Factors Affecting the Rate of Reactions Lab

factors affecting the rate of reactions lab laney lee

Understanding the factors affecting the rate of reactions is a cornerstone of middle school chemistry—and it’s way more exciting than just memorizing definitions. In this hands-on lab, students explore how temperature, surface area, and concentration influence how fast a reaction occurs. Best of all? You don’t need a fancy lab setup to make it happen. […]

Children’s Books for Middle School Science

Looking to build literacy into your science lessons? These children’s books for middle school science are not only engaging—they’re also powerful tools for anchoring abstract scientific concepts in accessible, memorable ways. Below, you’ll find curated titles across astronomy, physics, and engineering, complete with descriptions and ideas for how to use them in the classroom, including […]

pH of Household Items Lab

pH of household substances

If you’re a middle school science teacher looking for a hands-on way to bring chemistry concepts to life, this lab on the pH of household items is a total win. It’s easy to set up, fun for students, and gives them a chance to test real substances they encounter every day. Best of all? It […]

35 End of Year Science Activities

end of year science activities last day of school activities

Not sure what to do after state testing? I’ve rounded up all the best ideas to help you cruise through those final weeks of school without burning out. From ready-to-go mini units (think forensics, neuroscience, astronomy, and more) to hands-on STEM challenges, science-themed projects, one-day activities, and last-day favorites, this guide has you covered. Whether you’ve got three weeks or just one day left, you’ll find creative, engaging options that keep students learning and let you breathe. Let’s finish the year strong—and have a little fun while we’re at it. 🎉

40 Best Gifts for Science Teachers

40 of the best gifts for science teachers

Looking for the perfect gift for a science teacher? Check out this list of 40 fun, practical, and unique science-themed gifts that any educator will love!

School Science Club Ideas

Science Club – The Geeky Fun You’ve Been Missing If you’ve ever thought, “Ugh, I’d love to do this fun activity in class, but we just don’t have the time. And I know the students would love it,” then congratulations—you’re a real teacher. Between state testing, strict unit pacing guides, covering all the standards, and those days […]

AI Activities for Students 

If you’re a middle school science teacher, you’re probably no stranger to the endless lesson planning, grading, and classroom management that comes with the territory. And now the world has decided to add AI to complicate things?! Well, I’m here to tell you that adapting to a world where AI is useful in the classroom […]

Tips for Using AI as a Science Teacher

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept; it’s here, and it’s revolutionizing classrooms everywhere (and not necessarily in a bad way)! If you’ve been teaching for a while, maybe your first instinct lately has been to do everything you can to prevent students from using AI in your presence. Well, I am […]

Independent Projects for Middle School Science

I don’t know about you, but as a middle school science teacher, I was always looking for ways to teach my students how to work better independently. Not only was it frustrating when certain students couldn’t get anything done without constant handholding, but also alarming that many very bright students struggled to exhibit independent work […]

Turning Science Lessons into Knowledge: A Guide to Better Note-Taking

Taking Notes Science

Taking notes in science is a critical skill that helps students process, retain, and review complex information. From guided notes to doodle notes, teachers are finding creative ways to make the note-taking process more interactive and effective. Whether it’s filling in blanks on pre-structured worksheets, exploring topics with graphic organizers, or turning notes into games, […]

Low-tech Review Games for Middle School Teachers

One of every middle school science teacher’s goals is to make units fun and engaging, while also challenging and informative. We dream of students retaining information simply because it’s interesting, but let’s face it: we also need them to do well on assessments. That’s where review time comes into play. While the digital classroom game […]