pond life.
• Experiment using antibiotic discs with common household cleaners to fight bacteria growth . (To grow your own bacteria samples, use agar plates . For a sample step-by-step procedure and more project ideas, check out our how to grow bacteria science project guide. )

• Do bees recognize patterns ? Can this help them find their food sources?
• How do ants lead each other to a food source using scent (pheromones)? And what effect does temperature have on ant movement?
• Experiment with glo germ lotion to develop methods to stop the spread of germs.
• Find more ideas on the biology science projects page.

Earth Science Ideas

• Experiment with the effects of erosion (by wind, water, ice, or gravity) on the different rock or soil types. Does vegetation in the soil slow erosion? See our rock experiments for more erosion ideas.
• Perform a mineral test to discover if local minerals contain carbonate compounds, and consider how this might relate to the surrounding plant and animal life.

• Find out how temperature, wind, or humidity affects the rate of evaporation  with a mini weather station . Does that have any impact on precipitation? (Compare hot and humid to hot and windy or hot and cloudy environments.)
• Sinkholes are formed when the rock below the soil is dissolved by groundwater. What kind of rock would present the most risk of a sinkhole? How might acid rain or chemical waste affect this?
• Experiment with a backlight to test for fluorescent minerals . Do minerals fluoresce differently under longwave and shortwave ultraviolet light?
• Find more ideas on the earth science projects page.

Physical Science Ideas

• Use a quantitative spectroscope flame test to analyze the light spectra produced by burning different elements. Do you expect compounds that contain some of the same elements to have similar spectra?
• Build your own light bulb , and then experiment with what materials make the longest-lasting or brightest filament.
• What kind of substance (metal, ceramic) conducts heat the best? Do a thermal conductivity study to discover which substance works best for a pot handle and which works best for a teapot.
• Find out how increased mass affects velocity and acceleration by doing a project with dynamic carts . You can also experiment with the resulting velocities after a collision between a moving object and unmoving one, or between two objects moving in opposite directions.

• Use a wind generator kit  and experiment to find out how blade design, wind speed, and other factors affect power production.
• Experiment with the best way to build a solar oven to cook your own food.
• Build magnetic tracks to levitate different objects using a magnetic levitation kit. What effects do more powerful magnets have? Test neodymium disc magnets and ceramic bar magnets .
• Experiment with the best design and method of propulsion. Build your own race car , rocket car , and solar car .
• Make your own electromagnets and find out what kind of battery, solenoid, etc. can produce the strongest magnetic force.
• Build a bristlebots robot maze
• Find more ideas on the physics science projects page.

Chemistry Ideas

• Try distilling drinkable water from saltwater using the sun. What materials can you use to speed up the rate of evaporation?
• Make your own ink using different substances and compare how each withstands the effects of heat, light, or moisture. For example, does one type fade faster than another when they are heated or when exposed to strong light? What chemical reactions might cause this?
• Use pennies to copper-plate an iron nail. See if pennies minted before 1982 (when they were 95% copper) make a thicker coating than newer pennies do (they only have 2.5% copper). How does the number of pennies you use affect the time it takes to plate the nail?
• Use a semi-permeable membrane to experiment with osmosis anatomy . What kinds of substances pass through the membrane, and what substances don’t? What is a common property that prevents substances from passing through the membrane?
• Which retains heat longer, salt water or fresh water? Design an experiment to find out.
• Conduct a food chemistry experiment , testing for vitamin C, glucose, starch, protein, and lipids (fats). Does cooking, canning or freezing change the nutritional value of certain foods?
• How do crystals form ? Does the rate at which they form affect their size and shape? Can you make crystals with household chemicals?
• Find more ideas on the chemistry science projects page.

Teaching Homeschool

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Winning Science Fair Projects [Get Inspired By Past Winners!]

Have you won a science fair project?  Interested in sharing your idea?

What we’ve seen in 100s of winning science fair projects.

First, some projects are more advanced.  Some projects were winners in national science fairs.  However, that doesn’t mean a scaled-down version can’t be tried.  Or, maybe an alternative approach.

Second, many of these science fair projects were completed through a mentorship program.  What’s that??  Many universities offer mentor programs geared towards younger students.  These programs pair students with a research lab and faculty member.  Students do experiments with faculty members.  Check out our STEMium camp listings to see more examples.  Typically, programs recruit high school students.  However, if your student is in earlier grades, keep this in mind and explore opportunities in your area.

Third, a ton of solutions center on climate/environment science.  Very cool!!

Finally, ALL of the projects solve a problem or answer a question.  Read through the list and think about your “every day” problems.  Could you solve one with your own science fair project?

We don’t provide full experimental details –  that’s up to you!  Leave a comment below if you’re stuck on how to get started.  Still not sure where to start??  Feel free to check out our germiest spot in school experiment,   alka-seltzer bottle rockets , or our slime science fair project , which can be done in 1-3 days.  Let’s science!

