[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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[For Middle Schoolers] Simple One-Day Science Project & Craft Ideas (1–10)
Create a sunset with a plastic bottle
This is an experiment that analyzes how the beautifully spreading sunset in the sky occurs and uses that mechanism to create a sunset-like light gradient.
We use a plastic bottle filled with water and a flashlight shining light through it, and observe how the light changes depending on what we add to the bottle.
A clear example is adding soapy water—you can see the colors shift more as you move farther from the light.
This is a phenomenon caused by the scattering of light as it passes through the medium, and it could be interesting to take cues from what is contained in the atmosphere.
Snow globe made from an empty bottle
Many people have probably received or bought snow globes as souvenirs or gifts.
Why not try making one with an empty jar? It’s easier than you think, and the result is beautiful and soothing.
All you need is an empty jar, a melamine sponge, liquid laundry starch (or thick laundry glue), small figurines or similar parts, and some glitter.
You can get them cheaply at a 100-yen shop.
First, attach the melamine sponge to the inside of the jar lid, then glue the figurines or other parts onto the sponge.
Put glitter into the jar itself, add laundry starch and water, mix, and screw on the lid—that’s it!
Make a pinhole camera and study its structure
For your summer vacation independent project, how about making a pinhole camera? You can easily make one with craft paper, black construction paper, tracing paper, and aluminum foil! First, draw the layouts for an inner box and an outer box on the craft paper and cut them out.
Cut the construction paper to the same shapes and glue it onto the craft paper.
Assemble the boxes so that the black paper faces inward.
Attach tracing paper to the inner box, then sandwich aluminum foil in the pinhole frame and glue it in place.
Make a small hole in the center and attach it to the outer box.
Stack the outer and inner boxes, and your camera is complete! When you look into the box, the world appears upside down—it’s really fun.
Try to use it in a bright place.
[For Middle Schoolers] Simple One-Day Science Projects and Crafts (11–20)
cottage cheese
This is a simple homemade cottage cheese you can make with milk.
Since you season it yourself, you can adjust the flavor to your liking.
Warm the milk, add lemon juice, and stir; once it begins to separate, turn off the heat, cover, and let it sit.
After 10 minutes, strain the curds through a paper towel to separate them from the whey—the basic cheese is done.
Add salt or other seasonings to taste and fine-tune it into your ideal cheese.
It’s great on its own or used in cooking.
Pen Ink Analysis Experiment
An analysis of pen ink that focuses on how water-based pen ink bleeds when it comes into contact with water.
Cut a coffee filter, mark it with the pen you want to examine, hang it, and slowly dip it into water to observe how the ink spreads.
Even pens of the same color can bleed differently depending on the type, so it’s recommended to try various pens.
You might discover something new in everyday items, such as inks made by mixing colors or inks that bleed more easily.
Making air fresheners
Here’s how to make an air freshener using gel ice packs.
You know those ice packs that come with cakes or ice cream to keep them cold? Many people probably have a bunch sitting in their freezer.
Take this opportunity to put them to use! Line a glass with decorative stones, add the contents of a gel ice pack, and then drip in a few drops of essential oil—that’s it.
In fact, the material in gel ice packs is the same as the superabsorbent polymer used in diapers.
That’s why it absorbs odors so well.
Felt Humidifier
In winter, the air gets dry and it’s easy to strain your throat.
To get ready for the cold season, why not make your own personal humidifier that you can keep in your room as a summer vacation project? By simply changing the felt piece on top, you can enjoy different styles of humidifiers.
The basic structure is a felt craft placed on top of a ceramic vessel filled with water.
Felt absorbs water well, providing a gentle humidifying effect.
You can crochet the felt into flower shapes or make cute animals—both are great! It’s also fun to do felt crafts with friends.
If you add a few drops of essential oil to the water, everyone might feel a bit more luxurious.
Be sure to change the water frequently to prevent mold!