Did somebody say Rube Goldberg machine?
Eighth grade science is often all about the science fair, so we’ve rounded up lots of terrific project ideas for students to try. Science teachers will find ideas here, too, with hands-on activities and experiments kids can do in the classroom. These interactive ideas will teach kids so much about science and the world around them!
1. Water plants with various liquids
In this experiment, kids water plants with different liquids, like rainwater, tap water, salt water, and even soda. They might be surprised at the results!
Learn more: Lemon Lime Adventures
2. Build a better light bulb
First, use the steps at the link to build a simple light bulb with a jar, some wire, and a 6-volt battery. Then, turn it into an eighth grade science fair experiment by tinkering with the various materials to make a light bulb that lasts longer, burns brighter, or is powered by an alternative source.
Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me/Build a Light Bulb
3. Design a robotic hand
This is a project that can be tweaked in a variety of ways. Challenge your students to make the model as shown at the link. Or encourage them to think of ways they can improve upon the design. Can they build a hand that can pick up a ball? How about one that can pluck up a piece of string? So many possibilities!
Learn more: Mombrite
4. Compare electrolytes in sports drinks
Sports-loving kids will enjoy the chance to learn just how many valuable electrolytes their favorite sports drinks contain. Compare them with water or orange juice for a cool science fair project. You’ll need a few special supplies, like a multimeter and an ohm resistor, but they’re inexpensive and easy to find.
Learn more: Science Buddies/Electrolytes
5. Assemble a Newton’s cradle
Newton’s cradle is a fascinating way of demonstrating momentum and energy transfer. Follow the directions at the link to build one, or challenge eighth grade science students to experiment with their own construction methods.
Learn more: Babble Dabble Do
5. Engineer a roller coaster loop
Kids may have created marble roller coasters before, but have they ever built one with a loop-the-loop? They’ll have to experiment to find out which initial height gives a marble the speed it needs to complete the journey.
Learn more: Science Buddies/Roller Coaster
6. Test the strength of interleaved paper
Paper seems smooth and slides apart easily, right? This experiment challenges that notion by interleaving multiple pieces of paper and testing their strength. It’s an easy project with fascinating results.
Learn more: Science Buddies/Interleaved Paper
7. Cast animal tracks
Explore wildlife biology by becoming an expert tracker! Learn to identify tracks and take casts, even if you can’t go for a hike in the woods.
Learn more: Blog She Wrote/Cast Animal Tracks
8. Construct a Rube Goldberg machine
Create a machine to complete a simple task in the most complicated fashion! This is a neat eighth grade science project because it allows you to use a variety of physics concepts in a fun way. See an example in this
YouTube video, and learn more about Rube Goldberg machines here.
9. Brew up some root beer
Who says science can’t be delicious? Plus, any experiment where you get to use dry ice is always fun (take proper safety precautions, please). This yummy project teaches chemical reactions and, of course, requires a taste test.
Learn more: Steve Spangler Science/Root Beer Science
10. Make a solar desalinator
Clean freshwater is a valuable commodity. Construct solar-powered desalination devices with readily available materials, and find the most effective desalination methods.
Learn more: Science Buddies/Solar Desalination
11. Crash cars for science
This is a great class project for teachers, but it’s also excellent for an 8th grade science fair experiment. Build cars and crash-test them to learn the best methods of keeping passengers safe.
Learn more: The Ardent Teacher
12. Examine the connection between personality and memory
Do introverts have better memories than extroverts? This science project aims to find out. Round up some willing volunteers and administer the Meyers-Briggs personality test, then challenge your subjects with a memory test. The results may or may not surprise you!
Learn more: Education.com/Memory and Personality
13. Concoct and test your own shampoo
Ever wonder what makes shampoo effective? In this experiment, you’ll cook up your own recipes and try them out to see which ingredients work best.
Learn more: Science Buddies/DIY Shampoo
14. Stand on a pile of paper cups
Combine physics and engineering and challenge eighth grade science students to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.
Learn more: Science Sparks
15. Create a rainbow of flames
You can change the color of fire by adding chemicals found at your local grocery store—what a sight! This experiment is easy to set up, but of course, it requires safety precautions.
Learn more: ThoughtCo
16. Get your laundry really clean
Find out if all those laundry detergent commercials are really telling the truth with this eighth grade science fair experiment. Test their cleaning power on a variety of stains and fabrics, and analyze your results.
Learn more: Steve Spangler Science/Science of Cleaning Products
17. Study the effects of acid rain
In this project, students can grow plants in different solutions with varying pH levels to see how acid rain affects plant growth.
Learn more: Education.com
18. Test the makeup of different soils
For this project, students can collect soil samples from various locations, then proceed to test the samples for properties such as pH levels, nutrient content, and water retention capacity.
Learn more: Sciencing
19. Explain the effects of pollution
Pollution has a profound impact on all walks of life. This project involves students setting up an aquarium and introducing various pollutants to the water in order to observe and document the effects on the aquatic life within the tank.
Learn more: Elementary Institute of Science
20. Investigate advanced properties of liquids
This high school experiment can be adapted for an eighth grade experiment. Students will investigate the physical properties of a variety of liquids by comparing their density, viscosity, and surface tension through hands-on experimentation.
Learn more: Education.com
21. Harness the power of water
Renewable energy and how to capture it is so important, now more than ever. In this experiment, students will dive into the exciting world of hydropower and learn how to harness the power of water to do some pretty cool stuff. Students will be amazed at the prospect of using the power of water to light up a bulb, heat up a cup of tea, or even lift up household objects.
Learn more: Education.com
22. Study the effect of music on memory
Since your students have already examined the connection between personality and memory, now they’ll study the effects of different types of music on memory. Small groups will listen to a different genre of music before taking a test, then compare the results and see if there’s a correlation between the type of music and memory retention.
Learn more: Education.com
8th Grade Science Fair Projects and Classroom Experiments