RAG MusicScience
Wonderful independent research

Recommended for high school students! A collection of easy one-day science project ideas

High school students who are struggling to choose a topic for their summer vacation independent research project, this is for you.

If you’re looking for an easy project—like “an experiment that can be done in a short time” or “a research project that looks impressive”—good news! This article introduces independent research ideas packed with the fun of science, focusing on experiments and hands-on builds.

From steam engines to planetariums, these are all projects that will make viewers exclaim, “Wow!” And surprisingly, many are easier to tackle than you’d think.

Find a wonderful project that will become a lasting summer memory!

Recommended for high school students! A collection of easy one-day independent research ideas (51–60)

10 Musical Instruments You Can Make with Plastic Bottles

@kajiijapn

We’re introducing 10 types of instruments you can make with plastic bottles!Plastic bottle#Summer vacation homeworkSummer Vacation CraftIndependent Research

Original Song – Everyday-Item Instrument Unit kajii – kajii / Future Instruments Lab

Plastic bottles are often used as materials for crafts.

So this time, how about making musical instruments with plastic bottles? Empty bottles can become drums, flutes, or maracas… With a bit of creativity, they can transform into instruments you can actually play! Bottle caps can also be turned into instruments by combining them with other materials, so don’t throw them away—save them.

It’s also a great idea to keep notes on how the sound changes depending on where you make holes and what you put inside.

sprinkling water (on the ground)

One-Day Science Project 3: The Science of Sprinkling Water
sprinkling water (on the ground)

Do you know about uchimizu? It’s the practice of sprinkling water on the ground or roads on hot days.

In recent years, fewer households do it and there are fewer opportunities to see it, so many people may not be familiar with it.

In fact, uchimizu has the effect of lowering the air temperature.

So how about actually trying uchimizu and measuring the changes in temperature and humidity? You could also look into the mechanism behind it.

By the way, there are many videos and websites that explain the mechanism of uchimizu in an easy-to-understand way, so even those who aren’t comfortable with science can feel at ease.

Shiny 10-yen coin experiment

Independent Research for Middle Schoolers: 'The Shiny 10-Yen Coin Experiment and Considerations' (Doyama Kei)
Shiny 10-yen coin experiment

Even though a 10-yen coin is just 10 yen, a brand-new, shiny one somehow feels special, doesn’t it? It shouldn’t be worth more than 10 yen, and yet… The human heart really is a mystery.

Let’s try making a 10-yen coin shine.

This is a popular independent study topic for elementary school students, so as a plus, let’s add a middle-school-level perspective.

For example, experiments using strong acids or weak alkaline chemicals that elementary students likely wouldn’t know about.

You could also add originality by using purified water for rinsing, employing a high-pressure washer, and so on—these touches will give your research more credibility.

Making preserved flowers

I tried making preserved flowers for the first time.
Making preserved flowers

How about trying to make preserved flowers, which are popular as gifts for weddings and Mother’s Day? The process involves removing the moisture from fresh flowers and applying a special solution… Does that sound difficult? Don’t worry.

If you look it up, you’ll see that beginner-friendly preserved flower kits are available for purchase, so you can buy one and give it a try.

Of course, you can also prepare the materials yourself.

Recommended for high school students! A collection of simple one-day independent research ideas (61–70)

How to make a seismometer

How to Make a Simple Seismograph: A Summer Science Project You Can Still Do in Time
How to make a seismometer

Why not try making a seismograph using everyday materials? The word “seismograph” might sound difficult, but it’s actually easy to build.

A seismograph mainly consists of two parts: a pendulum that serves as a fixed point and a recording mechanism.

For the pendulum, fill a cup with clay, insert a bamboo skewer as the axis, and hang it from a support made of disposable chopsticks using a hook and thread.

The recording part can be made from a toilet paper roll with a bolt through it and a ballpoint pen.

The base of the device can be anything, so try to find a wooden box that can hold the setup.

repeating saline solution

Perfect for a summer vacation science project! ~Repeating Saltwater~ [Buntoku High School]
repeating saline solution

Let’s try a summer break experiment using everyday items like cups and saltwater.

Make a hole in a plastic cup filled with saltwater at your preferred concentration.

Place the saltwater cup inside a larger cup filled with plain water.

You’ll notice something curious: the saltwater will flow out of the hole and then stop, and after a while it will start flowing out again and stop once more.

It could be fun to experiment by changing the salt concentration or the number of holes in the plastic cup.

Just watching this setup is interesting, but there’s also a proper explanation for what’s happening.

Try to think about that answer, too.

Bamboo Speaker

[DIY] How to Make a Bamboo Smartphone Speaker for Zero Material Cost
Bamboo Speaker

Let’s try making a speaker that plays sound from your smartphone using bamboo.

It takes advantage of bamboo’s tubular shape to naturally amplify sound through resonance.

If you have a bamboo grove nearby or can get hold of bamboo, this is a perfect summer vacation craft project.

Cut the bamboo, peel off the green outer skin, and lightly scorch the surface with a gas burner.

Charring it with the burner turns it black and gives it a beautiful finish.

Cut out the section where the smartphone will go and drill holes on the surface.

The key is to be careful not to crack the bamboo.

It’s a detailed project, but that makes it all the more rewarding, and you’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind creation.