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Middle school students are at the perfect age where their curiosity levels are matched by their science skills. They can ask complex questions, use their understanding of the scientific process to conduct experiments, and present their findings in engaging ways. There’s no better forum to showcase these skills than a science fair!
Find science inspiration with a series of fun and educational middle school science fair projects. With lab questions for different science disciplines and resources for low-level and unprepared students, these science fair ideas for middle school students are sure to spark new understandings.
Genius General Science Project
Middle school science fair projects help strengthen the scientific process in young learners. Using general science concepts consistent with middle school NGSS, students form hypotheses, conduct experiments, and analyze their findings. They might start with questions like:
- What ingredients help chewing gum retain its flavor longer?
- What factors affect the ripening speed of bananas?
- How does tuning a violin’s strings affect its pitch?
- Why do bikes go faster when their tires are full?
- Which brand of paper towels is more absorbent and why?
Focus on scientific methods and guide students through the project process
No matter what they want to prove or learn in their science fair project, the right resources can help them plan it. A variety of planning materials, including timelines, instructions, and scoring rubrics, empower students to use the scientific method when conducting high-quality experiments and allow you to grade quickly.
Science Fair Project Guide – Grades 3-8 | Printable + Digital + Editable
By: Courtney Schermerhorn – Mom is a Teacher
Grade: 1-8
Subjects: Basic Principles, General Science
Build your science fair project from day one with resources that guide students through each step. Instruction sheets, suggested timelines, parent letters, project proposals, and review and grading rubrics provide you and your students with everything you need to complete your project in an organized manner.
Science fair project with project-based learning concept and science experiments
Author: Happy Educator
Grade: Grade 5-7
Subjects: General Science, Physical Science
Standard: CCSS SL.5.4, 5.5
Get middle school students excited about the upcoming science fair with helpful science project resources for speaking and listening that are aligned with CCSS. It includes 100 science fair project ideas, guidance on graphing and recording data, guidance on creating a display board, and additional teaching materials to reinforce the scientific method.
The Complete Guide to Science Fair Projects Digitally Editable Science Fair Titles
via beaker and ink
Grade: 6-8
Subject: General Science
Where to start when planning a science fair project? Use the Middle School Science Fair Project Guide, which includes 40 project ideas and a five-part organizational structure, to guide students in using the scientific method when making and proving their hypotheses.
Amazing physical science experiments
Prepare your middle school students for their upcoming high school physics class with these science fair ideas for middle school students. These starting points focus on energy conversion, temperature, magnetism, and engineering, making them an ideal personal science experience or class project for middle school engineering courses.
- Can garbage power cars?
- How does temperature affect the strength of magnets?
- What metal corrodes fastest?
- How to make a humane (and effective) mousetrap?
- Which grain contains the most iron?
Creative Chemistry Science Fair Project
Chemistry projects are probably one of the most impressive science experiments in middle school! They can test everyday substances, answer frequently asked questions, and show participants the results of some mixed solutions. Consider the following questions when choosing a chemistry project for your middle school science fair:
- What brand of shampoo really works best?
- Why can’t oil and water mix?
- Why do onions make people cry?
- Do sports drinks really help your athletic performance?
- At what temperature should I wash my clothes so that the colors won’t fade?
Demonstrate how solutions dissolve in real time
Show how science unfolds before our eyes with chemistry-related science fair projects.
Melting Snowman Science Fair Project
by fabulous fig
Grades: Pre-kindergarten to eighth grade
Subject: General Science
It doesn’t have to be summer to see snowmen melt! Use print-and-go resources to conduct solution dissolution experiments, perfect for middle school science fairs and exhibitions. This resource includes printable materials for creating display boards, as well as editable slides in color and black and white.
Life science project that changes middle school lives
Some middle school science fair projects allow students to learn more about the world around us. Demonstrate these important organic processes with these middle school STEM activities for life sciences and biology.
- What flowers bring the most pollinators to the garden?
- Is it safe to drink pond water?
- What factors affect the growth rate of mushrooms?
- How does sleep affect your health?
- Which is more effective at killing germs, soap or hand sanitizer?
Excellent Geoscience Expo Project
Forget pet rocks and model volcanoes—let’s choose some middle school science fair projects that are more relevant to everyday life. Have students try to answer these questions about earth science and environmental science to learn more about the condition of our planet.
- How does air and water pollution affect plant growth?
- Will higher temperatures affect evaporation rate?
- Why are some rocks harder than others?
- Are rain gardens more water efficient than regular gardens?
- Do taller buildings handle earthquakes better than shorter buildings?
Tips for a Successful Science Fair
The science fair event may take place at the end of the student project schedule, but it is an important step and you want it to go smoothly. Use these tips to make your science fair go as smoothly as possible and challenge and inspire middle school students on their science journey.
- Encourage students to explore aspects of scientific questions or inquiries rather than simply answer questions.
- Show students how to design a physical and numerical science fair display board.
- Preview all experiments before students bring them to the fair.
- Have students incorporate their failed attempts into their science fair projects and explain what they learned from each project.
- Be sure to provide adequate resources for the exhibition, including tables, electricity, water, and any other resources needed for student experiments.
- Scientific professionals from the community, including technicians from local labs and innovators from well-known companies, are invited to serve as judges for the show.
- Consider awarding individual medals instead of first, second and third place.
Science fair projects judged according to standardized criteria
When you plan a science fair, you need to plan out every detail, including the judging process. Use standardized rubrics and checklists to ensure students’ work is assessed correctly and that a fair and real winner emerges.
Science Fair Project Review Form Scoring Rubric|Middle School|Editable Template
Kimberly Scott Science
Grade: 6-8
Topics: Basic Principles, General Science
Your middle school students worked hard on their science fair projects, and now it’s time to judge them. Use an editable scoring form to align your science fair rules with the rubric and encourage students to use the form as a guide as they complete their projects.
Present outstanding work at a science fair
All memorable science fair projects start with a question. When students have the opportunity to present their work, they introduce an inquiry-based mindset, demonstrating their interests, knowledge, and ability to pursue their curiosity. These middle school science fair projects are a great place to start, and if your middle school students have ideas of their own, use additional middle school science fair resources to guide them in the right direction.
