earth space science Archives - Secondary Sparks https://secondarysparks.com/tag/earth-space-science/ A Teaching Blog Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:31:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-SubmarkLogo-Final-32x32.png earth space science Archives - Secondary Sparks https://secondarysparks.com/tag/earth-space-science/ 32 32 189191481 Easy Science Experiments at Home for Hands-On Learning https://secondarysparks.com/easy-science-experiments-at-home-for-hands-on-learning/ https://secondarysparks.com/easy-science-experiments-at-home-for-hands-on-learning/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:27:18 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=7556 Looking for easy science experiments at home? These simple, hands-on activities use everyday materials to make science fun, engaging, and easy to do right at your kitchen table.

The post Easy Science Experiments at Home for Hands-On Learning appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]>

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I want to do more science experiments at home, but where do I even start?” you’re definitely not alone. 

Between planning lessons, managing your day, and trying to keep things engaging, homeschool science can quickly start to feel overwhelming. Especially when it seems like every experiment requires special materials or a ton of prep. 

The truth? It doesn’t have to be that way. 

Some of the most effective easy science experiments at home use simple, everyday materials and can be done right at your kitchen table. No lab equipment. No complicated setup. Just real, hands-on learning that actually sticks. 

Research shows students learn science best when they’re actively:

  • observing
  • experimenting
  • exploring

And that’s exactly what these types of activities encourage.

One of the biggest advantages of learning at home is flexibility. You can slow down, follow your child’s curiosity, and turn everyday moments into real learning experiences. No fancy lab required.

In this post, you’ll find simple, engaging, and easy science experiments at home that help bring big concepts to life without overwhelming your day.

Easy science experiments at home: ice cream in a bag lab

Let’s start with a favorite because anytime food is involved, engagement is basically guaranteed. This activity is a fun and memorable way to explore states of matter and thermal energy.

Students get to explore concepts like states of matter, freezing points, and thermal energy transfer all while making something delicious.

Easy science experiments at home: ice cream food lab
Download the Ice Cream Lab

To try it, simply mix milk, sugar, and vanilla in a small bag. Then, place that bag inside a larger bag filled with ice and salt, seal it up, and shake! After a few minutes, the liquid mixture transforms into ice cream. For an easy setup, this  Ice Cream in a Bag Lab includes a student lab sheet, clear instructions, explanation questions, and both printable and digital formats.

Key concepts explored:

  • How states of matter change
  • The concept of freezing points
  • How thermal energy moves between substances

The science behind it is just as cool as the treat itself: salt lowers the freezing point of ice, pulling heat away from the milk mixture faster and allowing it to freeze. It’s a simple way for students to see energy transfer in action and taste it too.

Explore heat transfer with a s’mores lab

In this s’mores lab, students will observe how chocolate and marshmallows melt and identify the type of heat transfer at work, whether it’s conduction, convection, or radiation. They will see firsthand how energy moves through different materials, making the concepts of heat transfer real and memorable.

s'mores lab for thermal energy transfer with graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallow
Try this s'mores lab

What students discover:

  • The three types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation
  • How heat moves through different materials
  • How energy can change the state of matter

Plate tectonics made simple with edible models

Plate tectonics might seem complicated, but this edible experiment turns it into something you can see and touch. Using snack foods, students can model how Earth’s plates move and actually see the results in action.

Plate Tectonics Food Lab in middle school
Save Time with This Ready-to-Go Lab

They use graham crackers for continental plates, frosting for magma, and fruit roll-ups for oceanic plates. By pressing, sliding, and pulling the “plates,” students explore how the Earth’s crust behaves at different boundaries:

Concepts in action:

  • Convergent boundaries: plates collide
  • Divergent boundaries: plates move apart
  • Transform boundaries: plates slide past each other

Hands-on modeling turns concepts that are usually just words in a textbook into something students can touch, manipulate, and understand.

The Plate Tectonics Edible Food Lab comes with step-by-step instructions, discussion questions, a student worksheet, and both digital and editable options—making it an easy science experiment at home that’s as fun as it is educational.

Oreo moon phases activity for visual learning

This classic at-home science activity is simple, interactive, and let’s be honest, delicious. Students twist apart Oreo cookies and use the frosting to recreate each phase of the moon, then arrange them in order.

Through this, students will explore why the moon appears to change shape and how the moon orbits Earth.

This activity turns an abstract space concept into a concrete, hands-on experience that students can see, touch, and remember. Minimal setup and maximum engagement make it one of the easiest easy science experiments at home, and one your students will ask to do again and again.

Why hands-on experiments work so well

There’s a reason these activities are so effective. They tap into how kids naturally learn. 

Hands-on learning helps students: 

  • Remember concepts longer
  • Connect science to real life
  • Stay engaged
  • Build critical thinking skills 

And for parents, these kinds of easy science experiments at home can make teaching feel much more doable. You don’t need a science background. You just need a willingness to explore alongside your child.

Tips for successful easy science experiments at home

Getting started with hands-on science at home doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple and focus on curiosity over perfection. Here are some practical tips to make experiments both fun and meaningful. 

  • Embrace imperfection – Experiments don’t always go as planned and that’s okay. Some of the best learning happens when things don’t go the way you expect. 
  • Start with predictions – Ask your child, “What do you think will happen?” This encourages critical thinking before the experiment even begins. 
  • Encourage questions – Let your child wonder out loud and ask questions. Curiosity is where real learning happens. 
  • Discuss the results – After the experiment, reflect together: What did you notice? What surprised you? Why do you think that happened?
  • Focus on understanding, not memorization – The goal isn’t to get the “right” answer, it’s to make sense of what’s happening. This approach builds confidence and deeper learning in science.

