research project 7th grade

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

NEW: Classroom Clean-Up/Set-Up Email Course! 🧽

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

50 Sensational 7th Grade Science Fair Projects and Classroom Activities

Mummification, oxidation, electroplating, and more!

Engage every student with these 7th grade science fair projects, whether they’re interested in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, or any other discipline. Plus, find interesting classroom demos, experiments, and hands-on activities to spice up your lesson plans!

To make it easier to find classroom activities or science fair ideas for 7th grade, we’ve rated all the projects by difficulty and the materials needed:

Difficulty:

• Easy: Low or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much anytime
• Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
• Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time or effort
• Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
• Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
• Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete

Biology and Ecology Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade

Chemistry science fair ideas for 7th grade, physics and engineering science fair ideas for 7th grade, 7th grade science classroom demos, experiments, and hands-on activities.

Want to learn more about animals or human behavior, the environment around you, or other life science topics? Try these 7th grade science fair projects.

Learn whether color affects memory

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Can certain colors improve your memory? This experiment explores that idea using different text, background colors, and blue light settings on devices.

Learn more: Colors and Memory at Education.com

Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. In this experiment, students use eggs to determine how soda and juice stain the teeth and wear down the enamel. (Bonus: Have students try different toothpaste and toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.)

Learn more: Eggshell Experiment at Feels Like Home

Extract DNA from an onion

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Learn how to extract DNA from an onion (most of what you need you can find at home, and you can get 95% ethanol at Amazon ). Then, turn it into an experiment by applying the theory to other fruits or vegetables to see if you can get similar results.

Stretch your mind with a flexibility experiment

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

Find out how important stretching really is by comparing the flexibility of willing test subjects before and after stretch exercises. This is a great experiment for fitness fans.

Learn more: Flexibility Experiment at We Have Kids

Construct a DIY grow box

Design a grow box using a cardboard box, foil, and a plug-in light socket . Then, use it for all kinds of plant-based science fair ideas for 7th grade students.

Learn more: DIY Grow Box at Uplifting Mayhem

Collect and control biofilm

Bacteria that accumulate on objects in the water form a substance called biofilm. In this 7th grade science fair project, students build an apparatus to collect biofilm and then experiment with ways to reduce the amount of biofilm that accumulates over time.

Learn more: Biofilm Experiment at The Homeschool Scientist

See if caffeine helps you type faster

People seek out a jolt of caffeine when they’re feeling sluggish, but does it really help them perform better? This 7th grade science fair project tasks students with answering that question using the scientific method.

Find out if all plants are phototropic

You probably already know that many plants grow toward the light. But do all of them respond in the same way? Test several types of plants to find out.

Devise a water filtration system

Plenty of homes use water filtration systems these days, but how do they really work? This chemistry experiment explores how charcoal filters impurities from drinking water.

Learn more: Water Filtration at The Homeschool Scientist

Determine whether text abbreviations are a new language

Kids are fluent in text-speak, but does it really count as a whole new language? In this 7th grade science fair project, students research language and the history of texting, then compile a texting glossary and consider texting’s practical applications.

Learn more: Text Language at Education.com

If you’re fascinated by test tubes, beakers, and Bunsen burners, check out these interesting 7th grade science fair projects and ideas.

Design your own slime

Chances are good your students already love making and playing with slime. Turn the fun into an experiment by changing the ingredients to create slime with a variety of properties, from magnetic to glow-in-the-dark!

Copper-plate some coins

Students need just a few simple supplies to perform electroplating, but the results are always impressive. (Get copper strips  and 9V battery snap connectors with alligator clips on Amazon.) Turn this into a 7th grade science fair project by changing up the variables (does temperature matter?) or items being electroplated.

Learn more: Electroplating at KiwiCo

Swab and test for germs

Germ experiments are one of the most popular science fair ideas for 7th grade students. Swab household items, school supplies, and more to discover what’s living on the items around you.

Learn more: Germ Experiment at Angelic Scalliwags

Spherify your favorite beverage

Spherification is a hot trend in top restaurants, but 7th grade science students can easily replicate it at home with a spherification kit . This is a cool chemistry experiment, and tasty too!

Test calorie counts in packaged foods

Ever wonder how scientists determine how many calories are in your food? Try this experiment to find out!

Explore mummification

First, learn how to mummify a hot dog using baking soda as a desiccant. Then, experiment with other desiccants or items to turn this into a bona fide experiment.

Play around with oxidation

Can you find a way to slow or prevent oxidation (rusting)? This is one of those 7th grade science fair ideas that’s simple in concept but has lots of practical applications.

Learn more: Oxidation Experiment at Teach Beside Me

Blow hot or cold bubbles

Blowing bubbles may sound like too much fun for a science project, but when conditions like temperature are altered, the experimental part kicks in. What conditions do you need to blow a bubble that freezes?

Learn more:  Bubble Life & Temperature at ThoughtCo.

Whip up some eggshell chalk

Use the calcium in eggshells to make your own sidewalk chalk. Then, tinker with the recipe to see if you can make the chalk last longer, resist water, or other variables.

Learn more: DIY Chalk at Kidspot

See the effect of acid rain on plants

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This simple project tests whether acid rain has any effect on plant life, using vinegar in place of fossil fuels. Experiment with different acid concentrations and pH levels for a more advanced version.

Learn more: Acid Rain Experiment at STEAM Powered Family

Explore the laws of motion, the science of energy, or STEM challenge engineering ideas through 7th grade science fair projects like these.

Drive a balloon-powered car

Engineer a balloon-powered car using basic materials from around the house (even the wheels are bottle caps!). Experiment to see how far or fast you can make the car go.

Learn more: Balloon Car at Prolab

Construct a geodesic dome

Budding engineers will love designing, building, and testing the strength of the fascinating geodesic dome. This experiment requires nothing more than newspaper and masking tape!

Design a solar oven

Students experiment with the best way to build a solar oven, exploring thermal energy, reflection, convection, and other physics concepts. They can serve up their experiment results along with their final reports!

Learn more: Solar Oven at Children’s Science Center

Lend a helping hand

This is a great individual or group 7th grade science project, as it encourages students to use and hone their design and engineering skills to make a working model of a hand. If you’ve got robotics skills, take this project to a more advanced level.

Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Build a model and test the amount of weight it can hold, or craft a full-size version to put Da Vinci’s plan into action.

Construct a water clock

You’ll blow your 7th grade science students’ minds when you tell them they’re going to build a clock using engineering that’s been around for thousands of years. The supplies are simple, but the results are pretty neat!

Learn more: Water Clock at STEAM Powered Family

Generate electricity

In this science fair project, kids build a generator from scratch. Turn it into an experiment by varying the materials to see if you can increase the amount of energy it produces.

Test the elasticity of balloons

Explore whether heat and cold have an effect on elasticity using balloons. Try this with other materials too to expand the project. ( Find more balloon science here! )

Freeze water in an instant

Explore the concept of nucleation (the process of chain reactions) by turning water into ice in seconds! Make this a 7th grade science fair project by trying the same process with other liquids.

Auto-feed your pet

Difficulty: Advanced / Materials: Advanced

Can you build a device that feeds your pets automatically? Even better, can you make it inexpensive and easy for others to build too? This project has real practical applications.

Use these classroom activities to teach human biology, mechanical engineering, and more physics and chemistry concepts in engaging and exciting ways.

Use Oreos to teach mitosis

A 7th grade science activity that doubles as a sweet treat? Your students are going to love this activity using Oreo cookies and colorful sprinkles to make cellular mitosis models.

Learn more: Oreo Mitosis at Ballin With Balling

Twist pipe cleaners to explore meiosis

Meiosis is similar to mitosis, but it’s specific to the production of gametes. These hands-on models use basic materials like pipe cleaners and beads to make the process easier to visualize.

Learn more: Meiosis Models at Science Prof Online

Teach about “Homer-o-stasis”

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Advanced

This is such a fun way to teach kids about the concept of homeostasis! Get all the instructions you need at the link.

Learn more: Homer-o-stasis at The Trendy Science Teacher

Sort jelly beans to learn genetics

If you’re learning about how genetic traits are passed along from parent to child, try this jelly-bean demo. When you’re finished, you can enjoy a sweet treat!

Learn more: Jelly Bean Genetics at The Owl Teacher

Design a pinball machine

Give your class basic supplies like rubber bands, plastic cups, and cardboard boxes. Then challenge them to create their very own pinball machines!

Learn more: Pinball STEM Challenge at Student Savvy

Conduct a carbon cycle lab activity

If you’ve got access to some basic chemicals, conduct this lab that helps students see the carbon cycle in action using their own breath.

Learn more: Science Lessons That Rock

Make a tea bag float on air

This easy experiment is a cool way to show kids how heat affects air molecules, making hot air rise. They’ll need some supervision with the fire, so try this out on the playground for extra safety.

Learn more: Floating Tea Bags at Coffee Cups and Crayons

Learn how salt affects density

Explore the salinity of various bodies of water, then re-create their waters to see if you can make an egg float or sink. Experiment with other objects too.

Learn more: Saltwater Density at Uplifting Mayhem

Watch the greenhouse effect in action

Climate change can be a contentious topic, so start by teaching kids about the greenhouse effect, which is easy to see and understand. Then, urge them to explore data collected by other scientists so they can learn to make informed decisions about topics like global warming.

Learn more: Greenhouse Effect at Teaching Science With Lynda

Blow bubbles to explore cell membranes

Kids are never too old to enjoy bubbles, so use them to learn more about cell membranes in this fun 7th grade science activity.

Learn more: Cell Membrane Bubbles at The Trendy Science Teacher

Marvel at a density rainbow

We learn early on that oil floats on water, but where do other liquids fit in? Students find out when they conduct this colorful density experiment that has them layer different substances, making a rainbow.

