General Science Hands-On Activities

When Will I Ever Use This? Reading | Skills, Careers, Problem Solving 6, 7, 8th

Created by
TWFScience

This middle school science reading comprehension article answers the question we all get asked, every year. "When am I ever going to use this??" The reading introduces students to how science skills connect directly to real-world careers (both in the science and skilled trades) and everyday problem

6th - 8th General Science, Physical Science, Other (Science)

NGSS MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3+1

When Will I Ever Use This? Reading | Grade 8 & Up | Solving Problems, Careers

Created by
TWFScience

Why We Need to Learn Science: Real-World Problem Solving, Careers, and Skilled Trades Reading Comprehension Passage and QuestionsThis reading answers the question we all get, "When am I ever Going to Use this?" This is a high-interest, real-world reading that helps students understand how science cl

8th - 12th Science, General Science, Physical Science

Also included in: Science Reading Comprehension Article Mega Bundle | Grade 8 and Up

Space Science Emergency Sub Plans | 2 Days | Middle School | No Prep Worksheets

Created by
TWFScience

2-Day, Emergency Space Science Introduction Sub Plans – No Prep 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Astronomy Activities and Worksheets.Need to be away from your classroom but still want your students to continue learning meaningful science content? This print-and-go AND fully digital 2-day Emergency Sub Plan allow

5th - 9th Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science

NGSS MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-ETS1-1

Our Solar System Emergency Sub Plans | 2 Days | Middle School | No Prep Space

Created by
TWFScience

2-Day, Emergency Solar System Sub Plans – No Prep 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Astronomy Activities and Worksheets.Need to be away from your classroom but still want your students to continue learning meaningful science content?This print-and-go AND fully digital 2-day Emergency Sub Plan allows your students

5th - 9th Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science

NGSS MS-ESS1-2, MS-ESS1-3, MS-ETS1-1

Stars Emergency Sub Plans | 2 Days | Middle School | The Sun No Prep Activities

Created by
TWFScience

2-Day, Emergency Stars Sub Plans – No Prep 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Astronomy Activities and Worksheets.Need to be away from your classroom but still want your students to continue learning meaningful science content?This print-and-go AND fully digital 2-day Emergency Sub Plan allows your students to con

5th - 9th Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science

The Seasons Emergency Sub Plans | 2 Days | Middle School | No Prep Activities

Created by
TWFScience

2-Day, Emergency Seasons and Earth's Tilt Sub Plans – No Prep 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Earth Science and Astronomy Activities and Worksheets.Need to be away from your classroom but still want your students to continue learning meaningful science content?This print-and-go AND fully digital 2-day Emergency

5th - 9th Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science

NGSS MS-ESS1-1

Environmental Science Data Investigation Bundle | Case Studies & Graphing

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your classroom into an environmental investigation lab.This growing bundle of Environmental Case Files gives students authentic, data-driven ecosystem challenges where they analyze trends, evaluate evidence, and determine the most likely cause of environmental change.These are not simple readin

6th - 9th Biology, Earth Sciences, General Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-3+2

The Acid Rain Mystery – Chemistry Detective Activity | Precipitation, pH scale

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on air pollution and chemical reactions in the atmosphere. In this case file activity, students analyze rainwater pH data, examine surface damage on stone buildings, evaluate plant health pattern

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

Forever Chemicals (PFAS) Reading | Risks, Sources, Solutions 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to the science behind forever chemicals—a group of human-made substances that persist in the environment and build up in the body over time. Students learn what PFAS are, how they’re used in everyday products like waterproof clothing and nonstick cookware,

6th - 8th General Science, Physical Science, Other (Science)

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade

Deforestation & Habitat Destruction Reading | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade | Biodiversity

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to the science behind deforestation and habitat destruction, exploring how the removal of forests and natural areas affects biodiversity, climate, and human communities. Students learn what drives deforestation, how it threatens plant and animal species, an

6th - 8th General Science, Physical Science, Other (Science)