Making science fun, simple, and memorable

 With a few simple materials and a little curiosity, you can turn everyday moments into exciting learning experiences. These easy science experiments at home are about helping your child explore new ideas, think like a scientist, and stay curious. 

Start with one activity. Keep it simple. See where it lands. 

You might be surprised at just how much learning can happen right at your kitchen table.

The post Easy Science Experiments at Home for Hands-On Learning appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/easy-science-experiments-at-home-for-hands-on-learning/feed/ 0 7556 Easy Outdoor Science Activities for Middle School Students this Spring https://secondarysparks.com/easy-outdoor-science-activities-for-middle-school-students-this-spring/ https://secondarysparks.com/easy-outdoor-science-activities-for-middle-school-students-this-spring/#respond Thu, 08 May 2025 22:25:19 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=6240 Take science outside this spring! These outdoor science activities are perfect for middle school classrooms—fun, hands-on ways to explore physical, earth, and life science while enjoying the sunshine.

The post Easy Outdoor Science Activities for Middle School Students this Spring appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]>

Spring is in the air, and you know what that means — it’s time to get outside, soak up some sunshine, and spark a little extra excitement in your middle school science classroom! The weather this time of year is too good to pass up, and giving students a chance to get outside is the perfect way to mix up the routine while sneaking in some learning through easy outdoor science activities.

Plus, stepping outside the four walls of the classroom can help students see science in action — not just on a worksheet or in a textbook. There’s so much happening right outside your door that ties beautifully into your curriculum (maybe even in ways you haven’t thought of yet).

Middle School Physical Science Activities to Try Outside

Race Against Time: An Outdoor Science Activity for Speed, Distance, and Time

Distance-time graphs and average speed problems can feel a bit boring when they stay on the page. But getting students outside and physically involved in the process can completely change their perspective.

One of my favorite outdoor science activities for this concept is the running lab. This lab is a hand-on, high-energy way for students to apply what they’ve learned.

Running Lab for Outdoor Science Activities

Here’s how to set it up: 

  • Choose your track: Use your school’s track if available, or measure out a set distance on the playground or sidewalk. 
  • Group your students: Each group needs a runner (or walker), a timer, and a recorder 
  • Complete three trials: Every student should complete at least three timed runs or walks 
  • Calculate and graph: Students calculate their average speed from the data and create a distance-time graph to represent their motion

This activity not only boosts engagement, but also helps students connect movement and math in a real-world, memorable way.

TIP: If you’ve got students who would rather walk than run, no problem — they can calculate their walking speed instead.

Get the Running Lab

Sound Waves in Action: Try the Classic Cup-and-String Experiment

Remember playing telephone with cups and string as a kid? Bring that same energy to your classroom by letting students experiment with different lengths of string. They’ll see firsthand how sound waves travel through a medium — and you can even make it extra fun by playing music quietly through the cup and having partners guess the song!

Cup-and-String Middle School Experiment

Newton’s Laws in Action: The Ultimate Outdoor Olympics

Set up outside stations that each demonstrate one of Newton’s Laws of Motion. Students rotate through the stations, figure out which law is being represented, and explain why. It’s hands-on, it’s active, and it gets everyone thinking critically about how physics shows up in the real world.

Explore More Forces & Newton's Laws of Motion Activities

Sunny Science: Investigating Thermal Energy Transfer

Have students place objects in different locations and measure temperature changes.

  • Sunny spots
  • Shady spots
  • The sidewalk

They’ll collect data and discuss how conduction, convection, and radiation each play a role. It’s an easy way to connect abstract concepts to everyday life.

Earth and Space Science Activities to Explore Outside

Mapping the Stars: An Outdoor Science Activity to Model the Solar System

Think your students know how far Neptune is from the sun? Think again. Middle school science teachers love this hands-on solar system lesson plan because it’s: 

  • Highly visual – Perfect for helping students grasp planetary scale and distance
  • Kinesthetic – Students physically place planets at scaled distances
  • Unforgettable – the massive gap between the inner and outer planets always gets a reaction! 

Using an Inflatable Solar System Set and a Mapping Tool, students space out the planets across your classroom—instantly grasping the scale of the solar system. Have students space the planets according to their distance from the sun. 

The visual impact (especially the distance between the outer planets!) always blows students’ minds. Use it as a memorable anchor in your middle school science unit on the solar system.

Erosion in Action: A Weathering and Erosion Scavenger Hunt

Erosion is happening all around your students—if they know where to look. Nature is the ultimate science lab.  In this weathering and erosion activity for middle school, your class becomes field scientists. 

Students head outside to spot real-world signs of erosion like sidewalk cracks, tree roots poking through soil, and puddles eating away at dirt paths. Then, they can document their discoveries by snapping photos or recording observations in a journal.

Download No Prep Weathering Erosion Activities

Become a Meteorologist: Collecting Real-World Weather Data with Your Middle School Students

No need for fancy equipment — just step outside and start observing! This low-prep outdoor science activity gives your middle school students a chance to become meteorologists as they collect and analyze weather data over time.

Students can track:

  • Cloud types – Use a simple chart or app for identification
  • Wind direction and speed – Try using a DIY windsock or just observe movement of nearby trees and flags
  • Temperature and humidity – A basic outdoor thermometer and hygrometer (or smartphone app!) will do the trick
  • Rainfall totals – Use a rain gauge (or even a marked plastic cup) to measure daily precipitation
Track clouds as an outdoor science activity with middle school students.

Make it a weeklong project or build it into your daily bellwork:

  • Students can chart changes and look for patterns over several days.
  • Incorporate data analysis and graphing skills by having them create line graphs or weather journals.
  • Take it further with class predictions or even a short “weather report” presentation at the end of the week.