List of winning science fair projects

• Can air quality be measured with an Arduino device?
• Can plants survive without sunlight?
• Effects of ammonium nitrate concentrations on cold pack temperatures
• Effect of wi-fi signals on the growth of peapods
• How does vitamin C concentration change in cut fruits over time?
• Can ocean acidification be lowered with aquatic plants?
• Examining effects of food on glycemic index after eating
• How does air pollution and weather effect solar cell output?
• What is the effect of more turns in the coil on the amount of electricity created?
• How long can a mechanical pencil lead be before it breaks?
• Can forest fires be predicted using artificial intelligence?
• How strong are bioplastic bags?
• How do different fabrics reduce concentration of polluted air?
• Can water be extracted from humid air?
• Which mouthwash is most effective at killing bacteria?
• Which grows faster: sideways plants vs. upright plants?
• How can microplastics be removed from ocean water?
• What blood pressure monitor gives the most consistent readings?
• What works better for memory retention:  handwriting notes or typing?
• Does text font/color affect user readability?
• How does weather change mood?
• The effects of listening to music while studying
• How do soil types change plant growth rates?
• Can eggshells make plants grow faster?
• Which liquids evaporate faster?
• How does paper airplane design affect speed and distance?
• Which sunglasses offer the best UV protection?
• How does sleep duration affect the body?
• Apple Watch vs. Fitbit vs. Garmin – which wearable offers the best heart rate accuracy?
• How does dog saliva affect bacterial growth?
• How effective are UV lights at killing bacteria?
• Which stain remover removes stains the best?
• Do all crayons have the same melting temperature?
• Measuring sugar content with a laser pointer
• Do more expensive batteries last longer (and are they worth it)?
• Which sunscreen/SPF level provides the best protection?
• Effects of pH on plant growth rates
• Does exercise change body temperature?
• How does iPad use before bed affect sleep?
• Do video games raise your heart rate?
• How does temperature affect magnetic strength?
• Which nail polish lasts the longest?
• How does acid rain effect plants?
• What types of orange juice have the highest vitamin C concentration?
• Can sugar make you focus more?
• Which diaper is best for your baby?
• Do different types of toilet paper have different absorption properties?
• Effect of baking powder on muffins
• Finding which biofuel has the most energy – vegetable oil vs. algae
• How does the catcher influence the pitcher’s accuracy in baseball?
• Effects of hydrogen peroxide on plant germination and growth
• How C. elegans are effected by anti-oxidants and UV light
• Evaluating the 5-second rule
• Does chewing gum improve your concentration?
• How can you win at rock, paper, scissors?
• Effect of baseball bat material on the distance of a hit ball
• Effect of clothing on perceived intelligence
• Can a low-carb diet change cardiovascular markers?
• Which fruit generates the most electricity?
• Are fingerprints hereditary?
• How much fat is in your food?
• Detecting and removing of pesticides from produce
• Which accent is most appealing?
• Which travel mug keeps liquids hot the longest?
• Which brand of bath bomb dissolves the fastest?
• Dog or human: who has the cleaner mouth?
• How salty does water need to be to make an egg float?
• Effect of fabric softener on the flammability of fabric
• Which propeller is best at harnessing the wind?
• How does music type effect customer purchases in a store?
• Can bacterial strains be used to degrade plastics?
• Effects of heat on enzyme activity
• An affordable Braille embosser
• Using a Raspberry Pi-based solar tracker to improve solar panel output
• Pill case reminder system
• Computerized signal for students with ADHD
• Engineering algal bioscrubbers to prevent global warming
• Removing impurities from ground water
• Bacterial strains to create fuel cells
• Facial recognition alert system for Alzheimer’s patients
• Do air temperatures affect candle burning rates?
• Effects of lead in water on yeast
• Testing antimicrobial effects of spices
• Are all forms of phone distraction equal while driving?
• How do shellfish adapt to new environments?
• Are kids that eat school lunches more likely to be obese than students that eat food from home?
• How much bacteria is on your orthodontic retainer?
• Who’s more addicted to a smartphone: parents or kids?
• Do introverts have better memories than extroverts?
• How does color affect eyesight?
• How does noise pollution effect plant growth?
• How effective are homeopathic mosquito repellents?
• Does breakfast improve student performance in the first hour of school?
• What type of dog is most likely to be adopted?
• Effects of sugar/sugar substitutes on yeast energy output
• Hydro-focused battery charging station
• Do deflated footballs go further than fully inflated balls?
• AI-powered tornado detection system
• Effects of sugar on children with ADHD
• EEG-powered remote control car
• How does color affect memory recall?
• Improving conduction in a solar-powered oven
• Smartphone-powered disease diagnostic device (many of these!)
• Adapting window blinds for solar panels

Still not sure what to do??  Look at The Simpson’s science fair projects!

After literally decades on the air, The Simpson’s even covered the science fair!  Plenty of projects to inspire you such as…

Duffless (Season 4, Episode 16)

In our first example, Lisa grows a gigantic tomato with anabolic steroids.  Unfortunately, Bart intervenes, tomato gets destroyed and Lisa must come up with another project.  Her solution:  is my brother dumber than a hamster?

The Genesis Tub (Season 8, Episode 1)

Another Bart/Lisa science fair rivalry, but this time with a Halloween twist.  Her initial project idea is pretty good!  Can soda dissolve a tooth?  However, things go off the rails from there.

E-I-E-I-Annoying Grunt (Season 11, Episode 5)

Final example:  Less of a “traditional” project, but as the Simpsons are hiding out on a farm, Homer decides to try planting crops.  When Marge suggests fertilizer, Homer borrows plutonium from the power plant.  The result – a new hybrid tomato is born!

CONCLUSION:  It’s not whether you win or lose…  it’s how you do your science!

