Wonderful independent research

Self-study that teachers will praise! Recommended independent science study ideas for 4th graders

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

Independent study in science can be a fun adventure for kids!

Here, we introduce self-directed science topics recommended for fourth graders that are sure to impress their teacher.

When you explore freely, learning becomes even more enjoyable.

Observe the nature around you, try simple experiments, and enjoy the thrill of discovering new things.

As your interest in nature and science grows, it’s also fun to share what you’ve learned with friends and family.

Please use this as a guide and let’s jump together into the exciting world of science!

Self-study that earns praise from teachers! Recommended science self-study ideas for 4th graders (31–40)

Historical research of the area where you live

To Learn the Region’s History: Everything About Archaeological Excavations

Historical research of the area where you live

Some of you may be struggling to find a subject to research, even though you want to study something.

In that case, researching the history of the area where you live might be a good idea.

You might discover unexpected history behind the park you usually play in, or find that a building you never paid attention to is actually historically significant.

Searching online is convenient, but asking local residents or visiting the library can also be fun and give you a real sense of doing research.

As a variation, you could also look into the history of your school.

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Let’s observe the reflection of light

[Independent Study] Let's observe light reflection using a mirror!

Let's observe the reflection of light

How about doing an independent study observing the properties of light? In elementary school science classes, you probably do experiments to confirm light reflection, but let’s dig deeper into that for your project.

Shine a flashlight inside a box to check the direction the light travels, place a mirror, and observe the angles of reflection.

It could also be interesting to compare the flashlight’s brightness with the number of reflections.

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Let’s make glowing balloon slime

[Independent Research] Let’s Make Glowing Balloon Slime 🎈 How to Make It | Palm-Sized Lab | Elementary School Students | Independent Research | Summer Vacation Craft | Winter Vacation Craft

Let's make glowing balloon slime

An irresistibly tactile slime with a one-of-a-kind feel.

This experiment features that slime glowing in the dark.

You can get the slime ingredients at a drugstore, but using a kit makes it easier and more convenient.

Best of all, it includes phosphorescent powder—the glowing agent—so it’s fancier than ordinary slime and perfect for a science project topic.

Inflate the finished slime with a straw to make it balloon-like and watch it glow.

Even if it doesn’t inflate well, you can try again as many times as you like.

To make it glow, be sure to expose the slime to plenty of light beforehand!

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Handmade claw machine

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

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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Vacuum Experiment

[Vacuum] I Tried Vacuum-Sealing Various Things at Home [Experiment]

Vacuum Experiment

How about trying an experiment to observe how things change in a vacuum? First, how do we create a vacuum? Let’s try using a vacuum container that’s handy for storing items like sliced bread and dried foods.

It’s a transparent case with a lid, and there’s a hole in the center of the lid where you can attach a pump.

By pressing the pump, you remove the air inside.

Let’s record how items like marshmallows, bananas, snack bags, and plastic bottles change.

Even if you think something hasn’t changed much, letting the air back in makes it quickly shrink and return to its original state, which makes this a fun experiment to watch.

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Self-study that impresses your teacher! Recommended independent science study ideas for 4th graders (41–50)

Color-changing! Three-color jelly like shaved ice

[Independent Research] Mysterious! Color-Changing!? Shaved-Ice-Like Three-Color Jelly

Color-changing! Three-color jelly like shaved ice

Shaved ice is a summertime essential, and its vivid syrup colors are a big part of the appeal.

This is a three-color jelly that evokes that festive shaved ice and lets you enjoy color changes.

For coloring, we’ll use the cooking liquid from red cabbage.

We’ll observe how this pale purple liquid changes color when different ingredients are added.

Add lemon juice to turn it pink, baking soda to turn it blue, then mix in gelatin to set it.

Finally, place these on top of milk jelly to finish.

Let’s also look into why the colors change while making a delicious jelly.

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Let’s explore the mysteries of color

Independent Research Helper Kit: Explore the Wonders of Color (Gakken)

Let's explore the mysteries of color

This is a science project where you closely observe the colors you usually see.

If it’s just observation, even lower-grade elementary students can do it, and upper-grade students can add analysis, so it’s a recommended project for a wide range of grades.

By using the three primary colors of light and layering sheets to create a color photograph, and so on, it becomes an experiment that produces interesting phenomena.

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