MIddle School Science Projects

In middle school, there are five types of science projects:

Investigative projects - This type of project has an experiment that tests an hypothesis. The experiment will follow the scientific method, and may require a control group.If you see the words experiment, scientific method, control and/or variable on the project instructions, you'll probably need an investigative project.

Demonstration projects - In this type of project a student demonstrate a scientific principle, and lots of time the teacher wants it presented in front of the class as an oral report. There is no true experiment performed, because there won't be a control or different variables.

Research project - Basically this is a science report. Students research a topic, and write what they discovered. Any type of science topic can be used for a research project.

Models - For a model project, models are built to explain a scientific principle or structure.

Collections - In this type of project a collection of objects is displayed to give an overview of a topic. An example would be a rock collection or a display showing pictures of various animals in a specific family.

You are most likely required to do an investigatory project for your middle school science project. For a list of great projects, visit MIddle School Science Projects.

Every middle school science fair will have slightly different criteria for projects. As you search for a project, make sure it's the type of project your school requires. If you need help, check out 24 Hour Science Projects for Middle School, which has guides for all the different types of science projects - including the experiment based ones! There is a vocabulary list that gives simple definitions to those vocabulary words you learned in middle school, but promptly forgot.

Believe it or not, middle school science projects are designed to help students learn about science. Figure out which type of project your school requires, and you'll be one step closer to showing your child how much fun science can be - even in middle school!

1. Show how yeast gives off gas. Put yeast in a bottle of warm water, top it a balloon, and watch the balloon fill up with gas. This project can be done as a demonstration in front of the middle school class, or as an fun science experiment.

2. What can you do to speed up a chemical reaction? Plop Alka Seltzer into a cup of water and time it. Then crush the Alka Seltzer, and watch it fizz even faster after you put it into a cup of water. Still another time, reduce the amount of water, add Alka Selter, and see how fast it dissolves. This is a demonstration science project, and is terrific to wow middle school classmates.

3. Explore the concept of density. Pour water, Karo syrup, rubbing alcohol, and vegetable oil into a tall container. Watch how they layer. Then drop in different items, like a penny, a cork, a Lego or a candle, and see where they float - or sink. The concept of density is advanced enough for middle schoolers, but can still be understood by kindergartners.

4. Show how a chicken egg is a cell with a selectively permeable membrane. Soak a raw egg in vinegar for a weekend. The shell will come off. Then put the egg into dark syrup and watch what happens! This is another fun science project that can be done as an investigation or a demonstration.

5. Find out about static cling. Rub a sheet of plexiglass with a wool sock, then show how balloons and hair stick to it. Or, try make a ball of aluminum foil dance, as shown in this You-Tube video.

Detailed instructions for these projects are available at 24 Hour Science Projects for Middle School. You'll also find all sorts of reference materials to help with the science involved. We'll definitely be able to steer you in the right direction as you search for fun science projects to do in middle school.

Below are some free articles where you may find some useful tips on science projects for middle school.

Easy Ideas for Your Science Project

Middle School Science Projects