I’ll never forget my younger daughter’s second science fair experience.  She and her partner did a great job brainstorming ideas.  Then, the enthusiasm waned a bit.  Then, it came back!  After ~3 weekends the final project came together.  Overall, the parents really stood back and let them run with things.

While I helped construct a demo volcano, the board was entirely done by them (3rd grader style complete with Christmas lights!).  You might imagine that it might not have been as sharp in quality as others that had more parental assistance.  🙂

You know what?  It didn’t matter…

At the presentation, they knew their stuff!

They clearly communicated their hypothesis, their experimental design, results and conclusions.

Then…

THEY BLEW UP A VOLCANO!!  WOOHOO!!

When they came back to find a 1st place ribbon, the smiles were ear to ear!  Tons of shrieks and giggles!  Winning science fair projects don’t always start that way.  In the end, what’s most important — have a positive experience.

If you’ve won a science fair competition, share your project in the comments and what your winning strategy involved!  Or, if you’re struggling to narrow it down, share some ideas.

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15 Cool Science Fair Projects

Hoping to enter a science fair for kids but not sure where to begin? The purpose of science fair projects are about more than simply coming up with a cool idea and sharing it with others.

Aside from the competitive glory of competing (and maybe winning) at a science fair, kids gain experience working with the scientific method: asking questions, forming hypotheses, testing, collecting data, and sharing results with others. Aside from these fundamental STEM skills, kids also gain valuable experience in collaboration, organizational skills, problem solving, communication, and creativity, turning that cool science fair project into a stepping stone on the path towards a career in science.

Join live online, small-group science classes led by an expert, to learn new skills to give you all sorts of science project ideas, including in Quantum Frontiers , NASA Science , Smart Devices , and Minecraft Redstone Engineering .

Discover cool science fair projects

In this list, we will share some awesome ideas for students and educators to get inspired and to make a project that will leave a lasting impression. Of course, there’s a huge gap between a beginner’s project and that of a competitive high schooler, but we have arranged it so you can easily find something for young explorers of all ages.

Explore the best science fair projects for elementary kids

While classic projects like making a cyclone in a bottle or stacking liquids to teach density can make a lasting impact on kids, these projects offer some unique ways of getting elementary schoolers to engage with science.

1. LEGO Zipline

Kids love LEGO and this project only requires a few blocks and some lengths of string. Projects can teach kids about Physics concepts like gravity, tension, friction, as well as Math ideas like slope, angle, and weight. Set a large slope to make the zip line fast, and add slack to the line to slow it down. You could even arrange this project as a race.

2. Slow Ball Race

Another race idea involves building a tower of ramps to allow a ball to roll down. To give your students a unique challenge, instead of making the ball rush to the bottom, you can have them compete to see who makes the ball reach the bottom slowest. All you need are some building materials (paper, cardboard, or plastic) and a ball, ideally something small and smooth like a ping pong ball.

3. Hot/Cold Water Density Project

For this project, students will only need some clear containers of the same size, hot and cold water and food coloring. Students will study the characteristics of water and how its density changes based on temperature. By adding one color to the cold and another to the hot, students then will stack the openings on top of each other, and if done correctly, the different temperature liquids will remain separate. Pretty cool.

4. Soil Erosion in a Bottle

This simple project requires garden soil, some plants with roots in the soil, and three clear soda bottles. After cutting out the side of each bottle, they will then be filled with different materials. In one bottle there will be simple soil, in another the soil could be mixed with rocks, branches, and other large chunks. In the final bottle, students will plant some flowers, whose roots will prevent the soil from eroding. As water is poured through the others, students will witness how plants help preserve and retain our most precious resource: the Earth.

5. Water Filtration

In another climate science project, students will use a variety of materials to experiment with water filtration. By pouring dirty water through a mix of sand, charcoal, rocks, and debris, students can collect the filtered water and demonstrate how clean it is by passing through the filter. This could be a supplement to conversations about the water cycle.

See the best science fair project ideas for middle school kids

Middle schoolers will be able to do more independent projects, and they should have a higher bar for formulating a hypothesis and repeatedly testing it. By analyzing the data in a group, students can improve their verbal reasoning skills in a team.

6. Seed Sprouting Experiment

With some seeds and some containers filled with various growing media (sand, soil, mulch, compost, etc.), students can test which material is ideal for sprouting seeds. Students can also study ideas of sustainability, food security, and climate change/soil erosion as part of their project.

7. Newton’s Balloon Car

“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction,” is one of the most famous quotes in science and engineering, and one of Sir Isaac Newton’s most famous Laws of the physical world. Middle school students can experience this law first hand by building a toy car that propels itself with the expelled air of an inflated balloon. Kids love this experiment because it can be presented as a race.

8. Geodesic Domes

The geodesic dome joins the arch as one of the strongest physical structures in architecture and engineering. Students can test different materials and design strategies to build a dome that supports as much load as possible. Maybe teams can try to build a structure that carries the load of a human being!

9. The Greenhouse Effect

All students need for this experiment are a jar, some cellophane wrap, a thermometer, and a sunny window. If you want, students can opt for a heat lamp as well. By covering one jar and leaving one uncovered, this experiment can demonstrate in miniature how the atmosphere captures heat and warms the planet. This of course is a perfect experiment to introduce younger kids about the fundamentals of weather and climate science.

