32 Science Fair Ideas for Middle School

Middle school is a critical stage for developing curiosity, analytical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the world. Science fairs offer an excellent platform for students to explore real-world questions, apply the scientific method, and build confidence through hands-on experimentation. More than just a school assignment, a well-chosen science fair project can lay the foundation for a long-term interest in STEM fields.

Why Participate in a Science Fair?

Participating in a science fair helps you move beyond memorization and into exploration. It encourages:

• Critical thinking: You learn to ask thoughtful questions and design structured investigations.

• Research and presentation skills: Documenting results and explaining them to others builds communication and confidence.

• Resilience and problem-solving: Experiments rarely go perfectly the first time, so you can develop persistence through trial and error.

• Early exposure to scientific thinking: Learning how to form hypotheses, collect data, and interpret results is invaluable at this stage.

Whether you’re interested in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, or environmental science, selecting the right topic is the first step toward a rewarding project.

In this list, we’ve compiled 32 science fair ideas for middle school that are both practical and intellectually stimulating. Each project includes a clear focus area, step-by-step execution, and tips for presenting your findings effectively, making it easier for you to engage meaningfully with science.

1. What’s the Best Way to Prevent Fruit from Browning?

This project explores the enzymatic browning of fruit, a chemical reaction caused by oxidation. By applying various substances such as lemon juice, saltwater, and vinegar to fruit slices, you can observe which method most effectively slows down browning. The experiment introduces core chemistry concepts like pH levels and oxidation, while encouraging systematic observation and visual documentation.

• Experiment Focus: Chemistry / Biology

• Why It’s Great: Demonstrates chemical reactions and the role of acidity in enzyme activity.

• Materials Needed: Apple slices, lemon juice, salt, vinegar, containers, refrigerator.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Use photographs to document changes at regular intervals for comparison.

2. Can Plants Grow Without Soil?

This project examines whether plants can grow in a soil-free environment using hydroponic techniques. By comparing the growth of identical seeds in soil versus a nutrient-rich water solution, you’ll gain insight into plant biology and alternative farming methods. The experiment highlights variables in growth conditions and fosters understanding of sustainable agricultural practices.

• Experiment Focus: Botany / Environmental Science

• Why It’s Great: Introduces students to hydroponics and modern agricultural technology.

• Materials Needed: Seeds, water, nutrient solution, sponge/rock wool, containers.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Maintain a growth log with measurements and photographs over time.

3. Does Temperature Affect Battery Life?

This project investigates the impact of temperature on battery performance. You will test identical batteries stored under varying conditions - cold, room temperature, and heat - and measure how long each powers a device. The experiment introduces concepts in energy storage, chemical reactions, and environmental influence on electronics.

• Experiment Focus: Physics / Energy

• Why It’s Great: Offers practical relevance and encourages data collection and graphing.

• Materials Needed: Batteries, LED lights or clocks, thermometer, refrigerator, heat source.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Display results using bar graphs to show battery performance across temperatures.

4. Which Type of Music Helps You Focus Better?

This experiment analyzes the effect of auditory stimuli on concentration and task efficiency. You need to complete a standardized task while listening to different music genres, or silence, and time and record your performance. The project blends elements of psychology and data analysis and offers insight into how environmental factors influence cognitive processing.

• Experiment Focus: Psychology / Cognitive Science

• Why It’s Great: Combines experimental design with behavioral observation.

• Materials Needed: Task sheets, audio device, headphones, timer, and volunteers.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Incorporate charts comparing average task completion times across music types.

5. How Dirty Are Your Hands?

This microbiology project evaluates bacterial presence on hands before and after washing. Using agar plates and sterile swabs, students culture samples and track bacterial colony growth. The project demonstrates the importance of hygiene practices and introduces basic microbiological techniques, including aseptic sampling and controlled observation.

• Experiment Focus: Microbiology

• Why It’s Great: Visual results make scientific concepts tangible and compelling.

• Materials Needed: Agar plates, sterile swabs, soap, incubation area or warm space.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Document colony growth with labeled photographs and a timeline of changes.

