Science Fair Project Ideas for Junior High
Every year, American students present millions of science fair projects. The kids who win come up with original, creative and academically useful ideas and present them in a neat, attractive and attention-grabbing manner. By middle school, students have been introduced to a wide range of scientific concepts and subjects. The following projects are appropriate for a middle school or junior high science fair.
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Different Insulators and Heat Retention
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While it's known that certain materials are better insulators than others, which one actually works best? To test them, place hot water inside a box covered in each type of insulation. The temperature of the water should start the same with every trial and then be measured after a set duration. The amount of water, starting temperature, box material, source of water, temperature of the surrounding air, length of test and container holding the water are all constant in this experiment.
Football Helmet's Ability to Absorb Impact
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For kids who aren't science enthusiasts or have problems relating the scientific method to the world, a project concerning something they do like might be the answer. In the case of this football-related project, the student could either manipulate the air pressure inside the helmet's padding or change the force with which it's being hit.
Water Salinity and Brine Shrimp Growth
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Brine shrimp, or sea monkeys, can be raised with novelty kits. In the instructions, salt is added to the water they live in to create a habitat. This experiment uses the amount of salt added to the water as its variable, and the results inform the experimenter as to whether more salt grows bigger shrimp. The water source and amount, water temperature, size and type of container, number of eggs, amount of food and number of meals a day are all constant.
Musical Rat Mazes
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Testing rodents in mazes is nothing new, but this project measures the effects of music on a rat's ability to learn the maze. The theory that classical music encourages learning and improves concentration could be involved. Will more distracting music cause the rat to be confused more easily? Each rat placed in the maze should listen to a different type of music, and one trial can be done in complete silence.
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