How Science Fair Experiments for Middle School Differ From Elementary

If things are working the way they should, a 6th grader will hardly see the difference in their science fair project compared to what they did in elementary school. In the normal scheme of things, each year a little more is required, and the standards are raised, so that a sixth grader for the most part will slide into these experiments for middle school with few problems.

One good thing is that most science fairs are in the second semester, some even as late as May, so the initial adjustment to the work load that 6th graders go through has already happened. If they had to do a project in the fall, then it would add to the stress many kids feel in those first months of middle school. This is particularly true with science as middle school science becomes one of the major subjects with regular homework. By the time science fair rolls around they will understand the process the science teacher uses with experiments, and probably have done some simple science experiments for students to work on at home.

Middle School students are expected to do this science project on their own. In elementary school they often become family projects with everyone pitching in. The parents may do a lot of the computer work, and help if the home workshop is needed to build something as they are too young to use power tools. So many kids are used to the family gathering all the supplies needed and parents double checking to make sure everything is being done according to the directions.

Science fair experiments for middle school are often open-ended when it comes to the topic. This differs from most elementary projects where there are guidelines given for the topic. The youngest kids often are sent home the exact experiment to do. But if the fifth grade units is electricity, rocks, cells and trees, then they want the science project to be on those same topics. In middle school it can go both ways, they could give general topics, but usually they want the students to look around in their environment and ask a question, so they can learn to design a project that answers one specific question.

Many elementary school districts sponsor a 5th grade science fair, that is held locally so that all the fifth graders in the district can participate. They literally teach step-by-step how to do a science fair project independently. Assignments are given and every step along the way something needs handed in and adjustments can be made. Even how to make and organize the display board would be covered. By going through the whole thing one time, the next year when they first get their science fair experiments for middle school assignment, they will have a good foundation in place.

I maintain a website with some additional information on One Day Science Projects where there are valuable resources about great science fair projects [http://onedaysciencefairprojects.com/great-science-fair-projects/].

The biggest challenge can be in choosing the right science fair experiments for [http://onedaysciencefairprojects.com/science-fair-experiments-for-middle-school/] middle school to begin with. You need to get the best ones that also meet the teacher's requirements.