Are your students bored with math? Shake things up with these math project ideas for middle school.
The Purpose of Middle School Math Projects
English has great stories and creative writing prompts.
History has projects that make it come alive.
Science has cool experiments.
What does math have? Worksheets.
No wonder middle schoolers are often turned off by math.
These math project ideas for middle school will get students up and moving.
They will think creatively and use their problem-solving skills.
You can make math come alive with these middle school math project ideas.
This article contains affiliate links to things that you might like.
Math Projects for Middle Schoolers
Check out this list of math project ideas for middle school.
Mathematical Patterns in Nature
Introduce your middle schoolers to the Fibonacci sequence and find it in nature (pinecone whirls, the arrangement of leaves on a stem, etc.).
You can even tie it into a nature walk.
Talk about the golden ratio and measure the shape of seashells. Or research how it is used in art.
Math and Technology
“Will I really use math?” Answer this question with a research project.
Students can investigate how mathematics is used in tech, such as computer programming, digital imaging, or cryptography.
They can explore algorithms, binary code, or encryption methods.
They can write information in code and encrypt messages.
Mathematical Games and Strategies
Teaching a lesson on probability can get dull with example after example involving a flipping coin.
Bring math to life by challenging students to develop their math game involving probability.
You can teach them the probability game “SNAKE” and ask them to design their own versions.
They can explore game theory concepts and develop winning strategies.
Math and Music
Examine the connection between math and music.
Research Pythagoras and his discoveries about instruments and pitch.
Students can apply what they have learned and make a set of straw pipes or a rubber band guitar.
Data Visualization
Have students design surveys on a topic of their choice.
Students can then collect data and create visually appealing graphs, charts, or infographics to represent and interpret the data.
Have them give a presentation on their findings.
Mathematical Modeling
Assign a cross-curricular project that ties in science, history, government, or geography.
Ask students to analyze trends and create graphs of population growth, ecological systems, or economic trends.
Incorporate these graphs into their presentations.
Mathematical Art: Tessellations
Tesselations are nestling patterns of the same shape (imagine tiles).
The artist M. C. Escher was a master of tesselations.
Students can explore the art of tessellations by creating their own tessellation designs using geometric shapes.
This is also a great lead-in for a conversation about the different types of symmetry.
Have them trace a cardstock shape that tesselates to create their own design.
Exploring Fractals
Fractals are geometric shapes used in combination with smaller versions of themselves. They exist in nature (e.g., snowflakes and ferns).
Students can research fractals to learn about self-similarity, fractal dimensions, and the connection between art and mathematics (fractal art is amazing!).
They can also discover the use of fractals in technology (like antennae, for instance).
Students can draw their own fractals by hand or using an online fractal creator.
Mathematical Sports Analytics
Students can analyze sports statistics to gain insights into player performance, team strategies, or game outcomes.
They can do this for their school teams or analyze competing teams to gain insight for their school.
They can research the development of sabermetrics in baseball.
Mathematical Origami
Students can learn about the mathematical principles behind origami and create their own origami designs.
They can explore concepts such as symmetry, angles, and geometric transformations.
Math Around the World
Students can research different cultures and investigate how mathematics is used worldwide in various traditional practices or architectural designs.
They can explore concepts like Islamic geometric patterns or Mayan number systems.
Ideas for Middle School Math Projects
These math project ideas for middle school will have your students falling in love with the big picture of math.
They will make connections between math and other subjects, practice the skill of research, and even try their hand at art.
Math is a dynamic subject when you incorporate some middle school math project ideas.