[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 Junior High Students] Simple One-Day Independent Research & Craft Ideas (41–50)
Botanical candle
Let’s add some flair to candles and make cute-looking botanical candles.
The process is simple: pour melted wax into a candle mold and let it harden.
A key point is the double-layer structure—an inner core where the flame burns and an outer layer sprinkled with dried flowers.
This design prevents the flame from catching on the outer decorations, making it nice and safe.
It’s also important to place the dried flowers with gaps so the wax can flow and set properly; proceed while keeping balance in mind.
Bring out your originality with your choice of dried flowers and other decorations.
[Middle School] Simple One-Day Independent Research and Craft Ideas (51–60)
Ice experiment using saltwater
For independent research projects, it seems many people make crafts.
So why not stand out by doing a chemistry experiment instead? Many of you probably know that adding saltwater to ice lowers the temperature.
But does the degree of cooling depend on the amount of salt? How about this experiment, which allows for solid research with simple preparation—just ice, saltwater, and a thermometer?
Let’s make a smartphone case with nail polish
Here’s an idea for making a simple, original smartphone case.
All you need is a clear phone case and a few nail polishes in your favorite colors—both can be found at a 100-yen shop.
Fill a basin or similar container with water, then drip the nail polish onto the surface to create patterns.
A soft marble pattern will float on the water, and it’s exciting even as you’re making it.
Try mixing a few colors or adding polka dots, then gently float the phone case on top, flip it over quickly, and let it dry as is—done!
Let’s make a rainbow
Let’s make a rainbow at home—something you don’t often see even after the rain! All you need is a smooth, bump-free plastic bottle, a flashlight that emits white light, and a sheet of white paper.
Fill the plastic bottle with water and place the white paper behind it.
Then darken the room and shine the flashlight onto the bottle; a small rainbow will appear on the white paper! The flashlight’s light is made up of a combination of many colors, and when it hits the water in the bottle, it refracts and creates a rainbow.
Try making a tiny rainbow and explore how light works!
Transparent cute coaster
Summer is supposed to be hot, but don’t you feel like the summers lately are getting hotter every year? When it’s hot, we crave cold drinks—so why not make coasters to brighten up your drink time and turn it into a summer science project? You’ll be using two-part resin and other chemicals, so be sure to have an adult or an older sibling help you when handling them.
Aside from working with the chemicals, it’s basically just decorating coasters, so even small children can join in! We’re looking forward to seeing your cool, refreshing coasters!
pinhole camera
A pinhole camera is a classic choice for a summer vacation science project.
It’s a simple camera you can make with two boxes: make a small hole in one box, and stretch tracing paper over the other to serve as a screen.
Then place the box with the hole on the outside, slide the two boxes together, and take a look…
The subject appears on the screen upside down and reversed left to right.
Try writing a report explaining why the image appears this way.
If you can go further and use photographic paper to actually shoot and develop images, that’s even better.
ration pills
Hyorogan were portable rations used from the Warring States period through the Edo period, and they’re often associated with depictions of ninja.
Let’s try making some yourself using recipes that have been passed down to the present day.
It’s said that the ingredients and methods varied by region and school, so it could be fun to try different recipes and record how the flavors change.
Beyond being portable, they’re also nutritionally well-balanced, so it’s recommended to consider the nutrients and take on the challenge of creating your own new recipes.