[5th Grade Elementary School] Independent Research Themes & Crafts | A Collection of Ideas That Lead to Learning
Elementary school students, have you decided what to do for your independent research project this year?
Since you can choose any theme for independent research—experiments, crafts, observations—it can be hard to decide what to do each year.
So in this article, we’ve gathered a variety of independent research ideas to help you not only search for ideas but also expand on any interests you come up with.
Because this is aimed at fifth graders, we’re introducing topics that lead to deeper learning.
Feel free to use this as a reference and keep making new discoveries!
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[5th Grade Elementary] Independent Research Themes & Crafts | A Collection of Ideas that Lead to Learning (11–20)
Paper chromatography
Chromatography refers to a method for separating mixtures, and paper chromatography is a type of chromatography that uses water and filter paper.
Although chromatography might sound like a formal chemistry experiment, it’s actually easy to try as a hands-on science project.
One simple activity is to use paper chromatography to separate the inks of water-based pens.
Water-based pen ink is made by mixing various colors; for example, when you separate green ink, you can see that it’s composed of multiple colors.
The method is simple: color a coffee filter with a water-based pen, then dip it in water and leave it.
The ink will separate as if it’s bleeding, revealing which colors were mixed.
Try separating and observing different colors, or investigate whether the mixture of colors differs between brands even for the same ink color.
Let’s make rock candy
Let’s try making sparkling, magic-like rock candy for a science project.
Prepare granulated sugar, water, sticks, wooden chopsticks, glass cups, liquid food coloring, and a pot.
Put the granulated sugar and water into the pot and simmer until it boils.
Wet the tip of the stick with sugar water and coat it with granulated sugar.
Pour sugar water and your favorite color of liquid food coloring into a glass cup, then sandwich the stick between a pair of chopsticks and set it so the stick doesn’t touch the bottom of the glass.
Cover with plastic wrap and leave it for 3 days to 1 week while observing.
Take photos and keep records to track any changes you see.
I tried making a sword.
Japanese swords are highly regarded overseas for their beauty.
They are especially appealing to people interested in Japanese culture, history, and the samurai spirit.
How about making a sword filled with Japanese tradition as an independent study project? By finding a workshop like the one in the video that produces various replica swords and creating one together under the guidance of a craftsman, you can have a truly authentic experience.
The finished piece has great presence, making it perfect for display! If you’re interested, definitely give it a try!
Fizzy Ramune Experiment
Why not try making fizzy ramune tablets for your summer break science project and enjoy their colors and sounds when dropped into water? After thoroughly mixing ingredients like powdered sugar, cornstarch, and food-grade citric acid, add food coloring to make them visually fun.
Press the mixed dough with two spoons to shape it just right.
Let them dry for about half a day to finish the ramune.
When eaten, they fizz in your mouth, letting you experience the curious chemical reaction of carbonation.
It’s a safe project even for children, using the carbon dioxide produced by the reaction between lemon juice’s acid and baking soda.
You can boost originality by changing the colors and flavors.
It’s a great idea for learning chemistry with familiar materials.
Let’s learn about sugar crystallization while making canelés.
Let’s make an experimental piece using a canelé mold for sweets.
Put powdered gelatin into a container filled with water and heat it in the microwave.
After heating, add sugar, color it with edible food coloring, and heat it in the microwave again.
Pour it into the canelé mold, and once it sets, remove it from the mold.
Your beautiful, colorful sugar canelés are ready.
At first, they look jiggly, but after a week, the sugar crystallizes and they turn into sparkly, crystal-like pieces.
You can enjoy watching the sugar change over time.
Independent study at the play park
A play park where children can fully immerse themselves in nature is perfect for a hands-on independent study project.
It’s packed with activities that are hard to experience in everyday life, such as tree climbing, chopping firewood, and making campfires.
Rather than just spending a day playing and calling it done, you can turn it into a solid research project by recording what activities you did, what you enjoyed, and what ingenuity you used, together with photos or drawings.
It’s important to summarize in your own words what you learned and felt through play.
Learning how to use tools, paying attention to safety, and understanding how to interact with nature can also be part of the project.
This is an action-observation style idea that lets you deepen your experience by engaging all five senses.
[5th Grade Elementary School] Independent Research Themes & Crafts | A Collection of Ideas that Lead to Learning (21–30)
Butter Even Elementary School Students Can Make
@nonno.chan I recreated a summer vacation science project I made a long time ago: homemade butter!#Summer VacationIndependent Research#HandmadeButterHomework#tiktoksummerbreak#meijiMeiji Delicious Fresh Cream
♬ 3 minutes cooking style pop / cooking / sweets(957554) – ArcTracks
Here’s a summer vacation science project idea for making authentic butter at home using heavy cream, salt, and a plastic bottle.
Put heavy cream and a pinch of salt into a plastic bottle, close the cap tightly, and shake it vigorously.
After shaking for a while, the contents will separate into liquid and solids.
This is the sign that butter and buttermilk have separated.
Pour off the liquid, cut the bottle open with scissors, and take out the contents—the butter is ready.
Spread it on bread to enjoy a special flavor that really lets you feel you made it yourself.
Watching the cream change teaches about dairy processing and fat separation.
The hands-on, energetic shaking is fun and gives a sense of accomplishment, making this a great idea for elementary school students.