Recommended for 4th graders! A collection of easy self-study ideas to try

Handmade claw machine

[Challengers Wanted] Win lavish prizes with our handmade claw machine

Crane games that let you grab candy, plush toys, and figures are popular with kids.

Let’s try making a homemade device so you can enjoy the excitement of “I wonder if this prize can be picked up with this arm movement…” at home.

Build the main body using cardboard or empty boxes.

Next, create the crane arm with straws or wooden chopsticks, and connect it with thread so it can move.

Prepare prizes you like, such as small toys or snacks.

By researching how crane games work as you build, you’ll also discover the fun of crafting.

This is a science project idea that’s enjoyable not only during the building process but also when you play with the completed game.

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mutō

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Homemade butter

[Independent Research] Homemade Butter You Can Make Just by Shaking Heavy Cream [Cooking]

This is a science project using store-bought heavy cream.

You’ll need heavy cream, salt, a plastic bottle, and some stamina! In this project, you pour liquid heavy cream into a plastic bottle and turn it into butter.

The method is very simple.

First, pour heavy cream into a 500 ml plastic bottle.

Next, add half a teaspoon of salt.

Then put the cap on the bottle and shake it nonstop! Keep shaking until it becomes solid! It’s quite tiring, but in the end you’ll have delicious butter, and your family will be thrilled!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Research about Japanese tea

[Independent Research] Become a Tea Expert in One Day—Teach Your Teacher, Too!

When time is limited, it’s hard to prepare anything unusual, isn’t it? So here’s something to try: a study of Japanese tea.

You should be able to find tea leaves at nearby stores like supermarkets or shopping malls.

Once you get some, explore how the flavor changes with water temperature and steeping time, and figure out the best way to brew it for the most delicious taste.

Since you’ll probably be brewing a lot of tea, having paper cups on hand will be convenient! You could also look for traditional Japanese sweets that pair well with tea.

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yamamoto

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Experiment on the action of flowing water

Kimie Gangi, 5th Grade Science: “The Work of Flowing Water and Its Relationship to Water Volume” — Experiment Methods and Results #EducationalContent

In fifth grade, I think you also learn in class about the work of flowing water, such as erosion, transportation, and deposition.

Let’s actually observe these processes through an experiment.

For the method, build a slope out of collected soil, make a channel for water, and run water through it.

Try observing how erosion, transportation, and deposition actually appear, whether these processes change depending on the amount of water, and whether the way they appear differs between a straight channel and a curved one.

Test various conditions and summarize your findings in a report.

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Hane Keisuke

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Observation experiment of the liquefaction phenomenon

Liquefaction experiment during an earthquake: We simulated an earthquake and conducted a model experiment on the liquefaction phenomenon—also known as the quicksand effect. Going forward, the focus will be on liquefaction countermeasures. Ground investigation and warranty by Japan Home Shield of LIXIL (LIXIL Group).

Japan experiences many earthquakes, so liquefaction becomes a hot topic every time a major quake occurs.

Many people have heard of liquefaction but may not fully understand how it works.

So let’s make its mechanism the theme of a science project.

You can easily recreate liquefaction by putting water-saturated sand in a tank and applying vibrations.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Try making yogurt from milk

Super Easy! How to Make Homemade Caspian Sea Yogurt (Successive Culturing)

Many high school students eat yogurt regularly, but few have made it themselves, right? So how about a science project where you make yogurt from milk? In fact, making your own yogurt is as simple as mixing store-bought yogurt into milk and letting it sit.

If you want to dig deeper, it might be interesting to investigate the conditions under which it fails.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Make plastic from milk

Future Divers #006: From Milk to Plastic! High School Students Tackling Marine Litter

A slightly unconventional type of independent research project is “making plastic from milk.” Milk? Plastic?? Just hearing it leaves an impression, doesn’t it? Plastics are made of polymers—structures with repeating units.

By adding vinegar to milk, you create a substance called casein, then dry it to form that polymer.

Basically, all you need is milk and vinegar; it’s easier than you might think—even for middle schoolers! Many people are trying different approaches to making plastic, so try searching the internet or video sites.

I think it’s a study that also connects to natural and environmental issues.