Assign topics that ask students to dig for facts. Junior-high students are at an age when they can learn the difference between fact and opinion. This will improve their research skills and train them to support assertions with evidence. Here are some samples: strange world records; the most unusual animals; urban legends; things people believed in the dark ages; and tornado damage reports.
Choose topics junior high school students are already interested in, so that they will be motivated to do research. Remember, they are entering their adolescent years, so they have special interests that are specifically for teenagers. Examples include: skateboarding tips; celebrities; getting good grades; favorite films; and tricks for mastering a video game.
Junior-high students are more interested in history than many adults imagine. They are at the ages when they can imagine other times and places. Narrow the topic enough, and you may hit upon something that sparks your students' interests. Here are some suggestions: famous speeches; Civil War generals; how weapons have changed over time; and historical events that happened on the assigned speech day.
Encourage students to explore the history behind their favorite product brands. From sneakers to computers to cars, kids embrace brands with surprising fervor. Ask them to research the history of a product: who first introduced it, what the early versions of the product were like, and what new products have been introduced lately, for instance. This assignment will get them involved in research, organization and presentation of information.