It’s simple to set up, grounded in the real world, and gives students a fresh perspective on the science of what’s happening above their heads every day.

The Impact of Us: Human Impact Scavenger Hunt

Have students explore the school grounds for signs of human impact — like litter, pollution, or damage to natural areas. They can brainstorm ways to make the school more eco-friendly, even presenting their action plans to school leadership. Talk about authentic, real-world science in action!

Outdoor Life Science Activities Perfect for Your Middle School Students

Biodiversity Bingo: A Scavenger Hunt for Nature’s Categories

Turn your next walk outside into a hands-on ecosystem review!

 Create bingo cards with terms like:

  • Producer
  • Consumer
  • Decomposer
  • Autotroph
  • Heterotroph
  • Habitat

Students can roam and observe the environment around them, checking off examples they find. It’s a fun way to get them thinking about ecosystems and biodiversity.

Leaf Diversity: Investigating Nature’s Design with Your Middle School Students

Send students on a hunt for different kinds of leaves. Challenge them to find at least 5 different types of leaves and compare: 

  • Size
  • Shape
  • Texture
  • Color

Then, bring the discussion back to plant adaptions and variation across species.

Create Your Own Ecosystem Guide: The School Edition

Have students document the plants and animals they find around school, then use that information to create a mini brochure describing the ecosystem.

Encourage them to include details about food webs, symbiotic relationships, and matter cycles — it’s the perfect real-world application of classroom learning.

Want even more ways to bring ecosystems to life? Check out the full collection of Energy Transfer in Ecosystems Activities for more engaging ideas!

Outdoor science activity: create your own ecosystem

Design Your Own Food Web: Building an Ecosystem with Observations

Based on their outdoor observations, students can design a food web that represents the local ecosystem around your school. It’s hands-on, creative, and really drives home those interdependent relationships in nature.

Make the Most of Spring with Your Middle School Students!

Middle school students thrive when learning feels fresh, exciting, and connected to the real world. Outdoor science activities are the perfect way to make that happen during spring. Plus, by bringing science into a real-world setting, you’re helping students see that what they’re learning truly matters — not just for a grade, but for understanding the world around them.

So go ahead — open those classroom doors, grab your clipboard (or your bingo cards), and let the magic of outdoor science inspire your students this season.

The post Easy Outdoor Science Activities for Middle School Students this Spring appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/easy-outdoor-science-activities-for-middle-school-students-this-spring/feed/ 0 6240 Halloween Science Activities for Middle School https://secondarysparks.com/halloween-science-activities-for-middle-school/ https://secondarysparks.com/halloween-science-activities-for-middle-school/#respond Wed, 11 Sep 2024 16:19:21 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=5223 As Halloween season is upon us, you may be starting to think about ways you can incorporate some Halloween science activities in your middle school science classroom. There are plenty of fun ways to throw in some of those spooky themes while still making sure that you’re either hitting those standards, staying in line with ... Read More about Halloween Science Activities for Middle School

The post Halloween Science Activities for Middle School appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]>

As Halloween season is upon us, you may be starting to think about ways you can incorporate some Halloween science activities in your middle school science classroom. There are plenty of fun ways to throw in some of those spooky themes while still making sure that you’re either hitting those standards, staying in line with pacing or just simply just trying to have some science fun with your students! I’ve rounded up a couple of my favorite ideas and experiments that you may want to try this school year.

Pumpkin Dissection (Life Science)

Many of your students might hear the word “dissection” and cringe. But when it’s just a pumpkin, they may think a little differently. Carve a pumpkin with your students and explore the different parts such as the seeds, pulp, stem, skin, etc. Ask students questions about how pumpkins grow, the conditions needed, the importance of the seeds and structure of the pumpkin. Throw in those questions about ecology, reproduction in plants and photosynthesis to get students thinking. Add an extra layer of fun by making that mess worthwhile by carving your own class jack o lantern!

Glow Stick Thermal Energy (Physical Science)

Turn out the classroom lights for this lab! It’s easy, less messy and can cover a lot of topics! Have students crack various glow sticks and place them in different environments such as hot water or ice water. Ask them how the reaction speed changes with the differing temperatures. Ask them what they think is actually occurring in the glow stick and what signs tell them that a chemical change is occurring. How is thermal energy involved? There’s so much you can do with this simple lab! Many glow sticks come with connectors that students can use to make bracelets with their glow sticks once they’re done which is a fun little souvenir for them! You can find the glow sticks I use here: https://amzn.to/4egLDAN

halloween science activities middle school glow sticks

Moon Phases with Oreos

Add food to a lab and you know your students will be HOOKED. They love labs and they love food so when you add the two together, you know you’ve got an activity they are 100% invested in! This is a simple lab you have probably already heard of where students work individually or in small groups to make oreo cookies to represent the lunar cycle. This helps them remember the individual phases and I like to have them predict what phase the moon would be on as an extra bonus. You can grab a freebie template below to get the same lab that I use. It even includes a short activity students can complete beforehand to review the moon phases as well as solar eclipses and lunar eclipses.

Dry Ice Fog (Physical Science)

Dry ice is always a hit with students on Halloween! It’s a great way to review changes in states of matter with students and give them a real life example of sublimation in which CO₂ turns directly from a solid to a gas, skipping the liquid phase when it is warmed up. This creates a fog that really gives off the spooky vibes in your classroom. If you coat the rim of the bowl with dish soap, soak a piece of string or fabric with the dish soap and then drag it across the rim to seal the opening, you can create fog bubbles!

halloween science activities middle school dry ice lab

Halloween Science Stations (Earth/Space, Life Science, Physical Science)

These Halloween Science Stations are the perfect way to review a bunch of standards in one day while still having that Halloween theme. These stations activities are perfect for spiral review in your middle school science class in that there are 9 stations that review Earth/Space, Life Science and Physical Science topics. They are low prep, engaging, and can be done in 1-2 class periods. 

