Need low-prep, inspirational science experiments for middle school? Check out these activities made for junior high biology, physics, engineering, and other topic areas.
For science teachers, there’s no better moment than when students understand a concept — and there’s no better way to teach it than with a hands-on experiment! Whether you’ve got eager engineers or boisterous biologists in your classroom, these science experiments for middle schoolers engage students and reinforce important lessons and concepts.
1. Photosynthesis Inquiry Lab
Projected Time: 1 class period
Concepts: photosynthesis, energy
Additional Materials: spinach leaves, 10mL syringe, straws, clear cups/beakers, baking soda, lamp or clamp light, dish soap, thermometer
When it comes to science experiments for middle school, nothing beats a good photosynthesis lab. Have students perform the experiment in one class period and complete the analysis for homework, or use the rest of a block period for students to complete individual analyses.
Middle School Photosynthesis Lab Cell Energy Activity
By Flying Colors Science
Subjects: Biology, General Science
Standards: NGSS MS-LS1-7, 1-6; MS-LS2-3; HS-LS1-5
This three-part cell energy lab teaches students about photosynthesis by exposing spinach leaves to different variables, including light/dark, hot/cold, and extra carbon dioxide. The resource provides all worksheets and instruction materials, plus an improved procedure for middle schools to ensure the lab’s success.
2. Rock Candy Experiment
Projected Time: 2-5 class periods
Concepts: solubility, crystallization, polarity
Additional Materials: wooden skewers or Popsicle sticks, food coloring, goggles, gloves, clips or clothespins, sugar, pots, glass cups, hot plates or stovetops
No middle schooler’s going to say “No” to a candy-themed lab! Teach your class about solubility and polarity with one of the most popular experiments for kids, and send them home with a delicious reminder about how crystallization works at the molecular level.
Rock Candy Lab | No Prep science experiment | Polarity Solubility Crystal Lab
By Science Pad
Subjects: General Science, Physical Science
Standards: NGSS MS-PS1-4, 1-2, 1-1
After watching a YouTube video and slideshow about the experiment, middle schoolers follow step-by-step instructions to form their own rock candy crystals on Popsicle sticks or skewers. The experiment takes two days to complete, and observation takes place over additional days.
3. Egg-Speriment
Projected Time: 2 weeks
Concepts: diffusion, parts of a cell, data collection, CER (claim-evidence-reasoning)
Additional Materials: chicken eggs, vinegar, water, food coloring, salt, group-chosen liquid
This two-week science lab for middle school makes a great lesson during Easter or spring. Pair it with a math lesson on graphing for an interdisciplinary project, or have students write a completed CER report in their language arts class.
Diffusion & Cell Membrane Experiment with an Egg – A Science Activity MS-LS1-2
By Mrs Proton Priest
Subjects: Biology, General Science
Standards: CCSS WHST.6-8.1, 1b, 1d, 1e; NGSS LS-LS1-2
Why can some liquids diffuse across cell membranes, and others can’t? Students discover the answer with a science experiment for junior high involving raw chicken eggs, vinegar, and an extensive CER lab report project involving graphs.
4. Splitting Water Molecules Lab
Projected Time: 30 minutes
Concepts: electrolysis, matter, elements, atoms
Additional Materials: measuring cup, glass jar, Epsom salt, 9-volt battery, safety goggles, tweezers, gloves, water, measuring spoons
Add this electrolysis science experiment to a unit on matter and atoms, or use it before a larger lesson on water during physical science. This battery-powered science experiment for middle school will be the talk of the hallways long after class is over.
Electrolysis Lab | Splitting Water Molecules Experiment
By Kimberly Scott Science
Subjects: Chemistry, Physical Science
Standards: NGSS 5-PS 1-1, 1-3, 1-4; 4-PS3-4; MS-PS1-2
Bubbles and batteries teach middle schoolers all about the fundamentals of electrolysis. This resource includes background information and content vocabulary, a reading passage with questions, and a hands-on activity page that includes two variables.
5. Parts of a Flower Dissection Lab
Projected Time: 1 class period
Concepts: plant reproduction, plant anatomy
Additional Materials: flowers (list of suggested types included), tape, scissors
For a low-prep, high-interest middle school experiment, integrate a lab on flower anatomy into your biology lesson. Have students bring their own flowers from home to ensure project diversity, or take them for a walk through a local field to pick native plants for their lab.