10. Coding in LEGO

As Computer Science plays a huge role in shaping the technologies kids love (Did someone say ‘video games’?), no age is too young to learn about coding and computer science concepts like algorithms, loops, functions, and Binary. In these exciting games, students combine their LEGO creation skills to build an algorithm that can be played like a game, using binary to help a LEGO figurine move through a LEGO environment. LEGO was one of our favorite toys as a kid, and this would be an amazing chance to get kids excited about coding early.

To learn beginner-friendly coding with the help of a live expert, join our free Scratch class:

Check out the best science fair projects for high school students

High school science fair projects should be sophisticated and nuanced in their design, analysis, and reporting. Since science fairs can be an important part of getting scholarships and advanced academic placements, high schoolers should be challenged to do college level work in their projects, and hopefully these ideas will help them find something.

11. Enzymes, Yeast, and Cheesemaking

Say Cheese! No, seriously, who doesn’t love cheese? Well, actually the science says that most people are at least a little bit lactose intolerant, but that shouldn’t stop aspiring chefs and chemists from trying out this cool project where students try to use cheesemaking kits to test the chemistry behind this delicious cheese. Kits like the one below are available online and contain not only the materials to make cheese, but also guidelines to build a proper science experiment.

12. Robotics

There has never been a better time to become a robotics scientist. (Seriously, check out the history of robotics !) With the advent of semiconductors, advanced circuits, and tools like 3-D printers and tiny Raspberry Pi computers, students can build a robot from the ground up to solve everyday problems, to interact with humans or nature, to complete human tasks, or to simply tell a story. The possibilities are endless!

To learn more about robotics with the help of a purposeful curriculum and live expert, join our award-winning robotics class.

13. Raspberry Pi

Did we mention Raspberry Pi? Do you want to build your own computer from the circuit board up? These cool little computers are a lot more powerful than their size makes it seem. Students can customize their circuits to build a video-streaming device, a musical instrument like a synthesizer or a drum machine, or a game. There's a bunch of models out there for different budgets or for different purposes, so students should begin with an idea or something they want to do before buying one.

14. Bioassay for Toxicity

In this type of experiment students can test crops for resiliency against drought, flood, or other extreme weather conditions. Students could test to see what level of salt in the soil is ideal for growing crops, and at what point does the salt become toxic? Environmental engineering is a major part in the fight against climate change, and we need scientists to propose solutions to ensure greater food security in the future.

15. Electrolytes in Various Liquids

Is it better to drink sports drinks or a glass of water after a period of exercise? Many products are sold on the promise of delivering electrolytes to help the body recover, but are sports drinks better than a simple glass of orange juice? Using an electrically charged wire, students can test the levels of electrolytes in liquids to both study chemistry and nutrition science in one project.

Bonus. Coding Projects

Now is a great time to learn how to code software. Students have a limitless supply of resources on the Internet, and learning how to do proper Internet research is a fundamental skill for academic success. Students will work in a programming environment like Scratch or Python to build a unique project such as a game to demonstrate their understanding of variables , algorithms , loops , functions, and other CS fundamentals. This project suggests building a program in Python that tests the hackability and strength of passwords.

Enjoy the best science fair project ideas

So that’s our list so far, but there’s a lot of great ideas out there for students heading to their first science fair in elementary school or competing at the national level against the best students in the country. Whether young or old, these projects can turn the key and get kids excited about learning in STEM . Whatever you choose, try to make it stand out by making it your own!

Written by Bryan Gordon, a Create & Learn instructor. After ten years of working as an English teacher, Bryan began studying Math and Computer Science over the past few years. Aside from writing and teaching, he likes cooking, gardening, playing guitar, and hanging out with his cats, Baguette and Wally.

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Middle School Science Experiments

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• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
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Get ideas for science experiments targeted at the middle school educational level. Find out how to perform an experiment and get a hypothesis to test.

Fruit Battery Experiment

 Natthakan Jommanee / EyeEm / Getty Images

Make a battery using household materials and a piece of fruit. Does one type of fruit or vegetable work better than another? Remember, it's easiest to test the null hypothesis . Hypothesis: Current produced by a fruit battery does not depend on the type of fruit that is used.

Battery Experiment Resources

How to Make a Fruit Battery Electrochemical Cells Potato-Powered LCD Clock Human Battery Demonstration

Bubbles and Temperature

 Sascha Jung / EyeEm

Blowing bubbles is fun. There is a lot of science to bubbles, too. You can perform an experiment to see how factors affect bubbles. What is the perfect bubble solution? What makes the best bubble wand? Can you color bubbles with food coloring? Does temperature affect how long bubbles last? Hypothesis: Bubble life is not affected by temperature. Bubble Experiment Resources More about Bubble Life and Temperature Glowing Bubbles Bubble Fingerprints

Breakfast and Learning

You've heard about how important breakfast is to performance in school. Put it to the test! There are several experiments you can design around this topic. Does eating breakfast help you stay on task? Does it matter what you eat for breakfast? Would breakfast help you equally well for math as for English?

Hypothesis: Students who eat breakfast will not score differently on a vocabulary test than students who skipped breakfast.

Rocket Balloon Experiment

 Radu Dan / Getty Images

Rocket balloons are a fun way to study the laws of motion, plus they use a safe propellant.

You can design a middle school experiment exploring the effect of balloon size on the distance a rocket travels, whether the temperature of the air makes a difference, whether a helium balloon rocket and an air balloon rocket travel the same distance, and more.

