For 6th Graders: Unique and Fun Ideas for Independent Research Projects
We’ve gathered recommended ideas for anyone looking for interesting summer independent study themes perfect for 6th graders! From “Let’s research the SDGs” to “Let’s make original Jomon-style pottery,” these topics showcase the creativity and ingenuity fitting for upper elementary students.
They’re full of unique ideas that will set you apart from your friends.
From projects you can start with familiar materials to more advanced experiments, you’re sure to find the perfect theme.
Kick off a fun and fitting independent study for your 6th-grade summer vacation!
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For 6th Graders: Unique and Fun Science Project Ideas (51–60)
Solo Camping Experience
Here is an idea for an independent study project with the theme of solo camping, where children can have the valuable experience of spending time alone surrounded by nature.
By handling preparations, travel, and meals by themselves, children can enjoy an extraordinary experience and a sense of accomplishment.
In practice, they won’t actually stay completely alone—parents or guardians should watch from a distance or participate as the person filming the experience.
Travel to the campsite by bicycle or train, and upon arrival, set up a one-person tent.
Once you’ve lit a prepared fire pit using dry branches and charcoal, you can cook rice with solid fuel and heat up retort pouch foods.
At night, sleep in a sleeping bag and welcome the morning, completing a one-night, two-day overnight program.
I’ll try drawing some trick art!
Trick art makes drawings on a flat surface look three-dimensional, as if they’re popping out, and there are even hands-on facilities where you can experience it.
Let’s try drawing that trick art ourselves.
There are, of course, a few tips to keep in mind, but once you’ve got them, try drawing a lot! By using human visual illusions and techniques like shading, you can create pictures that make people want to reach out and touch them.
It’s a bit challenging, so I think it’s a good independent research project for upper elementary school students.
Plankton Observation
Observing plankton is an independent research topic that lets you explore familiar nature in depth.
Peering into the world of tiny organisms through a microscope stimulates children’s curiosity and can spark a deeper interest in biology.
Scoop water from a pond or river into a container, place a drop of the collected water onto a slide with a dropper, and observe it under a microscope.
Record the shapes and movements of the plankton with illustrations or notes, and then look up their names and characteristics in field guides or on the internet to deepen interest in living things.
This is one of the recommended independent research themes for fifth-grade elementary students who conduct science experiments in class.
PET bottle water purifier
Many people are looking for simple science projects.
In such cases, a PET-bottle water purifier is recommended.
In this experiment, you create a purifier by filling a plastic bottle with materials like charcoal, gravel, and cloth.
You can test the purifier’s effectiveness and explore how it works, or focus your study on themes like designing a water purifier that’s easy to make during disasters.
For 6th Graders: Unique and Fun Independent Research Ideas (61–70)
Making alum crystals
In 5th grade science, students learn about how substances dissolve, such as how much salt or alum can dissolve in 1 liter of water, and whether the amount that dissolves changes with the water’s temperature.
As a related independent project, how about making alum crystals? If you soak a pipe cleaner in hot water in which alum has been dissolved and then leave it until it cools, crystals will form around the pipe cleaner.
Repeating this process several times will produce a large alum crystal.
Once the crystal has formed, consider and research why crystals form, and compile your findings into a report—this will make an excellent independent research project.
Mysterious Ramen
Let’s make a magical ramen! First, simmer some red cabbage as a topping.
The color from the cabbage will leach out, turning the broth purple.
Now add the ramen noodles.
This time, the broth changes to blue.
Then, mix in some vinegar, and the broth returns to purple.
It’s a fun experiment to watch!
Cook home-style dishes from countries around the world
How about a tasty independent research project? In this project, you’ll explore home-cooked dishes from countries around the world.
Of course you’ll look into how they’re made and the ingredients, but it’s also important to think about what the dishes reveal about each country’s climate and culture.
Home cooking is extremely helpful for understanding a country’s people and their daily lives.
Someday, when you travel, the knowledge from your project will help bring you closer to that country.