Science Activities for Middle School

Every once in a while, kids get bored of studying about science, the rules, and how they are implied to the real life. Whether it is chemistry, life science, physical science, or environmental science, books don't always make sense and the words get forgotten. As a parent, is there anything you can do about it? Are there any science activities for middle school kids, that can keep them interested and invoke the will to learn more? Yes, there is. In fact, there are tons of science projects that you can perform at your home. So this weekend, instead of going out to the mall or playing video games, shop for some science project materials and start studying.

Science for Middle School Students

Give the kids some hands-on learning with exciting activities to study from. Let them put all the theories and homework to good use. These activities will test their skills and knowledge about the world around them.

How oil spills are harmful to wildlife
We hear it on the television and radio stations about hundreds of volunteers cleaning the areas where the mess has been made due to oil spills. It is our responsibility to realize the dangers it could do now and in the future. These oil spills can result in animals getting soaked in them and then getting poisoned by trying to lick it off. This experiment will help your kids learn how to apply water, oil, and soap to a feather, and understand how difficult it is for oil to separate from it.

Materials Needed:

• Liquid soap
• Vegetable oil
• Toothbrush
• Corn oil
• Feather

Procedure

Get all the materials ready and make three charts by the name of "Absorbed", "Repelled", and "Changes" written on top of each. Ask him/her to make columns by the name of "Water", "Oil", and "Liquid Soap" on the left side of each chart. Take the feather and let him/her examine its structure. Now dip the feather in the oil and check if the feather has absorbed or repelled it. Check for any other unusual changes in the feather. Sprinkle some water over the feather and see if it absorbs or repels that as well. In a bowl, combine water and liquid soap. Using the toothbrush, try to take out the oil from the feather. Check what the results are and see how well he/she can clean the feather. Did the feather regain its original form?

How strong are a bird's bones
Birds have the ability to fly because they have hollow, lightweight bones. But have you ever wondered how strong these bones need to be, even if they are hollow? For this experiment, your kid will have to see how strong can a hollow structure be.

Materials Needed

• 3 printer papers
• Paper plate
• Pennies
• Tape

Procedure

First of all, make the concept clear that birds have hollow bones. If he/she already knows about it, then half your work is done. Roll the printer papers into 1 inch diameter tubes and tape the edges to make sure they don't unroll. These three tubes will be your hollow bones. Hold the tubes at equal distance and tape the paper plate over them. Now ask your kid to make an assumption as to how many pennies can the bones hold? Write down the estimate and start adding the pennies one at a time. Make sure the pennies are evenly distributed around the middle of the plate. This will keep the structure in balance. Keep adding pennies till the bones can't take the weight anymore and collapse. Did the estimate come true? Did the structure hold less or more pennies?

Can eggs bungee jump?
Bungee jumping is a fun sport and I am guessing that your kid might think so as well. But this experiment doesn't require him/her to bungee jump. We will use an egg to do the job and see if we can answer our question.

Materials Needed

• 1 egg
• Pair of pantyhose
• Pennies
• Newspaper
• Tape

Procedure

The perfect location to perform the experiment is a tree branch or a ladder. Your kid will be lying on the ground as he/she looks up at the hanging egg. The distance between the hanging egg and your kid shouldn't be more than an inch apart. Measure the distance with the ruler. Before you begin, have him/her hold the egg in the right hand and pennies in the left hand. Till both the weights feel similar, keep adding pennies in his/her hand. Take those pennies and stuff them in one leg of the pantyhose. Take the other leg and tape it to the tree branch or ladder. Leave the pantyhose and check the distance between the end of the leg and the ground. The distance should be exactly the same as you had calculated before. Make any necessary changes if you have to. Now take the pennies out and place the egg in its place. Have your kid lie underneath the branch or ladder and let go of the pantyhose. Did the egg crack open inside the pantyhose and splatter all over his/her face?

Apart from the information we provided you in this article, you can read another Buzzle article on homemade volcano science project for more help. These experiments are exciting and will never make your kid get bored. Come up with new and improved science activities to keep him/her busy.