 

The 9 stations include:

  1. Batty Limbs – Students will compare bat limbs to human limbs to describe homologous structures.
  2. Ghoul’s Goo – Students will explore states of matter with oobleck.
  3. Disappearing Candy Corn – Students will explore physical changes with dissolving candy corn in warm water,
  4. Pumpkin Mass & Weight – Students will obtain the mass and weight of a mini pumpkin to explore the difference between both measurements in matter.
  5. Spider Ecology – Students will discuss the ecology of spiders and their role in the ecosystem.
  6. Sweet Erosion – Students will perform a mini experiment in which they simulate erosion with sugar cubes and a spray bottle.
  7. Moon Phases – Students will identify different phases of the moon in the lunar cycle. Students will also research to see what phase the moon will be on Halloween night.
  8. Monster Genetics – Students will create their own monster using Punnett squares.

9. Candy Rock Cycle – Students will simulate the rock cycle using candy.

halloween science activities middle school stations lab
Get these Stations
Shop TPT

These stations will help refresh your students on topics they have previously learned which, if you teach a class that is standardized tested in science, is something you need to focus on during the year. I find that these stations’ activities help jog my students memories about previous topics and allow me to address any misconceptions that students have. Learn more about how I utilize stations in my middle school science classroom here.

However you choose to celebrate Halloween in your classroom, remember that including those essential topics in your celebrations doesn’t have to feel like you are missing a day of instruction. There are plenty of ways to make Halloween themes fit into your science instruction!

The post Halloween Science Activities for Middle School appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/halloween-science-activities-for-middle-school/feed/ 0 5223 How to use Spiral Review Science Warm Ups for Daily Mini Review in Middle School Science https://secondarysparks.com/how-to-use-spiral-review-science-warm-ups-for-daily-mini-review-in-middle-school-science/ https://secondarysparks.com/how-to-use-spiral-review-science-warm-ups-for-daily-mini-review-in-middle-school-science/#respond Mon, 15 Jul 2024 18:47:15 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=4723 During a student’s middle school science experience, they learn SO many different topics within so many units and even more vocabulary. How do you get them to remember those topics long-term after you’ve already passed on to the next unit? It’s easier than you think and it’s the reason I use spiral review science warm ... Read More about How to use Spiral Review Science Warm Ups for Daily Mini Review in Middle School Science

The post How to use Spiral Review Science Warm Ups for Daily Mini Review in Middle School Science appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]>

During a student’s middle school science experience, they learn SO many different topics within so many units and even more vocabulary. How do you get them to remember those topics long-term after you’ve already passed on to the next unit? It’s easier than you think and it’s the reason I use spiral review science warm ups daily.

What is the Importance of Spiral Review in Science?

Well, many science topics tend to blend together or build up on each other in many ways. Think about things like heat transfer and convection in the Earth’s mantle or talking about atoms and how they make up some of the tiniest life forms like single-celled bacteria. Not only that, but if you teach an 8th grade science class or any grade that has a standardized science test, it’s crucial that you review. Often, so much is covered on those state tests and it feels like you never have enough time to finish your own pacing guide, let alone review previous grade level material.

What is a Warm Up?

Warm ups, bellringers, Do nows, starters, etc. There are so many names to define the same thing. Basically, a warm up is a question or quick activity that students do the moment they walk in the door. It shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes to do and those 5 minutes can be magic. How’s that?

 

  • You can complete your attendance on time.
  • Reduce student distractions during transition time in the hallway.
  • Get students thinking about science the moment they walk in.
  • Review previously taught material.
  • After students work on them, I can review the question/address any misconceptions quickly.


I could go on and on about warm ups and why I love using them in middle school science but for now, let’s just focus on how I use them for spiral review.

spiral review science warm ups in pronged folder
Grab These Spiral Review Warm Ups
Shop on TPT

How do you Choose Questions?

The questions I choose from my warm ups vary by topic. I try to include 1-2 Earth/Space questions, Life Science Questions and Physical Science questions per week. Each day, the students answer 1-2 questions in which they need to explain their answers. This has helped me expose my students to a little bit of everything for review throughout the school year. Questions for the unit I am currently teaching will be in the set of questions for the week as well.

 

Another tip I have for you is to never use multiple-choice or true/false questions. Why? Because students will just circle any old answer and say they completed the warm up. Some won’t even read the question. Now, I understand those standardized test questions are usually multiple choice and students need that exposure but, if you need to do it this way, have students explain why they choose their answer to you. Not only will they need to think about what they know but it will allow you to understand what their thought process was while they answered. This gives you another way to see what misconceptions or errors in thought need to be addressed.

How Do You Present Warm Ups to Students?

  1. Print out a template that already has the questions on them for students. This is a great method for creating your warm ups in advance and not having to think about a new question every day. I like to add images or clip art to mine so that students can easily find certain questions or use those images to answer them. This is how they look.
spiral review science warm ups printed

2. You can also give students a blank template and have students copy the question on their own from a presented slide or question written on the board. I give the same template, just blank.

spiral review science warm ups blank template with slide

3. Go completely digital! Have students keep a digital interactive science notebook of warm up questions. That way, you can keep it all on your school’s LMS and make grading easier.

How Do You Grade Warm Ups?

I go more in detail about this process in this blog post, but I check them daily for completion. I make sure they answered the question completely. It doesn’t even need to be correct, just answered. I want to see what students are thinking in relation to the topic. Guessing is better than “I don’t know!” I can address misconceptions with a wrong answer rather than a simple “IDK” written across the paper. So yes, these are a participation/completion grade in my class but you can choose to do them in a way that suits you and your students.

