Starting STEM projects in middle school sets you up to do well at science fairs in high school. Here are nine project ideas you can actually do as an 8th grader, with what you’ll need for each.
1. Lung Capacity with a Balloon
Measure how much air your lungs can hold by blowing up a balloon and measuring its size. Compare results across friends and family, and connect it to how breathing works. It’s a simple way to mix biology and a bit of math.
You’ll need: balloons, a measuring tape, a few volunteers, and a method for measuring lung capacity consistently.
2. Plant Light Maze (Phototropism)
Build a cardboard maze with a light at one end and watch a plant grow toward it, bending around the obstacles. It’s a clear, hands-on way to see phototropism, how plants grow toward light.
You’ll need: a potted plant, cardboard, scissors, tape or glue, a lamp, a ruler, and a notebook for observations.
3. Nitrogen and Plant Growth
Grow pea plants with and without nitrogen-fixing bacteria and compare how they do. It shows why nitrogen matters for plant growth, which connects directly to how farming and ecosystems work.
You’ll need: pea seeds, soil, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium), and planting containers.
4. Testing Water Quality
Collect water from local streams, a pool, and your tap, then test it with a water-testing kit for things like pH, dissolved oxygen, and pollutants. Comparing the sources tells you something real about the water in your community.
You’ll need: a water-testing kit, water samples from a few different sources, and a notebook (and a camera) to record your results.
5. Casting Animal Tracks
Use plaster of Paris to cast animal footprints you find outdoors, then identify the species from the track patterns. It’s a fun intro to wildlife tracking and your local ecosystem.
You’ll need: plaster of Paris, something to mold the prints, and a field guide to local wildlife.
6. Vertical Veggie Towers
Build a vertical garden from recycled materials to grow vegetables where there isn’t much space. It’s a hands-on look at urban farming and reusing materials.
You’ll need: recycled PVC pipes or wooden pallets, soil, seeds or seedlings, and basic gardening tools.
7. A Recycling Game or App
Build a simple game or app that teaches players, especially younger kids, about recycling and waste. It’s a good fit if you want to mix coding with an environmental message.
You’ll need: game-development software (like Scratch, Unity, or App Inventor), a computer or tablet, and some research on recycling and game design.
8. Biodegradable Plastics
Make a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastic from natural materials like cornstarch or cellulose, then test how well it holds up and how fast it breaks down. It’s a real take on the plastic-pollution problem.
You’ll need: biodegradable materials (cornstarch, PLA, or PHA), molds to shape them, and some research on how these materials behave.
FREE STEM Guide with 50+ opportunities, competitions, and internships
More lists for middle and high school students:
Best Science Fair Project Ideas for Middle School
Top Science Fair Competitions
Math Competitions Worldwide
Biology Competitions
9. 3D Printing with Recycled Plastic
Turn plastic waste into 3D-printer filament: collect plastic, shred it, and extrude it into filament you can print with. It’s an ambitious project that connects recycling to making real new objects.
You’ll need: plastic waste (PET bottles, HDPE containers), a plastic shredder, a filament extruder, a 3D printer, and research on the recycling and filament process. (This one needs more equipment, so it’s a good fit if your school has a maker space.)
Not sure how to start?
Rishab Jain, an ISEF winner, has placed in many research competitions and run his own projects. If you want help turning an idea into a real project, he offers science fair coaching and a YouTube playlist on how to do research, where he shares his winning strategies.
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