8th Grade Science Fair Projects Involving Oceans

Environmental Issues

• Students can learn about threats to the ocean by simulating an oil spill for their science fair project. Collect sea water in a small bowl. Students who do not have access to the ocean may use tap water. Fill the bowl about halfway. Create a miniature "oil tanker" out of foil by shaping it like a small canoe. Fill the oil tanker with vegetable oil and place it on top of the water. To create an oil spill, cause the foil boat to tip, spilling its contents into the water. As the oil spreads, attempt to clean it up using cotton swabs or other methods to demonstrate the devastating effects of an oil spill on the ocean environment.

Water Cycles

• Ocean water undergoes a natural cycle involving evaporation, condensation and finally, rain. A great idea for a science project is to recreate this process. Add salt to a cup of tap water to simulate sea water. Pour the contents into a large bowl. Wash out the cup and set it upright at the bowl's center. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. The wrap should completely seal off the top of the bowl and cover the cup inside as well. Set the bowl in a windowsill where it will receive sunlight. Find a small rock and set it on top of the plastic wrap, situated directly over the top of the cup. The weight of the rock should cause the plastic to sag down into the cup's mouth. The rock will be just inside of the cup as it rests on top of the sagging plastic wrap. Wait a few hours and check the project. Condensation will form on the plastic and begin to roll and drip down into the cup. When the water has collected into the bottom of the cup, remove it and take a drink. When ocean water evaporates, the salt remains in the ocean. This process will be simulated in your experiment. The salt will remain in the bowl, so the water in the cup will taste fresh, without the salt.

Salt Water vs. Fresh Water

• A science project that compares the properties of salt water vs. fresh water can teach students about the different kinds of water that surround them. Collect water from a variety of sources, such as rain water, tap water, water from fresh ponds and salt water from the ocean. Use a microscope to explore the different types of water. Observe, record and discuss both the similarities and differences between salt water and fresh water.

Plant Life

• Ocean water has a direct effect on different kinds of plant life. Experiment with the influence of salt water on the growth of bamboo. Collect 15 specimens of bamboo in order to detect differences in growth when the plants are watered with salt water, fresh water and both types of water. Water one group of plants two times a day with fresh water from the tap, one group two times a day with salt water and one group once with fresh water and then twice daily with salt water. Take measurements before watering and then every day for five days to explore the influence of salt water on plants.