Middle School, Physics STEM Activities for Kids (2024)

Physics is the study of matter — what is it made of? How does it behave? What laws or equations describe it? From subatomic particles, to the Big Bang, modern physicists study matter at a tremendous range of scales. There's a whole lot of interesting physics at the human scale, too.

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Take the Science Buddies Engineering Challenge!

Try the annual Engineering Challenge from Science Buddies! Open to all students worldwide, a new challenge and prizes are announced every January. Explore the current challenge as well as ones from past years! Read more

Middle School, Physics STEM Activities for Kids (3)

Build a Paper Roller Coaster

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Have you ever ridden a roller coaster? Have you ever wanted to design your own? There are plenty of expensive toys and even video games that will let you build your own coasters—but in this project you'll make one out of paper and tape, and learn about roller coaster physics along the way! Read more

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Build a Balloon Car

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Build a balloon-powered car from recycled materials in this fun activity. You can even grab a friend, build two cars, and race them against each other! Read more

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Build a Popsicle Stick Catapult

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Catapults were mighty handy for pirates in the golden age of piracy (during the 17th century). And medieval knights used them centuries earlier for taking down massive castle walls. Even Greeks and Romans used catapults about 2,000 years ago! These simple machines are quite handy, as long as you know how to aim them! In this science activity you will try your hand at catapult technology. Can you predict where your cotton ball will land? Read more

Middle School, Physics STEM Activities for Kids (9)

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Make String from Algae

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Did you know that the seaweed you've seen in the ocean or even eaten as a snack is inspiring innovators to imagine new materials? Large brown algae, like kelp, contains polymers—long chains of molecules—that are more environmentally friendly than the ones in most plastics. These natural polymers (alginates) could eventually be used to create sustainable everyday objects. Try your hand at using a bit of chemistry to turn biodegradable polymers from algae into your own custom… Read more

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Make a Cotton Ball Launcher

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Have you ever stretched and launched a rubber band at someone? Put that energy to good use and build a rubber band-powered cotton ball launcher in this fun activity! Read more

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Build A Wall Marble Run

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In this activity, you will use recyclable materials to make your own wall marble run. A marble run is a fun toy and a great way to learn about physics concepts like kinetic and potential energy. Do you think your marble will make it to the end of the track? Read more

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Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction

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If you enjoy chain reactions and spectacular sights, this activity is for you! Who knew weaving unspectacular tongue depressors could set off a chain reaction of sticks flying in the air? Try it out and see for yourself! Read more

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Build a Telescope

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Build your own telescope that you can use to see far-off objects in this fun STEM activity! The type of telescope you will build in this activity is also called a monocular or a spyglass. Read more

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Build a Bottle Centrifuge

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Have you ever ridden a merry-go-round at a playground? Did you notice how you felt like you were being flung toward the outside, so you needed to hold on to stay in place? Scientists make use of this effect in a centrifuge, which is a machine that separates substances based on their density. They can, for example, use it to separate different substances within a blood sample. In this fun activity, you will build your own simple bottle centrifuge and test how it works. Are you ready for a spin? Read more

Middle School, Physics STEM Activities for Kids (21)

Measure Static Electricity With An Electroscope!

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Have you ever been zapped by a door knob or another person? It feels like a little electric shock and usually happens on cold and dry winter days. Where is this shock coming from? Why is it that sometimes you get zapped and sometimes you don't? It all has to do with static electricity, which can build up in some materials and then be transferred from one object to another. Sometimes you can even see a spark fly between them! In this science activity you will explore how well materials around… Read more

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Discover the Flaming Colors of Fireworks

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Have you ever watched a fireworks show and wondered how all the different colors — amazing reds, yellows, oranges, blues, purples, greens, and more — are made? The color, or colors, that a firework makes depends on what color-producing chemicals are in the firework. These chemicals are various metal salts that burn when the firework goes off, and burning the metals is what makes the colors. Different metals give off different, specific colors. In this science activity, you will get… Read more

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Middle School, Physics STEM Activities for Kids (2024)

FAQs

What is STEM activity for middle school? ›

Toothpick bridges are a common STEM project for middle schoolers. Many schools introduce students to engineering by asking them to build bridges from household materials like straws or toothpicks. This activity is great for middle schoolers because it tests their problem-solving and creativity skills.

What do 8th graders learn in STEM? ›

Students apply the concepts of physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology to STEM activities and projects, including making ice cream, cleaning up an oil spill, and discovering the properties of nano-materials. Through hands-on projects, students explore electricity, the behavior and parts of atoms, and sensing devices.

What is a STEM project? ›

STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through STEM, students develop key skills including: problem solving. creativity.

Is STEM class fun? ›

Teaching STEM in school can encourage exploration and curiosity in kids, as well as teach them about the world around them in a fun, hands-on manner.

What are the 4 C's STEM activities? ›

They became known as the “Four Cs” — critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. STEM is a natural extension of these skills, as it embraces each as an essential part of the learning process.

What is STEM in 7th grade? ›

STEM in middle school gives students opportunities to dive deeper into STEM subjects and explore more challenging concepts. Students at the middle school level can be introduced to complex engineering, robotics, prototyping, intermediate mathematics, computer science, and more.

What is STEM in Grade 9? ›

The Grade 9 science curriculum focuses on the fundamental concepts of science and on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills.

What is STEM in grade 11? ›

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

What is STEM 6th grade? ›

(Taken one semester, every other day)

What is an example of a STEM activity? ›

Marble mazes are one of students' favorite STEM activities! You can provide supplies like straws and paper plates for their project. Or let them use their imaginations and create marble mazes from any materials they can think of.

What qualifies as a STEM activity? ›

In STEM activities that start at an early age, basic knowledge about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is included in the play processes, creating an educational environment that enables students to learn while having fun.

How to engage kids in STEM? ›

5 Steps to Encourage STEM Interest in your Child
  1. Be a positive role model! Kids are always listening to their parents. ...
  2. Encourage curiosity! ...
  3. Get outside! ...
  4. Visit a museum! ...
  5. Find the STEM they already love! Another concept the Science Center often promotes is that science is truly part of our everyday lives.

What is the most popular STEM subject? ›

5 MOST POPULAR STEM MAJORS
  • Petroleum Engineering. ...
  • Atomic or molecular Physics. ...
  • Management Science. ...
  • Biological Sciences. ...
  • Network and system administration. ...
  • How can Rostrum Education help?

How do you make STEM learning fun? ›

How can STEM teachers make learning more fun and engaging for students?
  1. Use real-world problems.
  2. Incorporate games and gamification.
  3. Encourage inquiry and experimentation.
  4. Collaborate with other teachers.
  5. Involve students in co-creation.
  6. Seek feedback and improvement.
  7. Here's what else to consider.
Oct 23, 2023

What to teach in STEM? ›

While it is almost impossible to list every discipline, some common STEM areas include: aerospace engineering, astrophysics, astronomy, biochemistry, biomechanics, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, computer science, mathematical biology, nanotechnology, neurobiology, nuclear physics, physics, and ...

Why teach STEM in middle school? ›

STEM education is crucial for getting kids ready for their future careers. Younger learners in middle schools and older kids alike benefit from STEM education, as they get to develop their critical thinking and technological literacy, which are essential in today's job market.

What does STEM look like in the classroom? ›

STEM classes feature student-centered activities that interest students. They aren't likely to get sleepy when they're involved in a project-based lesson that asks them to solve a real-world problem. They are up and moving as they gather materials, plan, construct, and test prototypes. Noise is welcomed and normal.

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