Hypothesis: The size of the balloon doesn't affect the distance a balloon rocket travels. Rocket Experiment Resources Make a Match Rocket Newton's Laws of Motion

Crystal Experiments

 mark watson (kalimistuk) / Getty Images

Crystals are good middle school experimental subjects. You can examine the factors that affect the rate of crystal growth or the form of the crystals that are produced.

Sample Hypothesis:

• The rate of evaporation does not affect final crystal size.
• Crystals grown using food coloring will be the same size and shape as those grown without it.

Crystal Experiment Resources Crystal Science Fair Projects What Is a Crystal? How to Grow Crystals How to Make a Saturated Solution Crystal Projects to Try

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The Best Science Fair Projects For Middle School

If you have a child in middle school and they have an upcoming science fair, don’t stress out! This list of 20 Science Fair Projects For Middle School ideas will make getting the project done a lot easier!

What are some great ideas for Science Fair Projects For Middle School?

Even though our kids are older and we want them to be independent, they don’t have the first idea of what to do for a science fair project.

My daughter entered fourth grade this year and one day came home with that dreaded announcement from her teacher… instructions for her science fair project!

Besides the packet of information and details we (she) needed to perform, the hardest part of all was coming up with a science fair topic!

I searched and searched and searched to find something that would:

• Fit the teacher’s requirements
• Wasnt too complicated
• Most importantly: Held my daughter’s attention!

So I came up with a list of middle school science fair projects that I knew she would love, and her pick her favorite. This list of 20 Science Fair Project ideas is a great starting place if your kids have a science fair coming up.

Science Fair Projects For Middle School

1 – How Magnets work with Magnetic Slime

This tutorial on how to make magnetic slime is the perfect science fair project for all those little slime lovers out there. They can make this recipe to show off to all their friends and use it to explain how magnets work.

2 – How bacteria grows

This GloGerm bacteria experiment kit is a great way to check and see how bacteria grow on your hands and what materials can wash it away.

3 – Make Geodes in Eggshells

Learn how Geodes are made with this cool experiment that grows the crystals right in eggshells. Your kids will love growing these shiny rocks and sharing them with your friends.

4 – Do We Eat Iron?

Try this experiment to detect iron in the food we eat. Your kid will be shocked to find there is actual metal in a lot of our food. And most of this experiment is probably laying around your home as we speak.

5 – What Stains teeth the most? Cola, coffee, or tea?

Show your kids the effects of certain drinks with eggshells soaked in common drinks. See how long it takes to stain each one and which one stains the most. Good use of common household items!

6 – How sound Waves work

This simple science fair experiment will show kids how sound waves work and use kitchen spoons to create those sound waves. Kids will have a lot of fun making different noises with this project.

7 – Is a dogs mouth dirtier than a human?

Its the age old debate on whose mouth is cleaner? Dogs look so gross and eat the weirdest things. But are their mouths actually cleaner than ours? You can experiment with your cat too, or compare the dog versus the cat!

8 – How does surface tension work?

This is a really easy experiment uses surface tension to suspend a paperclip on the surface of the water. Fun and super easy to do.

9 – How much sugar is in a can of soda

We all know most sodas are packed with sugar, but this is a great way to show it to kids! It not only makes a cool science experiment but teaches kids a good lesson too.

10 – The science of liquids, gases, and solids

Dig out some baking soda and vinegar to play around with different matter. Kids will love the mess, and you’ll have a really easy and affordable science experiment.

11 – How are Rainbows made?

Who doesn’t love a good rainbow? Rainbows have made a big comeback thanks to unicorns being so popular. This easy science experiment will show kids how rainbows are formed and how they can make one too.

12 – Which fast food burger rots the fastest?

You need to work on this one ahead of time because you need fast food to have time to rot. HAve your kids pick their favorites… they can experiment with burgers or fries or even pizza.

13 – Extract Strawberry DNA

Learn how DNA works (beyond what kids learned from Jurassic Park) with this simple and fun experiment where you can actually extract DNA from a Strawberry.

14 – Moldy Bread Science Experiment

Show kids how their dirty hands can affect the food they eat with this experiment involving bread and watching which one piece grows mold the fastest.

15 – How does caffeine affect plant growth

Growing plants has always been fun for my daughter. Now she can make an actual experiment out of it too. Grow the same plants with different amounts of caffeine and see if it makes a difference!

16 – What works better, hand sanitizer or soap?

There are people who use hand sanitizer religiously and some who think washing with good old soap and water is better. Now you can actually experiment with them both to find out the truth!

17 – Light refraction in a bottle

Ever wonder why and how images appear upside down or distorted with water? You can teach kids all about light refraction with this simple science experiment using water bottles.

18 – How does oxidation work?

Watch how pennies react to air and chemicals such as the copper and household vinegar.

19 – How are clouds made?

If you aren’t allowed to blow up volcanos, try this simple experiment where kids can make clouds. Even their friends will think its super cool to watch the clouds form right before their eyes.

20 – Can you prevent apples from turning brown?

Even as an adult, I hate it when apples turn brown so quickly. This easy experiment using household items is a great and fun way for kids to learn what can keep an apple from turning brown. And something you can use in the future!

You might also be interested in:

• Fun Indoor Activities for Bored Kids
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About Jenny

My name is Jenny and I'm a Mom to a little girl named Abby. I love finding new ways to connect with other moms. I share my parenting wins and fails. And try to bring back the fun we used to have before we became parents!

