23 STEM Activities for Middle School Students (2025 Update)

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two tween boys enjoying stem activities for middle school students

Check out this list of STEM activities for middle school students for ideas to keep your kids learning while having a blast!

If you like including STEAM activities for kids in your daily lesson plans but you have older kids and struggle finding age-appropriate activities, you are going to like this list of engaging STEM activities for Middle School students.

Middle school students should be able to enjoy fun hands-on activities in their lessons, and that includes a comprehensive STEM curriculum that is geared towards them. While these activities can be enjoyed by many different ages, kids ages 11-14 will find them particularly engaging.

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23 STEM Activities for Middle School Students (2025 Update) 2

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The Best STEAM and STEM Activities for Middle School (Tweens and Young Teens)

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEAM adds an A in there for art.

While STEM and STEAM are not exactly the same thing, for the purposes of this list, we will use these terms synonymously.

#1 Soda Bottle Rockets

You’ve seen those cute soda geysers that little kids make using a bottle of soda and some mentos. All kids love explosions but these activity is a little bit childish for middle schoolers.

So how do you step it up a notch?

By turning your geyser into a bottle rocket! With this STEM activity, your middle schoolers will design, engineer, and build their very own bottle rocket system. Launch an empty bottle 30+ feet into the air with nothing but a couple of mentos candies.

Our kids can do it. Can you?

Learn how to build a soda mentos bottle rocket now!

#2 Multi-Colored Fire

What kid doesn’t love fire? This STEM activity allows your middle schoolers to explore the science behind fire, chemical reactions, and physical reactions as they make a rainbow of flames. Flames for every color of the rainbow!

Make sure your students safely prepare for this experiment. This activity requires an intense amount of adult supervision but when done properly, it’s a ton of fun for everyone.

Enjoy this dragon fire science experiment with your middle schoolers now!

#3 Edible Stained Glass

This edible stained glass STEAM project is perfect for older students. Your kids will learn how stained glass is made while they make their own stained glass windows out of melted hard candy.

Take the project further by researching how glass is made as well as the history of stained glass artwork throughout time. This activity is sure to give tweens and teens a day they’ll never forget.

Go learn more about edible stained glass now.

#4 Edible DNA Model

Middle school is the perfect age for learning about DNA structure and the double helix. And what better way to learn about this otherwise unengaging topic than with candy?

Your middle schoolers can build their very own 3D model of DNA and the double helix using candy! They will enjoy building, creating, and of course, eating.

Go learn how to make an edible DNA model now! Be sure to download and print the free DNA worksheets while you’re at it.

#5 Homemade Bow and Arrow

Did you know you can make a DIY homemade bow and arrow out of PVC pipe? We didn’t either before discovering this activity.

This project is perfect for tweens and teens, provided they have a little adult supervision (heat guns can be dangerous after all).

When your students have finished their bows, they can engage in some archery target practice and maybe even find a new love for this fun sport, all while building up some physical strength. It’s a win-win!

Go learn how to make the DIY bow and arrow from PVC pipe now.

#6 DIY Bath Bombs

Making bath bombs is a great way to learn about chemistry while also having some fun.

The ingredients you need are simple and the process is relatively straightforward. Among a few other ingredients, you’ll need citric acid and baking soda, which combine to create a reaction that produces carbon dioxide and water. The key to successful bath bomb making is to use a catalyst, which helps to speed up the reaction.

Once you’ve added your ingredients and found the right catalyst, you’ll be able to see the magic of chemistry at work. Not only will you have created something that’s fun to use, but you’ll also have gained a new understanding of how chemical reactions work.

So gather your supplies and get ready to make some bath bomb science!

#7 Marbled Dragon Eggs

Looking for a fun and educational STEM activity to do with your middle schoolers? Look no further than the marbled dragon egg! This activity is not only fun but it also helps teach kids about mass and density.

In this activity, kids will learn how to make a hydrodipped marbled egg using only nail polish and water.

Not only is this an enjoyable activity, but it’s also a creative way to add some decoration to Easter eggs.

And as a bonus, you can encourage your child’s entrepreneurial spirit by challenging them to hydrodip all kinds of items and then go out and sell them!

So if you’re looking for something new and exciting to do with your middle schoolers, be sure to give the marbled dragon egg STEM activity a try!

#8 The Science of Cookies

There is no better way to learn about chemistry than with food and this science of cookies experiment makes it easier than ever. Your kids will experiment with various versions of the same chocolate chip cookie recipe while learning how each ingredient affects the overall cookie.

At the end of it, they will have learned a ton about science, chemistry, and the scientific method. They might even come up with their own ideal chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Try the science of cookies science experiment with your middle schoolers. This is a good one if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day STEM projects.