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade

Overfishing & Ocean Ecosystem Collapse Reading | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade | Marine

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading comprehension article introduces students to the science behind overfishing and how it contributes to the collapse of ocean ecosystems. Students learn what overfishing is, why it happens, and how it disrupts marine food webs and threatens biodiversity, food security, and coast

6th - 8th General Science, Marine Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade

Landfill & Waste Management Reading | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade |

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to the science behind landfill and waste management, examining how human-generated waste is handled, the challenges it creates, and the innovations being developed to reduce its environmental impact. Students learn how landfills work, what happens to trash

6th - 8th General Science, Marine Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade

The Household Cleaning Products Reaction Mystery – Chemistry Detective Activity

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on how household cleaning products work at the chemistry level. In this case file activity, students analyze cleaning test results, compare grease and stain removal data, evaluate disinfectant cl

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Conductivity Case Mystery – Chemistry Detective Activity | Current, Circuit

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on why some liquids conduct electricity while others do not. In this case file activity, students analyze conductivity test results, compare salt water, sugar water, vinegar, baking soda, tap wat

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Energy Release Mystery – Chemistry Detective Activity | Exothermic, Reaction

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on how and why some chemical reactions release energy rapidly. In this case file activity, students analyze temperature changes, observe gas production, evaluate reaction speed data, examine syst

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Phase Change Puzzle Mystery | Detective Activity | States of Matter

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on why matter changes state without changing its identity. In this physical change vs chemical change case file activity, students analyze melting and freezing, evaporation, and condensation obse

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

Germ Theory Reading - Germs and the Immune System, Disease | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading comprehension article and questions introduces students to germ theory—the scientific discovery that microorganisms cause many diseases. Students explore how this idea revolutionized medicine, changed hygiene practices, and continues to shape public health today. From the work

6th - 8th Anatomy, Biology, General Science

NGSS MS-LS1-2, MS-LS1-3

Also included in: Reading Comprehension Article & Question Mega Bundle | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

The Missing Mass Mystery - Chemistry Detective Activity | Conservation of Mass

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on the Law of Conservation of Mass. In this case file activity, students analyze mass measurements, examine gas formation data, compare open and closed systems, evaluate dissolving observations,

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Ozone Layer Mystery - Chemistry Detective Activity | Ultraviolet Radiation

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on what protects Earth from harmful radiation. In this case file activity, students analyze UV radiation data, examine ozone concentration trends, evaluate atmospheric chemistry evidence, track h

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Plastic Breakdown Mystery - Chemistry Detective Activity | Microplastics

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on why plastic lasts so long in the environment. In this case file activity, students analyze environmental observations, examine sunlight exposure data, compare decomposition patterns, evaluate

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Solubility Surprise Mystery - Chemistry Detective Activity | Solute, Solvent

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on why some substances dissolve while others do not. In this case file activity, students analyze dissolving observations, examine temperature effects, compare different substances in water, eval

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Spoiled Food Mystery - Chemistry Detective Activity | Microorganisms Microbe

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on why food changes over time. In this case file activity, students analyze food spoilage observations, examine environmental conditions, compare storage methods, evaluate microbial activity evid

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

Chemistry in Everyday Life Detective Mystery Bundle | Physical Science Activity

Created by
TWFScience

This BUNDLE is composed of high-engagement, no-prep Chemistry in Everyday Life activities that grow with you. This bundle consists of mystery activities that examine everyday chemical reactions and guide your students through evidence analysis, pathway tracking, suspect ranking, and Claim–Evidence–R

7th - 11th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-4+2

Resource Depletion & Mining Reading | Ore Extraction, Tailings | 6th, 7th, 8th

Created by
TWFScience

Resource Depletion & Mining is topic that helps students explore how natural resources are used, why mining is necessary for modern life, and how resource depletion affects ecosystems, communities, and economies. This reading comprehension article and questions introduces the science and environ

6th - 8th Earth Sciences, Environment, General Science

NGSS MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-3

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade