[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] Independent Research Topics & Crafts | A Collection of Learning-Connected Ideas (31–40)
Surprisingly addictive study of shapes
Here’s a great recommendation for anyone looking for an independent research project that blends learning with fun! How about studying shapes? Shapes are everywhere in daily life—origami, buildings, even sweets—so they feel familiar, and engaging with them in a playful way can help overcome anxiety about math and build confidence.
In your research, it’s important to narrow down your theme and explore it in depth, and to actually see, touch, and experience things firsthand.
Use the videos as a reference, find a topic that interests you, and give it a try!
Water and Oil Experiment
Here’s an experiment with water and oil that transforms into mysterious water.
Gather a bottle, small figurines, salt, oil, and food coloring.
After putting salt and oil into the bottle, add a small figurine and begin the experiment.
See how the figurine floats in salt water, and compare it with plain water to observe what state the figurine is in—these comparisons can lead to new discoveries that elementary school students will enjoy.
It’s also interesting to see what happens when you mix water and oil.
Try coloring the water and get creative as you enjoy your independent science project!
Musical instruments made from empty cans
Let’s have fun making can instruments from empty cans.
Here, we introduce two instruments: an ocarina and another instrument that produces a scale alongside it.
Use an aluminum can for the ocarina and a steel can for the other instrument.
First, here’s how to make the ocarina.
Remove the pull-tab from the can, and tape a slightly thick straw to the mouth opening.
On the side of the can near the mouth opening, use a punch to make five holes spaced 2 centimeters apart.
Make one more hole at the top on the opposite side, and it’s done! For the other instrument, remove the can’s pull-tab and rub the bottom with something hard like a chopstick.
The pitch will change, so adjust it to the notes you want and line them up.
3 simple coasters
How about making coasters as a summer vacation craft? Here, we’ll introduce three methods.
The first is a coaster made by arranging tiles on top of paper clay.
The second is a coaster made by lining up beads and melting them in the microwave.
The third is a summery coaster that expresses a seasonal scene by placing shells, sequins, and stickers in resin.
They’re all easy to make, so give them a try.
You can buy most of the materials at 100-yen shops.
Survey on vehicle stopping rates
This independent research project is perfect for when you want to boost awareness of everyday traffic rules and safety.
The activity involves standing by a crosswalk and recording whether cars stop for you.
By checking with your own eyes, you can directly experience and better understand social and traffic rules as they are in real life.
Collecting data and summarizing it in graphs also helps develop analytical and communication skills.
It could be interesting to examine various perspectives, such as the type of car or the driver’s gender and age.
Please be careful to avoid heatstroke while conducting the survey.
[5th Grade] Independent Research Topics & Crafts | A Collection of Ideas that Lead to Learning (41–50)
I tried expressing sound with salt
Let’s observe how salt patterns change with sound! Tape a black plastic bag over a bowl, then poke a small hole to keep the air pressure inside the bowl stable.
Wipe the surface with a damp tissue to remove static electricity, and sprinkle salt on top.
Now you’re ready—try making different sounds near the bowl, such as low and high voices.
The salt will respond to the sound and move, creating various patterns.
It will be helpful to note which sounds produced which patterns and to take photos, making it easier to compile your report.
Camera craft
Let’s try making a camera using a milk carton.
A camera is handy for taking photos and preserving memories.
It’s a simple version, but you can make it yourself.
You’ll use a milk carton, a plastic bag, a magnifying glass to act as a lens, and black construction paper.
First, cut off the top and bottom of the milk carton.
On one end, fold the edges inward about 1 cm on all four sides, then cover it with a cut piece of plastic bag and secure it.
Next, make a tube out of black construction paper that’s just a little larger than the milk carton, and fold in the edges on one end in the same way.
Fix the magnifying glass there, and then insert the milk carton you prepared earlier into the inside of the tube to finish.
Take it outside and experiment to see how it looks!