For 6th Graders: Unique and Fun Ideas for Independent Research Projects

homemade motor

Homemade motor: I tried making a homopolar motor. Making of Homopolar Motor

How about trying to make a homopolar motor yourself? Its strange motion will entertain anyone watching.

All you need are an AA battery, a neodymium magnet, and some copper wire.

Place the battery on top of the magnet, then position a piece of conductive wire so that it loops around.

Strangely enough, the copper wire will start spinning.

Using two wires or bending them into complex shapes makes it even more fun.

With a bit of creativity—like setting up many of them side by side—you can turn it into a unique art piece.

By the way, the copper wire can get hot, so be careful when touching it.

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yamamoto

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Make a storm glass and observe it

[Recommended for independent research] I tried making a storm glass (weather glass)

Have you ever heard of an instrument called a storm glass? These days, you can sometimes find it in variety shops as a home decor item.

A storm glass is a glass container filled with a special liquid that changes its appearance depending on weather conditions such as temperature and humidity, and in the 19th century it was used for weather forecasting.

If you look into it, you’ll find it can be made with items available at drugstores, so give it a try.

Observe the completed storm glass and put together a report by making a table of the day’s weather, temperature, humidity, and the appearance of the liquid inside the storm glass.

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Hane Keisuke

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DIY speakers

Surpass BOSE! I tried making DIY speakers with a Pringles can!

How about making a speaker that you can plug your smartphone or portable music player into? Building a speaker might sound difficult, but to put it simply, all you need to do is make a hole for your phone—it’s that easy! Use an empty cylindrical container, like one from a snack.

Cut a hole with a utility knife big enough to fit your phone, and loosely stuff some toilet paper inside—then you’re done.

You can add a base so it stands firmly, and decorate the tube to create a cool, one-of-a-kind speaker!

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utatane

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Blacklight Experiment

[Dark Chemistry] Reveal Everyday Fluorescent Substances with a Blacklight! An Introduction to the Principles and Experiments of Fluorescent Materials!

A blacklight experiment, which lets you enjoy a treasure-hunt-like atmosphere, is also perfect for an independent research project.

In a blacklight experiment, you find substances that glow under a blacklight and investigate them.

Common glow-in-the-dark items include Pine Ame candies, tonic water, and spinach.

Once prepared, put them into test tubes and shine the blacklight on them again.

You should be able to clearly see the colors change.

This is also a great opportunity to learn about ultraviolet light and fluorescent substances.

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yamamoto

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Learn how to read a weather map

How to Read Weather Maps #1: Pressure and Wind — Why Are Pressures Shown on Weather Maps?

Weather forecasts are indispensable in our daily lives, aren’t they? Chances are most people check the forecast every day.

These forecasts are explained using weather maps, right? However, I think surprisingly few people actually know how to read those maps.

So why not research and put together a guide on how to read weather maps? Even many adults don’t know, so your presentation would likely surprise anyone.

There are also books and videos that explain it clearly, so using those is a good option too.

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yamamoto

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Making transparent eggs

Summer science project: Make transparent eggs using vinegar [Research]

Suddenly, but do you know what happens if you put a raw egg in vinegar? Believe it or not, it turns into a transparent egg.

It looks a bit swollen, and when you touch it, it feels soft and squishy.

Try carefully observing the process from the moment you put the egg in until it changes.

You could also study why this happens.

By the way, the transparent egg can be easily popped with a toothpick.

The satisfaction of popping it is one of the highlights of this experiment—you’ll probably want to pop more.

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yamamoto

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SDGs Research

Perfect for a independent research project! Thinking about the SDGs through everyday science [SDGs WEEK]

These days, we’re hearing the term “SDGs” more and more in various places like schools and workplaces.

In Japanese, SDGs means “Sustainable Development Goals.” They consist of 17 goals shared worldwide.

How about researching them and putting together a summary? There are songs, board games, and anime themed around the SDGs, so you should be able to learn in a fun way.

Another appeal is that you can come up with your own ideas and share opinions with friends and family.

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yamamoto

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