Middle School Science Experiments Explained by Robert Watson

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Middle School Science Experiments Explained
by Robert Watson

If you're excited - but a little nervous - about coming up with a knock-out middle school science fair project... read on! Why? Because I'm going to show you how deciding on, doing and presenting your project is just a matter of following a few, simple steps.

To begin with, you need choose the right kind of experiment. I suggest something that doesn't just reveal a scientific phenomenon, but also provides an answer to an interesting puzzle.

Which project is right for you? Well, what tools and materials do you have available? What do you genuinely want to know about? You'll probably derive more pleasure out of investigating something that puzzles or interests you. Here are just 6 project suggestions:

1. Do different types of candles burn at different rates? Compare a short, fat candle to a tall, thin candle. Or compare different colored candles.

2. How do water filters work and what do they remove? What's the difference between filtering water and boiling water?

3. Are cockroaches attracted to light or dark areas?

4. Are all dishwashing detergents the same? Do those that produce more bubbles, actually clean more effectively than those that produce fewer bubbles?

5. What temperature causes popcorn to pop?

6. How much water does a cactus retain... or contain?

Be aware that some experiments won't work unless you control all external conditions. So you may need to remove certain things (and possibly certain people) from your experiment area. If the experiment doesn't produce the effects you expected, go back and check whether there were any unintended influences.

When you're happy with the experiment, it's time to prepare your presentation. The key here is to be rehearsed but natural. So try not to read from notes - explain your experiment with the enthusiasm you had when conducting it!

I suggest you structure your presentation as follows: start by explaining what your presentation is about... then explain the project - why you chose this particular project, what result you were expecting, what result you got, and what this means (e.g. what problem this solves)... then finish off by answering questions from the audience. Just be sure to prepare for the most likely questions beforehand. That way you'll be less likely to stumble over a tricky question. It's definitely a good idea to practice your presentation in front of family and friends.

As your teacher and parents have probably told you, the middle school science fair is an opportunity to explore something you don't know, discover how remarkable our world is, and have fun too. So be sure to choose a project you're interested in, and try to enjoy yourself.

Author's Biography:

Robert Watson is a Middle school physics teacher with over three years experience as a science fair judgeat a local school. Visit his website for more information about

Posted on: January 31,2008

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