 

Using the spiral review method in my warm ups has decreased my stress levels in regards to review. I don’t worry about cramming content weeks before the testing season because we review little by little each day!


Grab the exact spiral review warm ups I use for my class on my website here or shop on TPT.

The post How to use Spiral Review Science Warm Ups for Daily Mini Review in Middle School Science appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/how-to-use-spiral-review-science-warm-ups-for-daily-mini-review-in-middle-school-science/feed/ 0 4723 Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/ https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/#respond Fri, 17 May 2024 16:00:59 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=4387 Project-Based Learning, or PBL, just seems to be one of those buzzwords in education right now. You hear about it online, your school’s district or admin might be pushing it and you’re unsure because it feels like just another trend in education that will fade. Let me be the first to tell you that I ... Read More about Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science

The post Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]>

Project-Based Learning, or PBL, just seems to be one of those buzzwords in education right now. You hear about it online, your school’s district or admin might be pushing it and you’re unsure because it feels like just another trend in education that will fade. Let me be the first to tell you that I thought the same way when I first heard about PBL. Then, I actually tried it and it changed my entire mindset on the topic, for better. Let me tell you why project-based learning in middle school science is something you should try at least once during the school year.

It's Not Your Average Project

Project-based learning in middle school science is not the same as the projects you’re used to assigning in class. It’s not limited to things like edible cell models, posters of the solar system or powerpoint presentations on Newton’s laws of motion. It’s bigger and much more meaningful than that. It’s an experience students will remember. 

 

PBLWorks (bie.org) defines project-based learning as “a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.” Not the vibe you get from a simple poster project or shoebox diorama, right? The focus on PBL is to relate your classroom content to the real-world. This makes it more relatable to students so that you spark their interest, make them curious and get what we all want from our middle schoolers: buy-in.

Real-World Relevance

PBL takes classroom content and relates it to the real world. By having students answer a driving question that requires critical thinking and problem solving skills, you are creating a learning experience that is more meaningful to students. Once you tap into a student’s interests and align standards with it, you are likely to maintain engagement. How many times have you been asked “how does this relate to my life?” in your science class? Give them the opportunity to find the answer themselves in an authentic way.

Inspire Creativity and Innovation

Your students have talents and abilities beyond what they demonstrate on a summative assessment. PBl offers students a chance to have some autonomy in their learning, encourages creativity and allows them to be innovative. During the OBL process, students have the chance to explore different solutions to a problem, try out new ideas and think outside the box. 

 

As the teacher, you are the “guide on the side” during the  PBL process vs being the “sage on the stage.” The autonomy your students will have will allow them to explore learning in a way that is different from any other way they have learned before. You are tapping into students’ natural curiosity and their desire to explore.

PBL Encourages Collaboration

Having students work together to answer the PBL driving question fosters collaboration because students are required to communicate, share ideas and coordinate their efforts to achieve a common goal. These are skills that are not only important in the classroom, but will follow them into their lives through adulthood.

 

The feedback process can also be very impactful for students. By providing, and receiving feedback from their peers, students learn how to use constructive dialogue and refine their thoughts with the help of their peers. 

 

Of course, collaboration will sometimes involve conflict. Students may not always see eye to eye. It’s important for students to navigate these challenges and work to solve them appropriately. Once again, this is another skill that will follow them into adulthood. PBL promotes open communication, encourages productive working relationships and develops interpersonal skills.

Your Students Will Surprise You

They will surprise you in the best way. Letting go of some of the control in the classroom and giving your students autonomy in their learning can have real benefits. You will see things in your students that you normally don’t get the opportunity to see. You will be able to see their creative skills, how they work with others to solve problems, watch them actively work to come up with a solution, revise their work and present their findings. You will learn so much about your students beyond their academic skills which can be such a rewarding experience for not only the student, but for you as the teacher as well.

Have I Convinced You Yet?

I’m hoping that you are reading this and realizing that implementing project-based learning in middle school science can truly be a transformative process in your classroom, in the best way. If you’re looking to try one out for yourself but you aren’t quite ready to do all the thinking and planning yourself, check out these ready-made project-based learning activities:

1. Create a Musical Instrument: Sound Waves Project Based Learning

This is a five-part project-based learning activity for students about sound waves. This project allows students to take their knowledge of sound waves and apply it to creating their own musical instrument, advertisement for that instrument and a music video. This can be done after a unit on sound waves and energy or throughout.

Get this PBL
Find on TPT

2. Hurricanes Project Based Learning: Tracking and Preparing for a Storm

This is a Project-Based Learning activity that can be implemented in almost any science classroom for a hurricanes or severe weather unit. It is all about hurricanes. Students will learn how storm systems are tracked throughout the season, how to prepare for an approaching storm and create a PSA or newscast to help the community prepare.

Get this PBL
Find on TPT

3. Plastic Pollution and its Impact on the Biodiversity of Coral Reefs

 

This is a Project-Based Learning activity that can be implemented in almost any science classroom and comes with a digital google slides version. It is all about how plastic pollution has an effect on the biodiversity of the coral reefs. Students compile research, create a public service announcement and then an action plan to create a solution to this real-world problem.

