Recommended for 5th graders! A collection of easy self-study ideas you can enjoy while learning

Try making a train with copper wire and a battery

Summer science project: “Battery train running through a coil” [Research]

Let’s try making a train that runs using magnetism by applying the properties of electromagnets.

Wind copper wire into a long coil and place a battery with magnets attached to it inside the coil.

Then the magnetic force generated in the coil and the magnets’ magnetic force repel each other, causing the battery to start running through the coil like a train.

By changing conditions—such as why the battery starts moving, when the moving battery will stop, and whether changing the way you wind the coil affects how the battery runs—and summarizing the results in a report, you can create an excellent independent research project.

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Hane Keisuke

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Make an electromagnet and investigate its properties

Grade 5: Making electromagnets (Keirinkan Eduful)

In 5th grade, you’ll likely learn about electromagnets at school.

For your summer break independent project, try making an electromagnet yourself and use it to investigate its properties.

An electromagnet works by making a coil with enameled wire and running an electric current through it to generate magnetic force.

It would be good to test various conditions—such as the number of turns in the coil, what you place as the core inside the coil, increasing the number of batteries or changing how they are connected—and compile a report on how the magnetic strength changes.

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Hane Keisuke

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Observing various things under a microscope

[Under the microscope] When I looked at familiar things at 300x magnification... they were like completely different objects!

It’s also fun to observe various things with a microscope.

First, try looking at whatever comes to mind under the microscope.

You might find it more engaging to examine familiar items, like your own hair or snacks you usually eat.

Just observing is fine, but digging deeper and doing a bit of research makes it even more interesting.

Compare, for example, a guardian’s hair or different kinds of snacks.

Then think about why they’re different.

By the way, microscopes for children can be purchased for around 2,000 yen.

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yamamoto

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Paper chromatography

Paper chromatography [FAMIC]

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.

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Hane Keisuke

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masking tape art

Expressing pictures with masking tape—Masking tape art that anyone can easily enjoy, from children to adults [MaskingTapeArt]

Drawing pictures is a classic choice for independent study projects and crafts.

Simply drawing is fine, but let’s add a little twist to make your artwork more eye-catching.

Masking tape is highly recommended for that.

There are many kinds of masking tape, so you can create a wide variety of pictures.

Start by making a rough sketch, then gather masking tapes that match your design.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Observation of Rivers and Landforms

[Science] Landforms Created by Rivers and Their Functions

The actions of flowing water—erosion, transportation, and deposition—are expressed as landforms around rivers.

For example, deltas, which are often seen near river mouths, are landforms created by deposition.

Using the internet, books, or maps, investigate places where these landforms can be found, then visit them to observe directly.

If you take photos and also record surrounding conditions—such as the river’s shape and how the water flows—you may discover patterns you hadn’t noticed before and deepen your understanding of how flowing water works.

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Hane Keisuke

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Factory Tour Report

How to Write a Report: A Method for Effectively Writing What You Learned in Three Steps

Wouldn’t it be great to visit somewhere you can’t usually go and have it help with your independent research? With that in mind, here’s an idea: a factory tour report.

First, look into factory tours that interest you.

Even among well-known candy and ice cream manufacturers, there are several factories you can tour.

You could observe and summarize the production process, dig deeper to explore the secrets behind the delicious taste, or even try recreating it yourself.

Many factories also have hands-on activity areas, so you can make use of those as well.

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yamamoto

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