5.th grade students are at an ideal age to engage in science experiments that will spark their curiosity and passion for learning, while developing problem solving abilities and creativity. These hands on experiments provide an ideal way to engage them with hands on science activities.
Use this simple experiment to demonstrate the importance of clean water with this exciting project! Show judges how a filter purifies it for use. An engaging project for all involved!
1. Water Purification Experiment
Fifth graders are ready for more engaging hands-on projects that will foster their passion for learning and increase curiosity. Exciting science experiments provide them with an opportunity to explore the world while cultivating problem-solving abilities and problem-spot skills.
Give your students an introduction to scientific discovery with this experiment that shows them how to purify water. This activity provides a great way to educate them about the water cycle – evaporation, condensation and precipitation.
Students work for an environmental engineering services company providing environmental engineering services to small communities with polluted water supplies. Working in groups of three, they design and construct filtering systems for this water before testing its effectiveness by collecting samples after each filtration, keeping one for comparison purposes; with every time through, their filter water gets (visually) cleaner!
2. Bacterial Colonies
Students explore bacteria, germs, and colonization with this engaging but straightforward science fair project. The final display is sure to leave an impression!
Colonies of bacteria form when one cell divides and multiplies to form genetically identical copies that then cluster on a nutrient agar plate, providing an engaging way for students to learn about bacteria’s importance for medicine, food, industry and other applications. This provides an enjoyable learning opportunity about bacteria as a source of innovation in areas like medical research.
This density demo is simple and will help students understand why liquids float or sink, as well as the relationship between weight and volume.
3. Punnett Square
With this interactive lesson on Punnett squares, explore and discuss the science of inheritance by exploring inherited traits. Students will discover they are made up of their mother and father’s genes as well as certain combinations that create certain characteristics or phenotypes in them.
Make sure 5th graders understand all of the relevant vocabulary (gene, offspring, dominant/recessive inheritance patterns, genotype and phenotype). Take time for this before proceeding with activity.
Put your child’s engineering skills to the test with this exciting 5th grade STEM project! They’ll build a ball run using clothespins and wooden craft sticks – with the aim of building the tallest ball run possible and taking as long as possible to reach its bottom – offering an opportunity for discussion around energy and momentum.
4. Archimedes’ Screw
Archimedes’ screw, once the domain of ancient engineers, remains popular today and makes for a fun STEM challenge science fair project for 5th grade. Kids will gain insight into its functionality as they create their own.
This science fair experiment requires more time and planning. But its objective is teaching students to control variables and take accurate measurements.
Slime is a beloved pastime among kids, but this 5th-grade science experiment takes it one step further! It teaches kids about matter’s state as well as frictional forces affecting movement – making this an engaging STEM challenge that any engineering enthusiast must try!
5. Newspaper Engineering
Science fairs provide students with an ideal way to explore their interests outside of class and develop key skills they’ll use across a range of subjects. Plus, science fairs help children understand how the scientific method works as well as how to successfully conduct an experiment.
This Newspaper STEM Challenge is a simple yet engaging activity to develop problem-solving skills. By using simple supplies like paper, PopsicleTM sticks and tape, students collaborate in designing an structure capable of supporting one member at least two inches above the floor for five seconds without their body touching any part touching it – while learning structural integrity, force multiplication and the concept of symmetry along the way! Students will also get experience creating blueprints and measuring materials.