30 Research Projects for Middle School

Research is the process of asking a question, investigating it, and finding answers that are backed by evidence. For middle school students, it can be an early doorway into exploring ideas and skills that go beyond what’s covered in class. Starting now means you have the time to experiment, change direction, or take your work further before the pace and pressure of high school set in.

What are research projects for middle school students?

Research projects for middle school students are structured investigations into a topic you choose, guided by curiosity and a clear objective. They can involve building an experiment, collecting and analyzing data, designing a model, or studying a subject in depth through reading and observation. The goal is to connect what you’re learning to a real-world problem or question, while building skills you can use in future projects. These projects can span any field from science and history to technology, art, or literature.

Why should I do a research project in middle school?

Starting early gives you the space to explore without the high stakes of grades or college admissions. You can try ideas, learn how to plan and adapt, and see a project through from start to finish. The process strengthens your ability to think critically, solve problems, and communicate clearly, abilities that will serve you well in high school and beyond. If you discover a passion now, you’ll have years to grow it into something substantial before graduation.

1. Solar Oven Science

This project explores how sunlight can be converted into heat energy using a homemade solar oven. Build a solar oven by lining a cardboard box with aluminum foil, placing black paper at the bottom, and sealing the top with plastic wrap to trap heat. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature inside every 10 minutes while melting small snacks like marshmallows or chocolate. Your results will clearly show how reflective surfaces, dark colors, and insulation work together to capture and retain solar energy.

Materials/investment required: Cardboard box, aluminum foil, black paper, plastic wrap, thermometer.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in basic physics and renewable energy concepts.

2. Water Quality Testing in Your Neighborhood

Your mission is to find out how clean different water sources around you really are. Collect samples from taps, rainwater, ponds, or rivers, and use a testing kit to check for pH, turbidity, and bacterial presence. Record the readings for each water source and organize them in a table for easier comparison. This will help you identify the safest sources and understand potential risks to environmental and human health.

Materials/investment required: Water testing kit, sterilized containers, gloves. 

Suitable for: Beginners with curiosity about environmental science and public health.

3. Plant Growth Under Different Light Colors

This experiment examines how light color influences plant growth and health. To get started, grow identical plants under red, blue, and white light for several weeks, keeping the same soil, water, and container size for all. Measure each plant’s height, number of leaves, and leaf size at the same time each week. The patterns will reveal which colors promote the fastest and healthiest growth and why certain wavelengths support photosynthesis more effectively.

Materials/investment required: Fast-growing plants, colored cellophane or bulbs, ruler.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in plant biology and environmental studies.

4. Bridge-Building Engineering Challenge

Think you can design the strongest miniature bridge? Start with building small-scale truss, beam, and arch bridges using popsicle sticks and glue, making sure each design is the same length and width. Add weights gradually to each bridge until it breaks, recording the maximum load it can support. Comparing the results will help you understand how structure and shape influence strength in real-world engineering.

Materials/investment required: Popsicle sticks, glue, weights, scale.

Suitable for: Intermediate students with interest in engineering, design, and physics.

5. Microplastics in Everyday Life

You might be surprised how much your laundry contributes to plastic pollution. To get started, wash your synthetic clothes, collect the wastewater, and filter it to trap tiny fibers. Examine the particles under a microscope and count them carefully to get an estimate of shedding levels. Your findings will reveal just how much synthetic fabrics contribute to microplastic pollution and spark ideas for reducing it.

Materials/investment required: Microscope, filters, jars, synthetic clothing samples, washing machine access.

Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced students with interest in environmental science and lab techniques.

6. Coding a Weather Prediction Model

Building a basic weather prediction model combines computer science with meteorology. Collect historical weather data and use a beginner-friendly programming platform to create a program that forecasts future conditions. Track your program’s predictions over several weeks and compare them to actual recorded weather. The process will help you understand how algorithms use data to predict trends and why all models have accuracy limits.

Materials/investment required: Computer, internet access, spreadsheet or coding software (e.g., Scratch, Python).

Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced students with basic programming knowledge and interest in meteorology.

7. The Physics of Roller Coasters

Roller coasters are a perfect example of physics in motion. Build a model track from foam tubing and run marbles through different heights, slopes, and curves. Time each run and measure speed changes or force at specific points along the track. The patterns you find will explain how potential energy becomes kinetic energy and how friction slows motion.

Materials/investment required: Foam tubing, marbles, stopwatch, ruler.

Suitable for: Intermediate students with an interest in motion, energy, and applied physics.

8. Earthquake-Resistant Building Design

This project involves designing structures that withstand earthquakes combining physics and engineering. Create small building models using materials like cardboard, toothpicks, and clay, then place them on a homemade shake table. Simulate quakes of varying intensity and record which designs remain stable the longest. The results will show how structural shapes and reinforcement techniques improve resilience against seismic forces.

Materials/investment required: Cardboard, toothpicks, clay, small motor or hand-crank for shake table.

Suitable for: Intermediate students with interest in engineering, physics, and architecture.

9. Bacterial Growth in Everyday Items

Studying bacterial growth helps you learn microbiology and hygiene awareness. Swab surfaces like doorknobs, keyboards, and phone screens, then streak the samples onto agar plates. Observe colony growth over several days, noting size, color, and texture changes. The patterns will reveal which surfaces harbor the most bacteria and the importance of regular cleaning.

Materials/investment required: Sterile swabs, agar plates, incubator or warm environment, gloves.

Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced students with interest in microbiology and lab safety.

10. Mapping Urban Heat Islands

Cities often have “hot spots” where the temperature is several degrees higher than surrounding areas. Use an infrared thermometer to record temperatures at different locations like concrete pavements, grassy areas, and shaded spots at the same time of day. Plot the readings on a map to visualize heat differences across your area. This will highlight how materials, vegetation, and city design impact local temperatures.

Materials/investment required: Infrared thermometer, notebook, mapping software or paper map.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in environmental geography and climate science.

11. Paper Airplane Aerodynamics

A simple sheet of paper can become a test subject for real aerodynamic principles. Fold paper airplanes in different shapes and sizes, then fly each one multiple times under the same conditions. Measure flight distance and time in the air for every design. Your results will reveal which design features lead to greater stability, speed, or distance in flight.

Materials/investment required: Paper, measuring tape, stopwatch.

Suitable for: Beginners with curiosity about physics and engineering.

12. pH Changes in Soil by Plant Type

The plants you grow can quietly change the chemistry of the soil beneath them. This project links botany with chemistry, examining how plants influence soil pH. Plant different species in identical pots of neutral soil and water them regularly over several weeks. Test soil pH at the start, mid-point, and end of the experiment. The results will reveal how root systems and biological processes can alter soil chemistry over time.

Materials/investment required: Pots, soil, pH testing kit, seeds or seedlings.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in biology and environmental science.

13. Renewable Energy from Water Wheels

This project explores how flowing water can be turned into usable power with the right design. Build a small water wheel using spoons, a wheel hub, and lightweight materials, then place it in a stream or sink with steady running water. Measure the electricity output using a small generator or light bulb. The results will demonstrate how moving water’s kinetic energy can be harnessed and converted into electrical energy.

Materials/investment required: Spoons, wheel hub, generator kit, waterproof tape.

Suitable for: Intermediate students with interest in engineering and sustainable energy.

14. Acid Rain Effects on Building Materials

Acid rain can slowly erode buildings, monuments, and other structures, causing serious environmental concerns. To see this in action, prepare acidic water solutions and apply them to small samples of materials like limestone, marble, and metal over several days. Measure weight loss, surface changes, or pH runoff after each application. The results will reveal how different construction materials react to acidic conditions and which are most at risk.

Materials/investment required: Small material samples, vinegar or dilute acid, measuring tools, gloves.

Suitable for: Intermediate students with interest in chemistry, geology, and environmental impact.

