Recommended for 3rd graders! A collection of easy self-study ideas you can try

Shiitake cultivation

A large number of shiitake mushrooms appeared in my room.

If you’re looking for a science project theme where you can enjoy delicious food, growing shiitake mushrooms is a great choice.

In this experiment, you’ll use a shiitake mushroom growing kit to actually cultivate the mushrooms.

Depending on the temperature, it takes about a week for the mushrooms to grow, so be sure to prepare with enough time.

It’s easy for anyone to do, so it’s recommended even for lower elementary school students.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Let’s put it on the magnet.

3rd Grade Science: "Let's Use Magnets – 1. Objects That Stick to Magnets"

I think many of you have learned about magnets or played with them.

What I’d like to introduce is an experiment to test what sticks to a magnet.

You already know that iron sticks to magnets.

But you might not be sure about things like copper or wood.

In this experiment, you bring various items you’re curious about close to a magnet and test whether they stick.

As you collect data, you might discover unexpected commonalities or make new findings.

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yamamoto

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Let’s make a water filter

Summer Vacation Independent Research: I Tried Making a Water Filter

For those who want an activity to try while on a leisure trip or are looking for a nature-focused independent study project, making a water filter is recommended.

The materials you’ll use are a plastic bottle, small stones, gauze, and so on.

Combine these to handcraft your own filter.

It’s fun to watch the water actually become clearer, and it will likely spark curiosity about why that happens.

Think it through as you go and compile your findings into a report.

If you’d like something a bit easier, you can also purchase a kit for making a water filter.

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yamamoto

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Decomposing ink colors

[Simple Experiments & Independent Research] Break Down Ink Colors! Try Paper Chromatography

Let’s do an experiment to separate the ink in water-based markers! In fact, water-based marker ink isn’t made from a single color; it’s a mixture of various colors.

How about a simple science project using a coffee filter and water to observe this? Draw a line on a coffee filter with a marker, then let water soak into the filter.

The ink will separate in the water, and different colors will appear.

Use red and blue markers and record which colors show up.

Even markers labeled the same color, like red, may give different results depending on the brand.

Gather a variety of markers and give it a try!

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Hamada Takuya

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Cooking with an original recipe

[Rin the Dragon’s Independent Project] A 5th Grader Tried Cooking with an Original Recipe

By the time they’re in fifth grade, many kids handle knives well and start getting interested in cooking.

So why not try creating and making your own original recipe? First, think up a recipe that makes you say, “If I do this, it should be delicious!” and actually try cooking it.

If you summarize how the taste differed from what you imagined and what you could improve next time, it will make a great independent research project.

It’s also a good idea to grow summer vegetables in plastic bottles or planters and use them in your cooking.

If you’re using heat, be sure to work with an adult.

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sasashina

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Diorama

[Elementary School Grade 2 Summer Craft] All 100-Yen Shop Materials! Palm-Sized ♪ How to Make an Ocean Diorama

Here are some ideas for creating a diorama that lets you freely express your own world.

First, let’s brainstorm what kind of diorama you want to make.

You could recreate the ocean or mountains you visited during summer vacation, or you could build a place you’d like to visit or a fantastical world.

Once you’ve settled on an idea, decide whether you’ll include people or animals.

It can also be fun to place figures you already own.

The specific methods will differ for each project, so consider checking YouTube and other resources for guidance.

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yamamoto

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Cicada molting

[“Cicada Emergence”] Summer Vacation Independent Research for Elementary and Middle School Students [“Easy Method ☆ How-To Explanation”] Two Cicadas Emerging at the Same Time. Complete Uncut Version. Super Fast-Forward: 8 Hours Condensed into 9 Minutes. Please Use as a Reference for Your Summer Homework.

Keeping an observation journal is a classic for independent research projects.

But some of you may be struggling to find a summer-themed subject to observe.

In that case, I recommend observing a cicada’s emergence.

The moment when it molts from a nymph into an adult is beautiful and can be deeply moving.

Because its form changes so dramatically, you’ll also feel a sense of wonder.

First, you’ll need to catch a cicada nymph, so look around places where they’re likely to be found.

It may be helpful to consult websites that share tips on how to catch them to make the process smoother.

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yamamoto

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