Cool 8th Grade Science Experiments

Have fun while learning important scientific principals by conducting a cool science experiment. Eighth graders are not typically required to come up with an original experiment, but the presentation of the experiment should strive to be engaging and distinctive. No matter which experiment you choose, use the scientific method to ask and answer your scientific question. The steps in the scientific method are: ask a question, do background research, construct a hypothesis, test your hypothesis by doing an experiment, analyze your data and draw a conclusion, and communicate your results.

Figure out the fastest way to cool warm soda by conducting this fun experiment. Take two styrofoam coolers and fill them with equal amounts of ice. Make sure that there is enough ice to cover an entire can of soda. Add water to one cooler, filling it up just enough to cover the ice. Take four cans of room temperature soda cans. Open all of the cans and test their temperature using a thermometer. To seal them, cover each lid with plastic wrap and a rubber band. Place one can in the refrigerator, one in the freezer, and one in each of the coolers. For the next 50 minutes check the temperature of each can at five-minute intervals, recording your results.

Prove which type of paper towel is the best by testing how many marbles each brand can hold while wet. Purchase five brands of paper towel rolls. Make sure that each roll is different somehow to make you experiment more interesting. Test the strength of the towels by holding one square of each brand over the sink and running water over it. Have a partner place marbles one-by-one in the center of the towel until it breaks. After counting the number of marbles that each brand held, record your results.

Find the best way to catch a falling water balloon by testing the effectiveness of three different types of landing pads. Construct the three landing pads using a variety of materials and methods. For example, use a pillow, a trampoline, or a garbage can of cotton balls. Fill up 6 water balloons with equal amounts of water; remember that you might miss the landing pad on your first try, so bring more than 3 balloons. Carry the balloons to an elevated area like a balcony or a second story window. Drop one balloon into each landing pad to figure out which one is the best. Record the type of landing pad that was the most successful.