#9 Bake a Pi Pie

This Pie-making activity involves creating an edible, circular representation of the mathematical constant pi (π) by baking and subsequently decorating a round pie in multiples of 3.14. It’s an especially good STEM activity for Pi Day.

To begin, students will first need to gather the ingredients necessary for their pie (filling, crust, etc.). Students will then need to measure the ingredients and prepare their creation in accordance with the recipe instructions.

Once their Pi Pie is ready to bake, students should decorate the top of it in multiples of 3.14 by using sprinkles, icing or edibles to create a geometric design.

#10 Gingerbread Structures STEM Project

Now you may not think a gingerbread structure is a STEAM activity that is appropriate for middle schoolers, or a STEAM activity at all, but here me out.

If done properly, this activity can be engaging and educational for tweens and teens in both middle school and high school.

Your middle school students can use geometry and other advanced maths to make their gingerbread structures. They can experiment with various materials and shapes and learn what is needed to make their structures the most stable.

This is all part of the engineering design process.

They can make models that are inspired by real-world structures such as famous monuments. Not only will making these models to scale encourage more math skills but also the history involved in researching said monuments is the perfect activity for middle schoolers as well.

If you’re willing to get creative, put in a bit of work, and encourage your students to use their problem solving and critical thinking skills, there’s no limit to the lessons your students can learn! This STEM project is a great addition to any STEM education plan.

Read more about how we use gingerbread structures as a STEM activity now.

#11 Crystal Egg Geodes

Using a little bit of adult supervision and a whole lot of patience, your middle school students will soon be the owners of their very own homemade crystal egg geodes (AKA dragon eggs).

Whether you’re studying dragons, rocks, or crystals, this is a fantastic STEM project for kids age 12-14.

The best part is, this project uses materials you probably already have on hand. (If you don’t have Borax, use salt or sugar instead!)

Challenge your middle schoolers to make their own crystal eggshells now.

#12 Toothpick Bridges STEM Challenge

Toothpick bridges are a fun STEM challenge for middle school students as well as upper elementary school students. This is yet another example of a fun engineering challenge.

Your kids can explore physics as they learn about proper bridge design and structures and attempt to build their own stable bridges.

They can use any number of materials. We used toothpicks and gumdrops but you can use marshmallows, spaghetti noodles, etc.

This engineering project is easily adaptable for both large and small groups so it’s a fun way to get some good interactive learning in, no matter where you are.

Go read more about toothpick bridges and begin your STEM learning now!

#13 Classroom Aquaponics System

There is so much to be learned from a classroom aquaponics system! In addition to art, math, and engineering lessons, your students will learn about food production, gardening, and caring for plants and animals.

This is a fairly complex project but I’m certain advanced middle schoolers will have no problem with this STEM activity.

Go get your free classroom aquaponics lesson plan now!

#14 Tin Can Ice Cream

This tin can ice cream STEM activity is perfect for upper elementary students and middle school students, especially if it’s a hotter time of year.

Teach your kids about how heat transfers and how salt affects the formation of ice cream. Of course this activity also gives kids a chance to get some energy out.

Go learn about tin can ice cream now!

#15 Homemade Seed Bombs

Whether you’re having a nature and gardening unit, a biology unit, or a lesson on the impact humans have on the environment (or even how plants, bugs, and animals all need each other to survive), these homemade seed bombs will be a great addition to those lessons.

In this STEM activity, middle schoolers will make their own DIY seed bombs using dirt, clay, seeds, and water. Talk about native plants and invasive species as you decide what seeds to put inside.

Discuss where food comes from and healthy eating habits. Or save the discussions for another day and just have some fun playing in the dirt together.

The choice is yours! But no matter how you decide to include these garden bombs, your middle schoolers are sure to love them.

#16 Dry Ice Experiments

Let your middle school students experiment with dry ice! First, let them build their own smoking dragons. This is a simple way to introduce them to the basics of dry ice.

Then, when they’ve mastered that, let them see if they can make a contraption that blows bubbles out of dry ice. This is STEM activity your middle schoolers are not likely to forget.

Go read more about smoking dragons and dry ice experiments now.

#17 Learning to Crochet

Crochet is a wonderful activity with many surprising benefits. Your students will learn about math and art as they crochet their troubles and stresses away.

Some students may even become young entrepreneurs and sell their own creations.

This may not be a traditional math activity, but it is a common practice in math classrooms across the world to engage in some form of crochet lessons.

Now you can easily teach your own tweens and teens how to crochet with this easy crochet tutorial.

#18 Dragon Paper Airplanes

You might be thinking, “How on earth are paper airplanes an appropriate STEM activity for middle school students?” Well, you’d be surprised what you can turn into an appropriate STEM activity for older students!

