[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!
- Recommended for high school students! A collection of easy one-day science project ideas
- Stand out with your junior high school independent research! A collection of fun experiment and craft ideas
- DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love: ideas you can make with everyday materials
- [For Adults] Simple yet Impressive Crafts: A Stylish, Eye-Catching Collection
- Recommended for middle school students! A collection of quick science project ideas you can do in a short time.
- For upper-grade boys! Simple yet awesome craft project [Don’t call it lazy]
- Simple and cute summer project crafts! A collection of ideas for girls that will make you want to create
- Simple but awesome! Craft ideas for upper-grade girls
- Plastic bottles transformed! A collection of simple yet amazing craft ideas
- Adults will be hooked! A collection of craft ideas using toilet paper rolls
- [I don't want to be like everyone else!] Recommended independent research topics for high school students
- Simple yet amazing crafts: craft ideas that elementary school students will want to make
- Elementary School Students: Simple One-Day Science Project and Craft Ideas
[For Middle Schoolers] Simple One-Day Science Projects and Crafts (11–20)
Making insect repellent spray
When playing outside in the summer, insect repellent spray is just as important as sunscreen.
It’s an essential item to avoid discomfort later! Here, we’re introducing a DIY insect repellent spray you can make with just three ingredients.
It only takes about 10 minutes to make, so it’s an easy science project even for lower elementary grades.
The ingredients are peppermint oil, water, and rubbing alcohol (ethanol).
Put the peppermint oil and ethanol into a container and shake well to mix.
Then add the water and shake again in the same way, and you’re done! Please summarize the steps and key points, such as the order in which to add the ingredients, when you write it up.
How mold grows
This is a study to understand the mechanisms of mold, which occurs frequently during the humid summer season.
By understanding the environments and situations in which it develops, we can apply that knowledge to prevent mold in daily life.
The experiment procedure is simple: place cut pieces of bread indoors under various conditions and monitor the mold.
By testing combinations such as pairing with wasabi or mustard, or changing the placement location, you can observe differences in mold growth.
Understanding how household environments relate to mold can help determine where to store items and set cleaning guidelines.
storm glass
Storm glasses were originally tools used by sailors for weather forecasting, but recently they’ve become popular as interior decor that can predict the next day’s weather.
Even small ones sold as decor cost around 5,000 yen, so try making one yourself and use it as a science project.
You can make it by putting a mixture of ethanol, camphor, and purified water into a bottle.
Investigate how color-changing drinks work
Lemonade and tea that change color when you add a liquid—the kind you often see in stylish cafes—are super photogenic and cute, aren’t they? Let’s explore how these adorable, trendy drinks work! First, look up a recipe and try making one yourself.
Then, if you investigate the properties of the ingredients you used, you’re sure to discover all sorts of things!
Make compost from kitchen waste
It’s an easy project you can do in a day, but with a change in angle it could turn into a grand investigation: “Making compost from kitchen scraps.” Basically, you just put soil in a storage bin, mix in food waste, and leave it.
You can add an extra step like pouring in rice-washing water or adding natto, but most of the time it’s just left alone.
If you want to make it a proper study, there are plenty of variables to test: swap rice-washing water for other liquids, replace natto with yogurt, and so on.
Exploring fermentation times also seems quite deep.
It’s a great science project for a passionate middle schooler who doesn’t want to settle for an ordinary summer!
[Handmade Camera] Let’s Take Photos with Sunlight
![[Handmade Camera] Let's Take Photos with Sunlight](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ne6f6KYWxOE/sddefault.jpg)
Why not try taking photos with a handmade camera? The camera is made by combining three parts: an outer tube with a lens, an inner tube with a screen, and a mounting board.
Basically, you cut black cardstock to form the tubes and simply attach the lens and tracing paper at the designated spots, so a high school student could probably make it in about an hour.
After that, just load photosensitive paper into the camera, focus, and wait! On a sunny day, wait about 20 minutes and then take out the photosensitive paper.
If you apply heat with something like an iron, an image should appear on the paper!
[Middle School] Easy One-Day Independent Research and Craft Ideas (21–30)
Making Fizzy Ramune
If you’re looking to make something a bit unusual, fizzy ramune candies are a great option.
These are the kind of candies that dissolve with a fizzy sensation as soon as they hit your mouth, and you can make them yourself.
It might sound difficult, but the process is actually quite simple.
The ingredients—like powdered sugar and citric acid—are easy to find.
You could document the process as you make them, or delve into the mechanism of why they fizz.
