8th grade science introduces new and interesting concepts, and often includes a science fair open to the entire school. These experiments are perfect to bring biology, physics, chemistry and more to life in the classroom. They also make for really cool science fair projects. It’s time to blind your students with science! (Well, not really—please use all the right safety equipment, okay?)
1. Stand on a pile of paper cups.
Combine physics and engineering and challenge 8th 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
2. Conduct fingerprint analysis.
Budding forensic scientists will love this idea. Learn to dust for prints and try a technique called “fuming” for trickier surfaces. See if you can compare prints and make accurate matches in the classroom.
Learn more: Home Science Tools
3. Blow out a candle with a balloon.
Blowing up a balloon with baking soda and vinegar is the classic acids and bases experiment. Take it a step further by experimenting with the carbon dioxide it produces. (Don’t be afraid of fire in the science classroom! Here’s why you should try it. )
Learn more: Edventures With Kids
4. Guide a growing plant through a maze.
Prove that plants really do seek out the light by setting up a simple or complex maze. This is a simple 8th grade science project with really cool results.
Learn more: KiwiCo
5. Extract your own DNA.
DNA is the blueprint of life, and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to extract your own with a few simple supplies. Preserve it in alcohol in the freezer when you’re done.
Learn more: Home Science Tools
6. Turn juice into spheres.
You’ll need a few special supplies for this experiment, but the results are so cool. Spherification is a chemical process that’s become popular with food scientists, and your 8th grade science students will get a kick out of seeing it in action.
Learn more: Science Buddies
7. Construct a Rube Goldberg machine.
Create a machine to complete a simple task in the most complicated fashion! This is a neat 8th 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.
8. Measure and compare lung capacity.
This experiment combines math and biology to measure lung capacity using a balloon. There are a lot of interesting hypotheses students can form, document, and explore while taking these measurements.
Learn more: Blog She Wrote
9. Block the sun’s UV rays.
Use color-changing UV beads (readily available online) to test the protective power of medicine bottles, hats, clothing, and more. This is an 8th grade science experiment with nearly endless possibilities.
Learn more: Steve Spangler Science
10. Discover 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
11. 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 8th grade science students to experiment with their own construction methods.
Learn more: Babble Dabble Do
12. Separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Use electrolysis to prove that water really is made up of hydrogen and oxygen. It’s a simple concept, but one that never fails to amaze.
Learn more: Navigating by Joy
13. Build an infinity mirror.
Experiment with optical illusions by creating a tunnel of lights that seems to stretch away into infinity. 8th grade students will learn about engineering and the physics of optics along the way.
Learn more: Science Buddies
14. Grow a carbon sugar snake.
Remember those little black pellets that fire up into long snakes on the Fourth of July? This is the same concept, but much bigger! The simple chemical reaction of sugar and baking soda makes it happen.
Learn more: KiwiCo
15. Raise a hydraulic elevator.
This hydraulics project was originally written for younger kids, but it works for older ones just as well. They can tinker around with the design and see just how much weight their elevator can hold.
Learn more: Teach Beside Me
16. Generate a Lichtenberg figure.
Lichtenberg figures capture the branching path of electricity as it travels through an object. You can make your own in a variety of ways, including burning it into wood or acrylic.
Learn more: Science Notes
17. Teach a computer to play tic-tac-toe.
This intermediate Javascript coding project requires some very basic background programming knowledge. It’s perfect for kids with an interest in all things computers.
Learn more: Science Buddies
18. 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
19. Assemble a spring scale.
Apply Hooke’s Law to find out if the stretching of a spring can be used to accurately measure the weight of objects. The materials are simple, but you’ll need patience and physics to calibrate a spring and use it to test weights.
Learn more: Science Buddies
20. 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
21. Construct a cup holder.
Can your 8th grade science students build a device to stabilize and carry two cups of water, using only a few simple supplies? Oh, and can they manage it in just 5 minutes? This timed challenge pushes their creative engineering limits!
Learn more: Homeschool Creations
22. Test water quality.
A student water testing kit opens up limitless options for 8th grade science experiments. Test the water quality of local streams, swimming pools, or even their taps at home.
Learn more: The Homeschool Scientist
23. Extract bismuth from Pepto-Bismol.
This is the kind of project that really makes you feel like a scientist. Grinding tablets with a mortar and pestle, filtering in beakers, heating over a bunsen burner … kids will need supervision and some special materials, but their inner chemist will love it all.
Learn more: Popular Science
24. 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
25. Perform a starch test with iodine.
This simple chemistry experiment uses iodine to determine the starch content of food items. In a world that’s become more aware of the effects of starch on our diet, this seems like a timely activity.
Learn more: Biology Notes for IGCSE
26. Keep your hands warm.
If you live in a chilly part of the world, chances are you’ve seen chemical hand-warmers for sale. In this 8th grade science experiment, you’ll make your own hand-warmer by harnessing the power of oxidation.
Learn more: Steve Spangler Science
27. 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, requires safety precautions.
Learn more: ThoughtCo
28. Get your laundry really clean.
Find out if all those laundry detergent commercials are really telling the truth with this 8th grade science experiment. Test their cleaning power on a variety of stains and fabrics, and analyze your results.
Learn more: Steve Spangler Science
29. Explore symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Many plants depend on nitrogen for growth, but how important is it? This science project compares the growth of pea plants with and without nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Learn more: Education.com
30. 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
31. Discover the center of gravity.
Once you find and maintain its center of gravity, almost any object will balance, even in surprising circumstances. This is such a fun concept to play around with!
Learn more: Rookie Parenting
32. Power up homemade batteries.
Building batteries is a classic science experiment for any age. Make it into a project by trying different variables and exploring the amount of power you can produce.
Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
33. 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
34. 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
35. Fuel a film canister rocket.
Fire a film canister into the air using the chemical reactions of Alka-Seltzer. Once you’ve mastered the basic process, experiment with different strengths of solutions and sizes of container to see how high your rocket can go.
Learn more: Steve Spangler Science
Looking for more? We’ve got science experiments and projects for every grade, K-8.
Plus, ensure your STEM activities engage every student—Get 5 Strategies for Inspiring an Inclusive STEM Culture in Your School.