Reader Interactions

December 3, 2019 at 6:11 pm

thank you for the ideas i needed this for my science project.

February 11, 2020 at 8:11 pm

Thank you i really enjoyed this website

September 1, 2021 at 5:12 pm

i really liked the diy eggs i fount those really cool and i enjoyed the web site and had a great time on it today and it was awsome and i loved it

September 2, 2021 at 2:32 am

Thanks for the ideas. Really needed them for my science fair project.

February 22, 2023 at 2:40 pm

Thank you so much for that, it was really helpful for my science fair coming up. Please do more things like that.😀

March 24, 2024 at 11:19 am

Really needed them for my science fair project.

May 4, 2024 at 8:06 am

What an amazing article! I was looking for a topic for my presentation and came across this post! I’m so grateful to find such a great blog site like this.

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Science Experiments For Middle Schoolers

Middle schoolers love science! These hands-on middle school science experiments can be completed in the classroom or at home, whether you’re exploring viscosity, density, liquids, solids, and so much more. Below you’ll find a great list of middle school science activities and experiments, including 7th grader science fair project ideas to get you started. 

What is Middle School Science?

Are you looking for cool science experiments for kids that also offers a valuable opportunity to learn basic chemistry, physics, and earth science concepts? With simple ingredients and basic materials, your middle school students will have a blast with these easy science experiments.

You’ll find that just about every science experiment on the list below uses supplies you can easily find around the house or classroom or are quick and easy to pick up at the supermarket.

Mason jars, empty plastic bottles, baking soda, salt, vinegar, zip-top bags, rubber bands, glue, hydrogen peroxide, food coloring (always fun but optional), and various other common ingredients make science accessible to everyone!

Explore chemical reactions to simple machines, surface tension, gravity, buoyancy, and more with various science experiments, demonstrations, and activities.

Printable Science and STEM Packs

For a comprehensive guide to all of our science and STEM projects , make sure to look at these guides to get started today.

Free Science Challenge Calendar Guide

Also, download our free printable 12 Days of Science Challenge to get started!

Try These Science Experiments for Middle Schoolers

Grab a pen and make a list! Everything you need for educational and fun science is right here.

At the end of this huge list, you’ll find more science resource guides such as vocabulary words , book choices , and information on the science process !

Make simple airfoils and explore air resistance.

ALKA-SELTZER EXPERIMENT

What happens when you drop alka seltzer tablets into oil and water? This type of experiment explores both physics and chemistry. You can even look at the emulsification concept while at it.

ALKA SELTZER ROCKET

Get ready for some fun with this Alka Seltzer Rocket. Easy to set up and simple to do, it is chemistry in action!

APPLE BROWNING EXPERIMENT

How do you keep apples from turning brown? Do all apples turn brown at the same rate? Answer these burning apple science questions with an apple oxidation experiment.

ARCHIMEDES SCREW

Archimedes’ screw, is one of the earliest machines used for moving water from a lower area to a higher area. Make an Archimedes screw that uses cardboard and a water bottle to create a machine to move cereal!

Atoms are tiny but very important building blocks of everything in our world. What are the parts of an atom?

BALLOON EXPERIMENT

Also try our soda balloon experiment .

BLUBBER EXPERIMENT

How do whales stay warm in very cold water? Test out how blubber works as an insulator with this fun science experiment.

BOTTLE ROCKET

There’s nothing better than a baking soda and vinegar reaction when it comes to science experiments, and it is great for a variety of ages including middle schoolers. While a bit messy, it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore mixtures, states of matter, and basic chemistry.

CABBAGE PH INDICATOR

Explore how re cabbage can be used to test liquids of varying acid levels. Depending on the pH of the liquid, the cabbage turns various shades of pink, purple, or green! It’s incredibly cool to watch, and kids love it!

CELLS (Animals and Plants)

Learn about the unique structures that make up plant and animal cells with these two free, hands-on STEAM projects.

CANDY EXPERIMENTS

Take a sweet treat and apply science to it. There are a variety of ways you can experiment and explore candy for physics fun!

CRUSHED CAN EXPERIMENT

Love exploding experiments? YES!! Well here’s another one the kids are sure to love except this one is an imploding or collapsing experiment! Learn about atmospheric pressure with this incredible can crusher experiment.

DANCING CORN

Can you make corn dance? Explore a simple chemical reaction, with the addition of corn kernels. Also try it with raisins or cranberries !

DANCING SPRINKLES

Turn on your favorite tunes and make colorful sprinkles dance! Explore sound and vibrations when you try this fun   dancing sprinkles experiment.

DIY COMPASS

Learn what a compass is and how a compass works, as you make your own homemade compass. All you need are a few simple materials to get started.

DNA EXTRACTION

Usually, you can’t see DNA except with a high-powered microscope. But with this strawberry DNA extraction experiment, you can get the DNA strands to release from their cells and bind together into a format that’s visible with the naked eye.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Build a Candy DNA Model

EGG DROP EXPERIMENT

Take the egg drop challenge as you investigate what makes for the best shock absorber for dropping an egg without it breaking on impact.

EGG IN VINEGAR EXPERIMENT

Can you make an egg bounce? Find out with this chemical reaction, of an egg in vinegar.