Get this PBL
Find on TPT

The post Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/feed/ 0 4387 Valentine’s Day Science Activities for Middle School https://secondarysparks.com/valentines-day-science-activities-for-middle-school/ https://secondarysparks.com/valentines-day-science-activities-for-middle-school/#respond Mon, 29 Jan 2024 19:35:01 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=3860 Valentine’s Day in elementary school was always so fun. Sharing Valentines, stuffing your face with chocolates, a big class party and everything had a red and pink theme to it the whole day. Then, middle school comes around and it all comes to a screeching halt. A bit of a bummer, right? It doesn’t have ... Read More about Valentine’s Day Science Activities for Middle School

The post Valentine’s Day Science Activities for Middle School appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> Valentine’s Day in elementary school was always so fun. Sharing Valentines, stuffing your face with chocolates, a big class party and everything had a red and pink theme to it the whole day. Then, middle school comes around and it all comes to a screeching halt. A bit of a bummer, right? It doesn’t have to be that way! You can still celebrate Valentine’s Day in your middle school science classroom. “But what about the standards?! My pacing guide?!” Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Here are some Valentine’s Day science activities for middle school that you can do to spread the love and keep that holiday excitement alive.

Food Labs

Middle schoolers love food. They love snacks, candy and anything that involves food in class is usually a win. If you can find a food lab for a topic you’re teaching, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to do it. Bonus points if the food is pink or red.

Cells: Edible cell models with candy representing organelles.
Mitosis/Meiosis: Oreos and sprinkles to model the division process.
Plate Tectonics: Model plate boundaries with graham crackers, frosting and fruit roll ups.
Teaching
Moon Phases: Model the lunar cycle with Oreos. You can grab a free lab here.
Changes in States of Matter: Make ice cream in a bag.
Heat Transfer (conduction, convection, radiation): Make s’mores with the three different types of heat transfer.

You can find more examples of food labs I love here.

valentines day science ice cream lab

Eco-Friendly Valentines

Have your students bring in recyclable materials and create eco-friendly Valentine’s for their friends or family. You can tie this into a lesson about human impact and how important it is to love the Earth and be kind to it. You could even have students make Valentine’s for the Earth and hand them around your classroom or hallway.

Cupid’s Catapults

Have students design catapults with supplies like popsicle sticks and bottle caps. You can discuss energy transformations that occur when using catapults. This STEM activity would allow for students to critically think about potential and kinetic energy in order to make sure their catapults are effective. You could even take them outside to test them out.

A day for the Heart

Dedicate the day to learning all about the heart and the circulatory system.

  1. Have students make 3D heart models with play dough or modeling clay. Make it a STEM activity and have students try to create a working, pumping model of the heart using recycled materials.
  2. Measure and compare heart rates during different types of activity.
  3. Have students do a choice project about the circulatory system or the heart.

valentines day science human heart lesson

Valentine’s Day Slime

Yes, this one is messy but you can use this activity to teach concepts like density and states of matter.

Valentines Day Stations

Take the normal content you are teaching and find a way to make it Valentine’s Day themed with stations. Your students are probably going to be a little more excited than usual because of the holiday, so why not channel that energy into an activity that requires movement? These Valentine’s Day Science Stations Lab Activities include 8 different stations that spiral reviews middle school science content (life science, physical science and Earth/space science). Students spend 6-8 minutes at a station and then move on to the next at the sound of a timer. Each station includes a science topic with a Valentine’s Day theme. Check out the stations here.

valentines day science stations

The post Valentine’s Day Science Activities for Middle School appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/valentines-day-science-activities-for-middle-school/feed/ 0 3860 3 Hurricane Project Ideas & Activities for Your Marine Science Unit https://secondarysparks.com/3-hurricane-project-ideas-activities-for-your-marine-science-unit/ https://secondarysparks.com/3-hurricane-project-ideas-activities-for-your-marine-science-unit/#comments Wed, 28 Jun 2023 01:05:53 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=1389 In marine science and Earth/space science class, I love using a hurricane unit to kick off the school year. If you live in an area like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, or within the Atlantic Basin, you probably keep tabs on storms already. Why not bring it to your classroom? Even if you ... Read More about 3 Hurricane Project Ideas & Activities for Your Marine Science Unit

The post 3 Hurricane Project Ideas & Activities for Your Marine Science Unit appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]>

In marine science and Earth/space science class, I love using a hurricane unit to kick off the school year. If you live in an area like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, or within the Atlantic Basin, you probably keep tabs on storms already. Why not bring it to your classroom? Even if you live outside that area, however, learning hurricane science is a great way to start the year off with an authentic, real-world connection. 

Here are some simple hurricane project ideas and activities to get you started:

#1 Track The Hurricanes Every Day As A Warm Up

This is one of my favorite hurricane project ideas because it’s super simple to implement, and it doesn’t have to consume your class time. Each day as students come into the class, project or have students pull up NOAA’s National Hurricane Center Hurricane Tracking Map. 

NOAA hurrican tracking map with hurricane tracks form the 2022 hurricane season

Then, have students fill in their tracking map. I like to use this free template from the National Hurricane Center. Hover over the storm on NOAA’s map to find the coordinates, and then have students record it on their sheet. 

To keep things in order, each storm gets tracked in a different color. If there is no activity in the Atlantic that day, we continue learning hurricane science by going over a hurricane-related question using these warm ups. 

I like to keep a large map on the board so if students miss a day they can update their individual map. I’ve found this activity gets students really invested and curious about the science of hurricanes.

If your students need some more practice with coordinate tracking, you can try this activity here. This includes a short lesson on latitude and longitude and practice activities.

#2 Teach Hurricane Science

There can be a lot of mystery surrounding hurricane science, so I love to dig into it with students. We talk about what a hurricane is and how they form. We learn to identify parts of a hurricane, the classification of a storm, and more. 

I teach the science of hurricanes using guided notes. Then, throughout hurricane season, we review what we’ve learned about hurricanes so far using task cards, stations, and independent work.