Ride the wave (machine)

Learning about wave action? Build this surprisingly easy wave machine for hands-on exploration.

Learn more: Wave Machine at Engaging Science Labs

Create a taxonomy system

Students can step into Linnaeus’ shoes by creating their own system of taxonomy using a handful of different dried beans. This is a fun 7th grade science project to do in groups, so students can see the differences between each group’s system.

Learn more: Taxonomy Project at Our Journey Westward

Bake an edible cell model

Sure, students could build a cell model out of clay, but cake and candy are so much more delicious! Check out the link below to see how one teacher does it.

Learn more: Edible Cell Model at Weird Unsocialized Homeschooling

Swing a glass of water

This classic science experiment teaches kids about centripetal force. Be forewarned: This could potentially make a bit of a mess, so consider taking this one outside.

Simulate natural selection with a lab activity

Travel to the Galápagos Islands and follow in Darwin’s footsteps as students explore finch beak adaptations in this clever natural selection lab.

Learn more: Natural Selection Lab at Teach To Serve

Participate in Project FeederWatch

Citizen science projects bring science to life for kids! One of our favorites is Project FeederWatch, where kids put out bird feeders and then count and report on their visitors. This is a great way to build a love of birding for life.

Learn more: Classroom Resources at Project FeederWatch

Experiment with basic substances to learn about chemical change

If you’re introducing lab work and chemistry basics to 7th graders, this easy lab is a great way to do it. They’ll learn safety procedures and get to feel like “real” scientists as they pour, mix, swirl, and more.

Learn more: Chemical Change Lab at Super Sass and Science Class

Assemble an edible DNA model

DNA models are always more fun when you can snack on them afterwards. Want to make this a healthier activity? Use fruits and veggies to make models instead.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model at Hess UnAcademy

Craft a food web marble maze

Combine a STEM challenge with learning about food webs in this clever project. Kids will love the hands-on aspect, and it will really help the learning stick.

Learn more: Food Web Marble Maze at Teach Savvy

Keep the STEM learning going with these 15 Items All Middle School Math Classrooms Need .

Plus if you like these 7th grade science fair projects, sign up for our newsletters and get all the latest teacher tips and ideas, straight to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

50 Top 8th Grade Science Fair Projects and Classroom Activities

Find interesting ideas to engage all learners! Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

72 Science Projects for 7th Graders

Looking for engaging science fair projects for a middle school science fair? Our handpicked collection of science fair projects for 7th graders is a great place to start!

7th Grade Science Fair Project FAQ

What are some easy 7th grade science fair projects.

Each of these science fair projects are easy for seventh grade science students do. Explore how glow-in-the-dark sticks work, discover how far apart planets really are, and make your own geode crystal with borax!

Chocolate Asphalt

Making Lightning in a Pan

Glow Sticks: Temperature Effects

Geode Rock Borax Crystal

Does Cooking Deplete Vitamin C?

Solar System Scale Model on the Sidewalk

Color and Taste

Uncovering Fall Colors

Growing Mold

Carbonation and Packaging

Science fair project details right above the FAQ!

What is the best 7th grade science project ever?

We love the Fast Food Nutrition project for seventh grade science students. This project encourages students to look more closely at the nutritional value of fast food that's easily available. This project is not only a research project on fast food nutrition, but it also gives middle school students the opportunity to interview willing test subjects about their eating habits.

If you're looking for more 7th grade science projects, check out the 7th grade science fair projects at the top of this page! 

Check out more Best Science Fair Projects →

What are some cool 7th grade science fair projects?

Get ready to be amazed by these super cool science projects for 7th graders! With just a few simple materials, students fascinated by the solar system, how things glow-in-the-dark, unexpected chemical reactions and more, will have too much fun!

Glowing in the Dark

Make Plastic from Milk

The Dissolving Meat Myth

What are 5 testable questions for 7th grade?

A testable question is a question that we can answer through a science experiment. To do this, we do a control science experiment, then we change one thing in the experiment to see how it affects what happens. This is how we can discover the answer to our question!

Here are some testable questions that our seventh grade science projects investigate.

Do detergents affect plant growth?

Can drink and food taste different just by changing its color?

Does the color of light affect photosynthesis?

Does temperature affect seed sprouting?

What makes popcorn pop?

Here are more testable questions along with their science projects →

What are the top 10 science projects for 7th grade?

These are our top 10 science projects for 7th grade, covering biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. Find out how sugary drinks affect teeth, make electricity with your own body or test your design and engineering skills by making a foil bug walk on water! These projects can be used as science fair project ideas or as a fun experiment!

Hamsters and Time of Day

Plant Density and Growth Rate

Water Strider Challenge: Make a Bug Walk on Water!

Human Body Battery

Left-Handedness and Mirror Writing

Making Antibubbles

Soil as an Electrical System

Tooth Decay Experiment with Eggs

Science project details right above the FAQ!

Can I do a 7th grade science fair project in a day?

Yes! Quick experiments or making a model can be a great option for a science fair project! If you want to do a quick science fair project, we have science project ideas on various topics to get you started.

The Solar System: See it in the correct scale!

Create your own sidewalk chalk solar system model and take a walk through space! Solar System Scale Model on the Sidewalk

Chromatography reaction: Separating out colors!

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Let's find out by in this chemistry experiment using chromatography to separate the colors of a green leaf! Uncovering Fall Colors

Heat reactions: Heat speeds things up!

Does the temperature of a room affect how quickly a candle burns? Burn Rate of a Candle

What are some hands-on ways to find inspiration for my science fair project?

There may be free admission days or free passes to a science museum near you! Check your local library for free museum passes, nearby science museums for free entrance days and your credit card for offers.

Find a science museum near you and prepare to be awed by all that you can learn there! I always learn something new and am inspired whenever I go to a science museum!

How do I start a science fair project?

What should I do after I have a science fair project idea?

How do I make a science fair board?

What is the scientific method?

What is the engineering design process?

Where can I find a science fair competition?

The www Virtual Library: Science Fairs website also has a collection of science fairs from all over the world, as well as national, state, regional, local, and virtual competitions!

The Edvocate

• Lynch Educational Consulting
• Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
• Write For Us
• The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
• The Edvocate Podcast
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Assistive Technology
• Best PreK-12 Schools in America
• Child Development
• Classroom Management
• Early Childhood
• EdTech & Innovation
• Education Leadership
• First Year Teachers
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Special Education
• Parental Involvement
• Policy & Reform
• Best Colleges and Universities
• Best College and University Programs
• HBCU’s
• Higher Education EdTech
• Higher Education
• International Education
• The Awards Process
• Finalists and Winners of The 2023 Tech Edvocate Awards
• Award Seals
• GPA Calculator for College
• GPA Calculator for High School
• Cumulative GPA Calculator
• Grade Calculator
• Weighted Grade Calculator
• Final Grade Calculator
• The Tech Edvocate
• AI Powered Personal Tutor

Teaching Students About the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Teaching students about joe rogan young: inspiring the next generation, teaching students about ma rainey: the mother of the blues, teaching students about bayer leverkusen: an introduction to the world of german football, teaching students about morphological awareness: enhancing literacy skills, teaching students about dave chappelle: a guide for educators, teaching students about the ionian sea: an enriching experience, teaching students about the santa clarita school shooting: a guide for educators, teaching students about the toyota previa: an innovative approach to automotive education, teaching students about super hero girls: empowering the next generation, 43 of the best 7th grade science projects and experiments.

Are you looking for science activities to do with your 7 th graders? No sweat. We have you covered. Check out our list of 43 science projects and experiments that you can try with your 7th graders this month.

