Grades 6–8
These exciting, interdisciplinary resources are easy to do at home with everyday materials. Keep your middle schooler’s science skills sharp and have a little fun along the way!
Kinetic Art: Sculptures in Motion
In this investigation, students create and study unique sculptures that move in interesting ways when acted upon by the force of the wind. Focus on pages 38–40 (brief article) and 2–5 (activity).
Rocket Activity: Soda Can “Hero Engine”
Construct water-propelled engines from soda cans and investigate ways to increase the action-reaction thrust produced by water shooting out of the cans.
E-Book: The Index Elephant
In this story, young students track a mysterious illness that is killing baby elephants. They learn how doctors and scientists identified the pathogen, found a treatment, and are working to make a vaccine.
What Is a Neuron?
Build a model neuron (nerve cell) using easy-to-find items, and learn the structure and function of these specialized cells of the nervous system.
Energy for Life
Conduct a real science experiment in your kitchen! Students observe what happens when yeast (a single-celled fungus) is provided with food (table sugar).
Heart Rate and Exercise
Students learn how to measure heart rate by taking a pulse. Use the “Procedures” tab to conduct an experiment to determine the effects of exercise on heart rate.
Gravity and Buoyancy
Students use water in a plastic bag to predict and model the effects of gravity and buoyancy.
They infer how their findings might impact astronauts during spaceflight.