If you are a science teacher like me and understand the importance of science activities for the development of middle school students, then this blog aims to inspire you to perform these fun science activities in your classroom.

I have put together a list of 6 STEM projects covering topics of physics, earth science, environment etc. and these activities aim to help your students with understanding concepts, enhancing critical thinking, and more.

As educators, we understand that at this stage of their development, middle school science students are beginning to form their academic interests and attitudes toward learning, which will carry them through high school and beyond.

How These Science Activities for Middle School Will Help Students?

Learning through play or activities is a global framework of policy and practice. My curated list of these fun science activities can help middle schooler students in two ways – 

• Provide a deeper understanding of scientific principles through hands-on learning and interactive engagement.
• Help cultivate an enthusiastic and positive attitude toward science.

Take this as an example – 

• Human Body Systems Project BUNDLE of File Folder Activities for 6 Systems – Students can have fun with these file folder activities during the course of individual human body system unit classes as they learn, grasp and revise these units, while they have an accumulation of 6 body systems projects – individually or as a part of their interactive notebook. NOTE: Students will need a chart paper, scissors, ribbons (optional) and glue for these projects.

A few simple science resources can help students with brain function, creativity, and focus with tasks, notes or visual learning while performing hand-on science activities.

Overall, these science activities will help prepare students for science challenges by fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a collaborative spirit.

As we explore this curated list of fun science activities for middle school, we always focus on the objective, which is not just to educate, but to inspire as well. 

Here are 6 fun and engaging science activities for middle school: 

1. Nature’s Cycle in a Bag for Water Cycle Activity

Bring environmental science to life and help students understand the processes that control the Earth’s water resources with this “Water Cycle in a Bag” experiment. 

The thought behind this experiment is to create a mini environment that simulates the water cycle inside a clear plastic bag. Students can see firsthand how water evaporates, condenses, and precipitates. 

Materials Needed:

• Clear, Sealable Plastic Bag: It will serve as the containment for the mini water cycle environment.
• Water: Enough to simulate lakes, rivers, and oceans within the water cycle in a bag.
• Blue Food Color: To make the water more visible and to enhance its visual effect.
• Permanent Marker: To draw and label parts of the water cycle on the bag, such as the sun, clouds, and bodies of water, enhancing the educational value of the experiment.
• Tape: To securely attach the bag to a window that receives sunlight.

Procedure:

Preparation: Fill the plastic bag with a small amount of water. Add a few drops of blue food color to make the water more visible. Use the permanent marker to draw the sun, clouds, and an area at the bottom in a manner that it represents a body of water.

Sealing and Placement: Seal the bag tightly to ensure no water escapes. Tape the bag to a window that receives ample sunlight. The sunlight will heat the water inside the bag, thus simulating the sun’s role in the water cycle.

Observation: Over the next few days, students should observe changes within the bag. They will notice water droplets forming on the inside of the bag, simulating cloud formation and precipitation.

Explanation:

The “Water Cycle in a Bag” experiment will demonstrate the continuous movement of water within the Earth and its atmosphere. 

The sunlight heats the water, causing it to evaporate. This water vapor then cools and condenses on the sides of the bag, representing cloud formation. Eventually, the water droplets will become heavy enough to fall, simulating precipitation.

Quick Tip:

• Students can keep a journal or worksheet for observations and compare their predictions with the actual outcomes.
• With this experiment, kids can discuss about water conservation, the impact of climate change on the water cycle, and the importance of the water cycle in different ecosystems.

Benefit:

This experiment will provide a clear and tangible demonstration of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, which are core components of the Earth’s climate system. 

By visualizing these processes, students can better understand the dynamic nature of the water cycle and its significance to life on Earth.

2. Forecasting is Fun With DIY Weather Station

Weather has always been my favorite subject of earth sciences. Building a DIY Weather Station project is a fun and interesting activity to teach the science behind weather forecasting.

For middle school students, this would be a fantastic summer science experiment!

Materials Needed:

• Thermometer (to measure temperature)
• Barometer (to measure atmospheric pressure, optional DIY or store-bought)
• Anemometer (to measure wind speed, can be made with cups and straws)
• A rain gauge (to measure precipitation, can be made with a large measuring cup or a homemade container with a ruler)
• Compass (to determine wind direction)
• Journal or logbook (for recording data)
• Chart paper and markers (for visualizing data)

Procedure:

For this science activity, a backyard would be the perfect place. Students will need teacher or parental help in setting things up.

Setup Your Station: Choose a location that is open and receives minimal obstruction from buildings and trees for accurate measurements. Install the thermometer, rain gauge, and anemometer at an appropriate height and orientation. If using a barometer, place it inside and away from direct sunlight.

Record Observations: Assign students to daily tasks of recording temperature, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure (if possible), and rainfall. Encourage consistent timing for data collection to maintain accuracy.

Analyze Data: Use the collected data to observe patterns and changes in weather over time. Students can graph temperature changes, track storm patterns, and correlate wind speed with weather events.

