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Tell students you’re going to relight a candle without touching the flame to the wick. While you’ve got the candles out, try this demonstration. (Don’t be afraid of fire in the science classroom! Here’s why you should try it. Take it a step further by experimenting with the carbon dioxide it produces.
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Blow out a candle with a balloonīlowing up a balloon with baking soda and vinegar is the classic acids and bases experiment. Follow the directions at the link to build one, or challenge eighth grade science students to experiment with their own construction methods. Newton’s cradle is a fascinating way of demonstrating momentum and energy transfer. Learn more: Steve Spangler Science/Egg Drop Inertia Trick 7. (Worried about making a mess? Use plastic eggs instead.) When you knock the pie tin out of the way, the egg falls straight into the glass, thanks to inertia. This experiment looks like a magic trick, but it’s firmly grounded in Newton’s First Law of Motion. Drop an egg to prove the first law of motion In this experiment, students will see its effects first hand and brainstorm ways to keep it in check. Measure algae growthįertilizer runoff has become a serious cause of water pollution. Learn more: Science Buddies/Electrolytes 5. You’ll need a few special supplies, like a multimeter and an Ohm resistor, but they’re inexpensive and easy to find. Compare them with water or orange juice for a cool science fair project. Sports-loving kids will enjoy the chance to learn just how many valuable electrolytes their favorite sports drinks contain. Can they build a hand that can pick up a ball? How about one that can pluck up a piece of string? So many possibilities! Or encourage them to think of ways they can improve upon the design. Challenge your students to make the model as shown at the link. This is a project that can be tweaked in a variety of ways. Learn more: 123Homeschool4Me/Build a Lightbulb 3. Then, turn it into an eighth grade science fair experiment by tinkering with the various materials to make a lightbulb that lasts longer, burns brighter, or is powered by an alternative source. Build a better lightbulbįirst, use the steps at the link to build a simple lightbulb with a jar, some wire, and a 6-volt battery. In this experiment, kids water plants with different liquids, like rainwater, tap water, saltwater, and even soda.
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