8th Grade Science Fair Projects

Megan
Grade 8
Texas, USA
A List of Science Fair Project Ideas for the Summer 2007 Contest
1st Prize Winner of the Summer Science Fair Contest

Project #1 - PECULIAR POPCORN
Topics – chemistry - food science fair projects

Problem
Can you change the flavor of popcorn before it’s popped by dehydrating the kernels, and then soaking them in various liquids?

Hypothesis
I believe that there will be a flavor change in the popcorn after the dehydrated and soaked kernels are popped.

Materials
• Popcorn Kernels
• Popcorn Machine
• Various Liquids
• Paper Plates
• Permanent Markers
• Notebook
• Bowls
• Ziploc Bags
• Paper Bags

Project #2 – ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, ROLL!
Topics – biology – life science – sports science fair projects - gymnastics

Problem
Does the height of a person affect the distance they travel when performing a forward roll?

Hypothesis
I believe that the height of a person would be a factor in most cases, but flexibility, weight, and the girth have an affect on it as well.

Materials
• 30 subjects of different height and sizes
• Mat or Carpet
• Notebook
• Pen
• Measuring Tape

Project #3 – ANT-B-GONE
Topics – biology – zoology science fair projects - ants

Problem
Can drawing a heavy circle of chalk around my dog's dog food dish be used in keeping pesky ants out of his food?

Hypothesis
I believe that by drawing a circle of chalk around the dog food dish, it will repel the ants.

Materials
• Ants
• Dog food Dish
• Chalk

Project #4 – BURNING OUT THE TEARS
Topics – biology – life science – onion science fair project

Problem
Will cutting an onion by candle light prevent you from crying?

Hypothesis
I believe that the candle will burn off the chemicals created when onion is cut and will stop me from crying.

Materials
• Onion
• Knife
• Cutting Board
• Pen
• Notebook
• Candle
• Lighter or Matches

Project #5 – BIRD BRAIN
Topics – biology – zoology – bird science fair projects – behavior

Problem
By folding a piece of cardstock in half and placing a piece of bread underneath, can the bird find the bread amongst the other cardstock tents that contain no bread? Can a bird figure out how to play the ‘shell game?’

Hypothesis
I believe that a bird will be able to find the piece of bread that is hidden underneath one of the three ‘cardstock tents.’

Materials
• 3 sheets of cardstock
• 1 slice of bread
• Notebook
• Pen
• Bird

Project #6 - TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE
Topics – Biology – Life Science – Science Fair Projects on Aging – Perception

Problem
Does age affect the way people perceive the Old Woman, Young Woman optical illusion?

Hypothesis
I believe age will affect the way people perceive the illusion. I believe older people will tend to see the Old Woman, and younger people will tend to see the Young Woman. I believe this because I believe people will reflect their age group when interpreting this illusion.

Materials
• Subjects
• Clipboard
• Pencil
• Computer
• Log Book
• Old Woman/Young Woman optical illusion

Project # 7 – SNACKS – A PERSONALITY INDICATOR?
Topics – Biology – Life Science – Psychology – Personality Science Fair Projects

Project
Can a person’s favorite snack choice indicate certain aspects of their personality?

Hypothesis
I believe that, yes, a person’s favorite snack choice can indicate certain aspects of their personality.

Materials
• Potato Chips
• Tortilla Chips
• Pretzels
• Snack Crackers
• Cheese Curls
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Meat snacks
• Pencil
• Subjects
• Paper cups for snacks
• What Flavor is your Personality? by Alan Hirsch

Project #8 – MIRACLE MULCH?
Topics – Biology – Environmental Science Fair Projects – Composting

Problem
What makes better compost for growing plants--leaves and grass or vegetable and fruit peelings?

Hypothesis
I believe that vegetable and fruit peelings will make better compost for growing plants because the vitamins and minerals in vegetables and fruit peelings is what we need, so maybe plants will need them, too.

Materials
• Leaves and grass
• Vegetables and fruit peelings
• Compost containers
• Plants
• Shovel
• Dirt
• Ruler

Project #9 – TRAVELING PANTS
Topics – Biology - Forensic Science Fair Projects

Problem
Can you tell where a person has been by the microscopic particles picked up by their pants?

Hypothesis
I believe that you will be able to tell where a person has been by a microscopic inspection of particles picked up by their pants such as animal hairs, fabric fibers, or plant pollen.

Materials
• Clothing worn by Subjects
• Microscope Slides
• Microscope
• Internet for identification of particles

Project #10 – JUDGING A BOOK BY ITS COVER
Topics – Biology – Human Psychology – Choosing a Book

Problem
Does the cover of a book make a difference to a kid when they are picking out a book to read?

Hypothesis
I believe that the cover of a book will affect the decision a child makes when picking out a book. I believe that the bright and colorful book jackets will attract the children into choosing that book rather than that same book without its book jacket.

Materials
• Pairs of books, one with a bright cover and the other will a dull cover --one with a book jacket and the other without a book jacket.
• Subjects
• Notebook
• Pen

See more great ideas for science fair projects for 8th graders from Megan.