Science Fair Projects for 8th Grade

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

To see Megan's first ten project ideas, take a look at 8th grade science fair projects.

Project #11 – WHICH WASHES?
Ideas – Biology – Human Psychology – Science Fair Projects: Hand Washing

Problem
Hand washing is important; but who is cleaner, men or women? Who washes their hands the most, men or women?

Hypothesis
I believe that women will tend to wash their hands more so then men because they prepare food and change diapers, on the average, more often than men.

Materials
• Even number of men and women subjects
• Different bathrooms around town – Wal-Mart, Restaurants, Fast-food places, Gas Stations etc.
• Notebook
• Pen

Project #12 – NESTLE CRUNCH BAR VERSES CAPTAIN CRUNCH
Ideas – Health & Medicine – Food Science Fair Projects – Nutrition – Sugar in Candy Bars

Problem
Which has more sugar per ounce, your cereal or your candy bar?

Hypothesis
I believe that even though your cereals do contain sugar, the candy bar will still have more.

Materials
• A variety of candy bars
• A variety of cereal
• Notebook
• Pen

Project #13 – BREAKFAST: WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD?
Ideas – Consumer Science – Brand Name Cereals vs Steak & Eggs

Problem
Ounce for ounce which costs more, brand name cereals or steak and eggs?

Hypothesis
I believe that the cereal will be more expensive because they don’t weigh as much as the steak and eggs but still seem to cost as much.

Materials
• Variety of brand name cereals
• Prices and weight of steak
• Prices of eggs

Project #14 – GOOD VIBRATIONS
Ideas – Biology – Zoology Science Fair Projects – Worms - Behavior

Problem
Do you find worms closer to busy highways or further away?

Hypothesis
I believe that the vibrations from the traffic on busy highways will affect the population of the worms and cause them to move further away from the busy highways. Therefore, the density of the worm population will lessen as it gets closer to busy highways.

Materials
• Busy Highways
• Adult supervision
• Reflective vest
• Shovel
• Plastic bag to be used as a capture mat
• Notebook
• Pen
• Tape Measure

Project #15 – POWER PACKED PUNCH
Ideas – Biology – Botany – Weather - Nitrogen Science Fair Projects

Problem
Will the nitrogen in the in the soil change after a major thunder storm?

Hypothesis
Since lightening is a major Nitrate producer, I believe that the nitrate levels will be higher in soil after a thunderstorm.

Materials
• Nitrogen test kit
• Soil samples
• Major Lightening Storm
• Shovel
• Measuring Tape
• Paper Cups to collect Soil Samples
• Notebook
• Pen

Project #16 –LET THERE LIGHT
Ideas – Earth Science Fair Projects

Problem
If you take a piece of cardboard and cut different shaped holes, what image will the sunlight produce when it shines through these different shaped holes?

Hypothesis
I believe that the image will take on the shape of the cut out.

Materials
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Sunlight
• Notebook
• Pen

Project #17 - PROPORTIONAL PARTS
Ideas – Biology – Life Science – Human Anatomy

Problem
Is there any proportional relationship between the circumference of one’s head and the length of one’s foot?

Hypothesis
I believe that there is a proportional consistency between the circumference of one’s head and the length of one’s foot.

Materials
• Subjects
• Measuring Tape
• Notebook
• Pen

Project #18 – A GLOWING LIFE
Ideas – Chemistry – Glow Stick

Problem
Is it possible to extend the life of a glow stick using various methods such as heating it, refrigerating it, freezing it or placing it in a vacuum?

Hypothesis
I believe that the life of a glow stick will be extended by cooling it; therefore, refrigerating and freezing will be the best methods.

Materials
• Glow sticks
• Notebook
• Pen
• Refrigerator and Freezer
• Pan
• Stove
• Vacuum

Project #19 – CRAZY ANTS
Biology – Zoology – Ants Behavior

Problem
Do ants get dizzy? Are ants affected by circular movement?

Hypothesis
I don’t believe that ants will become dizzy because they don’t have an inner ear which in humans affects one’s balance.

Materials
• Ants
• Record Player
• Notebook
• Pen
• Container that will hold ants on the Record Player

Project #20 – THROUGH THE EYE OF A CAMERA
Ideas – Chemistry - Photography Science Fair Projects

Problem
Can near-infrared photography be used to find the best building materials for a house?

Hypothesis
I believe that because near-infrared photography shows how much near infrared rays are reflected or absorbed, I will be able to tell which building materials reflect the most near-infrared rays and therefore be able to choose building materials that would absorb less of the sun’s rays.

Materials
• Infrared Filter
• Digital Camera
• Various building materials
• Notebook
• Pen