Recommended for elementary school students! Science fair topics & craft ideas

Exploration of the upper reaches of the river

Yoro Valley, river, promenade, summer vacation, walking path, Chiba Prefecture, Ichihara City, tourist spot, upstream

Every river—even the ones we see casually every day—always has an upstream, a beginning.

Unlike the downstream, the headwaters are filled with clear air and lush greenery, and I believe they always resonate with a child’s heart.

They will surely soothe parents’ fatigue as well.

Step away from the everyday hustle and bustle and experience the mystery of life.

If you look up a river’s name, you’ll always find its history.

Try exploring what kind of history it has! I definitely recommend going with a parent or guardian.

wind power

[Independent Research] Light an LED with Wind Power!

Electricity is something we use every day without much thought.

There are many ways to generate it, and this experiment lets you experience one of them: generating power using wind.

What you’ll need are an LED, lead wires, a generator motor, and a propeller to attach to it.

It’s a simple experiment, but it might be a good opportunity to think about how the electricity you use is actually produced.

Empty can art

I’m sure your school is also working on eco-friendly activities that raise awareness of the global environment and nature.

With “eco” in mind, why not try a free project using plastic bottles and empty cans? Since it involves cutting cans, it’s a bit better suited for upper grades.

If possible, make it together with an adult.

A relief made from empty cans involves opening the can, flattening it into a single aluminum sheet, transferring your favorite drawing onto it, and creating the relief.

Since the only material is empty cans, you can do it without spending much money.

If you want to use more aluminum sheets, how about making an “empty can patchwork” by combining various types of cans?

Knitted tissue cover

Crochet: How to make a tissue box cover (Part 1)

Tissue paper has also become an indispensable part of modern life, hasn’t it? In the kitchen and the living room, it’s handy to have one tissue box per room.

So how about making a lovely crocheted tissue box cover? Many elementary and middle school students might say, “I’ve never knitted or crocheted before…,” but since it’s summer vacation, trying something new could be fun.

There are plenty of lesson videos on video sites that teach crochet from the basics.

If you’re nervous about starting alone, it’s a great idea to begin with a friend.

It’s a recommended independent study project for everyone, regardless of gender!

Let’s make craft cola

Homemade, super easy craft cola recipe | I tried it to see if it really tastes like cola — a perfect craft cola challenge for summer vacation projects

Craft cola, which refers to homemade cola, can be easily made using spices.

A key point is that it can be prepared with fewer additives than regular cola.

Since part of the aim is to see whether it really tastes like cola, it feels a bit like an experiment as well as a cooking project.

The process is simple: simmer water and sugar with lemon and spices to make a syrup.

Finally, dilute the syrup with carbonated water to finish the drink.

It’s also a versatile recipe with plenty of room for customization by changing the spices.

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kappamaki

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Observation of Rivers and Landforms

[Science] Landforms Created by Rivers and Their Functions

The actions of flowing water—erosion, transportation, and deposition—are expressed as landforms around rivers.

For example, deltas, which are often seen near river mouths, are landforms created by deposition.

Using the internet, books, or maps, investigate places where these landforms can be found, then visit them to observe directly.

If you take photos and also record surrounding conditions—such as the river’s shape and how the water flows—you may discover patterns you hadn’t noticed before and deepen your understanding of how flowing water works.

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Hane Keisuke

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Origami Kaleidoscope

Origami: How to make an origami magic star fireworks kaleidoscope – kaleidoscope – origami kaleidoscope

As a topic for independent projects, making kaleidoscopes is popular, isn’t it? Here, let’s try a slightly unusual “origami kaleidoscope” that doesn’t use mirrors.

There are many steps, so it’s best for upper elementary grades, but if there are older siblings around, kids in the middle grades could give it a try too! The basic idea is to make lots of identical units and then assemble them.

You’ll need plenty of patience—and plenty of days to complete it.

When searching online, in addition to “origami kaleidoscope,” try “origami star” and “origami magic ball” as keywords.

Make a big kaleidoscope and amaze your friends!