6. Does Sugar Affect the Freezing Point of Water?

This experiment investigates how the concentration of sugar influences the freezing point of water. You will prepare multiple water samples with varying amounts of dissolved sugar and observe the time and temperature required for each to freeze. The project introduces colligative properties and the concept of freezing point depression, commonly observed in food science and environmental chemistry.

• Experiment Focus: Chemistry / Physical Science

• Why It’s Great: Connects a real-world phenomenon to fundamental chemistry principles.

• Materials Needed: Water, sugar, measuring tools, freezer, thermometer.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Use a data table to compare sugar concentration and freezing times.

7. Which Type of Soil Absorbs Water the Fastest?

This project explores how different soil types, sand, clay, loam, and garden soil, absorb water. You need to pour a fixed amount of water onto each type and measure the absorption time and runoff. The experiment introduces basic earth science concepts and can relate to agricultural and environmental applications such as irrigation planning and flood control.

• Experiment Focus: Earth Science / Environmental Science

• Why It’s Great: Encourages field testing and real-world application of soil science.

• Materials Needed: Samples of different soils, containers, water, stopwatch.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Include labeled samples and charts comparing absorption rates.

8. Do Natural or Commercial Cleaners Kill More Bacteria?

This microbiology project tests the antibacterial effectiveness of natural substances (like vinegar or lemon juice) versus commercial cleaning products. You will culture bacteria from household surfaces, apply different cleaners, and measure the bacterial colony growth. The experiment promotes awareness of public health and safe cleaning practices.

• Experiment Focus: Microbiology / Chemistry

• Why It’s Great: Involves lab-based testing with a strong hygiene and safety message.

• Materials Needed: Agar plates, swabs, natural and commercial cleaners, petri dishes.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Use photographic comparisons and bacterial growth measurements.

9. How Do Different Liquids Affect Plant Growth?

This experiment tests the effects of various liquids, such as water, milk, soda, and juice on plant growth. You’ll water identical plants with each liquid and measure growth over time. The project highlights the importance of water quality and nutrient content, and introduces basic plant physiology and experimental control.

• Experiment Focus: Botany / Environmental Science

• Why It’s Great: Reinforces the role of hydration and nutrients in biological systems.

• Materials Needed: Small plants, measuring cup, different liquids, containers.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Include a growth chart and photo series for each test group.

10. Can You Power a Clock with a Potato?

This project explores how chemical reactions between acids and metals can generate electricity. By inserting electrodes into a potato (or lemon), students can create a simple voltaic cell that powers a small clock or LED. The experiment demonstrates fundamental principles of electrochemistry in an accessible and hands-on format.

• Experiment Focus: Physics / Chemistry (Electrochemistry)

• Why It’s Great: Introduces students to renewable energy and electricity generation.

• Materials Needed: Potatoes, copper and zinc electrodes (e.g., pennies and nails), wires, digital clock.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Explain the electrochemical process using diagrams alongside the setup.

11. What Is the Best Material for Soundproofing?

This experiment evaluates how effectively different materials, such as foam, cardboard, fabric, and plastic, block sound. By placing a sound source inside a container lined with each material and measuring decibel levels outside, you can assess which is the most sound-insulating. The project introduces concepts in acoustics and material science and is particularly relevant in environmental engineering and design.

• Experiment Focus: Physics / Material Science

• Why It’s Great: Demonstrates practical applications of wave behavior and insulation.

• Materials Needed: Sound meter app, box, materials (foam, cardboard, fabric, etc.), phone or speaker.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Display results using bar graphs of decibel reduction for each material.

12. How Do Greenhouses Work?

This project investigates the greenhouse effect by building a small model greenhouse and comparing internal temperatures to those in an open environment. You will analyze how transparent coverings trap heat and influence plant growth. The experiment illustrates key environmental science concepts, including heat retention, insulation, and climate-related phenomena.

• Experiment Focus: Environmental Science / Physics

• Why It’s Great: Explains a major environmental process using a simple, replicable model.

