Middle Grades Science Kickoff | Back to School | 1 Week of Activities | STEM

Middle School Science Kickoff Week Activities | Back to School Science (Grades 6–8)

Start the school year with engaging, low-prep science activities designed specifically for middle school students! This 5-day science kickoff resource helps students build classroom familiarity, practice essential science skills, and develop a positive science mindset while teachers establish routines and expectations.

Perfect for the first week of school, these activities provide meaningful learning experiences without requiring prior content knowledge.

What’s Included?

31 Printable Pages

Day 1: Science Snapshot & Classroom Scavenger Hunt

• Science Snapshot student reflection
• Classroom Scavenger Hunt with mystery challenge
• 20 printable classroom station cards

Day 2: Observation & Inference Investigation

• Observation vs. Inference practice
• Missing Camper Investigation
• 8 evidence station cards - Gallery Walk
• Investigation recording sheet

Day 3: Lab Safety Challenge

• Spot the Unsafe Behaviors activity
• Lab Safety Analysis worksheet
• Lab Safety Challenge scenarios
• Critical thinking and discussion opportunities

Day 4: Save the Hoot Engineering Challenge

• Engineering Design Process activity
• Student planning and reflection pages
• Printable Hoot rescue owl (1 color - 1 black & white)
• Team problem-solving challenge

Day 5: Data Collection & Graphing Investigation

• Class survey activity
• Data collection table
• Bar graph template
• Data analysis questions
• Example graph and teacher support materials

Bonus Pages

• Word Wall
• Science Success Plan reflection
• Extra Observation vs Interference
• Decoder Puzzle
• Teacher directions
• Answer keys where applicable

Skills Covered

✔ Observation and Inference

✔ Scientific Investigation

✔ Lab Safety

✔ Engineering Design Process

✔ Data Collection and Analysis

✔ Graphing and Interpreting Data

✔ Critical Thinking

✔ Problem Solving

Perfect For:

• Back to School Science
• First Week of School
• Science Kickoff Week
• Beginning of the Year Activities
• Emergency Sub Plans
• Team Building in Science Classes

Grade Levels

Grades 6–8

Prep Required

Low Prep

Help students think, investigate, engineer, and analyze like scientists from the very first week of school while building classroom community and introducing important science skills.