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[For 4th Graders] Fun Independent Research Ideas You Can Do With Everyday Materials
Many fourth graders are probably struggling to choose a summer break independent research topic that’s “fun but not too difficult.” In fact, you can create a project that makes your friends say “Wow!” using simple experiments and crafts with everyday materials.
Here, independent research pros introduce exciting ideas you can dive into, like a shiny coin experiment with 10-yen pieces, making kohakutou (amber sugar candy), and crafting hydrangeas.
Plus, everything from preparation to record-keeping is explained carefully, so you can take on the challenge with confidence.
Find a special independent research project that will become a lasting summer vacation memory!
[4th Grade] Fun Independent Research Ideas You Can Do with Everyday Materials (1–10)
Let’s investigate how ice melts
During the hot summer vacation, we often see ice—chilling drinks or eating shaved ice.
How about exploring ways to make ice last longer by researching how it melts? You can compare melting times under various conditions, such as placing aluminum foil or Styrofoam underneath, or mixing sugar, salt, or cola into the ice.
Since it’s hard to watch continuously, it’s a good idea to set a timer and check at intervals.
Let’s aim for a cooler summer with longer-lasting ice.
Cooler made with 100-yen shop items
Air conditioners make rooms nice and cool, but installing one is expensive and maintaining it—like cleaning—can be a hassle.
So this time, we’re introducing a portable DIY cooler! Cut a hole in the lid of a cooler box and attach a small fan.
After creating an air outlet on the side of the cooler, add dividers inside to keep ice packs standing upright.
Attach a box on the outside of the cooler to hold a battery, and you’re done.
If you use a mobile battery, it’ll be a great item for camping and other outdoor activities, too.
rock candy
This is a study where you make rock candy with a rugged, striking appearance and learn how it works.
Once it’s finished, you can enjoy it as a snack, so you can conduct the study with anticipation and a sense of fun.
The steps are simple: simmer sugar water until it thickens to a syrup, coat a stick with it, and then place that stick into colored sugar water.
Large crystals will form around the stick, and once they reach a certain size, it’s done.
As you observe, pay attention to how long it takes for the sugar crystals to form and how the amount of sugar used affects the size.
The relationship between bread and sugar
Let’s explore how different amounts of sugar change bread by conducting a free research project on the relationship between bread and sugar.
Prepare several bowls, each containing the same amounts of cake flour, dry yeast, salt, butter, and water.
Vary only the amount of sugar in each bowl, then knead the doughs.
Carefully observe how the dough feels while kneading: what texture appears in doughs with more sugar, and what texture appears in doughs with less sugar? It might be helpful to record each stage—first proof, second proof, and baking—with photos to see how the dough responds at each point.
Enjoy this hands-on research project using everyday bread!
I tried making a Super Ball.
Super balls are attractive for their colorful appearance and exceptional bounciness.
Because they absorb impact and rebound strongly, many of you probably remember bouncing them high when you were kids.
How about making your own super ball by hand? This time, we’ll use a store-bought kit, so there’s no need to gather materials individually—you can easily make one by following the included instructions.
Since the process involves using hot water and fine metallic powder, be sure to work together with an adult.
Create a one-of-a-kind original ball and have fun playing with it over summer vacation!
Well-Flying Archery
Here are some craft ideas for making an archery set using scrap materials.
First, make a slightly larger hole in one spot on a toilet paper roll.
Make the same hole on the opposite side, then cut small slits at the top and bottom and hook a rubber band onto them.
Twist the rubber band once so it forms an X shape.
That completes the bow.
For the arrow, use a straw and a ball made from rolled-up tissue.
Cut one end of the straw into a V shape, then attach the ball—rolled and secured with masking tape—to the other end.
With the arrow finished, thread it onto the bow and try shooting it for fun.
Kaleidoscope in an ice cup
A kaleidoscope where you can enjoy geometric, mysterious pattern changes.
Let’s make such a kaleidoscope using an ice cream cup.
First, use nail polish remover to erase the letters and designs from two ice cream cup lids.
Next, cut aluminum foil to your preferred length, fold it three times to make a long, narrow rectangle, then cut it into shorter pieces, roll each into a tube, and secure with tape.
Make many small tubes and pack them tightly into the ice cream cup without gaps.
Then put on a lid and sprinkle beads or pieces of translucent origami paper cut into small shapes on top.
Finally, place the other lid on top and tape it in place to finish.
Point it toward the sunlight and spin it around to play.