15. Reaction Time Testing

Reaction time experiments reveal how quickly the brain can process information and send signals to the body. You can test this by using an online reaction time tool or creating a drop-stick setup where a ruler is caught between the fingers. Record multiple trials for each participant and calculate their average times. The results will show how reflex speed varies between individuals and what factors like fatigue or distraction might influence it.

Materials/investment required: Computer with internet access or ruler, spreadsheet for data.

Suitable for: Beginners with curiosity about human biology and data collection.

16. Desalination with Solar Distillation

Solar distillation uses the sun’s heat to turn salty water into fresh, drinkable water. To try it, set up a bowl of saltwater covered with clear plastic wrap, placing a small cup in the center to collect condensed freshwater. Monitor the volume of water collected each day and keep notes on the conditions. The results will show how evaporation and condensation work together to separate salt from water using only solar energy.

Materials/investment required: Bowl, salt, water, plastic wrap, small cup.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in chemistry and sustainability.

17. The Stroop Effect and Cognitive Processing

The Stroop effect shows how the brain struggles when processing conflicting information. To test it, create a list of color names printed in mismatched ink colors and ask participants to say the ink color rather than the word itself. Measure the time taken for each list and compare it with a control list where the word and ink color match. The results will highlight how cognitive interference slows mental processing speed and affects accuracy.

Materials/investment required: Printed Stroop test sheets, stopwatch.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in psychology and human behavior.

18. Tracking Moon Phases and Tides

The changing shape of the moon affects ocean tides in predictable ways. To explore this, track moon phases daily and record local tide times and heights from an online tide chart or direct observation if possible. Compare patterns over a month to see how lunar phases align with tidal changes. Your findings will show the relationship between celestial motion and water movement on Earth.

Materials/investment required: Moon phase calendar, tide chart or coastal observation point, notebook.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in astronomy and earth science.

19. Testing the Strength of Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers

Fabric strength is influenced by both the type of fiber and the way it’s woven. To test this, cut equal-sized strips of natural fibers like cotton or wool and synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon, then attach them to a setup that allows you to add weight gradually. Record the exact weight at which each strip breaks during testing. The results will show how different materials handle stress and help identify which fibers are most durable for specific applications.

Materials/investment required: Samples of natural and synthetic fabrics, weights, clamps, ruler.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in materials science and textiles.

20. Modeling Erosion with Water Flow

Over time, moving water can carve valleys, shift soil, and reshape entire landscapes. You can model this by building a small sandbox or soil box on a slope, then running water over it to simulate rainfall or a flowing stream. After each run, photograph the setup and measure changes in soil position or depth. The results will illustrate how water movement impacts soil stability and creates new landforms.

Materials/investment required: Tray or box, soil/sand, water source, ruler, camera.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in earth science and geography.

21. Investigating the Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect traps heat in Earth’s atmosphere, and you can model it in a controlled way. Place thermometers in two identical jars - one with an airtight plastic wrap cover and one open - and set them in direct sunlight. Record temperatures at set intervals for both jars. The difference will illustrate how trapped gases in the atmosphere contribute to global warming.

Materials/investment required: Two glass jars, thermometers, plastic wrap, tape.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in environmental science and climate studies.

22. The Effect of Music on Concentration

Music can influence how well people focus on tasks. Ask participants to complete a timed puzzle or reading comprehension exercise under three conditions: silence, instrumental music, and lyrical music. Record the time taken and accuracy for each condition. Your data will reveal how different types of music affect concentration and task performance.

Materials/investment required: Stopwatch, puzzles or reading tests, music player.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in psychology and human behavior.

23. Testing Insulation Materials for Heat Retention

Insulation works by slowing heat loss, which is key to improving energy efficiency. To test which material is most effective, wrap identical jars of hot water with different coverings such as cotton, wool, foil, and foam, leaving one jar unwrapped as a control. Measure the water temperature in each jar at regular intervals over a set period. The comparison will reveal which material retains heat the longest and why it performs better.

Materials/investment required: Jars, thermometer, insulating materials, stopwatch.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in physics and engineering.

