Crafting a science fair project is an integral part of life for fifth graders, helping them learn the scientific method by creating questions or hypotheses and conducting experiments to test them.
This fun chemistry project uses borax to make incredible water striders that students will need to see for themselves! They will also gain valuable experience learning about surface tension. With this exciting Earth science experiment.
Model
Fifth grade science concepts are explored more thoroughly through independent research and hands-on experimentation. A successful project requires brainstorming an idea for an investigation, creating a testable hypothesis, performing the experiment itself, recording its results and then preparing to present them to their classmates.
Encourage children to explore how different foods affect digestion with this demo that explores how certain food group affect a person’s digestive system. Kids can build engineering skills using wooden craft sticks to construct paper airplanes, while also performing an air pressure experiment which shows warm air rising while cold air sinking.
Learn the fundamentals of acid-base chemical reactions with this engaging demonstration using baking soda and grape juice, along with paper chromatography to observe how black ink breaks down into its component colors. Homeschool Scientist has also created this experiment as a great way to reinforce scientific thinking among older students.
Research
At this age, children can begin engaging in more independent projects to feed their curiosity and ignite learning passions. They can research a scientific subject of their choosing or conduct hands-on experiments that demonstrate how concepts operate via observation or exploration.
Engage your students with this fun project that challenges them to build a rubber band car that rolls without being pushed, and learn about physics principles and Newton’s laws at the same time! It is sure to get their wheels turning!
Take this experiment with your students to demonstrate the relationship between oxygen and fire using a candle as an aid in showing surface tension and air resistance, then watching what happens when oxygen is depleted from a flame and why fire burns so hotly. In addition, fifth graders will gain experience gathering research from various sources like books, magazines and the Internet and documenting it using citations.
Experiment
By fifth grade, children should take on greater responsibilities for designing and conducting their own experiments. They can do this through engaging hands-on projects that spark curiosity while instilling passion for learning.
Students observe how bile from the liver breaks down fat in their digestive tract with this easy Biological Science experiment. Students also gain an understanding of gravity and air pressure in this exciting Bottle Rocket experiment that allows them to design their own catapults with either short or long arms for improved results. Finally, engineering skills are put to the test with this clothespin/wooden craft stick airplane experiment that explores potential and kinetic energies.
Explore static electricity using this intriguing experiment involving comb and balloon charging to observe how objects attract or repel bits of paper, conducting or repelling electricity in different ways. Or have kids test which household chemicals work best at keeping flies, ants and other insects away with this fun chemistry science project!
Presentation
By fifth grade, students should have gained sufficient responsibility to design and conduct their own science fair experiments with greater independence. When considering their experiments they will need to consider factors like time availability, school rules regarding science fairs, individual interests and any potential safety concerns with hot water or chemicals.
Children participating in this fun experiment use diet soda and Mentos candy as ingredients to explore gas molecules and surface tension. Though messy, children seem never tired of this engaging project!
Put your 5th graders’ engineering skills to the test with this engaging physics project! All it takes is a clothespin and some wooden craft sticks for them to understand atmospheric pressure, weather patterns, and how barometers function by creating their own homemade barometer – perfect for teaching them about magnetic north and geographic north as well as teaching kids the difference.