• Yeast Metabolism with and without Aeration | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8 Biology experiment that evaluates the effects of glucose metabolism in yeast.
• Aspirin Absorption in Carbohydrate Solutions | All-Science-Fair-Projects.com – Grades 6-8, Does aspirin absorb into the bloodstream quicker if taken with a carbohydrate food? Test aspirin dissolution in an assortment of carbohydrate solutions.
• Bacteria and Toothpaste | All-Science-Fair-Projects.com – Grades 6-8, Do you know which toothpaste cleans your teeth best? In this project, you will row bacteria from your recently brushed teeth in petri dishes to find out the answer.
• Making Batteries from Fruits and Vegetables | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 4-7, Use veggie power to build a simple battery from a variety of vegetables. Which ones are the most powerful?
• How Do Roots Grow When the Direction of Gravity Changes? | ScienceBuddies.org -Grades 6-10, Plants respond to gravity by stems that grow upward and roots that grow downward. Experiment with germinating seeds and rotate them to make up down and down up. How do you think the growing seedlings will respond?
• Hydroponics vs. Soil Growth | All-Science-Fair-Projects.com – Grades 6-8, In this project, students find out if plants grow better in soil or a hydroponic solution.
• Puppy Proportions: Your Dog’s Early Months | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Find out how a puppy’s weight, growth, and proportions change early in their lives.
• Do Migratory Birds Like It Hot? | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Pick a species of bird and determine if there is a correlation between air temperature and where and when the birds migrate.
• That’s a Real Smile! …or is it? | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Can people tell the difference between a fake smile and a real one? Gather information from dozens of volunteers to find out.
• Build a Raft Powered by Surface Tension | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-10, Learn about the properties of surface water tension, and use it to propel a raft.
• Paw Preference in Pets | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 7-10, Are animals left-handed or right-handed like humans?
• Bat Detector: Listen to the Secret Sounds of Bats | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 7-10, Study the behavior of bats to find out how do they use echolocation to catch their prey
• Saving Migratory Animals | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 7-10, They’re here today but could be gone tomorrow. Examine the migratory path of a bird species and the similarities and differences between their winter and summer habitats. Recommend which locations should be preserved to protect these species.
• Which Metal Is the Most Resistant to Corrosion? | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Test several kinds of metal exposed to the air, tap water, and saltwater to determine which are the most resistant to corrosion, and which substances are the most corrosive to them.
• Ionizing vs. Photoelectric Smoke Detectors | All-Science-Fair-Projects.com – Grades 6-8, Learn how smoke detectors work, and compare the effectiveness of ionizing smoke detectors to photoelectric smoke detectors.
• Robot Movement | Education.com – Grades 6-8, Construct a robot equipped with sound/touch sensor circuitry. Run it through a maze to find out if it displays sequential or random movement.
• Repurposed Designs | Education.com – Grades 6-8, Identify items that need repurposing such as e-waste, batteries, and mattresses. Then get creative and Invent your own original repurposed design.
• Solar-Powered Robot Bug | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Explore electronics and solar energy by building the Frightened Grasshopper, a solar-powered bug.
• Stressed Out with Beams | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Test the load-bearing capacity of several types of beams, including I-beams, U-beams, rectangular beams, and T-beams.
• Build a Gauss Rifle | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Use magnets and ball bearings to build a rifle based on magnetism. Investigate how many magnet and ball bearing “stages” affect the velocity and distance of the projectile.
• Smart Medicine Cabinet | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Do you know someone who needs to take medication daily? Create a sensor that reminds patients when to take their medication.
• electromagnet?
• Grow the Best and the Largest Crystals | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Figure out the best temperature for making the largest, purest crystals using water and borax.
• What’s the Fastest Way to Cool a Soda? | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Experiment with different ways to cool a can of soda.  Find out the fastest way to get your tall cold drink.
• How Much Potential Energy Do Different Nuts Have? | Education.com – Grades 6-8, Explore the energy of living things. Prove that different varieties of nuts produce electricity in a series of experiments.
• How Salty Does the Sea Have to Be for an Egg to Float? | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Figure out precisely what concentration of salt in water is required to make an egg float.
• Washing Detergent & Hydrophobic Soil | Education.com – Grades 6-8, Some soils do not absorb water very well.  Find out why and if washing detergent and change their ability to absorb water.
• Make Your Own Psychrometer | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Make a psychrometer to measure relative humidity, then use it to measure RH in a variety of weather conditions.
• Do Our Storm Drains Keep the Ocean Trash Free? | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Test your local grated storm drain inlets to see if they’re up to the task of keeping plastic litter out of your community’s stormwater drainage system. If they’re not, work on improving the design.
• Can Water Float on Water? | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Can liquid water float on liquid water? Investigate how the density of water is affected by its temperature and salinity.
• What Weather Factors Create Radiation Fog? | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Make systematic observations about the weather conditions needed to create radiation fog. Can you forecast when and where it will occur?
• The Science Behind Tsunamis | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, Study the effect of water depth on wave velocity. Learn how tsunamis form and create your own simulation model wave tank to generate a tsunami.
• Killing ‘Vampires’: Saving Money and Power | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-8, In this project, you’ll identify electricity “vampires” in your home, such as computer peripherals and electronic equipment, that use power even when not in use. Find out exactly how much energy they use. Use this eye-opening data to help your family save money on electricity.
• Which Wheels Work Best? | Education.com – Grades 6-9, Experiment with how different kinds of wheels affect the speed of a skateboard.  You’ll calculate friction co-efficient and its correlation to velocity.
• Test the Efficiency of a Solar Cell? | Education.com – Grades 6-9, Find out how much of the energy from the sun that reaches a photovoltaic cell is changed over into electricity.  Predict how to position solar cells for maximum conversion.
• How Acidic Waters Make Rocks Disappear | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-10, Soak some limestone rocks in varying amounts of acidic water.  Determine how much acidity is needed to make them dissolve.
• Seafloor Spreading | Education.com – Grades 6-12, Use an oatmeal box and some paper to demonstrate seafloor spreading.
• Storytelling Alice | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 6-12, Create your own computer-animated story using Carnegie Mellon’s 3D programming software. You’ll learn computer programming with easy-to-use drag and drop tools.
• Modeling Darcy’s Law | Education.com – Grades 6-12, Model the underground movement of water, utilizing Darcy’s Law.
• Globular Clusters | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 7-10, Explore “star gangs” in the Milky Way and beyond. Globular cluster are compact groups of about a million stars that move around in galaxies. Use statistical data to learn how globular clusters help us better understand the universe.
• Demonstrating the Separation of Mixtures | Education.com – Grades 7-10, Separate recycled objects to illustrate how mixtures are created.
• Customize Your Own Drum Set! | ScienceBuddies.org – Grades 7-10, Build a drum set using household materials, a computer, Scratch, and a PicoBoard. Program your drum set to create a synthesized Hip hop, rap, classical, techno, or electronic drumbeat.
• Harmful Algal Blooms in the Chesapeake Bay | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 8-12, Harmful algal blooms affect the quality of water and impact people, marine animals, and birds. Study how water quality changes before, during, and after algal blooms.

Science of Learning: Metacognition in Education

What teachers really want during teacher appreciation ....

Matthew Lynch

Related articles more from author, 26 of the best 4th grade science projects and experiments.

Introducing The Edvocate Podcast

18 of the best 11th grade science projects and experiments, the real reason for using the cer framework in science.

What the heck is STEM? (And eight other questions you might be too embarrassed to ask.)

The Edvocate’s List of 31 Apps, Tools and Games That Teach Kids to Code

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Teaching Expertise

• Classroom Ideas
• Teacher’s Life
• Deals & Shopping
• Privacy Policy

7th Grade Science Fair Projects: Experiments, Model Building, Research, And More

February 18, 2024 //  by  Suzanne Bucknam

From homemade helping hands to germs and sugary drinks, we have all of the most creative ideas for science projects right here! Time to use the scientific method for some awesome experiments and impress your peers. Let us help you win your middle school science fair!

1. Caffeine and Computers

Can caffeine really help us focus more and work harder or faster? Write down some questions you want to answer and get experimenting with a cup of coffee (or two) and a computer! You can also use soda or another beverage with high caffeine content.

Learn More: ThoughtCo.

2. Bridging the Gaps

Grab some pencils and small rubber bands to build a bridge inspired by Leonardo da Vinci! Follow the instructions here and see how much weight your bridge can hold at the end. You can make it more challenging by setting a time restriction or making it into a race!

Learn More: Pinterest

3. Generating Amazement

This science fair project idea is sure to win you some blue ribbons! See what materials you need here and get started constructing your generator.

Learn More: Sciencing

4. Blowing Bubbles

Does air temperature affect whether or not bubbles can form? Answer this question and others with this fun and interactive bubble-blowing science experiment using hot and cold water and see what happens!

5. Homemade Chapstick

This science activity only requires a few natural materials that your kids can mix and match to create a completely unique lip balm. With just a few easy steps, they’ll use ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, and almond oil to whip up this useful project that they can then share with their friends and family.

Learn More: Ecoliving Mama

6. Bacteria Buddies

Collect and measure biofilm for your 7th grade science fair project. Pick a small container or surface you want to observe, submerge it in water for 2 weeks, and see what cool bacterial growth happens. Check out the link here to get started!

Learn More: The Homeschool Scientist

7. High Voice Helium

Here is some balloon science that is sure to bring laughs to the science fair. Why does helium affect our voice? Find out the answer for yourself by attempting this fun experiment!

Learn More: Physlink

8. LEGO Coding

Do your students have an interest in computers? Grab some LEGO bricks and learn the basics of coding with this fun and useful engineering science fair project .

Learn More: Little Bins For Little Hands

9. A Rainbow of Density

This colorful experiment looks almost pretty enough to drink! Measure the density of various liquids by pouring them into a see-through container and seeing how they settle in perfect layers.

10. Helping Hands

With a few materials, you can make your own working robotic hand! See what you need to begin here, and start using your extra hand to pick up some toys or have a glass of water.

Learn More: Science Buddies

11. Can Crusher

Did you know you can crush cans with air? Well, air pressure. It’s a matter of hot and cold water causing pressure build-up in the can. Follow the instructions here to see if you can snap, crackle, and pop!

Learn More: Steve Spangler Science

12. Cooking with The Sun

Are you hungry? Now you can roast your marshmallows using an old pizza box, aluminum foil, and a few other household items. See how to put your over together here and let the sun do the rest!

Learn More: ChildSci

13. Caviar or Juice Balls?

Your classmates don’t want to drink their soda or juice? Turn it into fun and delicious juice spheres using this amazing 7th-grade science project. See what you’ll need to transform your liquids here, and get mixing!

14. Acid Rain

See all the types of corrosion and how they are affected by pH levels using this fun 8th grade science project. You can choose any acidic liquid and measure the changes you see over time. Find instructions here and get experimenting!

15. It’s Dome Time!

Use newspaper, tape, and your amazing brain to create a geodesic dome that can support a surprising amount of weight. This is a simple age-appropriate idea for 5th graders but can be modified with more challenging designs for your 7th or 8th grader.

16. Climate Change in Action!

Teach your middle school students about greenhouse gases and the wonders of our atmosphere with this fun science experiment. You’ll need some glass jars, cold water, and a thermometer. Follow the instructions here to see how the sun can heat up the water and release the gas inside the jars!

Learn More: Education.com

17. The Power of Charcoal

This magical powder is used in a variety of liquid water purification systems and you can see it in action with this easy science experiment. Follow the simple instructions here to watch how activated charcoal absorbs and removes molecules from your water!

