[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 School] Independent Research Themes & Crafts | A Collection of Ideas that Lead to Learning (21–30)
Let’s try mixing water and oil
This is an experiment to see what happens when you mix water and oil.
First, make colored water by adding food coloring to a glass of water.
In a separate glass, pour in some oil, then carefully pour the colored water on top.
Strangely, the colored water you added last will settle at the bottom of the glass, and the oil will form a layer on top.
Even if you stir it with a stick, they won’t mix at all.
It’s a fun experiment that overturns the common belief that liquids mix with each other.
Give it a try! The non-mixing liquid you make can also be put into a bottle to create a playful decorative piece.
I tried making a Super Ball.
Super balls are attractive for their colorful appearance and exceptional bounciness.
Because they absorb impact and rebound strongly, many of you probably remember bouncing them high when you were kids.
How about making your own super ball by hand? This time, we’ll use a store-bought kit, so there’s no need to gather materials individually—you can easily make one by following the included instructions.
Since the process involves using hot water and fine metallic powder, be sure to work together with an adult.
Create a one-of-a-kind original ball and have fun playing with it over summer vacation!
[5th Grade] Independent Research Topics & Crafts | A Collection of Learning-Connected Ideas (31–40)
A truly usable cooler made from cardboard
Here’s a DIY cooler idea using cardboard, plastic bottles, a battery pack, and a motor.
First, cut three circular holes in the side of the cardboard box, each the same size as the bottom of a plastic bottle.
Insert and secure plastic bottles cut to one-third length into the holes, using the bottle neck ends.
On the inside of the cardboard, attach a propeller to the side opposite the bottles, and make small holes on both sides.
Mount the motor’s switch on the lid, place ice packs inside, and close the box to finish.
Decorate as you like with vinyl tape or similar materials.
Research brimming with love for Dragon Ball
I think it would be fun to choose Dragon Ball, an anime that’s extremely popular with kids, as the theme for an independent research project! Dragon Ball is loved by a wide range of generations, from children to adults.
You could count the sound effects that appear in the manga, present them with graphs and numbers, and note how many times the same sounds are used.
It might also be enjoyable to think about how powerful the Kamehameha is, or to research how nutritious senzu beans are.
Over the long summer vacation, incorporating something you’re interested in into your independent research could help deepen your knowledge.
The relationship between bread and sugar
Let’s explore how different amounts of sugar change bread by conducting a free research project on the relationship between bread and sugar.
Prepare several bowls, each containing the same amounts of cake flour, dry yeast, salt, butter, and water.
Vary only the amount of sugar in each bowl, then knead the doughs.
Carefully observe how the dough feels while kneading: what texture appears in doughs with more sugar, and what texture appears in doughs with less sugar? It might be helpful to record each stage—first proof, second proof, and baking—with photos to see how the dough responds at each point.
Enjoy this hands-on research project using everyday bread!
Challenge in video production
It’s a great idea to incorporate video production into an independent research project, especially for today’s kids who are used to watching videos on YouTube and other platforms.
By switching roles—from watching to actually filming and creating their own videos—they can gain a deeper understanding of how videos are made.
It could be interesting to decide on a theme, such as who the video is for, what kind of video it should be, and how long it should be, and make that the focus of the project.
To keep it fun and engaging, it’s best to choose a topic they’re genuinely interested in.
Handheld fan made from scrap materials
Let’s make a realistic-looking handheld fan out of recycled materials! It won’t produce wind, but you can enjoy watching it spin.
First, poke a hole in the center of two popsicle sticks, thread a bamboo skewer through them to make the propeller, and connect two toilet paper rolls, covering them with origami paper to create the handle.
Cut a circle from thick paper, cover it with origami paper, and punch a hole in the center to make the part behind the propeller.
Slide a short piece of straw onto the bamboo skewer of the propeller, then pass it through the circular part and attach the circle to the handle.
Let the bamboo skewer extend out above the handle, wrap kite string around it, then cut a slit in the handle to guide and secure the string.
Make a hole on the side of the handle, thread the kite string through, and add a bead to the end of the string—and you’re done!