[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 Ideas that Lead to Learning (41–50)
Craft paper hat
Let’s try making a hat using materials like kraft paper.
First, crumple the kraft paper into a ball to soften it.
Then wrap it around your head and secure it with tape at just the right size.
Once it’s taped, feel free to adjust the length and shape as you like.
You can tear it by hand or twist it, too.
After you’ve settled on a shape, try decorating it with tissue paper or origami.
When your one-of-a-kind hat is finished, having a fashion show can be lots of fun!
[5th Grade Elementary School] Independent Research Themes & Crafts | A Collection of Ideas That Lead to Learning (51–60)
Let’s make a super ball
Did you know you can make a super ball yourself? You’ll need PVA laundry glue, salt, and food coloring or paint.
First, dissolve 40 g of salt in water and add color, then pour the saltwater into the glue and stir with a chopstick.
You’ll see a gooey mass start to form around the chopstick.
Gather it up and blot the moisture with a paper towel, and you’ll have an easy homemade super ball.
Depending on the batch, some bounce very well and others less so, but try adding your favorite colors and make all kinds of super balls!
10 Musical Instruments Made from Plastic Bottles
Musical instruments can produce all kinds of sounds and are fascinating, but many people may feel hesitant to buy a lot when they’re not sure how much they’ll actually use them.
Here, we’ll introduce many instruments you can make using plastic bottles.
For example, castanets made by attaching plastic bottle caps to cardboard, a whistle made by punching a hole in a cap and inserting a straw, and even instruments with different pitches just by letting the air out of a plastic bottle.
There are also plastic bottle drums and a “petphone,” made by connecting plastic bottles cut to various lengths.
Use these as references and give it a try!
Let’s make a professional kalimba
It would be fun to make a genuine musical instrument using items you can get at home improvement stores or online, wouldn’t it? This time, we’ll introduce a handmade, authentic kalimba.
A kalimba is a traditional African instrument played by plucking thin metal tines attached to a box or board.
Using a box or board allows the sound to resonate.
Let’s try making one by building a wooden box and attaching thin rods.
Specialized kalimba metal tines, called kalimba keys, are also available from online retailers.
Master the playing technique, and let your kalimba produce beautiful tones.
Infinity Cube made from a milk carton
The endlessly flippable infinity cube is so much fun, isn’t it? Let’s make one using milk cartons.
First, wash and dry the cartons, then prepare two cartons with the top and bottom cut off.
Cut each one into eight vertical strips to make 16 long, narrow pieces.
Next, use two pieces to make one cube.
There’s a trick to how the cubes are connected, so be careful not to connect them the wrong way.
Once you’ve connected them correctly, stick origami paper on top, and you’re done.
Let’s make it in 3D! The human body
Why not try making a three-dimensional human figure? Some people may not have given much thought to the body’s balance and structure.
For this 3D human figure, first make sketches: draw the human body from various angles in a sketchbook.
Based on those drawings, create an armature with wire.
Once it’s done, fix the armature to a base and build up the form with paper clay.
Next, paint it with acrylics.
It’s best to hold the base and paint from various angles.
Be sure to separate and paint the finer details carefully.
An experiment to make natto
Many people are likely interested in experiments that use items that appear in our everyday meals.
This time, we’re introducing an experiment to make natto.
Natto, which has been eaten in Japan since ancient times, is said—according to various theories—to have existed as far back as the Yayoi period.
To turn soybeans into natto, you need natto bacteria (Bacillus subtilis var.
natto), and it’s said that straw naturally contains these bacteria.
Prepare steamed soybeans and boiled straw, then place the soybeans sandwiched between the straw.
Natto bacteria are heat-resistant, so boiling the straw is fine.
It’ll be exciting to see after the experiment whether the natto has successfully formed.