18. Bath Bomb Science

Bath bombs are great for a relaxing soak, but did you ever wonder if water temperature affects their bubbles? Grab some jars, a thermometer, and some of these fizzy bombs to test and see the results on your bath bomb science log. Find detailed instructions on how to, here!

Learn more: Steam Powered Family

19. Mummy Apples?!

Did you know that with a few basic household ingredients you can mummify your food? This experiment uses apple slices, but you can try this in class or at home with a variety of foods. See how to make these salty mummies here!

Learn More: Raising Arizona Kids

20. It’s A Germy World Out There!

Pick a room at home, or your classroom and start swabbing! Using cotton swabs, take samples from multiple surfaces and let them sit in agar and grow. Take pictures and notes on how the germs grow in a week or two. To see what you need, check out this link.

Learn More: Angelic Scalliwags Homeschool

21. Insect Behavior Experiment

There are lots of simple and observable animal behavior experiments to try. This one sees how temperature affects ant behavior. You can put a container of ants in the fridge and another in the sun and watch/record their movements.

Learn More: Ants Alive

22. Color Associations

Try this experiment out on your classmates to see how colors affect how we learn, react, and retain information. You’ll need some index cards and markers. See how to execute this experiment in a class by following the instructions in this link.

23. Pinball Fun

Pinball machines may seem complicated, but with some creativity and a few art supplies, you can make your own to show off at the science fair. See the engineering design process to build your own here.

Learn More: Science Museum Group

24.  Classifying Candy

Classification is a way to find similarities and differences within a group. With this fun experiment, your students will classify different candies to represent taxonomy and understand a little more about group formation.

Learn More: Our Journey Westward

25. Amazing Oxidation!

Grab some household items, put them in paper cups of water, and see if they rust. Watch as they react differently depending on the type of water (distilled water versus saltwater) and take notes on your findings. For more information, check out this helpful link!

Learn More: Teach Beside Me

26. Melting Ice Mixtures

See if adding sugar, salt, or other substances changes the melting speed of ice cubes with this fun and easy experiment. Follow the steps here and log your results!

27. Air-Powered Car

Can a balloon propel a car? Test this hypothesis yourself (in a mini version) using a simple homemade cardboard car and a balloon. Make a list of questions you wish to test and see if this is the future of travel!

28. Preservative Spices

This spicy experiment will have your brain and tastes buds tingling! See what spices contain the preservative ingredient “carvacrol” and how they react with dissolved chicken broth cubes by following the procedure instructions here.

29. Testing How Medications Dissolve

There are many brands of Ibuprofen out there. Pick up a few and test how well and fast they dissolve to see their effectiveness at relieving pain. Most medications need to pass into your bloodstream to work so this can give you useful real-life information. For tips and information check out this useful link.

30. Water Erosion

This experiment is a fun way to see how water and earthwork together to create incredible natural landscapes. Pour some water into sand and see how the sand moves around and forms trenches. Log your results and repeat using different methods and strategies.

31. Tee Off!

Do you like golf? Are you curious about how height affects your swing and accuracy? Try this fun experiment by getting some volunteer golfers, male and female, and 3 different tees of varying heights. See if the longer tee helps or hinders the velocity of your ball and record your results.

Learn More: Poster 4 Teachers

32. Are All Sugars the Same?

Test to see how sugar from different sources is processed by the body. Use water, honey, juice, and table sugar to test the reactions with reagent tablets. The results might give you a sugar rush!

33. Manicure Time

Grab a few different types and brands of nail polish from your local beauty store and test them out to see which last the longest. You can put a different polish on each fingernail and see how many days they take to chip or fade. Record your results.

Learn More: Supply Me

34. Germs Around Us

Test to see which surfaces have the most germs on them. Get a bacteria growing kit and pick some places to swab. You might be surprised by the germy results!

35. Portable Solar Energy

Build your own solar battery to charge your smart devices on the go. Follow the instructions here to put together your solar battery pack and see how well it works at powering your phone.

Learn More: Instructables

36. Remembering Different Fonts 

Does using one font help us remember the content better than if we were to use another one? If our teachers use Times New Roman versus Serif will we be able to remember information more easily? Grab a computer and some volunteers and try it out yourself!

Learn More: Science Fair Adventure

37. Keep it Hot!

Do you wish your hot coffee, tea, or soup never got cold? Is there a way we can keep things hot? Try out this experiment using different cups and materials to see which ones keep the heat in the longest.

38. Musical Study Session

Should classrooms have music playing in the background to help students concentrate? How do different people react to music and do different types of music affect individuals in alternative ways? Try this out with a volunteer classroom and a playlist of various genres.

39. Flowers in Time

Are there simple things we can add to our water to help our flowers bloom for longer? Does water temperature matter? What if we add sugar or salt? Test out your ideas and hypotheses with this experiment.

40. Pen or Pencil?

Test your hand movement/fatigue and note-taking ability with different writing instruments to see which works the best. Grab a few options: big pencil, mini pencil, blue pen, gel pen, marker, colored pencil. Use your classmates as test subjects and see what they think!

41. Dominant Senses

Can we feel more sensations in the dominant side of our bodies? You can try this out with 2 bowls, some hot and cold water, and a stopwatch/timer. See if you and your friends can last longer in the different temperatures with your non-dominant or dominant hands.

42. Light Up the Dark

Black lights are a super fun tool to use in any experiment with fluorescents. See what materials, liquids, chemicals, and natural resources glow under a black light and which do not. Gives reasons to explain your findings and if your predictions were proven correct or incorrect.

43. Green Thumb or Bubble Gum?

How can we make hybrid fruits and vegetables like baby kiwi and blood limes? Scientists and botanists have been experimenting with grafting for centuries, and so can you! Use some chewing gum as a way to hold the stem and cuttings together so they can grow into one new hybrid branch, and see how your new invention grows!

Learn More: 100 Amazing Science Fair Projects by Glen Vecchione

44. Vision and Eye Color

Do blue-eyed people see better than brown-eyed people? More specifically this experiment looks at peripheral vision in different eye colors. Grab some classmates with different eye colors and some objects you can place around their area of vision to see who can see the best and if there is a correlation with eye color.

45. Pop Pop POP!

See which popcorn brand pops the most kernels per bag. Grab a few bags of different popcorn and test this out with the same time and microwave to see which gives you the most pop for your buck!

46. Insulation Investigation

Get your kiddies to explore how well different materials insulate against the cold with this simple science fair project. They can use a variety of materials to insulate some hot water, then observe and record the temperature changes that occur over time with a thermometer. 

Learn More: Family Education

47. Earthquake Simulator

Shake things up at your science fair by having your learners develop an earthquake simulator. Simply have them create a shake table to demonstrate how different structures react to tremors.

Learn More: YouTube

48. Scratching the Surface

Rocks rock! Get your kiddos to create their very own hardness scales with this super geology project. They can perform scratch tests on different minerals to help them create their scale, and then compare their results to determine which minerals are the toughest in the bunch.

Learn More: All Science Fair Projects

49. Exploring Capillarity

Set your little scientists on a quest to unravel the secrets of capillarity. All they’ll need are humble paper towels, water, and food coloring to answer a pressing question: Does thickness affect speed? As they work, have them record their results to then share their Eureka moments with the rest of their class.

Learn More: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

50. Plastic Bag Biodegradation

This one’s for all the eco-champions in your class! Arm your students with shovels and biodegradable plastic bags before having them bury the bags in some soil to conduct a study on how fast different materials break down. A few weeks later, have them unearth their bags to observe the various states of decomposition.

51. Hydroponics vs. Soil Planting

Green thumbs at the ready! Have your kiddos plant seeds in both soil and a hydroponic setup. Then, over several weeks, guide them in keeping a journal where they document each plant’s growth. By the end, you and your students will have enough data to determine which method is superior for plant growth.

52. Floating on Salt

Have your learners navigate the topic of buoyancy with this fun, floating experiment. They’ll use varying salt concentrations to test if an egg floats better in salted or unsalted water. We guarantee that they’ll be shocked at the difference some salt makes!

Learn More: Science Sparks

53. Make a Compass

Challenge your kiddos to channel your inner navigators as you guide them through the mystical realms of magnetism. Equip them with a needle and a strong magnet before setting them loose to create their very own compasses. Get them to check that their creations work by comparing them against the readings of real compasses. 

54. Fruit Battery Power

This project is perfect for keen little electricians! Have your pupils connect wires to different fruits and show them how to measure which one produces the most voltage. Whether it’s a lemon, an orange, or a banana- they’ll soon discover the shocking truth about the power of fruit!

Learn More: Teaching with Jennifer Findley

55. Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamin C

Lab coats on, everyone! Your kiddos will love this activity where they get to become chemists for the day. Guide them in investigating which has a higher vitamin C content- natural sources or synthetic supplements. Using titration methods with iodine, they’ll quickly discover which source packs the greatest punch.

Learn More: StudyLib

56. Glowing Germs

Switch off the lights, we’re going dark for a germ investigation! Shock your students as you illuminate an unseen world for them. Start by applying a UV-reactive gel to commonly handled objects around the classroom. Next, break out a blacklight and let them observe just how easily those invisible “germs” can spread.

Learn More: Kids Activities Blog

57. Photosynthesis in Different Light Conditions

Let the sun shine! For this interesting project, your kiddos will grow plants under different colored pieces of cellophane and monitor their progress. Show them how to measure growth and assess the plants’ health, so that they can determine which light color is the best for photosynthesis.

Learn More: A Green Muse

58. Effect of Microwave Radiation on Seeds

Have your learners investigate the effects of a microwave with this next idea! Start by getting your pupils to microwave different seeds for varying amounts of time. After they plant them, help them to document the germination and growth rates. You and your class might be surprised to discover that radiation has its pros and cons in the realm of botany!