ELEPHANT TOOTHPASTE

Explore an exothermic chemical reaction with hydrogen peroxide and yeast.

DRY-ERASE MARKER EXPERIMENT

Create a dry-erase drawing and watch it float in water.

FLOATING RICE

Grab some rice and a bottle, and let’s find out what happens when you put a pencil in the mix! Do you think you can lift a bottle of rice with a pencil? Try this fun friction experiment and find out.

Green Pennies Experiment

Why is the Statue of Liberty green? It’s a beautiful patina, but how does it happen? Explore the science in your own kitchen or classroom by making green pennies.

Growing Crystals

There are several ways to explore super saturated solutions and grow crystals. Featured below is the traditional growing borax crystals science experiment . However, you can also grow edible sugar crystals or check out how to grow salt crystals . All three chemistry experiments are cool for kids!

Heart Model

Use this heart model project for a hands-on approach to anatomy. You only need a few simple supplies and very little prep to make this fun heart pump model.

Invisible Ink

Write a message that no one else can see until the ink is revealed with your own invisible ink! Cool chemistry that’s perfect to do at home or in the classroom. Compare it with a different type of invisible ink with cranberry secret messages .

Liquid Density Experiment

This fun liquid density experiment explores how some liquids are heavier or denser than others.

Lemon Battery

What can you power with a   lemon battery ? Grab some lemons and a few other supplies, and find out how you can make lemons into lemon electricity!

Learn how our amazing lungs work, and even a bit of physics with this easy balloon lung model. 

The chemical reaction in this magic milk experiment is fun to watch and makes for great hands-on learning.

Melting Ice Experiment

What makes ice melt faster? Investigate with a fun ice melting experiment that kids are sure to enjoy. Plus, try an icy STEM challenge.

Mentos and Coke

Here’s another fizzing experiment kids are sure to love! All you need are Mentos and Coke. It’s not a chemical reaction taking place like you might think.

Milk and Vinegar

Transform a couple of common kitchen ingredients into a moldable, durable piece of a plastic-like substance. Make plastic milk with a chemical reaction.

Oil Spill Experiment

Apply science to the care and protection of the environment with this oil spill demonstration. Learn about an oil spill and investigate the best ways to clean it up.

Penny Boat Challenge and Buoyancy

Design a simple tin foil boat, and see how many pennies it can hold before it sinks. How many pennies will it take to make your boat sink? Learn about simple physics while you test out your engineering skills.

Pepper and Soap Experiment

Sprinkle some pepper in water and make it dance across the surface. Explore surface tension of water when you try this pepper and soap experiment.

Pop Rocks and Soda

Pop rocks is a fun candy to eat, and now you can turn it into an easy Pop Rocks science experiment.

Potato Osmosis Lab

Explore what happens to potatoes when you put them in concentration salt water and then pure water.

Rising Water Experiment

Place a burning candle in water and watch what happens to the water. Explore the science of burning candles when you try this fun candle experiment.

Salad Dressing- Emulsification

You can mix oil and vinegar for the perfect salad dressing! It’s called emulsification. Simple science you can set up with ingredients found in your kitchen cupboards.

Saltwater Density Experiment

Investigate whether an egg will sink or float in salt water.

Skittles Experiment

Explore what happens to skittles candy in water and why the colors don’t mix.

Screaming Balloon

This screaming balloon experiment is an awesome   physics activity! Explore centripetal force or how objects travel a circular path with a few simple supplies.

Grab the glue and make a classic chemistry demonstration. Slime is all about science and a must try at least one. If you want a 2 for1, our magnetic slime is just about the coolest thing you’ll ever play with… it’s alive (well, not really)!

Stormwater Runoff

What happens to rain or melting snow when it can’t go into the ground? Set up an easy stormwater runoff model with your kids to explore what happens.

Surface Tension Experiments

Learn what the surface tension of water is and check out these cool surface tension experiments to try at home or in the classroom.

Walking Water

Watch the water travel as it makes a rainbow of color! How does it do that?

More Helpful Science Resources

Science vocabulary.

It is never too early to introduce some fantastic science words to kids. Get them started with a printable science vocabulary word list . You’re going to want to incorporate these science terms into your next science lesson!

WHAT IS A SCIENTIST

Think like a scientist! Act like a scientist! Scientists, like you and me, are also curious about the world around them. Learn about the different types of scientists and what they do to increase their understanding of their specific area of interest. Read What Is A Scientist

SCIENCE PRACTICES

A new approach to teaching science is called the Best Science Practices. These eight science and engineering practices are less structured and allow for a more free – flowing approach to problem-solving and finding answers to questions. These skills are critical to developing future engineers, inventors, and scientists!

Bonus STEM Projects for Kids

STEM activities include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As well as our kid’s science experiments, we have lots of fun STEM activities for you to try. Check out these STEM ideas below…

• Building Activities
• Engineering Projects For Kids
• LEGO Engineering Projects
• What Is Engineering For Kids?
• Coding Activities For Kids
• STEM Worksheets
• Top 10 STEM Challenges For Kids

Middle School Science Fair Project Pack

Looking to plan a science fair project, make a science fair board or want an easy guide to set up your own science experiments?

Go ahead and grab this free printable science fair project pack to get started!

72 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand

Because science doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!

Easy Chemistry Science Experiments

Easy physics science experiments, easy biology and environmental science experiments, easy engineering experiments and stem challenges.