• Materials Needed: Clear plastic containers, thermometers, soil, and seeds.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Include temperature logs and plant growth comparisons between setups.

13. Which Type of Milk Spoils the Fastest?

This experiment compares spoilage rates of different types of milk (e.g., whole, skim, almond, soy) under identical conditions. You will observe changes in odor, texture, and color over time, documenting microbial growth and fermentation. The project teaches about food science, microbial activity, and storage conditions.

• Experiment Focus: Biology / Food Science

• Why It’s Great: Applies biology to a commonly consumed product and introduces comparative testing.

• Materials Needed: Various types of milk, clear containers, labels, thermometer.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Use charts to track spoilage indicators and create a timeline.

14. Does the Angle of a Ramp Affect Speed?

This physics project examines how the incline angle of a ramp affects the speed of a rolling object. You will measure how fast a ball travels down ramps at different angles, exploring key physics concepts like gravity, acceleration, and friction. It encourages data collection, experimental control, and mathematical analysis.

• Experiment Focus: Physics / Mechanics

• Why It’s Great: Reinforces basic physics through hands-on experimentation.

• Materials Needed: Ramp (board or cardboard), protractor, stopwatch, ball.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Create graphs showing speed relative to ramp angle.

15. Which Type of Insulation Keeps Water Warmest?

This experiment tests the effectiveness of various insulation materials, such as wool, aluminum foil, bubble wrap, or styrofoam, in maintaining water temperature. By wrapping containers and monitoring heat loss over time, you can learn about thermal conductivity and insulation, with applications in construction and energy conservation.

• Experiment Focus: Physics / Environmental Science

• Why It’s Great: Demonstrates energy conservation concepts using measurable, real-world methods.

• Materials Needed: Cups or containers, water, a thermometer, and insulation materials.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Use a line graph to track temperature changes over time across materials.

16. Can Color Affect Heat Absorption?

This experiment explores how surface color influences heat absorption. You’ll expose materials of different colors (e.g., black, white, red, blue) to sunlight and measure temperature changes over time. The project introduces thermodynamics and the concept of light absorption, and applies to fields like architecture, clothing design, and urban planning.

• Experiment Focus: Physics / Environmental Science

• Why It’s Great: Demonstrates the relationship between color and energy absorption.

• Materials Needed: Thermometers, construction paper or fabric in various colors, containers, and sunlight.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Use bar charts to illustrate temperature differences by color.

17. What Is the Best Method to Clean Dirty Water?

This project evaluates simple water filtration techniques using materials such as sand, charcoal, cotton, and gravel. You’ll construct filters and test them on visibly dirty water to observe improvements in clarity and odor. The project introduces environmental engineering, filtration technology, and water safety principles.

• Experiment Focus: Environmental Science / Engineering

• Why It’s Great: Demonstrates a real-world application with humanitarian and ecological relevance.

• Materials Needed: Plastic bottles, filter materials (sand, gravel, charcoal, etc.), dirty water.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Present before-and-after visuals and document filtration results using qualitative and quantitative data.

18. Do Video Games Affect Reaction Time?

This psychology experiment tests whether short-term video game play has an effect on reflexes and response time. You will measure participants’ reaction times using online tools before and after gaming sessions. The project blends human behavior studies with digital tools and introduces concepts in experimental psychology and neuroscience.

• Experiment Focus: Psychology / Human Behavior

• Why It’s Great: Connects everyday experiences with measurable scientific outcomes.

• Materials Needed: Computer with internet access, reaction time test websites, volunteers.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Include participant data and use averages to analyze impact.

19. What Type of Bridge Design Holds the Most Weight?

This engineering experiment compares the strength of different bridge types, like beam, truss, arch, and suspension, constructed using common materials like popsicle sticks or straws. You will then load the bridges with weight until failure. The project introduces civil engineering principles and design testing through practical application.

• Experiment Focus: Engineering / Physics

• Why It’s Great: Combines design, construction, and load-bearing analysis in a visual format.