59. Homemade Barometer

Step aside, weather channel! Your students will be the new meteorologists in town. Start by showing them how to build their own barometers and keep daily logs. To take things a step further, encourage them to try to make connections between atmospheric pressure and weather conditions. 

Learn More: Housing a Forest

60. Impact of Exercise on Memory

Combine a workout with memory drills with this active science project to see if physical activity boosts retention. Get your kiddos moving with an exercise session and then get them to try and complete a memory test. On another occasion, try a memory test on its own and check the difference! This experiment may just produce a generation of fit geniuses!

61. Homemade Spectroscope

Invite your kiddos to step into the multicolored world of spectral analysis with this fantastic project idea! By using simple materials like a DVD, your learners can build their very own spectroscopes. Once complete, you can let them examine various light sources to identify their unique spectra of colors. 

Learn More: Buggy and Buddy

62. Homemade Compost

Dig into sustainable living by getting your kiddos to start a compost bin! As they begin adding different organic materials, they’ll be able to observe the differences in decomposition rates which will give them valuable insights into natural recycling processes.

Learn More: The Happy Housewife

63. Detecting Fake Silver

Real or fake? Let your students decide! Task your students with authenticating real silver using a variety of different methods. From checking its magnetic properties to observing chemical reactions, they’ll have fun exploring all of the various techniques to identify real silver.

Learn more: Kidal

64. Artificial vs. Natural Sweeteners

Let the sugar rush begin! Show your little scientists yeast metabolism in action with this exciting, hands-on activity. They can see the results of yeast on natural and artificial sweeteners by watching balloons fill up with the carbon dioxide produced by the reaction. This project will undoubtedly show them which sweetener really rises to the occasion.

65. Brine Shrimp and Water Quality

It’s time to dive underwater! Have your kids evaluate the effects of water quality on brine shrimp survival. They can start by setting up tap, distilled, and saltwater environments before monitoring which is most shrimp-friendly over the course of a few days or weeks.

Learn More: Home Science Tools Resource Center

66. The Sweetness of Organic vs. Non-Organic Fruits

Hold a sweetness showdown right in your very own classroom! With this fantastic project, your students will get the chance to use refractometers to gauge the sugar content in organic and non-organic fruits. Which fruit will claim sweet victory?

Learn more: YouTube

67. LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) and Light Intensity

Circuit boards at the ready! Have your learners set up a simple electrical circuit featuring a light-dependent resistor and then ask them to measure how its resistance changes with varying light conditions. What an enlightening introduction to electronics!

50 Best 7th Grade Science Fair Projects and Classroom Activities

Engage every student with these 7th grade science fair projects, whether they’re interested in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, or any other discipline. Plus, find interesting classroom demos, experiments, and hands-on activities to spice up your lesson plans!

To make it easier to find classroom activities or science fair ideas for 7th grade, we’ve rated all the projects by difficulty and the materials needed:

Difficulty:

• Easy: Low or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much anytime
• Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
• Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time or effort
• Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
• Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
• Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete

Biology and Ecology Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade

Want to learn more about animals or human behavior, the environment around you, or other life science topics? Try these 7th grade science fair projects.

Learn whether color affects memory

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Can certain colors improve your memory? This experiment explores that idea using different text, background colors, and blue light settings on devices.

Learn more: Colors and Memory at Education.com

Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. In this experiment, students use eggs to determine how soda and juice stain the teeth and wear down the enamel. (Bonus: Have students try different toothpaste and toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.)

Learn more: Eggshell Experiment at Feels Like Home

Extract DNA from an onion

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Learn how to extract DNA from an onion (most of what you need you can find at home, and you can get 95% ethanol at Amazon ). Then, turn it into an experiment by applying the theory to other fruits or vegetables to see if you can get similar results.

Stretch your mind with a flexibility experiment

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

Find out how important stretching really is by comparing the flexibility of willing test subjects before and after stretch exercises. This is a great experiment for fitness fans.

Learn more: Flexibility Experiment at We Have Kids

Construct a DIY grow box

Design a grow box using a cardboard box, foil, and a plug-in light socket . Then, use it for all kinds of plant-based science fair ideas for 7th grade students.

Learn more: DIY Grow Box at Uplifting Mayhem

Collect and control biofilm

Bacteria that accumulate on objects in the water form a substance called biofilm. In this 7th grade science fair project, students build an apparatus to collect biofilm and then experiment with ways to reduce the amount of biofilm that accumulates over time.

Learn more: Biofilm Experiment at The Homeschool Scientist

See if caffeine helps you type faster

People seek out a jolt of caffeine when they’re feeling sluggish, but does it really help them perform better? This 7th grade science fair project tasks students with answering that question using the scientific method.

Find out if all plants are phototropic

You probably already know that many plants grow toward the light. But do all of them respond in the same way? Test several types of plants to find out.

Devise a water filtration system

Plenty of homes use water filtration systems these days, but how do they really work? This chemistry experiment explores how charcoal filters impurities from drinking water.

Learn more: Water Filtration at The Homeschool Scientist

Determine whether text abbreviations are a new language

Kids are fluent in text-speak, but does it really count as a whole new language? In this 7th grade science fair project, students research language and the history of texting, then compile a texting glossary and consider texting’s practical applications.

Learn more: Text Language at Education.com

Chemistry Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade

If you’re fascinated by test tubes, beakers, and Bunsen burners, check out these interesting 7th grade science fair projects and ideas.

Design your own slime

Chances are good your students already love making and playing with slime. Turn the fun into an experiment by changing the ingredients to create slime with a variety of properties, from magnetic to glow-in-the-dark!

Copper-plate some coins

Students need just a few simple supplies to perform electroplating, but the results are always impressive. (Get copper strips  and 9V battery snap connectors with alligator clips on Amazon.) Turn this into a 7th grade science fair project by changing up the variables (does temperature matter?) or items being electroplated.

Learn more: Electroplating at KiwiCo

Swab and test for germs

Germ experiments are one of the most popular science fair ideas for 7th grade students. Swab household items, school supplies, and more to discover what’s living on the items around you.

Learn more: Germ Experiment at Angelic Scalliwags

Spherify your favorite beverage

Spherification is a hot trend in top restaurants, but 7th grade science students can easily replicate it at home with a spherification kit . This is a cool chemistry experiment, and tasty too!

Test calorie counts in packaged foods

Ever wonder how scientists determine how many calories are in your food? Try this experiment to find out!

Explore mummification

First, learn how to mummify a hot dog using baking soda as a desiccant. Then, experiment with other desiccants or items to turn this into a bona fide experiment.

Play around with oxidation

Can you find a way to slow or prevent oxidation (rusting)? This is one of those 7th grade science fair ideas that’s simple in concept but has lots of practical applications.

Learn more: Oxidation Experiment at Teach Beside Me

Blow hot or cold bubbles

Blowing bubbles may sound like too much fun for a science project, but when conditions like temperature are altered, the experimental part kicks in. What conditions do you need to blow a bubble that freezes?

Learn more:  Bubble Life & Temperature at ThoughtCo.

Whip up some eggshell chalk

Use the calcium in eggshells to make your own sidewalk chalk. Then, tinker with the recipe to see if you can make the chalk last longer, resist water, or other variables.

Learn more: DIY Chalk at Kidspot

See the effect of acid rain on plants

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This simple project tests whether acid rain has any effect on plant life, using vinegar in place of fossil fuels. Experiment with different acid concentrations and pH levels for a more advanced version.

Learn more: Acid Rain Experiment at STEAM Powered Family

Physics and Engineering Science Fair Ideas for 7th Grade

Explore the laws of motion, the science of energy, or STEM challenge engineering ideas through 7th grade science fair projects like these.

Drive a balloon-powered car

Engineer a balloon-powered car using basic materials from around the house (even the wheels are bottle caps!). Experiment to see how far or fast you can make the car go.

Learn more: Balloon Car at Prolab

Construct a geodesic dome

Budding engineers will love designing, building, and testing the strength of the fascinating geodesic dome. This experiment requires nothing more than newspaper and masking tape!

Design a solar oven

Students experiment with the best way to build a solar oven, exploring thermal energy, reflection, convection, and other physics concepts. They can serve up their experiment results along with their final reports!

Learn more: Solar Oven at Children’s Science Center

Lend a helping hand

This is a great individual or group 7th grade science project, as it encourages students to use and hone their design and engineering skills to make a working model of a hand. If you’ve got robotics skills, take this project to a more advanced level.

Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Build a model and test the amount of weight it can hold, or craft a full-size version to put Da Vinci’s plan into action.

Construct a water clock

You’ll blow your 7th grade science students’ minds when you tell them they’re going to build a clock using engineering that’s been around for thousands of years. The supplies are simple, but the results are pretty neat!

Learn more: Water Clock at STEAM Powered Family

Generate electricity

In this science fair project, kids build a generator from scratch. Turn it into an experiment by varying the materials to see if you can increase the amount of energy it produces.

Test the elasticity of balloons

Explore whether heat and cold have an effect on elasticity using balloons. Try this with other materials too to expand the project. ( Find more balloon science here! )

Freeze water in an instant

Explore the concept of nucleation (the process of chain reactions) by turning water into ice in seconds! Make this a 7th grade science fair project by trying the same process with other liquids.

Auto-feed your pet

Difficulty: Advanced / Materials: Advanced

Can you build a device that feeds your pets automatically? Even better, can you make it inexpensive and easy for others to build too? This project has real practical applications.

7th Grade Science Classroom Demos, Experiments, and Hands-On Activities

Use these classroom activities to teach human biology, mechanical engineering, and more physics and chemistry concepts in engaging and exciting ways.

