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

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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Making a fuel cell

Independent research!! [Building a fuel cell] Z!!

Speaking of fuel cells, there’s the kind that can generate electricity when water is split into hydrogen and oxygen.

You might remember doing an experiment in science class where you put a zinc plate and a copper plate into dilute hydrochloric acid—but you can actually do something similar with a sports drink and pencils! First, dip pencils connected to a battery into a sports drink.

Then disconnect the battery and connect an LED to the pencils… and amazingly, the LED lights up, showing that electricity is being generated from the sports drink.

Try investigating and writing a report on the principles behind this phenomenon, why a sports drink works, and whether it can be done with other beverages or salt water.

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Hane Keisuke

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Check food labeling

[Quick 2-Minute Guide!] Check the Correct Food Labeling

In fifth grade, students learn about food labeling in home economics.

Food labeling refers to the information on the packaging of commercially sold foods, such as ingredients, best-before dates, use-by dates, and nutrition facts.

Observe the labels on foods around you and list what information is provided.

Then, put together a report on various aspects of food labeling, such as whether there are differences between labels on fresh foods and processed foods, what the difference is between best-before and use-by dates, and what kinds of food additives and allergen information are listed.

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Hane Keisuke

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An experiment in which we made a filter

Summer Vacation Independent Research: I Tried Making a Water Filter

Let’s build a filtration device and try filtering different liquids! Prepare two plastic bottles: cut off the mouth of one, and cut off the bottom of the other.

Pack cotton into the mouth of the bottle with the bottom removed, cover it with gauze, and secure it with a rubber band.

Stack this bottle (the one covered with gauze) onto the bottle with the mouth cut off.

From the bottom opening, add layers in this order: small stones, gauze, activated charcoal, gauze, and small stones.

Your filtration device is complete! Try filtering muddy water, water mixed with paint, coffee, and more.

Summarize in a report what can and cannot be filtered.

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sasashina

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