Make Predictions: Challenge students to use their data to make simple weather predictions. Discuss the reliability of their forecasts and the factors that affect weather variability.

Report Findings: Have students present their findings and predictions to the class. This can include a weather report or a scientific poster presentation, emphasizing communication skills.

Outcomes of This Experiment

Depending on the observation by the students, they will have data on temperature measurement, precipitation, and wind speed analysis.

Quick Tip:

Do one or more of the following to make this science activity more fun and interesting:

• Integrate apps or websites that track local weather data for comparison with the station’s readings, enhancing digital literacy and data analysis skills.
• Encourage students to research how professional meteorologists forecast weather and the technology they use.
• Share weather data with the school or local community through a newsletter or school website, connecting students’ work with real-world applications.
• Tie the experiment to lessons on climate, the water cycle, and environmental science to provide context and enhance learning.

Benefit:

This DIY weather station will help students engage with elements such as measurement and prediction, data analysis, and understanding and predicting weather patterns that affect ecosystems, agriculture, and daily life. 

Try our weather and climate bundle for a complete coverage on a relevant topic.

3. Constructing Simple Microscopes

As a science teacher, I found the Microscope to be an engaging way to introduce students to the principles of magnification and optics.

This experiment enables students to observe objects at a microscopic level using minimal materials, helping a deeper understanding of the workings of the microscope and its parts.

Materials Needed:

For this activity, we need: 

• A smartphone or tablet with a camera
• A small laser pointer lens (from a laser pointer pen)
• Clay or playdough (as a flexible stand)
• Slides or small objects to observe (such as leaves, salt crystals, or onion skin)

Procedure:

Assembling the Microscope: Carefully remove the lens from a laser pointer pen. Using a small amount of clay or playdough, attach the lens directly over the camera lens of a smartphone or tablet. Ensure the lens is centered and securely in place.

Preparing the Slides: Place the object or slide you wish to observe on a flat, stable surface. If using a slide, ensure it is clean and the object is properly mounted.

Observing Objects: Open the camera app on the smartphone or tablet. Position the device so that the lens is directly above the object to be observed. You may need to adjust the distance between the device and the object to find the correct focus. Take photos or videos for further analysis.

Explanation:

The laser pointer lens will act as a magnifying glass, enlarging the image of the object when viewed through the camera. 

This setup mimics the objective lens in a traditional microscope, focusing light to form a magnified image of the object. The smartphone or tablet’s camera then captures this image, allowing for easy observation and sharing.

Quick Tip:

For a more interactive experience, encourage students to:

• Explore various objects, noting differences in texture, color, and other details not visible to the naked eye.
• Use image editing software or apps to analyze and annotate the photos or videos they’ve taken.
• You can also demonstrate the concept of magnification using water droplets on a piece of clear plastic over the camera lens as an alternative method.

Benefit:

This science activity will not only demonstrate key concepts of optics and magnification, but will also entice interest for biology, materials science, and physics by making the microscope easily accessible and engaging.

4. Crash-Testing Your DIY Egg Car

Give a STEM challenge to your students for an engaging and hands-on project. This project will help understand students the concepts of physics, engineering, and design. By building a vehicle that can protect an egg from breaking when dropped or during a collision, students learn about force and motion, energy transfer, and the engineering design process.

Materials Needed:

• Egg: The “passenger” of the vehicle, represents a fragile object that needs protection.
• Materials for Construction: Recyclable materials (cardboard, plastic bottles, etc.), foam, rubber bands, straws, and balloons. These materials provide the structure and cushioning for the egg car.
• Wheels (Optional): CDs, bottle caps, or small wheels. These can be attached to the car to enable it to roll, adding another dimension to the experiment.
• Tape, Glue, and Scissors: For assembling the car. These tools will be used to cut and secure the materials together.
• Measuring Tools: Ruler or measuring tape, to ensure the car fits within specified dimensions and to measure the distance traveled or height dropped.

Procedure:

Slightly different from the other projects, here let students brainstorm and sketch their egg car design before they build it. 

Help students on how they can distribute the force of impact and how to securely hold the egg. Now using the materials, help them to build their car, focusing on creating a structure that can absorb shock and protect the egg.

Testing the Car: Conduct tests by dropping the car from a height or rolling it down a ramp into a wall. The goal is to keep the egg intact. Students can make modifications to their designs based on the outcomes of these tests.

Explanation & Benefit:

This activity will illustrate fundamental physics concepts such as gravity, force, momentum, and energy transfer in a real-world context, while design will help students to apply engineering principles to solve a problem by iterating on their designs based on test results.

Quick Tip:

• Guide students with different designs and materials to find what works best for protecting the egg. 
• Discuss real-world examples with students to explain how similar principles are used in designing vehicles, sports equipment, and other items to protect humans and delicate objects.

5. Crafting Your Own Solar System Model

Teaching about astronomy is always fun as a science teacher. Agree?