Use Oreos to teach mitosis

A 7th grade science activity that doubles as a sweet treat? Your students are going to love this activity using Oreo cookies and colorful sprinkles to make cellular mitosis models.

Learn more: Oreo Mitosis at Ballin With Balling

Twist pipe cleaners to explore meiosis

Meiosis is similar to mitosis, but it’s specific to the production of gametes. These hands-on models use basic materials like pipe cleaners and beads to make the process easier to visualize.

Learn more: Meiosis Models at Science Prof Online

Teach about “Homer-o-stasis”

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Advanced

This is such a fun way to teach kids about the concept of homeostasis! Get all the instructions you need at the link.

Learn more: Homer-o-stasis at The Trendy Science Teacher

Sort jelly beans to learn genetics

If you’re learning about how genetic traits are passed along from parent to child, try this jelly-bean demo. When you’re finished, you can enjoy a sweet treat!

Learn more: Jelly Bean Genetics at The Owl Teacher

Design a pinball machine

Give your class basic supplies like rubber bands, plastic cups, and cardboard boxes. Then challenge them to create their very own pinball machines!

Learn more: Pinball STEM Challenge at Student Savvy

Conduct a carbon cycle lab activity

If you’ve got access to some basic chemicals, conduct this lab that helps students see the carbon cycle in action using their own breath.

Learn more: Science Lessons That Rock

Make a tea bag float on air

This easy experiment is a cool way to show kids how heat affects air molecules, making hot air rise. They’ll need some supervision with the fire, so try this out on the playground for extra safety.

Learn more: Floating Tea Bags at Coffee Cups and Crayons

Learn how salt affects density

Explore the salinity of various bodies of water, then re-create their waters to see if you can make an egg float or sink. Experiment with other objects too.

Learn more: Saltwater Density at Uplifting Mayhem

Watch the greenhouse effect in action

Climate change can be a contentious topic, so start by teaching kids about the greenhouse effect, which is easy to see and understand. Then, urge them to explore data collected by other scientists so they can learn to make informed decisions about topics like global warming.

Learn more: Greenhouse Effect at Teaching Science With Lynda

Blow bubbles to explore cell membranes

Kids are never too old to enjoy bubbles, so use them to learn more about cell membranes in this fun 7th grade science activity.

Learn more: Cell Membrane Bubbles at The Trendy Science Teacher

Marvel at a density rainbow

We learn early on that oil floats on water, but where do other liquids fit in? Students find out when they conduct this colorful density experiment that has them layer different substances, making a rainbow.

Ride the wave (machine)

Learning about wave action? Build this surprisingly easy wave machine for hands-on exploration.

Learn more: Wave Machine at Engaging Science Labs

Create a taxonomy system

Students can step into Linnaeus’ shoes by creating their own system of taxonomy using a handful of different dried beans. This is a fun 7th grade science project to do in groups, so students can see the differences between each group’s system.

Learn more: Taxonomy Project at Our Journey Westward

Bake an edible cell model

Sure, students could build a cell model out of clay, but cake and candy are so much more delicious! Check out the link below to see how one teacher does it.

Learn more: Edible Cell Model at Weird Unsocialized Homeschooling

Swing a glass of water

This classic science experiment teaches kids about centripetal force. Be forewarned: This could potentially make a bit of a mess, so consider taking this one outside.

Simulate natural selection with a lab activity

Travel to the Galápagos Islands and follow in Darwin’s footsteps as students explore finch beak adaptations in this clever natural selection lab.

Learn more: Natural Selection Lab at Teach To Serve

Participate in Project FeederWatch

Citizen science projects bring science to life for kids! One of our favorites is Project FeederWatch, where kids put out bird feeders and then count and report on their visitors. This is a great way to build a love of birding for life.

Learn more: Classroom Resources at Project FeederWatch

Experiment with basic substances to learn about chemical change

If you’re introducing lab work and chemistry basics to 7th graders, this easy lab is a great way to do it. They’ll learn safety procedures and get to feel like “real” scientists as they pour, mix, swirl, and more.

Learn more: Chemical Change Lab at Super Sass and Science Class

Assemble an edible DNA model

DNA models are always more fun when you can snack on them afterwards. Want to make this a healthier activity? Use fruits and veggies to make models instead.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model at Hess UnAcademy

Craft a food web marble maze

Combine a STEM challenge with learning about food webs in this clever project. Kids will love the hands-on aspect, and it will really help the learning stick.

Learn more: Food Web Marble Maze at Teach Savvy

Keep the STEM learning going with these 15 Items All Middle School Math Classrooms Need .

Plus if you like these 7th grade science fair projects, sign up for our newsletters and get all the latest teacher tips and ideas, straight to your inbox.

Source link

20 Digital Assessment Tools for Teachers (Formative & Summative)

This teacher uses ’90s pop culture to highlight the challenges of teaching in 2024, you may also like, top vendors & healthy picks, 35 diy obstacle courses for kids that anyone..., 60 best middle school books, as chosen by..., get these free worksheets and teach water safety..., 140+ iep accommodations special ed teachers should bookmark, 45 ocean facts that will amaze you, 70 fireside camp songs for kids of all..., 40 dolphin facts that will blow your mind, teachers are sharing the times they couldn’t keep..., best children’s literature read-aloud youtube channels in 2024.

7th Grade Science Fair Projects

Age-Appropriate Ideas That Are Fascinating and Fun!

Jon Feingersh Photography Inc / Getty Images

• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Seventh grade and middle school, in general, are a big time for science fairs because it's a wonderful educational level for students to come up with ideas to explore using the scientific method and ways to investigate their questions. Parents and teachers still provide direction, especially helping students devise manageable experiments and appropriate work technology to present their results. However, the actual experiment should be done by the 7th grader. The student should record data and analyze it to determine whether or not the hypothesis is supported. Here are some ideas appropriate for the 7th-grade level.

7th Grade Science Project Ideas and Questions

• Use a prism to show the spectrum of visible light on a sheet of paper. Mark the endpoints, which is how far into infrared and ultraviolet you can see. Compare your visual range with that of other family members or other students. Is there a difference in range between genders? Do family members have a similar range? See if you can draw any conclusions ​using the scientific method .
• Composting is a great way to reduce waste and recycle nutrients, yet some household products and foods are contaminated with heavy metals and organic chemicals. Devise a test to measure one of these chemicals and compare the concentration in compost versus that in the ordinary soil in your yard.
• Houseplants can absorb and detoxify indoor pollution. Do research to identify which houseplants are best at cleaning the air in a home, office, or classroom. Now, take the project to the next level and determine which plants are most practical, affordable, and useful. Make a chart of the chemicals the plants clean, whether the plants are toxic to children and pets, whether they can live in low-light conditions or require bright light or special care, how much the plants cost, and whether they are readily available.
• Which brand of ibuprofen (or the student could test another type of pain reliever) dissolves the most quickly?
• Does the pH of juice change over time?
• Insects can sense light and dark. Can they still see light if it's only red or blue, etc.?
• How well does a football helmet really protect against impact? You could use a skating helmet or any other protective gear, depending on what you have available.
• How does the concentration of chlorine in water affect the rate or percentage of seed germination?
• What is the effect of watering schedules on the germination (or growth rate) of seeds from a certain plant?
• How does the presence of a given medication in water affect the survivability of Daphnia?
• Does the presence of de-icer salt affect the movement behavior of earthworms?
• Does the bounciness of a golf ball relate to its ability to be hit long-distance?
• Does the species of wood affect the rate at which it burns? Its heat output?
• Does the mass of a baseball bat relate to the distance the baseball travels?
• Is the paper towel brand that absorbs the most water the same as the brand that absorbs the most oil?
• Examples of Independent and Dependent Variables
• 8th Grade Science Fair Project Ideas
• Chemistry Science Fair Project Ideas
• What Glows Under Black Light?
• Middle School Science Fair Project Ideas
• 9th Grade Science Fair Projects
• Elementary School Science Fair Projects
• 11th Grade Science Fair Projects
• High School Science Fair Projects
• Why Is the Ocean Blue?
• Questions for Each Level of Bloom's Taxonomy
• 6th Grade Science Fair Projects
• College Science Fair Projects
• Second Grade Science Fair Projects
• 10th Grade Science Fair Projects
• 5th Grade Science Fair Projects

Filter Results

• clear all filters

Resource Type

• Guided Lessons
• Lesson Plans
• Hands-on Activities
• Interactive Stories
• Online Exercises
• Printable Workbooks
•  Science Projects
• Song Videos

middle-school

•  Holidays

7th Grade Science Projects

15 Fascinating Science Experiments for 7th Graders

Sharing is caring!

Whether it’s for the science fair, extra credit, or just exploration, there are plenty of fantastic science experiments that seventh graders can do. Here’s a roundup of 15 fascinating science experiments for 7th graders or any child of any age really who is interested in discovering something new!! These are some of the best experiments shared across the web that are definitely worth trying.

15 Fascinating Science Projects for 7th Graders…..and beyond. 

#1 – check out charcoal’s purification abilities.

This experiment demonstrates how charcoal powder, or activated carbon, purifies water. Charcoal is used in many water filtration systems, but seeing it in action is quite impressive–and all you’ll need is activated carbon, dirty water, and a few jars! Click here for instructions.

#2 – Determine If Mint Is Actually Cooling

Sure, mint always leaves your mouth feeling cooler–but does it actually cool it down? Get the details with this fun experiment that only requires some hot water, a thermometer, and some breath mints to setup. Click here for instructions.