• Materials Needed: Popsicle sticks or straws, glue, weights, and measuring tools.

• Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced

• Presentation Tip: Capture photos of bridge designs and plot weight capacity by type.

20. How Do Detergents Affect Surface Tension?

This project investigates how various detergents influence the surface tension of water. You can test this by counting how many drops of water fit on a penny with and without different detergent solutions. The experiment illustrates molecular interactions and the effect of surfactants on liquid properties.

• Experiment Focus: Chemistry / Physical Science

• Why It’s Great: Simple, visual, and rooted in everyday household science.

• Materials Needed: Water, detergents, dropper, pennies, paper towels.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Use tables to record drop counts and photos to demonstrate surface effects.

21. Does Air Pressure Affect the Boiling Point of Water?

This experiment examines whether reducing atmospheric pressure, such as by using a vacuum chamber or enclosed space, lowers the boiling point of water. You can simulate a basic pressure change and observe boiling at lower temperatures. The project introduces thermodynamics and the relationship between pressure and phase changes.

• Experiment Focus: Physics / Chemistry

• Why It’s Great: Demonstrates real-world scientific principles used in high-altitude cooking and engineering.

• Materials Needed: Water, sealed container, vacuum pump (or syringe-based model), thermometer.

• Difficulty: Advanced

• Presentation Tip: Use diagrams to explain pressure dynamics and display boiling point comparisons.

22. Can You Charge a Phone with a Solar Panel?

This project explores the potential of solar energy by using a small photovoltaic panel to power or charge a device. You’ll examine factors that influence solar efficiency, such as light intensity and panel angle. The experiment introduces renewable energy, electricity generation, and sustainability topics.

• Experiment Focus: Physics / Environmental Science

• Why It’s Great: Promotes clean energy awareness and practical experimentation.

• Materials Needed: Small solar panel, USB charger, multimeter (optional), mobile phone or LED.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Record voltage and charging performance under different lighting conditions.

23. Which Foods Contain the Most Vitamin C?

This chemistry experiment uses an iodine titration method to determine the relative vitamin C content in juices and fruits. By measuring how quickly iodine is neutralized, you will assess antioxidant levels across samples. The project introduces nutritional science, oxidation-reduction reactions, and experimental precision.

• Experiment Focus: Chemistry / Health Science

• Why It’s Great: Blends health relevance with chemical analysis.

• Materials Needed: Iodine solution, starch indicator, droppers, juice samples, test tubes.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Display titration data in a comparison chart of vitamin C concentration.

24. How Does pH Affect Plant Growth?

This experiment investigates how soil pH influences plant development. You’ll adjust soil acidity or alkalinity using household substances (like vinegar or baking soda) and observe growth patterns over time. The project provides a foundation in botany, environmental science, and soil chemistry.

• Experiment Focus: Botany / Chemistry

• Why It’s Great: Teaches the environmental impact of pH on biological systems.

• Materials Needed: Soil, pH test strips, vinegar, baking soda, seeds, containers.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Create pH-growth correlation graphs and monitor plant health with visual aids.

25. Does Hand Dominance Affect Reaction Time?

This psychology-based experiment tests whether a person's dominant hand responds more quickly than their non-dominant hand. Students design a simple test using rulers or online tools and collect data from volunteers. The project explores neuroscience, motor control, and data interpretation.

• Experiment Focus: Psychology / Human Physiology

• Why It’s Great: Involves accessible testing methods and hands-on data collection.

• Materials Needed: Rulers or computer reaction time tests, a stopwatch, and volunteers.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Include charts comparing dominant vs. non-dominant response times across participants.

26. How Does Temperature Affect Yeast Activity?

This experiment investigates how different temperatures influence yeast fermentation, often measured by the volume of gas produced. You need to simply mix yeast with sugar and place the solution in environments of varying temperatures to observe activity levels. The project introduces biological processes such as fermentation and enzymatic function.

• Experiment Focus: Biology / Chemistry

• Why It’s Great: Demonstrates cellular respiration and the impact of temperature on biological activity.

