The good news is that many times, a model can be used in an experiment, and variables can be added to a demonstration, so that it can be one, too. Here are five examples of projects that are modified to become an experiment.

- How hot can a solar heater get? – First of all, finding the answer to this question may result in a fire! Make it an experiment by testing two different solar heater models. Construct two identical heaters, one with a glass front, and the other with a plexiglass front. (The instructions are live here.) Measure the temperature over several days, and see which one got the hottest.

- How can you make a potato canon? – This is a fun activity, and it demonstrates how cool science can be, but it doesn’t test anything. How can you turn it into an experiment? Vary the trajectory, and ask, “At which angle will a potato canon launch a potato the farthest?”

- What happens when you mix chalk and lemon juice? – Studying acids and bases is fascinating, but there are no variables – so it’s not an experiment. Change it up. Soak pieces of chalk in water, a basic solution, and an acid, and note the variance in the weight.

- What happens when bean seeds germinate? – This is a great lesson, but what are kids comparing? Turn it into an experiment by testing “At which temperature do bean seeds germinate the best?” Use different watt bulbs to vary the temperature.

- How do bones change when soaked in vinegar? – This is close to an experiment, but the project I saw didn’t have a way to measure the change. The results of a true experiment must be measurable. Come up with a weigh to measure the amount of weight the bones can support before breaking, and you may just win your middle school science fair.

Remember, an experiment is a test of the relationship between two variables that have measurable results that can be replicated. It amazes me that reputable science publications will label any sort of science activity as an experiment. It doesn’t matter that you’re still in middle school type of project isn’t right. You can do better than ‘real’ scientists! Turn a ‘non-experiments’ into middle school projects that will amaze judges, your teachers – and yourself!

If you’re looking for a ready made experiment, get one of our Science Project guides. They’ll take you step by step through the experiments, all of which follow the scientific method.

Here are the five projects in the Middle School Science Project package:

• Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow – Experiment to find the effect different hair products has on hair. You can test different conditioners or different ways to color hair. Most of the supplies for this project are as close your bathroom – and the head on your head!

• “C” You Later – This project teaches you how to make an indicator, and then use it to see if the amount of Vitamin C in juice diminishes over time. There are a ton of variations for this science project, and we tell you about them in the guide. This project has already won awards at science fairs.

• Yeast – Rising to the Occasion – Find out what makes yeast grow the best. Sugar, wheat, or maybe dog food!? This easy experiment always is amazing to do – and sharing it makes it even more fun. Hint: It would make a wonderful video to go along with your science board.

• Cheap Heats – You’ll get plans on how to make a solar heater from inexpensive or free products. We actually made one version of this project for zero dollars – scavenging in our attic and recycling bin for supplies! It was loads of fun to do, and we were warmed by the results.

• The Dirt on Dirt – Dig up some soil from your yard, analyze it, then test its water carrying capacity. We loved doing this earth science project! To do it, you only need dirt, water, nylon stockings, one tin can and some jars. We learned a ton doing the research for this project – and you will too!

But you shouldn’t take our word for it. Grab your copy of Middle School Science Projects today and get started on your next science experiment.

PS You can also find out how to get five MORE science project guides – a bargain if there ever was one.

There are a lot of advantages homeschoolers have when doing a science project – especially in the middle school years. If they want, the family can spend the entire day doing an experiment, without worrying about the bell ringing, being late to lunch, or missing PE. Reading, math, and even social studies can be centered around science. The experiment can be attended round the clock, if necessary.

Shannon’s family does a lot of science, but they’ve never entered a science fair. Since we have entered more times than we can count, Shannon asked me to give her some advice. Whether you homeschool or not, take minute and read my post Seven Steps to a Successful Science Project. You’ll find advice that will help you as you choose your science project.

While you’re there, make sure you get your copy of The Non-Scientific Parent’s Guide to a Science Project. Download it and save it; science project time is fast approaching!

PS Did I mention that The Non-Scientific Parent’s Guide to a Science Project is FREE?!

The following is an article by Chuck Lunsford.

Every science project is based on the scientific method, which is a step-by-step procedure that is used to prove or disprove your theory. Scientists in every aspect of science use the scientific method for every project that they work on.

The scientific method consists of the following steps:

Step one:

Write a research question. This is the question you are going to try to answer while doing your project.

Step two:

Research the topic. This will provide you with all of the information that is already available on your topic, you will get better results if you do a broad search on the topic, but you can also do a focused search.

Step three:

Write a hypothesis. This is what you think the answer to your question will be. You will be proving or disproving this statement in the next few steps.

Step four:

Develop an experimental procedure. This is where you are going to state how you are going to try and prove that what you think is the correct answer and you will also perform any experiments at this stage.

Step five:

Collect and state results. Here you will take all of the information you have obtained and the results of your experiments and record them in a notebook.

Step six:

Form valid conclusions. This step is the last step because here you are going to state if your answer was correct or incorrect based on all of the information and experiments that you have completed.

By basing each science project on the scientific method you are providing your child with an organized project that will help them develop important skills later in life. Depending on the exact project you are doing you might not have to use all of the steps in the scientific method and also depending on the age of the child you will want to gear the steps to their levels.

Here are three great reasons why you should do a science project with your kids today.

Reason one:

Doing a science project with your child means that you can spend quality time with them. Most parents do not have the opportunity to be stay at home parents so they are always trying to find more ways to spend time with their kids and a science project is a great opportunity. If you like plants you and your child can plant a garden and tend to it together, science projects like these require a lot of time and nurturing so it is not just an afternoon spent together. You can also involve your child in home improvement projects or you can spend the afternoon baking cookies or you can get on the internet to get a list of ideas and use stuff you have around the house or you can go to the store and buy a science kit.

Reason two:

Another great reason to do science projects with your kids are that you are teaching them how to make decisions based on the information that they find. This will help to promote your child’s critical thinking skills which will be relied upon more and more as they grow older. By doing this you are giving them the tools that they need to succeed in life.

Reason three:

By spending time with your child doing science projects you are sending them a silent message that is telling them that science is fun. The advantage to this is you might encourage an interest that your child was unaware that they had. And by picking a project that you are both interested in you can have fun while learning about something new. And kids have an endless thirst for knowledge, so giving them all of these opportunities to learn is a great way to quench that thirst.