#3 – Experiment with what plants grow best in your home in a homemade grow box

This is such a fun experiment that your kids will love to do! Pick a various amount of seeds to plant and experiment to see which one comes up first, which one produces first etc. The possibilities are endless.  Click here for instructions.

#4 – Harness The Power of the Sun

Design the most powerful “solar oven” you can using whatever materials you have on hand–like a pizza box and some aluminum foil. Then, test the effectiveness of a few different designs and make calculations regarding how long it takes each oven, at what outdoor temperature, to melt a bar of chocolate in direct sunlight. Click here for instructions.

#5 – Measure The Effectiveness of Different Insulations

Have you ever noticed how quick ice melts when you carry a cup or glass outside? You may have even noticed that ice seems to melt more slowly when placed in a foam cup compared to a paper or plastic one. In this experiment, you’ll put these materials to the test to measure the effectiveness of each type of insulated cup–ranging from a normal glass to a cups with and without lids. Click here for instructions.

#6 – How Does Color Affect Your Memory

Are certain colors more memorable or stick out more than others? Find out with this awesome science project to see if your brain remembers things better if they are in certain colors!!  Click here for instructions.

#7 – See If You Can Prevent or Delay Rust

Rust is the result of corrosion, which occurs when moisture meets bare metal. It has long been a problem in the automotive industry and countless other fields–so what can we do to prevent or delay it? Test this out by using various products and substances (such as coatings and special paints) on clean metal and then dropping the metal into water to see what rusts the quickest. Click here for instructions.

#8 – Measure The Impact of Caffeine

Caffeine is a known stimulant and it can certainly give you a kick of energy in the morning, but does it really improve your speed or productivity? In this experiment, you’ll get to explore just how caffeine effects the body and if it really has any improvement over speed and efficiency. A typing test is a great way to measure results! Click here for instructions.

I am not an advocate of caffeine on a regular basis but discovering what caffeine does to your body could be an interesting experiment. An experiment could be done with how it affects different people differently. 

#9 – Find Out If Stretching Matters

Everyone tells you to stretch out your muscles for improved flexibility, but does stretching really make a difference? Find out by measuring flexibility before and after various stretches. Click here for instructions.

#10 – Use Cabbage to Test pH

Measuring the alkaline or acidic content of a substance doesn’t require pH strips. In this experiment, you’ll just boil down some red cabbage and use it to measure the pH of various items. The rule is simple: acids turn red and bases turn green! Click here for instructions.

I remember doing this experiment in elementary and then again in High School. Posters were updated and we ended up taking second place in High School…HA HA!! 

#11 – How Much Salt Does it Take to Float in Water???

This is an easy and fun experiment to do with eggs. You will discover how much salt it takes to allow yourself to float in water without sinking. Click Here for Instructions

#12 – See What Else Floats (or Sinks)

Most people know that oil floats in water, but the point of this experiment is to see where everything else falls. You’ll just need to take a few different substances and put them in a tall pitcher. Figure out the right order and you can make a rainbow! Click here for instructions.

#13 – Build a Generator from Scratch

Anyone can plug into a potato, but how about building a real electricity generator? With a few basic supplies, you can figure out how to do just that in this exciting science experiment. You can also easily expand upon this experiment by trying various things with the generator you build. Click here for instructions.

#14 -What do Sugary Drinks do to Our Teeth

Find out with this fun Science Experiment what sugary drinks do to your teeth! This experiment may have you think twice about how much sugary drinks you actually consume! Click here for instructions.

#15 – Testing the Effectiveness of Sunscreens

There are so many sunscreens on the market and some work better than others!! This is a fun experiment that can benefit others with your findings!! You can buy little beads that change color when placed under ultra violet light  Click here for instructions.

I hope you have found at least one in this list of science experiments for 7th graders and beyond!! 

Extended Research Project - 6th and 7th Grades: The Basics

• Primary v. Secondary Sources
• WSA Databases
• WebPath Express
• Washington State & Pacific NW
• American History
• Biographies

The ERP in the 6th and 7th Grades

What Is the Extended Research Project?

The Extended Research Project (ERP) for students in the sixth and seventh grades is a project in History class beginning in November in Fall Semester and culminating in a presentation in late March.  Through their work on the ERP, students are able to build their research, writing, citing and presentation skills.

The ERP in 6th Grade

Overall goals are to:

• Choose an historical topic from a prescribed list that is relevant, with available sources, meets the assignment requirements and is of interest to the student
• Research the topic thoroughly
• Learn and use primary and secondary sources
• Learn how to write about a topic with authentic voice and proper citations
• Introduce students to the library databases and resources available to them at WSA
• Learn how to use NoodleTools in order to keep track of works cited
• Learn how to determine if a source is credible and to extract information from that source
• Learn how to find and use sources that are appropriate for the age
• Learn how to present information in an engaging and contemporary method
• Discuss their research with unfamiliar yet supportive audiences

Scope and Timeline:

It is the expectation that the majority of the work on the sixth grade ERP will be done in history class rather than at home.

Fall Semester:  Sixth grade students will learn proper word processing, keyboarding, presentation and web platform skills within the curriculum of their Intro to Technology course.  At the same time, the ERP work will be concentrated in history class with specific writing and grammatical lessons supporting the project taught in English class.

By December:   S tudents will have chosen their topic, done the bulk of their research, documented the research on NoodleTools, practiced scaffolded writing assignments in support of the project and developed a thesis statement.

During January, February and March: Students will be concentrating on writing about their topics in anticipation of starting to develop a website as the final product.  They will use an online webtool such as Weebly to develop a website with the following components included within the framework of their site:

• Background Information of the Event
• Narrative Depiction of Events
• Historical Significance of the Event
• Specific Case Study or Narrative Story Relevant
• Bibliography

March 27, 2020:  Parents and other students will be invited to an evening event where sixth and seventh grade students will share their projects with attendees. Sixth graders will be expected to sit at a designated computer station with their website available for guests to view and ask questions of the student. Specific teachers, including the classroom teacher will be assigned as “Committee Reviewers” who will assess the students work at that time. 

The ERP in 7th Grade

Overall goals  are to:

• Choose a person of note in which to research
• Research the person thoroughly
• Learn how to write a five paragraph (or more) essay with authentic voice and proper citations
• Remind students of the library databases and resources available to them at WSA
• Utilize NoodleTools in order to keep track of works cited
• Practice how to determine if a source is credible and to extract information from that source
• Practice finding and using sources that are appropriate for the age
• Utilize research to prepare an original monologue written from the perspective of that person or someone close to that person
• Present the memorized 3-minute monologue to an audience of parents and peers (and the sixth graders) in costume

It is the expectation that the majority of the work on the seventh grade ERP will be done in their History and English classes rather than at home.

Fall Semester:   Seventh grade students will re-orient themselves to proper word processing skills and protocols as well as the library databases and the use of NoodleTools.  At the same time, the ERP work will be concentrated in History class with specific writing lessons supporting the project taught in English class.  In addition, the second semester speech class will support public speaking techniques in preparation.

By December:   Students will have chosen their person, done the bulk of their research, documented the research on NoodleTools, and completed a minimum five paragraph essay about the author. 

During January, February and March:  Students will finalize their monologues and costumes and spend significant time rehearsing for their monologue.

March 27, 2020:   Parents and other students will be invited to an evening event where sixth and seventh grade students will share their projects with attendees. Seventh graders will be expected to perform the monologue in front of the audience of attendees. Specific teachers, including the classroom teacher will be assigned as “Committee Reviewer’s” who will assess the students work at that time and ask questions after the student’s performance. 

Research FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How many sources do I need?

You will learn how to get information from both primary and secondary sources and will need to list those in your bibliography under separate headings for each type.  The guide line is:

• Three Primary Sources of various types including one text, one image and one additional type of your choice
• Five Secondary Sources with at least two books, one periodical (journal or magazine), and three web sites
• Three Photo or Image Sources

Wikipedia is a good place to begin research on topics and to get ideas but Wikipedia will not be an acceptable source in your bibliography.

How will I manage my bibliographic information?

You will use an online platform called NoodleTools to manage your bibliography which also will automatically format the final hard copy version for you. You will have a log in and password that you can use to access NoodleTools from any computer with Internet access. Your log in and password are managed by Susan Trower if you forget them.  Need help knowing how to use NoodleTools?  See the NoodleTools Guide!

How do I sort primary sources and secondary sources in NoodleTools?

Log in to NoodleTools. Click on your NHD project. Enter in the source. After entering it should return you to an overall list of all the sources in the bibliography for this project. At the bottom of the list there is a field that says “Select an attribute”. Click on the source you want to classify and then select “primary” or “secondary” for that source.  Do this for all your sources. Once done with that return to the top of the list of bibliography list. In the upper right corner there is a “Sort” field. As a default, keep the sources sorted “Alphabetic”.  When you are ready to print, sort your sources “primary/secondary” in the Sort field.  Any source not classified as primary/secondary will not show up on the list when it is sorted by “primary/secondary.”  

Where can I get more help with knowing how to use NoodleTools?

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the central idea of your paper and states an arguable opinion. It informs the reader of your focus and gives a general overview of the order of analysis it will follow. It appears in the first paragraph of a paper; on the main page of a web site; clearly articulated in a monologue performance.  It is essential to do preliminary research on your topic before you try to write your thesis or else you will end up with a weak statement.

Your thesis statement must be clearly present with no question whatsoever of its existence. The worst thing you can have is for someone who has seen your website or watched your monologue and left thinking, “It was a nice website (or performance) but what was the thesis statement?”  

The ease with which the Internet makes information available makes sometimes tempts students to borrow information without properly documenting its source. Poor planning and organization can make it easy to lose track of what you read and where you read it. When you present material that contains any ideas that are not yours alone without properly citing or crediting the original author; that is plagiarism.

