Ten 8th Grade Science Fair Project Ideas

Look at Megan’s prize winning 8th grade science fair project ideas that include the problem statement, hypothesis and materials.

Megan
Grade 8 – Homeschooled
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 –
Live 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

Why don’t you come and enter the Super Science Fair Projects Olympiad and win a prize!