Self-directed study that impresses your teacher! Recommended independent science study ideas for 6th graders

Observation of vegetable DNA

[Basic Biology] DNA Extraction Experiment

How about extracting and observing the DNA contained in vegetables? You might wonder, “Is DNA really that easy to observe?” but if you follow the steps, you’ll find it’s surprisingly simple.

All the necessary materials are easy to find in everyday life, so it should be approachable.

Let’s not only document the process step by step until we observe the DNA, but also research and summarize in a report what role each material plays.

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Hane Keisuke

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Let’s make a battery-powered train

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

A great science project we recommend for kids who are good at science is the battery-powered coil train.

What you need: 30 meters of copper wire, a AAA battery, neodymium magnets, and a pipe cleaner to wrap with wire and make into a coil.

That’s all you need, and the method is simple: wrap the wire around the pipe cleaner over and over, like making a long spring, to create the copper-wire coil—the track.

Next, attach neodymium magnets to the ends so that they repel each other, place a AAA battery between them, and you’ve made the train.

Put the train into a looped coil, and it will run endlessly until the battery runs out.

It’s fun, easy, and highly recommended.

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Yuuko.S

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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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Clean a 10-yen coin using food

[Experiment] Which seasoning makes a 10-yen coin shine the most?

Sometimes you come across a shiny coin, right? Why does that make us feel happy? Let’s try making a “gleaming 10-yen coin” while experimenting! It wouldn’t be very interesting to just use detergent to make a 10-yen coin shiny, so we’ll conduct our experiment and research under the constraint of using only the power of foods like lemons or natto.

We’ll categorize foods—citrus, fermented foods, salty foods, etc.—polish 10-yen coins with them, and sometimes leave them to sit, then compare how shiny the coins become.

It takes more time than making something, so it’s suited for people who enjoy careful, patient observation!

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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Making a maglev train

Done in 10 minutes! Make a linear motor car with a magnet and aluminum tape! Clearly understand the relationship between electricity and magnetism!!

Introducing how to make a linear motor car using dry batteries.

Attach two layers of magnets to a plastic sheet with double-sided tape.

The key here is to control the repelling force of the magnets and stick them on without any gaps.

Cut a melamine sponge for the vehicle body, and apply aluminum tape so it forms a U-shape.

Once you hook the magnet-mounted sheet onto the tape, connect clip wires to the rails.

Sandwich the lead wires in the aluminum tape, and connect the batteries in series to finish the setup.

It’s a great independent research project theme that lets you enjoy both a science experiment and toy-making at the same time.

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mutō

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Gemstone polishing experience

The item that polishes ordinary stones into gemstones was just too amazing

For your summer vacation independent research project, how about trying a gemstone polishing experience? When you think of gemstones, you probably picture something sparkly, but in fact, raw gemstones have rough surfaces and look like ordinary stones.

However, by polishing them, they begin to shine brilliantly.

Start by flattening the surface with a file, then use polishing papers in order from coarse to fine.

Apply a finishing powder and polish, and finally rinse it clean with water—that’s it! Compare the rough stone before and after polishing, and take photos of each polishing stage to compile into your report.

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sasashina

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