• Materials Needed: Yeast, sugar, warm water, balloons, bottles, thermometer.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Record gas production and use line graphs to compare results across temperatures.

27. Which Paper Towel Brand Is Most Absorbent?

This consumer science project compares the absorbency of different paper towel brands using controlled testing methods. You will do this by applying a fixed amount of water to each sample and measuring how much liquid is absorbed over time. The project reinforces the importance of variables, consistency, and comparative analysis in experimental design.

• Experiment Focus: Chemistry / Everyday Science

• Why It’s Great: Offers an accessible, data-driven experiment tied to real-world products.

• Materials Needed: Paper towels, measuring cup, water, containers, scale or dropper.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Create a bar graph ranking absorbency results by brand.

28. Can Static Electricity Be Used to Move Objects?

This physics project explores electrostatic forces by using everyday materials to generate static electricity and observe its effects. You will rub balloons or plastic combs against fabric and use them to attract or repel lightweight objects such as paper or cereal pieces. The experiment introduces basic electrical principles in an interactive format.

• Experiment Focus: Physics / Electricity

• Why It’s Great: Visual and hands-on, perfect for illustrating abstract concepts through play.

• Materials Needed: Balloons, paper bits, combs, wool cloth.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Include videos or live demonstrations during the science fair for engagement.

29. How Do Crystals Form from Different Solutions?

This experiment investigates how different solutes form crystals under identical conditions. You can do this by dissolving salt, sugar, and borax in water, then suspending strings in the solutions to allow crystals to grow over several days. It introduces crystallization, solubility, and molecular structure in a visually rewarding format.

• Experiment Focus: Chemistry / Earth Science

• Why It’s Great: Encourages patience, precision, and detailed documentation of results.

• Materials Needed: Salt, sugar, borax, water, jars, string, sticks.

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Display dried crystal samples and growth timelines.

30. What Is the Effect of Light Color on Plant Growth?

This project tests how different wavelengths of light affect photosynthesis and plant development. You will grow identical plants under red, blue, green, and white LED lights and measure differences in height, leaf size, and overall health. It effectively combines plant biology with physics concepts related to the electromagnetic spectrum.

• Experiment Focus: Botany / Physics (Light)

• Why It’s Great: Teaches plant biology and electromagnetic spectrum in one project.

• Materials Needed: LED lights (various colors), seeds, soil, containers.

• Difficulty: Intermediate

• Presentation Tip: Present growth logs and a photo series to illustrate differences by light color.

31. How Do Oil Spills Affect Aquatic Plants?

This environmental science project simulates the effects of oil spills on aquatic ecosystems. You can do this by placing aquatic plants in containers of water, adding cooking oil, and applying different clean-up techniques such as cotton absorption, skimming, or soap dispersion to evaluate plant recovery. The experiment highlights ecological impact and response strategies.

• Experiment Focus: Environmental Science / Ecology

• Why It’s Great: Raises awareness about pollution and human impact on ecosystems.

• Materials Needed: Water containers, cooking oil, aquatic plants, spoons, cotton, soap.

• Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced

• Presentation Tip: Include pre- and post-experiment visuals and describe each cleanup method's effectiveness.

32. Can You Make Plastic from Milk?

This chemistry project explores the formation of casein plastic using common household ingredients. Students will do this by heating milk, adding vinegar to separate the curds, and shaping the resulting polymer into simple forms to dry and harden. The experiment introduces polymer science and sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

• Experiment Focus: Chemistry / Materials Science

• Why It’s Great: Hands-on and introduces polymer chemistry using simple ingredients.

• Materials Needed: Warm milk, vinegar, strainer, paper towels, molds (optional).

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Presentation Tip: Display molded plastic samples and explain the chemical reaction involved.

Having a great list of science fair ideas for middle school is just the beginning; success lies in thoughtful execution, clear documentation, and a genuine curiosity about the subject. Whether your interest lies in biology, engineering, chemistry, or psychology, the right project can turn a simple idea into a meaningful learning experience.

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.

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, you can refer to this page!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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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