In our homeschool, we had our kids make several dragon-shaped paper airplanes. This involved searching for good template instructions online and following the instructions perfectly. Then we had a contest and tested each and every airplane to see how they performed.

Finally, we had the kids engage in data science, statistics, and other advanced mathematical concepts.

They had to learn how many tests had to be performed in order to get proper results, they had to graph and chart these results, and then they had to find the mean, median, and mode for each airplane. It was a very educational activity that was also a ton of fun.

Go learn more about our dragon paper airplane STEM activity now.

#19 Regrowing Food from Kitchen Scraps

Have your students ever regrown vegetables such as celery, lettuce, or onions? There are many foods that can be regrown again and again. This is an example of asexual reproduction, which is another thing your kids will be learning all about throughout the duration of this project.

Middle schoolers will be able to perform various experiments in addition to just regrowing food from kitchen scraps.

There are so many directions this project can go! Enjoy this activity for a week, for a month, or for a whole semester. The possibilities are endless.

Go learn more about regrowing kitchen scraps now.

#20 Paper Mache Dragons

Have you ever made paper mache with your students? Making paper mache is a great example of a fun STEM project for middle schoolers.

Kids can learn to think like an engineer while also solving a multitude of problems and getting very messy. This is a multi-day project, making it perfect for older students such as middle schoolers and high schoolers.

Go learn how to make your very own paper mache dragon now!

#21 DIY Composting Bin

Looking for a fun and educational STEM project for your teenager? Look no further than a DIY composting bin!

Composting is a great way to teach kids about the environment and the food cycle, while also giving them a hands-on opportunity to learn about science and engineering.

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to set up a composting system in your home using everyday materials.

#22 Learning About the Solar System

This article includes many engaging lessons and activities for teaching kids about the solar system and all of them are appropriate for middle school students.

Some of the STEM activities are edible, others are not, but all of them are fun! There is even a link to a solar system unit study that you can use as part of your space and science activities.

Why STEM Activities for Middle School?

Engaging middle school students in STEM activities offers numerous benefits that extend beyond the classroom. Let’s explore some of them:

Hands-on Learning: By actively participating in experiments, projects, and challenges, students gain a deeper understanding of abstract concepts and develop practical skills. This hands-on approach allows them to explore and manipulate real-world materials, fostering a strong connection between theoretical knowledge and its practical applications.
Foster Creativity and Innovation: When faced with complex problems, they are challenged to generate unique solutions, think outside the box, and experiment with different approaches. This nurtures their creativity and empowers them to become innovative problem solvers, a crucial skill in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Develop Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: These activities often involve open-ended challenges that require students to analyze, evaluate, and make informed decisions. By practicing these skills regularly, students learn how to break down complex problems into manageable parts, think critically, and develop effective strategies to solve them.
Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork: Many STEM activities are designed to be collaborative in nature. Students work in teams, fostering effective communication, cooperation, and teamwork. Collaborative problem-solving encourages them to listen to diverse perspectives, share ideas, delegate tasks, and collectively find solutions. These experiences help students develop essential interpersonal skills necessary for success in future academic and professional settings.
Nurture a Growth Mindset: Through trial and error, students learn to embrace failures as opportunities for growth. They develop resilience, perseverance, and a growth mindset, understanding that setbacks are part of the learning process. This mindset empowers them to take risks, learn from mistakes, and persist in the face of challenges.
Real-World Relevance: STEM activities connect classroom learning to real-world applications. Students gain an understanding of how scientific principles and mathematical concepts are applied in practical situations. This connection helps them appreciate the relevance of what they learn and inspires them to pursue further exploration in STEM fields.
Career Exploration: Engaging in STEM activities during middle school exposes students to a wide range of STEM careers. By actively participating in hands-on projects and interacting with professionals from various fields, students can explore potential career paths early on. This exposure helps them make informed decisions about their academic and professional aspirations, fostering a sense of purpose and motivation.

In conclusion, participating in STEM activities provides middle school students with a host of benefits. From hands-on learning and fostering creativity to developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, these activities nurture important attributes that prepare students for future success. By engaging in STEM activities, students not only acquire subject-specific knowledge but also cultivate the essential skills and mindset required to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

More Recommended STEM Resources

My favorite resource for STEM activities is our STEM Made Easy Digital Subscription. When you sign up, you get 5 expert curated, fully-planned project guides each and every month, along with details on how to adapt each project for all ages including elementary, middle school, and high school levels so they can work on their science and engineering skills.

Or here are some other STEM resources that you might find useful in your teens’ STEM education.

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Jess Brooks

Jess is the managing editor for Hess UnAcademy. She is a former elementary school teacher turned homeschool mom (of three!). She can be reached at jess@hessunacademy.com.