24. Creating a Simple Electric Motor

An electric motor transforms electrical energy into mechanical motion using the forces of electromagnetism. To build one, use a coil of wire, a magnet, and a battery, then adjust the coil’s position until it begins to spin freely. Time how long the motor runs under different conditions, such as changing battery strength or magnet size. The results will give you a hands-on understanding of how electromagnetic forces drive motion and how design choices affect efficiency.

Materials/investment required: Copper wire, magnets, battery, support stand.

Suitable for: Intermediate students with interest in electronics and physics.

25. Investigating Capillary Action in Plants

Capillary action is the process that allows water to move through plant stems against the pull of gravity. You can observe it by placing cut white flowers or celery stalks into jars of water mixed with food coloring. Check the plants every few hours and note how the color gradually moves up the stem into leaves or petals. The visible change will demonstrate how water travels through a plant’s vascular system to nourish its upper parts.

Materials/investment required: White flowers or celery, food coloring, jars, water.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in plant biology and chemistry.

26. Testing Antibacterial Properties of Natural Substances

Some natural substances can slow bacterial growth. To test this, prepare agar plates, swab them with harmless bacteria from a source like yogurt, and apply small paper discs soaked in substances such as garlic extract, honey, or vinegar. Measure the clear zones around each disc after incubation. The differences will reveal which natural agents have the strongest antibacterial effects.

Materials/investment required: Agar plates, sterile swabs, natural test substances, gloves.

Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced students with interest in microbiology and lab techniques.

27. Modeling Population Growth with Yeast\

Yeast can serve as a simple model for understanding how populations grow when resources are plentiful. Mix yeast, sugar, and warm water in a bottle, then stretch a balloon over the opening to trap the gas it produces. Measure the balloon’s circumference at set intervals to track the rate of gas buildup. The results will illustrate the stages of exponential growth and show how growth slows as resources are depleted.

Materials/investment required: Yeast, sugar, warm water, bottle, balloon, measuring tape.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in biology and data analysis.

28. Exploring Friction on Different Surfaces

Friction, the force that resists motion, changes depending on the surface an object moves across, and you can measure that difference directly. Build a ramp and test the same object on surfaces like smooth wood, rough sandpaper, soft fabric, and slick plastic. Time each run and measure the distance traveled after the object leaves the ramp. The comparisons will reveal how friction affects both speed and travel distance, and why some surfaces slow objects more than others.

Materials/investment required: Ramp, test object, stopwatch, different surface materials.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in physics and engineering.

29. Analyzing the Sugar Content of Soft Drinks

The amount of sugar in popular beverages can be surprising, and you can measure it with a simple test. Weigh an empty container, then pour in a measured amount of a soft drink and gently heat it until all the liquid evaporates, leaving only the sugar behind. Weigh the remaining sugar and calculate its concentration based on the original volume. The results will give you a clear, visual picture of just how much sugar each drink contains.

Materials/investment required: Kitchen scale, heat source, containers, soft drink samples.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in chemistry and nutrition science.

30. Building and Testing a Parachute Design

Parachutes work by creating air resistance that slows a falling object, and you can test how design changes affect that effect. Make parachutes in different shapes and sizes using lightweight fabric or plastic, attaching identical weights to each one. Drop them from the same height and time their descent, noting any differences in stability during the fall. The comparisons will reveal how canopy size, shape, and material influence descent speed and control.

Materials/investment required: Lightweight fabric or plastic, string, small weights, stopwatch.

Suitable for: Beginners with interest in physics and aerodynamics.

Consider the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP)

If you’re interested in taking any of these ideas further, the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) gives middle school students the chance to work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor on a project of their own. Over 8 weeks, you’ll choose a topic, plan your approach, and work step-by-step toward a finished research piece. By the end, you’ll have a completed piece of work that reflects your own thinking and effort, with the benefit of having an expert there to guide your process and help you work through challenges. The process is structured but flexible, giving you room to explore your interests while having an expert to answer questions and point you in the right direction.

Learn more about JEP here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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