By 5th grade, students should take on more responsibility in designing and creating their science fair projects. Help them select a testable question, conduct experiments to answer it, analyze their data and present their findings.
Use this classic baking soda and vinegar volcano experiment to introduce kids to acids and bases. Vary the amounts of each substance to see how it affects eruption.
Hydrophobic Sand
Children at this age group can take an independent approach to creating their science fair project, including researching, experimenting and organizing the presentation.
Hydrophobic or “magic sand,” as it is also referred to, is regular sand coated with hydrophobic materials to make it resistant to liquid and allow students to watch it repel drops of moisture from its surface.
Discover what repels insects with this simple experiment using common household materials.
Bouncy Balls
5. Grade science fair projects offer students an exciting opportunity to investigate topics of scientific inquiry that interest them, while mentoring through the process teaches research, critical thinking and communication skills.
Encourage students to experiment with polybutadiene rubber bouncy balls (polybutadiene balls) to observe how shape and size affect bounce height. Other experiments could involve timing how long ice cubes last when wrapped in various materials, testing insulation properties of different insulation materials or measuring how sugar affects yeast dough to demonstrate density.
Water Strider Experiment
Students gain hands-on knowledge about surface tension and how it can pull objects upward with this hands-on experiment. Furthermore, this project provides them with practice testing variables in an investigation.
Students participating in this science fair project create a wire water strider to observe its movement across waves and bubbles in nature, then design their bug for maximum speed and distance.
Ball-Run Challenge
Encourage students to design and conduct experiments that will allow them to better understand a scientific concept, then facilitate constructive discussions around interpreting results and assessing hypotheses.
Encourage students to realize that not every experiment they conduct will be successful; even failed experiments offer valuable learning experiences on how to improve future efforts.
Teams of students develop and test different paper ball runs to see which one slows a falling ball down most efficiently on its path downhill. This engineering challenge helps develop teamwork, problem-solving, and time management skills among participants.
Airplane
By 5th grade, kids are ready to experiment more independently in their science fair experiments. This project introduces aerodynamics and how wings produce lift.
Students explore acid-base reactions through this experiment involving baking soda and vinegar, while simultaneously building a model airplane to investigate why planes require such long runways for takeoff.
Water Fountain Experiment
Researching an experiment for the science fair requires students to conduct extensive research, test variables and collect data. Such projects offer students a great way to gain an understanding of the scientific method.
Build your own “levitate-ing” water fountain with plastic tubing and your imagination for an engaging science fair project that explores fluid dynamics, gravity, and density differences between crushed and normal cans by testing whether they float or sink. Engineers may also explore this intriguing subject further by testing whether each can is heavier than another by floating/sinking tests.
LEGO Zip Line
Put kids’ engineering skills to the test with this exciting STEM activity that incorporates gravity and inertia – great for developing math! This activity also doubles up as fun learning!
Children will require one 2×6 LEGO brick, two 9.5-inch pieces of PVC pipe measuring 9.50-inches long each, scissors, tape and water in a container as well as food coloring to get started with this activity.
Water Fountain Challenge
Students learn density with this interesting experiment! Simply layer liquids like honey, rubbing alcohol and water until they float to the surface – an experience your students won’t soon forget!
Crushed soda cans reveal differences in density compared to their intact counterparts and also serve as an easy demonstration of chemical reactions.
Rockets
Put students’ engineering skills to the test with this project that introduces force and acceleration while reviewing scientific method.
Make sure that the lines attached to a classroom wall are taut and at an equal incline, encouraging the class to discuss where each rocket will travel in their flight path. Have each team launch its rocket three times and record distance traveled on worksheets.
Microscope
Students looking to explore the microscopic world may benefit from using a microscope in an experiment that highlights small subjects like insect parts or pond water. A microscope provides students with a great way to do just that!
Many experiments require using special dyes like methylene blue to help children see details better. You can purchase the stain online or from local drugstore. Taking detailed images through a microscope is also key.