10 Scientific Articles for Middle School Students
If you are a middle school student who wants to dive into the world of science, exploring scientific articles and journals is an exciting way to expand your knowledge beyond the classroom! Websites like National Geographic Kids and Science News for Students are designed with you in mind, offering articles, experiments, and interactive content that make complex scientific concepts understandable and fun. Engaging with these resources will spark an interest for science, encouraging you to ask questions, seek answers, and perhaps one day contribute to scientific discoveries yourself!
Cost: $34/year
The National Geographic Kids magazine dives into a broad range of scientific subjects, from the intricacies of underwater ecosystems to the explosive power of volcanoes, and even the fascinating customs of cultures around the globe. With each issue, you're invited to explore complex topics through engaging articles, stunning photography, and dynamic content that makes learning both accessible and exciting.
National Geographic Kids doesn't just feed your curiosity; it also encourages you to think critically about pressing global issues like environmental conservation and climate change. You'll enjoy stories that bring you closer to the diverse wildlife inhabiting our earth and adventure tales that take you to different corners of the world. The magazine also offers hands-on science experiments, enabling you to discover scientific principles through real-world applications, which could spark ideas for your next school project or science fair. The online platform associated with National Geographic Kids magazine enhances your learning journey with interactive games, quizzes, and videos, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding the topics covered in the print version.Â
Cost: $49.99/year after the first year
Smore magazine is designed to spark your curiosity and deepen your understanding of various scientific fields through engaging content. Each of the 56-page issues, published four times a year, is packed with inspiring stories of women scientists and inventors, keeping you updated on the latest scientific breakthroughs and boosting your brain power with science trivia, games, and puzzles—all presented in an ad-free format for uninterrupted exploration.
Dive into the "Fantastic Phenomena" section to learn about cool chemicals discovered by humans and marvel at the ingenuity of early experiments with materials. "Science in the News" keeps you informed about groundbreaking discoveries, such as the recording of a ripple across the universe for the first time or the resilience of certain Antarctic ice patches amidst global warming. Moreover, "Science Like A Girl" features remarkable women like Mrinalini Erkenswick Watsa, a "DNA hunter" who explores the wilds of the Amazon and African grasslands, collecting DNA from the footprints, fur, and poop of various animals.
Smore magazine also encourages hands-on learning with simple science experiments designed to answer some big questions, allowing you to witness firsthand the principles you've read about. Sections like "Space and Tech," "Earth Science," and "Stem Careers" provide a broad spectrum of topics to pique your interest in different scientific careers, while features like "Mind Muddlers" and a science-themed crossword challenge your knowledge and problem-solving skills.Â
Cost: $5.50 per student
Time for Kids Science offers a diverse array of articles that cover the latest advancements and discoveries in various fields of science, from astronomy to zoology. Time for Kids Science makes sure to present these complex topics in a manner that's both understandable and engaging for young learners like you. Whether it's exploring the mysteries of the universe, understanding the intricacies of Earth's ecosystems, or getting to grips with cutting-edge technology, this publication ensures that you're always in the loop with what's new and noteworthy in the scientific community.
Time for Kids Science also enriches your learning experience by incorporating interactive elements such as quizzes, puzzles, and experiments that you can perform at home or in the classroom. These activities not only reinforce the information presented in the articles but also encourage critical thinking and hands-on learning. Additionally, the magazine often highlights the work of scientists, offering insights into their research and discoveries, which can be incredibly inspiring if you're dreaming of a future career in science.Â
Cost: Free
Science Journal for Kids and Teens is an incredible resource that aligns with educational standards you're familiar with, including NGSS standards, AP Environmental Science topics, IB Biology topics, and more, ensuring that you're getting information that's not only interesting but also relevant to your studies.
You will be unraveling the mysteries of biology by exploring how parenting affects brain size, with articles available in audio format, tailored to different reading levels, and complemented by lessons on birds and brains. Or delve into the social sciences to understand how fear speech spreads on social media, equipped with audio narratives and lessons on identifying hate speech and misinformation, empowering you to navigate social media wisely. Your curiosity about health and medicine can lead you to insights on how cognitive biases influence vaccine choices, supported by audio articles and links to lessons about vaccines. And if you're intrigued by societal roles, discover why women hunters are pivotal through articles that challenge traditional gender norms, enriched with audio explanations and educational videos.
For a tech-savvy explorer like you, the collaboration between humans and AI to detect deepfakes is a fascinating study, complete with lesson ideas, deepfake detection strategies, and even a chance to create your own machine learning model. These are just some of the many topics this journal explores!
Cost: Free
The Scientific Teen is a great opportunity for you to connect with a global community of young scientists. Since its inception in 2018, over 250 teens from more than 80 countries have contributed to this platform, making it a rich and diverse source of scientific knowledge and discovery. Covering a wide range of subjects including Medicine, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Astronomy, and Earth and Environment, The Scientific Teen is a great way to learn science from other students! You can even submit articles yourself. You will get to explore topics like what makes sugar so addictive and the gram stain!Â
Exploring The Scientific Teen will allow you to dive deeper into the realms of modern science. Among the subjects it covers, you'll find articles that dissect complex ideas such as "Cryptocurrency: The Trojan Horse of Digitized Money,"Â offering a perspective on how digital currencies are reshaping our understanding and use of money in the digital age. Additionally, the magazine dives into the innovative technology of "3D Printers," detailing how this technology is revolutionizing manufacturing, medicine, and more.
