Explore 8+ STEM Activities for Middle School to Get a Reaction

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STEM isn’t just the latest teaching topic: It’s an innovative, cross-curricular way to strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking skills across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. And when you introduce STEM into your classroom, you get some of the coolest projects around!

Check out STEM activities for middle school that are sure to catch teenagers’ attention and inspire them to learn more. You’ll also find instructional tips and ways to integrate STEM into different subjects — because science class doesn’t get to have all the fun!

1. Launch STEM learning with bottle rockets

Bottle rockets are a STEM classic that combine engineering, math, and the principles of rocketry. All you need are a few supplies, an eager mindset, and some free space to see Newton’s Laws of Motion take effect right before your eyes.

Energy & Motion: Bottle Rocket STEM Projects Newton’s Laws of Motion Activity
By Williams Hands On Science
Grades: 6th-10th
Standards: CCSS RST.6-8.7, NGSS MS-ETS1-2, ETS1-1, ETS1-3; MS-PS2-1
Subjects: Engineering, Math, Physical Science

This hands-on STEM project for middle school takes students through the steps and knowledge needed to create bottle rockets out of 2-liter soda bottles, CSs, and duct tape. Over one week, students complete a vocabulary chart, view a PowerPoint presentation, and craft their own bottle rockets to launch with a bicycle pump.

2. Complete a STEM survival challenge

Take engineering, measurement, and other math concepts to the real world with engaging survival challenges. These STEM activities for middle school are a fun way to introduce simple machines and construction concepts, and they work well as icebreaker activities or final group projects.

5 STEM Activities Desert Island STEM Challenge Bridge Catapult Raft Hut STEAM
By Fishyrobb
Grades: 4th-7th
Standards: NGSS 3-5-ES1-1, ES1-2
Subjects: Engineering, Physical Science

How long could your students survive on a desert island? Put their science and teamwork skills to the test with a five-activity survival STEM resource. Middle schoolers construct a hut, build a bridge, design a waterproof container, create a coconut catapult, and build a raft in this innovative STEM project for middle school.

3. Make marshmallow catapults in class

Middle school doesn’t have to be a battleground — until it’s part of the lesson plan. Use math, engineering, and groupwork skills to create one-of-a-kind catapults that send marshmallows flying in the most memorable lesson of the year. If you don’t have marshmallows, you could also use craft pom poms or styrofoam pieces. 

STEM Activity Challenge Marshmallow Catapult (Middle School)
By Science Demo Guy
Grades: 6th-8th
Standards: NGSS MS-ETS1-2, ETS1-3; MS-PS2-1, PS2-2, PS2-4, PS2-5
Subjects: Engineering, Physical Science

Focus on potential and kinetic energy with a popsicle stick-and-marshmallow catapult activity. Using popsicle sticks and instructions from the resource, middle schoolers work together to construct and test their catapults in a physics lesson about different types of energy.

4. Design a buoyant sailboat

Can your students’ sailboat survive the seven seas, or at least a classroom buoyancy test? Incorporate engineering and math skills into this classic, engaging, and demonstrative STEM project for middle schoolers.

STEM Sailboat Challenge Math & Engineering Activity
By Vivify STEM
Grades: 4th-10th
Standards: CCSS 6.G.A.1, 2, 3, 4; 7.G.B.4, 5, 6; 6.EE.C.9; 7.EE.B.3; 8.EE.A.1, 2, 3, 4; 6.RP.A.1, 2, 3; 7.RP.A.1, 2, 3; RST.6-8.7, 8, 9; NGSS MS-ETS1-2, 3-PS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-3, 3-5-ETS1-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-ETS1-1, 2, 3
Subjects: Engineering, Science

Add an extra challenge to the traditional STEM boat project when you require a sail. Students watch videos, keep journals, and work together to create a sailboat that can hold weight and stay afloat across a set distance.

5. Keep an egg from crashing

No STEM unit is complete without the classic egg drop challenge. See if students can design a protective covering for an egg that can withstand force and gravity.