Large hurricane on a map approaching the united states

#3 Hurricane Project Idea: Tracking and Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane

My favorite hurricane project idea is a PBL where students track and prepare for a hurricane. Even if your students don’t live in an area where there are hurricanes, this is still great information to know (and it can open their eyes to new experiences).

My students are pretty familiar with the preparation during hurricane season, and yet I’m still surprised by how little students know. They think it’s all about missing school and having hurricane parties (hey, it happens in Florida). 

With this hurricane PBL, students will learn how to prepare for an impending hurricane and create a school-wide PSA to help others prepare for a storm. This all ties into our hurricane research, lessons, personal preparedness plans, and tracking the storms.

hurricane on a map approaching the united states with text overlay reading " 3 fun ways to enhance your hurricanes unit"

I hope that even if you don’t live in an area that gets hurricanes, you can see the benefit of diving into the science behind hurricanes. Try some of these hurricane project ideas and activities to make your students more aware.

The post 3 Hurricane Project Ideas & Activities for Your Marine Science Unit appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/3-hurricane-project-ideas-activities-for-your-marine-science-unit/feed/ 1 1389 3 Lessons I Learned From Using Science Choice Boards https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/ https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/#comments Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:51:42 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=1369 We all know giving students a choice in how they demonstrate their knowledge is key, but how exactly do you do that? With choice boards! Choice boards are a great way to increase engagement, encourage independence, and allow autonomy in your classroom. I’ve been using science choice boards with my students for several years now, ... Read More about 3 Lessons I Learned From Using Science Choice Boards

The post 3 Lessons I Learned From Using Science Choice Boards appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]>

We all know giving students a choice in how they demonstrate their knowledge is key, but how exactly do you do that? With choice boards! Choice boards are a great way to increase engagement, encourage independence, and allow autonomy in your classroom. I’ve been using science choice boards with my students for several years now, and I’ve learned a few things that have improved the experience for me and my students.

Here are some reasons why I am a total fan of choice boards in my science classroom:

#1 Choice Boards Help To Build And Maintain Relationships With Students

Because choice boards allow students to pick how they demonstrate their knowledge, you can learn a lot about the kids in your room! As students are working, I’m able to listen in on conversations with their peers and observe skills they might be struggling with. It’s also fun when you find out that you’ve had a secret artist in your class or that someone is highly skilled in an area they’ve never mentioned before. 

Choice board on colored cardtsock with notebooks, markers and a pencil

I can then use this new information about students to engage with them and show them that I am interested in who they are outside of the classroom.

#2 Science Choice Boards Made Me Evaluate My Grading And Assessment Strategy

Traditional assessments can be limiting for a lot of students. Not every student is able to show what they know through multiple-choice or written response assignments. Also, many students suffer from test anxiety, which can impact their scores.

On the other hand, science choice boards are more relaxed and creative, and they allow for more open-ended assessments. When I’m grading, I make sure to look at the whole picture, not just the final product. This can actually give you a better idea of what your students know (or don’t) compared to a multiple-choice exam.

#3 Choice Boards Allow Me To Learn About My Students’ Strengths And Weaknesses

Because science choice boards allow autonomy and independence, I’m able to gain insight into what skills students lean into and which skills they may be avoiding or struggling with. Choice boards can give you a great idea of students’ gaps because you can see their whole process, not just simply their final answer.

Student choice board projects from a coral reef project based learning activity

Using information about students’ gaps, I can make a plan to address those gaps and support my students where they need it. This can be done in a mini-lesson, small group, or while the choice boards are happening with some 1:1 intervention.

Ready-to-Go Science Choice Boards

Looking for some print-and-go science choice boards? Check out these low-prep choice boards that you can use during a unit or as a review during independent work and stations.

Thermal Energy and Heat Choice Board – This editable choice board helps students apply their knowledge of conduction, convection, radiation, and thermal energy in various creative ways.

Changes in States of Matter Choice Board – This science choice board is also editable and supports differentiation and creativity while students communicate their understanding of the changes in states of matter.

Interactions of Light Waves Choice Board – Allow your middle school students to demonstrate their knowledge of interactions of light with this editable science choice board.

colorful choice menu on colorful cardstock with markers and notebook

Want to give choice boards a try? Grab this Science Choice Board Freebie! It can be used for any topic in your science classroom, so customize it to your current or upcoming unit.

The post 3 Lessons I Learned From Using Science Choice Boards appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/feed/ 1 1369 7 Review Games to Make Standardized Testing More Fun https://secondarysparks.com/7-review-games-to-make-standardized-testing-more-fun/ https://secondarysparks.com/7-review-games-to-make-standardized-testing-more-fun/#respond Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:38:43 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=1225 Let’s face it: review season can get super boring! When there is a ton of content to get through, it can feel like you’re using the same review games and activities over and over again. But in order to keep our students engaged and excited to learn, you have to keep things fresh.   That’s ... Read More about 7 Review Games to Make Standardized Testing More Fun

The post 7 Review Games to Make Standardized Testing More Fun appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]>

Let’s face it: review season can get super boring! When there is a ton of content to get through, it can feel like you’re using the same review games and activities over and over again. But in order to keep our students engaged and excited to learn, you have to keep things fresh.

 

That’s why I’m sharing my favorite review games and activities to make test prep season a bit more fun!

 *This post contains affiliate links for Amazon*

#1 Gallery Walks

 

Not your typical gallery walk! We are going to make things simple and easy for you by using task cards. This task card gallery walk only takes a few minutes to set up. Simply tape task cards around the room or place them on desks. Then, pair students up or have them travel the room and solve the problems solo. Not only does this get your students up and moving but it is also a quick way to cover those heavier standards in a fun way. 

