Self-directed study that impresses your teacher! Recommended independent science study ideas for 6th graders
Independent science study can be a fun adventure for kids! Here, we introduce recommended independent science study themes for sixth graders that might even earn praise from teachers.
When you explore freely, learning becomes much more enjoyable.
Observe the nature around you, try simple experiments, and experience the joy of discovering all kinds of things.
As your interest in nature and science grows, it’s also fun to share what you’ve learned with friends and family.
Please use this as a reference and let’s jump together into the exciting world of science!
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Self-directed learning that impresses your teacher! Recommended independent science study ideas for 6th graders (1–10)
Volcanic Eruption Research

Let’s experiment! Here are some ideas for researching volcanic eruptions.
When you hear the word “experiment,” some people might imagine something difficult and dangerous.
This time, let’s try a volcano eruption experiment following the steps shown in the video! Japan has volcanoes in a variety of shapes.
First, it’s a good idea to look into what kinds of volcanoes exist in Japan.
The materials you will use include a lidded plastic cup, a deep paper plate, a flat paper plate, a straw, water, plaster, baking soda, and more.
autonomous self-driving robot car

Make and play! Here are some ideas for an autonomous robot car.
Many of you have probably played by moving toy vehicles like cars or trains by hand.
This time, let’s try building a robot car that moves on its own.
In the video, they use tools and kits.
The completed self-driving robot car runs along a course drawn with a black pen on paper.
When using tools, be sure to work together with a teacher or guardian.
Give it a try!
Sound experiment
Learn how sound travels! Here are some ideas for sound experiments.
What comes to mind when you think of sound? You’re surrounded by all kinds of sounds, aren’t you? This time, let’s deepen our learning with the theme of sound.
In the video, it seems you can learn about what sound is and how people perceive it differently.
By studying the properties of sound, you might make new discoveries in your daily life! The experiments feature ones using test tubes and ones using different materials.
Give them a try!
Self-study that earns your teacher’s praise! Recommended independent science study ideas for 6th graders (11–20)
Observing ants

How about observing ants using a kit that lets you watch them build their nest? People have observed ants for ages, but kits make it easier to see and study them.
You prepare a special gel and pour it into the case.
Then put in the ants you’ve caught and observe them every day.
As long as an adult helps with making the gel, the rest is just observation.
It’s a free research project that first graders in elementary school can do.
Cooking with an original recipe

By the time they’re in fifth grade, many kids handle knives well and start getting interested in cooking.
So why not try creating and making your own original recipe? First, think up a recipe that makes you say, “If I do this, it should be delicious!” and actually try cooking it.
If you summarize how the taste differed from what you imagined and what you could improve next time, it will make a great independent research project.
It’s also a good idea to grow summer vegetables in plastic bottles or planters and use them in your cooking.
If you’re using heat, be sure to work with an adult.
Making salt crystals

A science project that amazes you with “I can’t believe something this beautiful can come from something you eat,” thanks to its jewel-like appearance, is making salt crystals.
You add a large amount of salt to hot water, and as you keep adding it, the salt eventually stops dissolving.
Let that saturated solution cool, filter it, and leave it for a while—salt crystals will form.
By the way, if you make saltwater the same way and place the formed crystals back into it, you can grow them larger.
Why not try and see how big you can make them?
plant dyeing

Kusaki-zome is a traditional technique for dyeing fabric using natural plants.
By using familiar leaves, roots, flowers, and more, you can create your own original colors, letting you enjoy learning both science and home economics at the same time.
Once you’ve prepared the fabric you want to dye and the plants to use as dye, wash the fabric thoroughly in lukewarm water.
Add protein to the fabric to perform a deep-dye (mordant) treatment, then soak the washed and dried fabric.
After carrying out a mordanting process that induces color changes through chemical reactions with metals, place the dye material in nonwoven fabric and submerge it in water.
Put the prepared fabric into the liquid, wait about 15 minutes, then rinse it well with water to finish.