Newton’s Laws of Motion Project Force and Motion STEM Activity Physical Science
By STEM in the Middle
Grades: 6th-9th
Standards: NGSS MS-ETS1-1; MS.PS2-1
Subjects: Engineering, Physical Science

Student engineers work on a STEM activity for middle school that demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion. They design a car that will keep an egg from breaking during a crash using background research articles, a step-by-step slideshow, and differentiation options to address every learner’s needs.

6. Build historical machines in interdisciplinary projects

How did we get our modern-day inventions? Take a trip back in time with STEM projects for middle school that examine machines created long ago. These activities make excellent interdisciplinary challenges for cross-curricular science and history lessons.

The Renaissance STEM Challenges Medieval Times STEAM Activities Middle Ages
By StudentSavvy
Grades: 4th-8th
Subjects: Middle Ages, Science, Social Studies

Perfect for the time of year when middle schoolers are studying the Renaissance in history, this activity focuses on two key inventions of the period: Leonardo da Vinci’s flying machine and Leon Battista Alberti’s anemometer. Students combine engineering, math, technology, and measurement skills to create these historic machines with a list of supplies in one class period.

7. Watch physics in motion with a student roller coaster

Students become engineers when they design a STEM roller coaster. Incorporating elements of physical science and mathematics, they work together to construct and test their invention in what is sure to be one of the more popular units of the semester.

Roller Coaster Physics – Force and Motion STEM Project
By The Trendy Science Teacher
Grades: 7th-10th
Standards: NGSS MS-PS2-1, 2, 4, 5; HS-PS2-1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Physical Science, Physics

With a guided 8-day lesson plan, roller coaster physics webquest, planning guide, and grading rubric, this low-prep roller coaster resource is an engaging way to assess students’ knowledge of force and motion. After they construct and test their coasters, student teams present finished products in a bid to have their rides be the newest thrill additions to a theme park.

8. Construct a thermal insulator device

If your students complain about their food or drinks not staying warm or cold, a STEM activity on heat transfer might be just what they need. Focus on the different types of heat energy and how it transfers (or doesn’t) in a unit on thermal energy or insulators and conductors.

STEM Heat Project Thermal Energy Transfer Insulator Device MS-PS3-3
By Flying Colors Science
Grades: 6th-8th
Standards: NGSS MS-PS3-4, PS3-3
Subjects: Physical Science, Physics

How long can your students keep a cup of hot water warm? Lead them through an activity that demonstrates their knowledge of heat transfer. Using readily available materials from home and in the classroom, as well as student instructions and data collection materials, students create a thermal insulator and measure the temperature drop of hot water over the course of 30 minutes.

Concepts to Cover in Middle School STEM

The best STEM activities for middle school are aligned to NGSS as well as CCSS for science and technical subjects. They should also cover common middle school science topics, such as:

• Science: Biology, life science, environmental science
• Technology: Digital literacy, robotics, coding
• Engineering: Simple machines, physics, structural engineering
• Mathematics: Data analysis, grade-level math skills, real-world math applications

Turn STEM into STEAM with artistic details

STEM and STEAM may sound similar, but they’re not interchangeable. Add artistic elements (“A”) into STEM science experiments for middle school with a few tweaks to your existing activities.

• Science: Create environmental advice posters to display around the school, including recycling reminders and water usage tips
• Technology: Incorporate graphic design into computer projects like student-made websites and documents.
• Engineering: Add architecture concepts and blueprints into the design process.
• Mathematics: Find math-based art projects to complete in class, such as symmetrical paintings and fractal paper sculptures.

You can also make STEM activities interdisciplinary by involving humanities concepts, such as history, literature, and psychology. Talk to your ELA or social studies departments to find ways to turn existing STEM projects into STEAM projects!

Prepare for the future with STEM activities for middle school

STEM projects strengthen important critical thinking and project management skills, as well as prepare students for a career in STEM fields. Engineers, doctors, architects, software developers, chemists, and data scientists all use STEM concepts and skills every day. Add more middle school STEM projects, challenges, and activities to your everyday curriculum to prepare students for their future careers — some of which may not even exist yet!