 

#2 Trashketball

Basketball hoop on a cabinet

 

A popular review game among middle school teachers is trashketball! You can use a mini-basketball hoop like this, but any sort of bin or trash can works, too. Place painter’s tape on the floor to make a 1 point line, 3 point line and 5 point line. The farther away from the basket, the more points. 

 

Break students up into groups of four. Each group will get the chance to answer a question. If the group answers correctly, they get a point and can shoot the basketball for more points from whatever line they choose. If they make it, they get the points. If they don’t, they still keep the point they earned for answering correctly. If they answer the question incorrectly, the next group has a chance to steal. The group with the most points at the end wins! I will say, this one has always been a favorite with my students!

 

#3 Online Review Games

 

I won’t lie to you: online review games are one of my favorites. Not only are they easy to set up (half the time you can find pre-made games), but students are really engaged and fueled by the competition aspect. My favorite online review games are Kahoot!, Blooket, Quizizz, Nearpod, and Gimkit. 

Basketball hoop attached to science classroom cabinet to be used for science review games

 

#4 Jeopardy

 

Surprisingly, Jeopardy is still popular in classrooms! Create a jeopardy board with categorized questions. This is a great way to review several units, concepts, or skills during one review period. Personally, I like to use Jeopardy Labs. It’s $20 for a lifetime membership.

 

#5 Glow Games

 

This review game is about creating a unique way for students to answer questions. You can use worksheets, task cards, or any other typical question format. But to make it interesting – turn out the lights! Set up blacklights, LED lights, and give students glow sticks to make the experience exciting.

 

#6 Heads Up

 

Reviewing vocabulary has never been more fun (and challenging) than with heads up. Write down content-specific vocabulary onto index cards. Then, a student will hold the card to their forehead without looking at the word. Their group or partner will give them hints as to what the word is without saying the actual vocabulary word.

 

#7 Whiteboards

white boards on a black table with dry erase markers

 

There are tons of review games you can play with whiteboards, but I personally like to use them for team competitions! Break the class into two or more teams. Read or display a question, then have students write their answers on the boards. The first team to reveal the correct answer gets a point. If you don’t have a class set of whiteboards, you can use a sheet protector and add a piece of printed paper inside. Life hacks!

 

Mix and match these classroom review games to keep things interesting during test prep season!

The post 7 Review Games to Make Standardized Testing More Fun appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/7-review-games-to-make-standardized-testing-more-fun/feed/ 0 1225 How to Assess Student Knowledge with Choice Boards https://secondarysparks.com/how-to-assess-student-knowledge-with-choice-boards/ https://secondarysparks.com/how-to-assess-student-knowledge-with-choice-boards/#comments Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:34:15 +0000 https://secondarysparks.com/?p=1220 You’ve probably heard time and time again that a big key to student engagement and buy-in is choice. And it’s no wonder! When students have a say in the activity they do or how they show off their knowledge, they can pick what sounds most interesting or appealing to them. This is exactly why I ... Read More about How to Assess Student Knowledge with Choice Boards

The post How to Assess Student Knowledge with Choice Boards appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]>

You’ve probably heard time and time again that a big key to student engagement and buy-in is choice. And it’s no wonder! When students have a say in the activity they do or how they show off their knowledge, they can pick what sounds most interesting or appealing to them. This is exactly why I love choice boards for students.

 

Choice boards are an amazing tool for any middle school science classroom for reviewing key concepts. They give students ownership over their work, can be easily differentiated, and allow for student choice. What’s not to love?

 

The best part about choice boards? Students can showcase their various talents and interests, all while hitting the standards and mastering objectives. Which is why I love to use choice boards to assess students’ knowledge. Because students are more likely to give the activities on a choice board their all, and you can really see what students know and are struggling with.

 

Laminated choice boards on a wood table with post its, pens, scissors and colored pencils.

 

How to Assess a Choice Board

 

When there is a choice involved with activities, being able to assess them can get a little complicated. Luckily, there are some simple ways you can assess students’ knowledge and allow them the freedom to choose.

 

#1 Use a Rubric

 

Rubrics not only help you determine how you will assess students, but they give students a clear idea of how they will be graded and what you are looking for. When giving students their choices, but clear on exactly what you will be grading.

 

For example, what vocabulary they might need to include in their final product, what you want to see in a model, how students should present the information, the number of pages, sizes for a poster, etc. Basically, get super clear on what you expect!

Choice board templates laminated to represent menus. School supplies to be used for choice projects laid on the table next to choice menus.

 

#2 Create Check-Ins

 

If you want to offer plenty of student choice and leave things open-ended for students, go with the check-in route. Before students get started with their activity or project, I have them check in with me about their plan.

 

Then, throughout the activity, I walk around the room checking on student work. This way I can easily get students back on track or give them the green light if they are doing well. At the end of the project, I have students hold conferences with me to go over the material and assess their knowledge.

 

This route will require you to be more hands-on and active, but it can really help you lean into the student choice aspect!

Colorful choice board activity menu

 

Try Choice Boards

 

Give choice boards a try with this Science Choice Board Freebie. This choice board can be used for any topic in your middle school science classroom and make for easy stations or early-finisher activities.

 

It includes activities like making a video, recording a podcast, making a postering, researching a topic, and more! Allow your students to creatively display their knowledge of recent concepts – while also doing something they enjoy.

 

BUTTON: Grab the Science Choice Board Freebie

Want even more middle school science activity ideas? Try creating a gallery walk with task cards! This activity is easy to set up and will give you another use for your task cards.

The post How to Assess Student Knowledge with Choice Boards appeared first on Secondary Sparks.

]]> https://secondarysparks.com/how-to-assess-student-knowledge-with-choice-boards/feed/ 1 1220