Creating a “Solar System Model” is an engaging and educational activity for middle schoolers. This allows a hands-on project to apply mathematical skills to learn about the distances and sizes of the planets relative to each other and the Sun.

Materials Needed:

• Different Sizes of Balls: To represent the Sun and the planets. For example, a large yoga ball could represent the Sun, a basketball for Jupiter, a tennis ball for Earth, and so on, depending on the scale you choose.
• Paint and Brushes: To color the planets, making them easily identifiable and adding an artistic element to the learning experience.
• Long Measuring Tape or String: To measure the distances between the planets. This helps students grasp the concept of scale within our solar system.
• Stakes or Markers: To mark the positions of the planets on the ground if the model is set up outdoors.
• Reference Materials: Books, charts, or online resources to research the sizes and distances of the planets for accuracy.

Procedure:

Research and Preparation: Decide on a scale that makes the model manageable but still effectively demonstrates the vast differences in space.

Painting the Planets: Paint each ball to represent a different planet. This is a great opportunity for creativity and learning about the physical characteristics of each planet.

Measuring Distances: Using your chosen scale, measure out the distances from the “Sun” to place the planets. This might be done in a large hallway, a schoolyard, or any spacious area available.

Assembly: Place the planets at their measured distances from the Sun. Use stakes or markers to position them accurately according to your scale.

Explanation:

By physically spacing the planets according to scale, students can better comprehend the space and the relative sizes of the planets. 

This activity also introduces the concept of astronomical units (AU) and how scientists use them to measure distances in space.

Quick Tip:

• Use this opportunity to practice calculations with ratios and proportions, converting astronomical units to your scaled measurements.
• Let students “present” their planet, sharing interesting facts and figures about each one, to the whole class.

Benefit:

Solar system model project will encourage teamwork, research skills, and creative expression, making it a comprehensive educational activity.

6. A Spark of Curiosity with Simple Electric Circuits

For hands-on learning, I find electric circuit experiments to be a fascinating way to introduce students to the basics of electricity and circuits.  This activity is designed to allow students to learn how electricity flows through a circuit to light up a bulb or power a device.

Materials Needed:

• A D-cell battery
• A small light bulb (or an LED)
• Electrical tape
• Two pieces of insulated copper wire, each about 6 inches long
• A bulb holder (optional, but helpful)
• A switch (optional, to demonstrate an open and closed circuit)

Procedure:

• Building the Circuit: Strip the ends of the copper wires to expose the metal. Attach one wire to the positive end of the battery and the other wire to the negative end. Use electrical tape to secure the connections, if necessary.

• Connecting the Bulb (or LED): Attach the free end of one wire to the base of the light bulb. You can twist the wire around the metal part of the bulb’s base or use a bulb holder, if available. Connect the second wire to the tip of the bulb, completing the circuit.

• Testing the Circuit: When both wires are securely attached to the bulb, it should light up, demonstrating a complete circuit. If you’ve included a switch in your circuit, show how the light turns off when the circuit is open (switch is off) and on when the circuit is closed (switch is on).

Explanation:

The battery serves as the source of this electrical current, pushing electrons through the circuit. 

As these electrons move through the light bulb, they encounter resistance, which converts electrical energy into light and heat, illuminating the bulb. An open circuit (when the switch is off, if used) prevents the flow of electricity, illustrating the necessity of a complete path for current to flow.

Quick Tip:

To make it more interactive you can do the following – 

• Ask students to experiment with components of varying specifications, such as different battery voltages or light bulb wattages. 
• Guide them in explaining battery orientation, connections, and the bulb.
• You can use software simulation to demonstrate the flow of electricity.
• Use examples of everyday applications of circuits, from simple to complex. 

Benefit:

This simple electric circuit experiment offers a hands-on experience and helps students understand the impact of resistance and voltage on circuit functionality.

Help students learn more about Electricity & Magnetism with this bundle.

Engaging Young Minds in the Adventure of Science

As educators, our job is to encourage and initiate curiosity for science using activities on and about STEM, earth science, problem-solving, and much more.

With these hands-on science projects, you can help students understand the theory of science and the practical approach. Adding art, mathematics, and technology into science lessons, students will develop a well-rounded skill set, preparing them for a future where they can apply these concepts in new and innovative ways.

Including science activities in the curriculum will help middle schoolers to learn and understand, hypothesize, experiment, and draw conclusions. This, in turn, allows them to learn the value of questioning, exploration, and perseverance. 

Engage in Hands-On Science with The Science Arena’s Activities!

The Science Arena offers a wide selection of science activities for middle school, which will help in making your work much easier. The aim is to help you focus more and better on actually teaching your young bright minds, instead of spending time and effort on creating resources.

From Anatomy and Earth Sciences to Physics, Chemistry and more, The Science Arena offers Worksheets, Activities, Printables, and much more.

Explore all of our science teaching resources or send us your suggestions / queries and we’ll be happy to help.