10 STEM activities designed to engage 8th graders:

1. Egg Drop Challenge: Students design and build a device using various materials to protect an egg from a high fall. This activity teaches principles of physics and engineering.
2. Build a Simple Electric Motor: Introduce students to basic electrical concepts by building a simple motor. This project can teach about electromagnetism, circuits, and the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy.
3. Water Filtration Experiment: Have students design and test their water filters. Using household materials, they can learn about environmental science, water cycles, and the importance of clean water technology.
4. Bridge Building Contest: Using straws, toothpicks, or popsicle sticks, students can design and construct bridges. This activity teaches principles of engineering, physics, and mathematics to understand force distribution and structural integrity.
5. Coding a Simple Game or Animation with Scratch: Introduce computer science by letting students create their games or animations using Scratch or a similar visual programming language. It fosters creativity and teaches basic coding concepts.
6. DIY Solar Oven: Students can build solar ovens using cardboard boxes and aluminum foil, learning about renewable energy, solar power, and the greenhouse effect.
7. Chemistry of Baking: Explore the chemistry behind baking by experimenting with baking soda, baking powder, and yeast. Students can learn about chemical reactions, acids, bases, and the scientific method.
8. Mathematical Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt that requires solving math problems to find the next clue. This can include geometry, algebra, and logical thinking puzzles suitable for 8th-grade students.
9. Robotics with LEGO Mindstorms or similar kits: Introduce students to robotics by building and programming robots to perform specific tasks. This activity teaches coding, engineering, and problem-solving skills.
10. Extract DNA from Strawberries: Show students how to extract DNA using strawberries, dish soap, salt, and alcohol. This simple experiment introduces concepts of genetics and molecular biology in a tangible way.