It is important to carefully keep track of your information and sources in your paper management system as well as build your bibliography “as you go”.

Plagiarism is taken very seriously. Plagiarism can be detected with careful reading, simple Internet searches and plagiarism software. If a student submits work in first draft form that contains plagiarized material, the student’s teachers will make every effort to ensure the student’s understanding of what it is and how to avoid it. If any work is submitted in final draft form containing plagiarized material, the student’s grade will be severely affected.

ERP Scope of Study at West Sound Academy, Grades 6 - 12

Students at West Sound Academy will follow the progression of ERP subject areas below:

Grade 6:                 History

Grade 7:                    History or English

Grade 8:                  Science

Grade 9:                  History

Grade 10:                English

Grade 11:                Extended Essay (EE) or Senior Project (SP) in the subject of student’s choice

Grade 12:               Finalization of EE or SP

Middle School Humanities Teacher

Georgia Chehade

R1 and R2 Ryan Hall

Email:   [email protected]

Quick Links

Search the WSA Library Catalog - Small vertical

Find books, digital resources (ebooks), WebPath Express websites, and Open Educational Resources (OER).

The librarian is always happy to help you!

• Next: Primary v. Secondary Sources >>
• Last Updated: Apr 12, 2024 2:46 PM
• URL: https://libguides.westsoundacademy.org/erp_6-7

CommonLit 360 How to Teach a CommonLit 360 Research Unit

Olivia Franklin

Engage students with interesting research topics, teach them skills to become adept independent researchers, and help them craft their end-of-unit research papers.

CommonLit 360 is a comprehensive ELA curriculum for grades 6-12. Our standards-aligned units are highly engaging and develop core reading and writing skills.

Want to engage students in independent research? Looking to hook students with interesting research questions and informational texts? CommonLit has your back.

CommonLit’s 360 curriculum provides research units for grades 6-10 that will help students complete independent research and craft evidence-based research papers.

Get students excited about their research with Essential Questions designed around timely topics

Each research unit has an Essential Question that students analyze and discuss throughout the unit. The topics for each research unit are designed to be interesting, timely, and relevant to students’ lives.

Students will learn about the status of the world’s oceans, discuss if social media is beneficial or risky, argue if contact sports are worth the risk, research how branding influences purchasing behavior, and learn about the human costs of clothing.

Here are the research units and their Essential Questions:

Get students excited about the research topic with introductory slide decks

Each unit comes with introductory slide decks that preview what students will be learning about over the course of the unit. The slide decks spark classroom discussion, hooking students from the very first lesson.

In Our Changing Oceans (6th grade), students discuss what it would be like to be an oceanographer, preview the texts they will be reading about issues facing our oceans, and hear about the key skills they will be learning throughout the unit.

Informational texts anchor each research unit

CommonLit’s research units are centered around informational texts that provide students with key background information and research to eventually support their end-of-unit essay.

Four core texts make up the Essential Reading Lessons for 6th grade. These texts teach students about the need to protect Antarctica and how plastic debris, sea level rise, and overfishing are affecting the world’s oceans. These texts teach students important facts they will need to cite in their end-of-unit research papers.

Supplemental texts allow students to dig deeply into independent research

Each unit comes with a large selection of supplemental texts to provide students with more facts and information to use in their research paper.

In middle school, students use the provided supplemental texts to further inform their research. In high school, students learn about finding reliable sources and can use both provided supplemental texts on CommonLit and texts from additional sources in their research.

For example, in Our Changing Oceans, 6th graders choose to research one of three topics related to ocean changes.

In high school, students are taught about the beginning of the research process, including developing a research question, finding reliable sources, and reading and taking notes. Students in 9th and 10th grade can use the supplemental texts as well as texts found in books or on other online learning platforms.

Students learn about the research process and how to craft research papers throughout the unit

Each unit includes lessons about conducting research so students can be prepared for the end-of-unit research paper. Scaffolded supports help students move through the research process. In lower grades, certain steps in the process, like developing a research question and finding reliable sources, are provided for students.

Students learn about writing research papers during writing lessons. In 8th Grade, students learn how to discuss and outline research papers. Then, they learn how to write a counterclaim, format a Works Cited page, and use in-text citations properly. Each of these research-paper focused writing lessons will prepare students to answer the end-of-unit essay.

Students also explore how to conduct independent research in research-specific lessons. In 8th Grade, teachers explain that they have provided the first two steps of the research process for students: developing a research question and finding reliable sources.

In the lesson, students are taught how to use a graphic organizer to take notes on each text they read in preparation for their research paper. Students also engage in an Introduction to Independent Research lesson, where they learn about steps of the research process and begin reading and taking notes on supplemental texts. Later, students engage in a discussion lesson that will help them synthesize all the information they have learned throughout the unit by discussing the research question with classmates.

Related Media Explorations provide even more background information for students

Related Media Explorations are a unique cornerstone of our ELA curriculum. These interactive tasks bring our research units to life and provide background information for students to use in their research.

In 8th Grade,  students learn about the way football culture has changed over the past few decades as scientists learn more about the long-term effects of repeated concussions. Students watch three videos that explain the culture of football in the past and present, and analyze statistics about concussions before discussing the question: “Who is most responsible for shaping mindsets about tackling in football: players, coaches, parents, or fans?”

Discussion lessons help students synthesize information in preparation for their research paper

Discussion lessons in each research unit provide students with the opportunity to practice citing evidence from sources, explain their evidence to classmates, and practice synthesizing information. These conversations give students the chance to gain new perspectives, receive feedback on their ideas, and boost their confidence before delving into the research paper.

In 8th Grade, students synthesize their ideas about the research question through a class discussion. After the discussion, students have an opportunity to outline their research paper using both their discussion notes and the note-taking graphic organizer they have used throughout the unit.

Participate in an optional final project that fosters creative thinking and collaboration

Each research unit comes with an optional end-of-unit project to further engage students through project based learning. These optional projects help foster student creativity and collaboration. Students can work with a partner or group to complete the task.

In 8th grade, students must make a brochure providing prospective parents and student athletes with factual information about the benefits and risks about contact sports so families can make an informed decision about participating. Students must work with a peer with an opposing view on the topic so the brochure is factual and unbiased. This task encourages teamwork and collaboration between peers with differing views.

Vocabulary and grammar lessons build student comprehension and writing skills

Each 360 unit comes with vocabulary and grammar lessons. Vocabulary activities help students internalize high-impact academic vocabulary words they will see in the texts they are reading. Grammar activities help students improve their writing skills, teaching students valuable skills to construct carefully crafted, grammatically correct paragraphs.

Want to learn more about research units and CommonLit 360? Register for a free, 30-minute webinar today!

Interested in learning about our affordable support packages? For just $6,500 per school, School Essentials PRO Plus provides teachers with three  benchmark assessments, two unit skill assessments per 360 unit, personalized professional development, school-wide data reports, LMS integrations, and more.

We are eager to support your team!

Chat with CommonLit

CommonLit’s team will reach out with more information on our school and district partnerships.

7th Grade Research Projects & Citing Sources Activities & Assessment 7.W.7

• Google Apps™

What educators are saying

Also included in.

Description

Teaching your 7th grade students how to conduct research? Do you need students to cite their sources and expand on their research to answer more questions? This 53-page mini-unit includes all you need to check for understanding and mastery of W.7.7.

With this standards-based resource, students will have access to several instructional resources centered around conducting research, citing sources, and expanding their research. They will answer question sets based on the included instructional resources. This resource also includes several practice options for students with both independent and partner work included.

This resource includes everything you need to check for understanding, including a summative assessment with a rubric. All answer keys are also included, as well as a teacher guide breaking down the standard into learning targets and Depth of Knowledge (DOK) stages.

This resource includes both a printable and digital version that is ready for Google Classroom and other distance learning platforms.

You can use this resource: 

• To give extra practice with CCSS 7.W.7
• For extra writing practice
• For classwork, center rotations
• For assessments
• As a whole or in parts as needed

How will this resource help me?

• Easily assess where students are in their understanding of this standard
• Encourage students to self-assess their own growth
• Ensure standard mastery by assessing each objective within the standard

This resource includes:

• Teacher Guide and Digital Version Access
• "W7 Defined" Poster
• "I Can" Poster
• Standard Self-Assessment
• Key Terms Defined
• Unpack the Prompt Instructional Tool
• Writing Focused Questions Resource
• Research Checklists
• Mini-Research Project
• Tagging Options and Practice
• MLA Format Instructions and Tutorial
• Question Set
• Creating More Focused Questions
• Keyword Practice
• Focused Question Partner Activity
• (Instructions, Guide sheets, Rubric)
• Answer Keys

Here are some other ELA resources you’ll love for your middle school students!

• 7th Grade Reading Information & Literature Bundle: CCSS Assessments & Activities
• 7th Grade Reading Literature Standards Bundle ALL RL.7 CCSS Standards | No Prep
• RI.7.6 Author’s Point of View & Purpose 7th Grade CCSS No Prep Digital & Print

Remember to come back and add feedback after you use this resource! You’ll earn TPT credits that you can use toward new resources!

Questions & Answers

The sparkly notebook.

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

APA Style (7th Edition)

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

In this section

Subsections.

Welcome to Microsoft Forms!

• Create and share online surveys, quizzes, polls, and forms.
• Collect feedback, measure satisfaction, test knowledge, and more.
• Easily design your forms with various question types, themes, and branching logic.
• Analyze your results with built-in charts and reports, or export them to Excel for further analysis.
• Integrate Microsoft Forms with other Microsoft 365 apps, such as Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, so you can collaborate with others and access your forms from anywhere.