Stand out with your junior high school independent research! A collection of fun experiment and craft ideas

Check whether the gargling solution contains vitamin C.

A science experiment for an independent research project to check for the presence of vitamin C using iodine solution

In the magic trick where colored water suddenly turns clear, iodine solution is often used for this kind of liquid color-change effect.

The trick takes advantage of the reaction between iodine and vitamin C, which makes the solution colorless.

This can be explained by the redox reactions you learn in middle school.

Since most gargling solutions are made from iodine, let’s use one to test for vitamin C in various items.

It’s also a good idea to prepare BTB solution or purple cabbage juice and expand the activity to study acidity and alkalinity!

Experiment on the buoyancy of water

Super simple buoyancy experiment! Can a sunken egg float in water with sugar or salt?

Who comes to mind when you hear “buoyancy”? Archimedes, of course.

We won’t go so far as to fully decode “Archimedes’ principle,” but let’s approach buoyancy from a variety of angles.

We’ll float many objects in several kinds of liquids and observe how they behave.

How about starting with an investigation of vegetables that float versus those that sink? Even among tomatoes, some float and some sink—does that depend on sugar content? Or freshness?… Just thinking about starting the experiment is exciting, isn’t it? Next, switch the liquid and try floating objects in oil or saltwater.

If you have a buoyancy meter, you can quantify buoyant force and make your analysis more scientific! Aim to become the next Archimedes!

Thinking about how to fly a paper airplane far

Easy Origami: How to Fold a High-Flying Paper Airplane

You might wonder, “Can something like this really be a free research project?”—but that’s precisely what this study of paper flight is.

There are many clubs across the country formed by paper airplane enthusiasts, and I’ve even heard that some engineering professors at universities research paper airplanes.

I think it’s quite interesting to analyze, from a scientific perspective, planes designed to fly far and planes that compete for longest airtime.

It’s well-suited for science-minded students, so if you’re a junior high schooler who likes math or science, give it a try.

By the way, it’s said that the first paper airplanes were made in China, where people used paper to make kites.

As expected from China’s 4,000 years of history!

Mysteries of the Deep Sea

Journey to the unknown deep sea: Creatures of the ocean floor

There is a mystery that no fish exist below a depth of 8,400 meters in the deep sea.

Sea cucumbers and sea anemones are said to live there, but apparently not a single fish does.

Why are there no fish below 8,400 meters? And why do other organisms live there even though fish do not? Many mysteries in the deep sea still remain unsolved.

Wouldn’t this make an ideal topic for an independent research project?

Food Additives Research

An experiment where food additives are visible to the eye

Everyday foods from convenience stores and supermarkets—which we all rely on—contain a variety of food additives.

Let’s investigate the additives found in familiar foods, identify what these substances are, and assess how safe they are, then compile our findings.

Clean a 10-yen coin using food

[Experiment] Which seasoning makes a 10-yen coin shine the most?

Sometimes you come across a shiny coin, right? Why does that make us feel happy? Let’s try making a “gleaming 10-yen coin” while experimenting! It wouldn’t be very interesting to just use detergent to make a 10-yen coin shiny, so we’ll conduct our experiment and research under the constraint of using only the power of foods like lemons or natto.

We’ll categorize foods—citrus, fermented foods, salty foods, etc.—polish 10-yen coins with them, and sometimes leave them to sit, then compare how shiny the coins become.

It takes more time than making something, so it’s suited for people who enjoy careful, patient observation!

Temperature, humidity, and mold growth

Sunlight Photocatalyst Mold Experiment

Mold tends to appear during the humid summer months and becomes a major enemy of cleaning.

Let’s explore the conditions under which this mold appears and reproduces easily.

First, cut a slice of bread into small pieces, place them in a plastic cup, and cover it with plastic wrap.

Put these cups in various places around your home and observe them daily.

Some locations won’t produce mold easily, so prepare early and compare the differences.