Parts of a Flower Dissection Science Lab — Life Science Reproduction Experiment
By Teacher Toy Shop
Subjects: Biology, General Science
Standards: NGSS MS-LS1-2, LS4-3, LS1-3, LS1-4, LS4-2, LS4-4, 5-LS1-1
Turn a festive floral display into a hands-on science experiment for junior high. With straightforward diagrams, experiment worksheets, and a crossword puzzle, the lab is an excellent choice for pairs, small groups, or even individuals working from home.
6. Eggshell Geodes Experiment
Projected Time: 1 hour
Concepts: geology, rocks and minerals
Additional Materials: rock salt, measuring cups, eggshells, hot water, food coloring, styrofoam cups, Popsicle sticks, egg carton
Showcase your students’ science and art skills with a geodes project involving rock salt crystals and eggshells. Consider creating a cross-curricular assignment with an art class to design an interactive volcanic “cave” or setting up a display for an upcoming Parents’ Night.
Eggshell Geode Crystal Growing Minerals Science Lab Experiment PRINT and DIGITAL
By LaFountaine of Knowledge
Subjects: Basic Principles, Chemistry, Earth Sciences
Standards: NGSS 5-PS1-3, 1-4; 4-ESS1-1
Geodes can take millions of years to form — but you can create eggshell geodes in just one class period! After reading background information about geodes and other crystals, students follow step-by-step instructions to create salt crystal “geodes” inside eggshells in an innovative science experiment for middle school. The resource includes both paper and digital resources for your convenience.
7. STEM Catapults
Projected Time: 2 days
Concepts: simple machines, engineering design, force and motion
Additional Materials: craft sticks, rubber bands, glue, soft projectiles (such as marshmallows or foam balls), wooden blocks (optional)
Looking for STEM activities for middle school? Connect a STEM catapult lab to a social studies medieval history lesson, or host a catapult tournament for middle schoolers to test their creations against each other.
STEM Challenge Catapult Experiment & Design Problem-Solving Elementary Activity
By Teachers Are Terrific – STEM Activities
Subjects: Engineering, Measurement, Problem Solving
Standards: NGSS 4-PS3-4, 3-1; 3-5-ETS1-3, 1-1, 1-2
Ideal for older elementary and middle school classes, this resource comes with teacher directions, student directions, extension options, background information on catapults, and a lab sheet. All forms are editable for you to personalize the lab based on your class needs.
8. Diffusion and Osmosis Lab
Projected Time: 90 minutes
Concepts: diffusion, osmosis, cellular transport, parts of a cell
Additional Materials: dialysis tubing, string, glucose solution, glucose test strips, beakers, starch solution, iodine
Made for older middle schoolers and high schoolers, this lab is a great addition to any lesson on the parts of a cell or nonliving cell membranes. Assign it to pairs or small groups, and have students work together to come up with the most creative substances possible before solving the final analysis.
Osmosis and Diffusion Lab Cell Cellular Transport Across Membranes
By Amy Brown Science
Subjects: Biology, General Science
Standards: CCSS RST.6-8.3, RST.9-10.3
You don’t need a microscope to see this demonstration on cellular transport. With dialysis tubing and glucose tubing, students observe how cell membranes are only permeable to certain substances. Editable student handouts and procedures, plus an answer key for easy editing, make this a no-worry project for any biology class.
More Popular Science Experiments for Middle School
There’s more science where that came from. Get young scientists thinking — and working — with more enjoyable science experiments for middle school aligned to 6th-8th grade NGSS. Topics for fun experiments with this age group include matter, motion, energy, ecosystems, biological evolution, and engineering design.
- Solar ovens
- Balloon cars
- Orange peel plate tectonics
- Egg drop models
- Water bottle rockets
- Flying tea bags
- Indoor gardens
- Popsicle stick bridges
- Potato clocks
- Baking soda volcanoes
If you’re looking for ways to engage students even more, give groups a choice of projects that demonstrate concepts from the unit or semester. Have them perform their experiments in front of the class for some public speaking practice!
Experiment with middle school science
Finding those moments of inspiration is everything to a science teacher. Whether it’s Earth Day activities or classroom activities with AI, find memorable ways to connect to your middle schoolers without adding more planning or prep to your busy schedule.
For more science experiments for middle school, including middle school science fair projects and research ideas, browse TPT’s middle school science resources. There you’ll find ideas for every concept under the sun — including lessons about the sun! — and the resources you need to reinforce them.