1. Taste the Rainbow

Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow! Tip: Have extra Skittles on hand so your class can eat a few!

Learn more: Skittles Diffusion

2. Crystallize sweet treats

Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!

Learn more: Candy Crystals

3. Make a volcano erupt

This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.

Learn more: Best Volcano Experiments

4. Make elephant toothpaste

This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” Tip: Add an extra fun layer by having kids create toothpaste wrappers for plastic bottles.

5. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles

6. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Leakproof Bag

7. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation

Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test. Have them record their observations.

Learn more: Apple Oxidation

8. Float a marker man

Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.

Learn more: Floating Marker Man

9. Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.

Learn more: Layered Water

10. Layer more liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Layered Liquids

11. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Easy science experiments can still have impressive results! This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake

12. Mix up some slime

Tell kids you’re going to make slime at home, and watch their eyes light up! There are a variety of ways to make slime, so try a few different recipes to find the one you like best.

13. Make homemade bouncy balls

These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You’ll want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.

Learn more: Make Your Own Bouncy Balls

14. Create eggshell chalk

Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.

Learn more: Eggshell Chalk

15. Make naked eggs

This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis .

Learn more: Naked Egg Experiment

16. Turn milk into plastic

This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done!

17. Test pH using cabbage

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Cabbage pH

18. Clean some old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Cleaning Coins

19. Pull an egg into a bottle

This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

20. Blow up a balloon (without blowing)

Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school. The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases when you fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda.

21 Assemble a DIY lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid-base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.

22. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste-and-toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.

Learn more: Sugar and Teeth Experiment

23. Mummify a hot dog

If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars , just grab some baking soda and get started.

24. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide

This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.

25. Send secret messages with invisible ink

Turn your kids into secret agents! Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

26. Create dancing popcorn

This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes popcorn to dance around in the water.

27. Shoot a soda geyser sky-high

You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself! Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Soda Explosion

28. Send a teabag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For more safety, try this one outside.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bags

29. Create magic milk

This fun and easy science experiment demonstrates principles related to surface tension, molecular interactions, and fluid dynamics.

Learn more: Magic Milk Experiment

30. Watch the water rise

Learn about Charles’s Law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.

Learn more: Rising Water

31. Learn about capillary action

Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.

Learn more: Capillary Action

32. Give a balloon a beard

Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon person!

Learn more: Static Electricity

33. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.

Learn more: DIY Compass

34. Crush a can using air pressure

Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!

35. Tell time using the sun

While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids will certainly get a kick out of creating their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.

Learn more: Make Your Own Sundial

36. Launch a balloon rocket

Grab balloons, string, straws, and tape, and launch rockets to learn about the laws of motion.

37. Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: Steel Wool Electricity

38. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

39. Whip up a tornado in a bottle

There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles! Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.

Learn more: Tornado in a Bottle

40. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer

This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.

Learn more: DIY Barometer

41. Peer through an ice magnifying glass

Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.

Learn more: Ice Magnifying Glass

42. String up some sticky ice

Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.

Learn more: Sticky Ice

43. “Flip” a drawing with water

Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick .

Learn more: Light Refraction With Water

44. Color some flowers

We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some white carnations, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!

45. Use glitter to fight germs

Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.

Learn more: Glitter Germs

46. Re-create the water cycle in a bag

You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag. Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.

Learn more: Water Cycle

47. Learn about plant transpiration

Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments. Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.

Learn more: Plant Transpiration

48. Clean up an oil spill

Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.

Learn more: Oil Spill

49. Construct a pair of model lungs

Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Model Lungs

50. Experiment with limestone rocks

Kids  love to collect rocks, and there are plenty of easy science experiments you can do with them. In this one, pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!

Learn more: Limestone Experiments

51. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.

Learn more: DIY Rain Gauge

52. Build up towel mountains

This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!

Learn more: Towel Mountains

53. Take a play dough core sample

Learn about the layers of the earth by building them out of Play-Doh, then take a core sample with a straw. ( Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here. )

Learn more: Play Dough Core Sampling

54. Project the stars on your ceiling

Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: DIY Star Projector

55. Make it rain

Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.

Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain

56. Blow up your fingerprint

This is such a cool (and easy!) way to look at fingerprint patterns. Inflate a balloon a bit, use some ink to put a fingerprint on it, then blow it up big to see your fingerprint in detail.

57. Snack on a DNA model

Twizzlers, gumdrops, and a few toothpicks are all you need to make this super-fun (and yummy!) DNA model.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model

58. Dissect a flower

Take a nature walk and find a flower or two. Then bring them home and take them apart to discover all the different parts of flowers.

59. Craft smartphone speakers

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.

Learn more: Smartphone Speakers

60. Race a balloon-powered car

Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car

61. Build a Ferris wheel

You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.

Learn more: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel

62. Design a phone stand

There are lots of ways to craft a DIY phone stand, which makes this a perfect creative-thinking STEM challenge.

63. Conduct an egg drop

Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge Ideas

64. Engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster

STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.

Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster

65. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Solar Oven

66. Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.

Learn more: Da Vinci Bridge

67. Step through an index card

This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

68. Stand on a pile of paper cups

Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.

Learn more: Paper Cup Stack

69. Test out parachutes

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: Parachute Drop

70. Recycle newspapers into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!

Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenge

71. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)

Learn more: Rubber Band Guitar

72. Assemble a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Umbrella STEM Challenge

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