| The idea of 8th grade science projects is to use | | | | To do the experiment, your child will start by collecting |
| scientific observations and experiments to come to | | | | four soil samples from four different areas in their |
| logical conclusions and demonstrate how the | | | | neighborhood. Try to choose diverse areas like a |
| conclusions were drawn. Depending on the complexity | | | | riverside, the municipal garden, the woods on the edge |
| level and the resources and time that will be required | | | | of town, and a backyard garden. These are just |
| to complete the project, they can be group | | | | examples; any samples will do as long as they are |
| undertakings or done by individual students. No matter | | | | different from each other. Remember, for control |
| what grade level is participating in science fair projects, | | | | purposes; take the same amount of soil for each |
| they are designed to challenge the abilities of children | | | | sample. |
| to experiment as well as extrapolate and explain their | | | | Each of the soil samples should be placed in a glass |
| scientific ideas. | | | | jar with the same amount of water added to each |
| Science fair projects are often center around biology | | | | sample to make soil solutions. The jars should be tightly |
| for a number of reasons. One reason for this is that | | | | close with their lids before they are placed in an area |
| it's easy for a child to experiment with concepts they | | | | that gets plenty of sunlight for the maximum hours of |
| can understand. Think about it, humans are also | | | | possible exposure. After ten days time your child will |
| biological beings. Another reason this is a good area to | | | | use a compound microscope to study the |
| explore is the necessary materials are ready available | | | | microorganisms that in the soil. Your child should take |
| in most homes. If you encourage your child's natural | | | | detailed notes of their observations in order to draw |
| resourcefulness, you won't have to buy a science kit. | | | | conclusions on which sample is best for use in |
| Here are a few good ideas of biology related science | | | | gardening. |
| projects for 8th grade students to experiment with. | | | | Study the Effect of Soap on Plants |
| Study the Skeletal System | | | | Other fun 8th grade science projects include studying |
| To complete this experiment you might have to find | | | | how soap effects a plants growth. The materials that |
| one of those plastic skeletons that are used for | | | | are needed for this experiment are also easy to |
| Halloween decoration to demonstrate that a baby has | | | | assemble. Your child will need four Petri dishes, four |
| more bones than an adult. While babies have 300 | | | | filter papers that are used to cover each dish, wheat |
| bones, adults have just 206. The reason for this is that | | | | seeds that will be equally distributed in the dishes, and |
| the fusion of bones in many parts of the body is a | | | | four different kinds of soap. |
| natural part of the physical development process that | | | | First, combine each of the soaps with water before |
| is ongoing from infancy to adulthood. | | | | placing each solution in a separate Petri dish. Be sure |
| The entire process of bone fusion can be explained in | | | | that the dishes are labeled with kind of soap it holds. |
| detail using slide presentations, charts, and labeling the | | | | Soak the wheat seeds in the solutions over night and |
| precise parts where fusion takes place on the plastic | | | | add 5-8 drops of the respective soap and water |
| skeleton. | | | | solution to each dish, every day for seven days. Notes |
| Study Microorganisms in Soil | | | | should be taken regarding the growth of the seeds in |
| These are 8th grade science fair projects, particularly | | | | each dish every day. At the end of the week, the |
| for the child that enjoys gardening. While doing the | | | | notes can be translated into graphs and charts for the |
| experiment, your child will have the opportunity to learn | | | | presentation. |
| how to observe microorganisms using a compound | | | | By using one of these ideas for 8th grade science |
| microscope. | | | | projects, your child can win that award! |