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

A piggy bank that helps you save while having fun

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Let’s use Daiso’s 3-tier drawer case to make a fun, game-like piggy bank over summer break.

First, flip the second and third drawers upside down and reassemble them so the flat sides face the front.

Next, cut corrugated plastic (plastic cardboard) into any shapes you like and attach it to the outside of the drawers to create a design that looks great.

Inside, apply double-sided tape so coins pause partway and drop slowly as they travel down.

With a piggy bank you made yourself, saving money becomes fun and easier to turn into a habit.

It’s a unique, practical idea that can change your everyday life through creativity and ingenuity.

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Making Konpeito (traditional Japanese sugar candy)

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Let’s try making handmade konpeitō—colorful, cute sugar candies—for a summer vacation science project.

Boil sugar and water to make syrup, then gradually add small amounts of konpeitō cores; as you do, little spikes will slowly form on the surface.

By adding food coloring or flavorings during the process, you can customize the taste and color to your liking.

Even without special equipment, you can keep stirring and improvising with a frying pan or a bowl; it takes time, but the candies will gradually take on the characteristic konpeitō shape.

Because the results change depending on the temperature and timing of sugar crystallization and how you stir, it’s also enjoyable as a science experiment.

It’s a rewarding idea that nurtures both confectionery skills and observation.

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Bird call making

Super easy summer vacation homework! Make a bird call with your kids! Try talking to wild birds while camping or hiking!

As a craft project perfect for children who love nature observation, I recommend making a bird call.

Prepare a hand-sized wooden branch and drill a small hole in the center.

Screw in a metal part called an eye nut, and when you twist it so the wood and metal rub against each other, it produces a sound like birdsong.

Real birds may sometimes respond to this sound, so trying it out in a park after making it is part of the fun.

The volume and pitch change depending on the type of wood and the depth of the hole, so by experimenting and recording the differences, you can enhance the quality of the project as an independent study.

It’s a hands-on idea that lets kids connect with nature while sparking curiosity about how sound works.

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How to make jelly that sets instantly

How to make the instant-setting jelly candy from the sweets aisle yourself—how does it work?

Here’s how to make a beautiful jelly with sparkling, colorful beads.

Make the jelly base with sodium alginate, then gently pour a liquid colored with shaved ice syrup or food coloring into water containing dissolved calcium lactate.

Like magic, soft jelly sets instantly.

This happens because alginic acid and calcium undergo a chemical reaction that forms a jelly-like membrane.

Shine a light on it for an even more enchanting effect.

By experimenting with color combinations and shapes, you can create pieces that are visually delightful for kids.

It’s a perfect idea for an independent study project full of wonder, blending science with crafts.

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stone art

Rock art with kids: perfect for summer vacation independent research, free craft projects, and making memories

Let’s make stone art using materials close at hand, like those from rivers and parks.

Start by collecting stones and twigs.

Choosing stones without sharp edges will help you create cute pieces.

Also, selecting twigs with branches is a key tip for making a lovely work.

Arrange the stones and twigs you found on a frame or cork board, which you can also buy at a 100-yen shop.

As children think, design, and create on their own, it boosts their imagination.

You can paint the pieces, and it’s also nice to add pinecones, leaves, and other items besides stones and twigs.

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Nakajima Junko

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Let’s try mixing water and oil

[Independent Research by a Former Tutor and Cram School Instructor Mom] Let’s Try Mixing Water and Oil!

This is an experiment to see what happens when you mix water and oil.

First, make colored water by adding food coloring to a glass of water.

In a separate glass, pour in some oil, then carefully pour the colored water on top.

Strangely, the colored water you added last will settle at the bottom of the glass, and the oil will form a layer on top.

Even if you stir it with a stick, they won’t mix at all.

It’s a fun experiment that overturns the common belief that liquids mix with each other.

Give it a try! The non-mixing liquid you make can also be put into a bottle to create a playful decorative piece.

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sasashina

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Let’s explore the secrets of sound

[Independent Research Festa 2022] Let’s explore the secrets of sound ♪ Provided by: Yokosuka Gakuin Junior High School

Here’s an idea for a flute you can make just by connecting straws.

Prepare straws that are all the same thickness and length.

You’ll need 8 straws for the mouthpiece, and since you’ll place spacer straws between them, prepare an additional 7, for a total of 15.

Cut the spacer straws to 5 cm.

The straws that become the flute pipes will vary in length depending on the pitch, so be sure to measure their lengths carefully with a ruler.

After cutting, seal one end of each straw with tape to make it a closed pipe.

Once everything is connected and glued together, it’s done.

Try experimenting with different lengths to see what sounds they make.

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sasashina

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