[Middle School Students] Easy One-Day Science Projects and Crafts Ideas
Have you already decided on your summer vacation independent research project? It’s easy to panic when you feel you have to do it but don’t have much time.
For junior high school students like that, here are some simple research and craft ideas you can complete in a day.
Once you gather the necessary materials, you can start right away! For example, there are experiments using everyday items and fun crafts you can make.
If you enjoy it, you’ll finish in no time.
After the experiment, write up your summary and reflections in a report.
That’s the most important part of the project.
Start thinking about it early so you can enjoy your summer vacation!
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[Middle School] Easy One-Day Independent Research & Craft Ideas (61–70)
Japanese tea
When time is limited, it’s hard to prepare anything unusual, isn’t it? So here’s something to try: a study of Japanese tea.
You should be able to find tea leaves at nearby stores like supermarkets or shopping malls.
Once you get some, explore how the flavor changes with water temperature and steeping time, and figure out the best way to brew it for the most delicious taste.
Since you’ll probably be brewing a lot of tea, having paper cups on hand will be convenient! You could also look for traditional Japanese sweets that pair well with tea.
Newton’s cradle
Have you ever heard of Newton’s cradle? It’s a device where about five small steel balls are suspended on strings in a row.
When you lift and release one ball at the end, only the ball on the opposite end is knocked outward.
This is related to the conservation of momentum and the conservation of mechanical energy.
Let’s write a report summarizing the results of changing conditions—for example, what happens if you lift and release two balls instead of one, or what happens if you change the size of the balls.
Another nice point is that after the experiments, the Newton’s cradle you made can be displayed as interior decor.
Friction experiment using a hovercraft
Let’s build a hovercraft using a balloon and a film canister, and explore the concept of friction! If you don’t have a film canister, there’s also a way to make one using a plastic bottle, so try to be creative.
Hovercrafts are actually used to transport people, and this experiment investigates how they work! See for yourself what kind of motion occurs when there is no friction.
Cute herbarium
Why not try making a herbarium, a popular interior decoration? Prepare a container, your favorite flowers and beads, and baby oil.
First, place the flowers and beads into the container, being careful not to overfill it.
Also, if anything tends to float when put in liquid, soak it in the liquid beforehand.
Once you’ve added all the parts, slowly pour in the baby oil, close the container lid, and it’s done.
You can also focus on choosing a stylish container and decorate it with stickers or washi tape to make it extra cute.
Experiment to make clear ice
If you take a close look at the ice in drinks served at shops or the ice cubes sold in stores, they’re beautifully clear.
Meanwhile, the ice you make at home often looks cloudy, doesn’t it? That’s because clear ice contains fewer impurities and is frozen slowly over time.
Once you know the trick, it’s nothing special—but turning this mystery into a science project could be fun.
People often say you can make clear ice by wrapping water in bubble wrap (the cushioning material) and chilling it, but it would be great to run comparative experiments on those conditions.
Ultra-clear ice really draws attention!
Diatomaceous earth coaster
When you leave a glass filled with a cold drink on the table, condensation forms and makes the surface wet.
Let’s try making your own diatomaceous earth coasters that absorb those droplets.
Because it’s closely related to staying hydrated, it’s also perfect as a summer science project.
The steps are simple: put water in a paper cup, add diatomaceous earth powder and stir, pour it into a mold, and let it dry—that’s it.
The key is to mix so there’s no unevenness and to remove air bubbles thoroughly; keep this in mind to make a sturdy coaster that won’t crack.
If you use waterproof paint at the water-mixing stage, you can color the entire piece as well.
Investigating regional characteristics through “yuru-chara” (local mascots)
Let’s learn about the unique features of each region in Japan through their beloved local yuru-chara mascots.
For example, Shiga Prefecture’s hugely popular Hikonyan incorporates elements of Ii Naotaka, the second lord of the Hikone Domain; Nagano’s Arukuma combines a bear and apples; Kumamoto’s Korokun is linked to Kii Castle; and Osaka’s Takinomichi Yuzuru features yuzu and maple leaves.
These mascots reflect local history, famous figures, and specialty products.
Enjoy studying the history and specialties from all over Japan through these fun, pop-style characters.