Cost: Free
Frontiers for Young Minds allows you to explore a vast array of topics across all sections including Astronomy and Physics, Biodiversity, Chemistry and Materials, Earth Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Human Health, Mathematics and Economics, Neuroscience, and Psychology. What sets this journal apart is its engaging approach to complex scientific concepts, making them understandable and interesting for young minds. For instance, articles like "Genomic Data: Building Blocks for Life" unravel the mysteries of genetics in a way that connects with your curiosity about life's fundamental elements, while pieces on topics like "How Old Are You in Chimpanzee Years?" and "The Mysterious World of Mosquitoes and Disease" explore fascinating aspects of biology and their implications for human and animal health.
Frontiers for Young Minds also features young reviewers, just like you, who contribute to the peer review process. Whether you're interested in the latest discoveries in neuroscience, passionate about solving mathematical puzzles, or curious about the latest engineering technologies, Frontiers for Young Minds is a great place to start!
Cost: $9 per student
Scholastic Science World will allow you to dive into the thrilling world of science news and hands-on investigations that cover a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, including biology, physics, chemistry, earth science, and engineering. This platform offers engaging nonfiction texts that are not only relevant but impactful.
Science World goes beyond just reading; it enriches your learning experience with a variety of multimedia teaching tools. Videos and interactive content help you watch, listen, and level up your understanding of complex concepts in an engaging way. The platform comes complete with a Digital Resource Guide, including all lesson plans and skills sheets, alongside Google Quiz options for an interactive learning experience. It also aligns with Common Core Reading and Writing Standards as well as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Through paired-text activities, writing prompts, ELA skills sheets, and literacy connections, you will get to explore all sorts of STEM related topics!
Cost: Free
The Young Scientists Journal is an international peer-reviewed science journal distinguished by its contributors and audience — written, reviewed, and produced by school students aged 12 to 20. Over the past decade, it has created a global community, connecting students from over 50 countries. The journal covers an impressive array of topics, ensuring there's something for every curious mind. Whether you're interested in exploring the intricacies of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis, delving into the realms of Astrobiology, Astrophysics, Biochemistry, or understanding the complexities of Climate Change, the Young Scientists Journal has articles spanning these subjects and more.
With categories ranging from Animal testing, Archaeology, Biology, and Biomedical Science to Computer Science, Earth Science, Engineering, and Neuroscience — there is a lot to explore. The journal also celebrates significant scientific milestones and awareness days, such as International Women's Day, Earth Day, and Rosalind Franklin Day, providing a rich, contextual backdrop for the articles. Additionally, it engages with contemporary issues through its coverage on COVID-19, Vaccines, and Environment, making science relevant to current global challenges.Â
Cost: Free
Science News Explore, an award-winning publication, was launched in 2003 as Science News for Kids and rebranded a decade later. This digital magazine is dedicated to shedding light on the latest, most important, and intriguing scientific discoveries across a wide range of fields. From Earth and its ecosystems, the mysteries of oceans, and the challenges of climate change, to the exploration of space, the innovations in technology, and breakthroughs in health and medicine, Science News Explore covers it all.
You'll delve into topics as diverse as genetics, physics, artificial intelligence, and archaeology, each presented with clarity and precision to satisfy your curiosity and expand your knowledge. The magazine prides itself on stories reported by experienced science journalists, many of whom hold PhDs in their respective fields, ensuring the accuracy and depth of information provided. Whether it's through concise news stories or in-depth features, all content is crafted with a vocabulary and sentence structure suited for young readers like you.Â
10. DOGO News
Cost: Free
DOGO News has plenty of articles that cover a wide array of topics. Imagine learning about the privately-owned Odysseus, marking the first US spacecraft landing on the Moon in 50 years, or diving into the world of Methuselah, the world's oldest living aquarium fish. You can also discover intriguing research suggesting that starfish bodies might essentially be just heads or find out about the fascinating sleeping habits of nesting Chinstrap penguins, who take about 10,000 naps a day!
Moreover, DOGO News highlights groundbreaking studies, like how light can evaporate water, challenging previous notions about evaporation. There are over 8 million monthly learners, accessing 9,000+ study sets, and engaging with content that amasses over 20 million monthly views. With more than 5,100 book quizzes, DOGO News is a treasure trove of information!
One more option - The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!Â
To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Growth, Khushi Malde, at khushi.malde@lumiere.education or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!
Jessica attends Harvard University where she studies Neuroscience and Computer Science as a Coca-Cola, Elks, and Albert Shankar Scholar. She is passionate about educational equity and hopes to one day combine this with her academic interests via social entrepreneurship. Outside of academics, she enjoys taking walks, listening to music, and running her jewelry business!
Image Source: Frontiers for Young Minds logo