Third graders will be hooked! A collection of science project ideas using everyday materials
For summer vacation independent research, especially for third graders, it’s common to think, “I want to pick an interesting topic, but I don’t want it to be too hard.” Actually, with familiar materials and a little creativity, you can do experiments and crafts packed with scientific discoveries.
Here, we introduce curiosity-sparking ideas like learning about chemical reactions by making bread, observing plant mechanisms with colorful flowers, and reviving a dried-out marker.
Try exciting research and craft projects that will make your friends say, “Awesome!”
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Third graders will be captivated! A collection of independent research project ideas using everyday materials (161–170)
Cicada molting
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.
Dry ice experiment! The coin is buzzing?!
Don’t you think experiments that help you cool down are perfect for summer vacation? With that in mind, here’s an experiment to try: the vibrating coin on dry ice.
The method is very simple—prepare some dry ice and insert a coin into it.
Mysteriously, the coin starts to vibrate.
In fact, this phenomenon occurs due to the temperature difference between the dry ice and the coin, as well as the sublimation of the dry ice.
It could be fun to study the mechanism and present your findings, or to try some applied variations of the experiment.
Paper chromatography
Chromatography refers to a method for separating mixtures, and paper chromatography is a type of chromatography that uses water and filter paper.
Although chromatography might sound like a formal chemistry experiment, it’s actually easy to try as a hands-on science project.
One simple activity is to use paper chromatography to separate the inks of water-based pens.
Water-based pen ink is made by mixing various colors; for example, when you separate green ink, you can see that it’s composed of multiple colors.
The method is simple: color a coffee filter with a water-based pen, then dip it in water and leave it.
The ink will separate as if it’s bleeding, revealing which colors were mixed.
Try separating and observing different colors, or investigate whether the mixture of colors differs between brands even for the same ink color.
underwater soap bubbles
Here’s a fun experiment where mysterious little soap bubbles bob around near the surface of the water in a cup.
First, cut a straw to about 10 cm.
Put 300 ml of water and 10 drops of dish soap into a cup and mix gently so it doesn’t foam.
Insert the straw into the cup, then, while covering the top end of the straw with your finger, pull the straw up until the bottom end rises above the water surface, and release your finger.
A tiny soap bubble will form underwater and float gently.
The secret to bubbles forming in water lies in the surfactants contained in the soap.
You can deepen the experiment by learning about how bubbles form, or by making colorful bubbles using tinted water prepared with paints!
Let’s make food samples
You’ve probably seen the food samples displayed in restaurant showcases.
Try making a ramen food sample that even kids can create! First, prepare an old rice bowl or ramen bowl.
Fill it with paper clay to raise the bottom.
Next, tear off pieces of paper clay and roll them into thin strands to make noodles.
Make four or five strands about 20 cm long.
Also craft toppings like chashu pork, menma, and egg.
Use epoxy resin—a resin material that hardens when mixed—to make the soup.
You can buy it at 100-yen shops, and if it’s difficult, ask your parents to help.
Finally, arrange everything in the bowl, and you’re done!
Let’s make 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.
Color the shapes created by a single-stroke drawing
Let’s try a “one-line drawing” that can produce artwork like an artistic painting.
Draw a border with a marker slightly inside the edges of your drawing paper.
From the top of the border to the bottom, draw continuous lines in a single stroke.
As you add more lines, they will intersect and create several shapes.
Color those shapes with colored pencils in any colors you like.
Even with the same colored pencil, varying the pressure will create light and dark tones, making it more artistic.
You might end up with a picture like Picasso’s—give it a try!