Students in 5th grade are expected to assume greater responsibility in designing and conducting their own science experiments, providing an opportunity for hands-on STEM activities to be explored creatively.
Your fifth graders can learn all about polymers as they layer different liquids for this density demo. Watch as their eyes widen with excitement when the layers float one upon another!
Glow Sticks
Glow sticks are an engaging novelty with multiple uses. From birthday parties and outdoor nighttime fun, to Halloween science experiments and more, glow sticks provide illumination through chemical luminescence.
This fun hands-on science activity allows kids to investigate how light is produced by placing glow sticks into hot and cold water, providing a fun yet straightforward way to learn about biology, physics and chemistry.
Quicksand
In this messy science experiment, kids will drop objects of varying densities into homemade quicksand to watch whether they sink or float. By doing this experiment, they’ll become familiar with its risks – such as falling into pits and drowning – while learning how to avoid its dangers.
Engage students by asking them to mix the mixture by hand and describe its qualities; common responses might include cool, liquidy, easy-moving and gooey.
Water Striders
Water striders can be found swimming across calm or slow-moving freshwater environments in various habitats. Their long back legs act as oars while their shorter front legs catch insects that fall onto the water’s surface.
Kids will love putting their engineering skills to the test in this engaging STEM challenge! Additionally, they’ll gain insight into the relationship between oxygen and fire.
Heartbeat Marshmallow Experiment
Kids love this engaging hands-on project to gain a better understanding of their heartbeat. By using a stethoscope to hear it and observe how the marshmallow on their wrist jumps up and down with each pulse, this activity gives a great introduction into human physiology for young minds.
Walter Mischel’s Marshmallow Test has long been revered. A new study replicated it with a twist, linking children’s decision-making with their beliefs about environmental reliability.
Rotting Foods
Kids love this hands-on experiment that helps them understand why certain foods decompose faster than others and introduces them to scientific methods of investigation.
Students can gain insight into density through this exciting experiment that involves layering liquids and watching how they float over each other.
Aid children in understanding kinetic energy with this engineering challenge that utilizes simple materials like wood craft sticks and clothespins. It’s a fantastic way to introduce Newton’s Laws of Motion!
Solar System Diorama
With this simple model of the solar system, students can gain insight into its workings. Students will be able to see how planets relate in size and distance from the Sun with this project.
Popsicle sticks and paint can be used to represent each planet of our solar system, which children can arrange in sequence from the sun for an attractive garland display.
Archimedes Screw
Archimedes Screw pumps are positive displacement pumps that use their lower end to trap water and force it towards their higher discharge location.
They can be installed alongside existing dams or weirs to limit depleted distance and therefore minimize impact on natural river ecology. Furthermore, they do not produce pressure spikes and shear stress associated with traditional high-head turbines.
Baking Soda Balloon Experiment
At fifth grade, children can start to take on more responsibility when it comes to designing and conducting science projects on their own. This simple experiment offers them a perfect opportunity to gain independence while receiving guidance from adults when necessary.
Help kids test their chemistry knowledge with this easy, enjoyable experiment that shows how baking soda and vinegar combine to form gas that inflates a balloon.
Lava Lamp
This lava lamp provides a soft glow while mesmerizing with its mesmerizing translucent liquid motion. Featuring a stylish chrome base that complements any home decor style.
A lava lamp can provide an interactive demonstration of Kinetic Molecular Theory. This theory states that molecules in solids move more slowly than liquids and gases due to low kinetic energies within solids.
Gummy Bears
Gummy bears offer an engaging way for kids to understand how osmosis works and also teach other scientific principles such as weight, density and experimental design.
Gather several identically-sized gummy bears. Weigh and measure them. Place one into each glass of liquid with an automatic timer set for 12, 24 and 48 hours to observe their effect.