Recommended Independent Research Projects for 5th Graders [Elementary School Students]
Among summer vacation assignments, the most challenging one is often the independent research project.
Many elementary school students probably struggle each year with what topic to tackle.
So in this article, we’ll introduce independent research ideas especially recommended for fifth graders.
We’ve picked ideas mainly related to what fifth graders actually learn in science, social studies, and home economics.
You can choose a field that interests you from what you learned in the first term at school, or it’s also a good idea to work on something related to a topic that caught your attention while reading the textbook.
Now, let’s dive into the recommended ideas!
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Summary of Recommended Independent Research Projects for 5th Graders [Elementary School Students] (61–70)
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!
Let’s make a leaf vein specimen
Let’s make a leaf vein specimen using leaves you can find around you.
First, bring water with 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a boil and add the leaves.
Simmer for about 15 minutes, then when the water turns brown and the leaves become limp, remove the leaves.
This softens the pigments other than the veins.
Next, rinse the leaves under running water and gently tap them with a toothbrush to scrape away everything except the veins.
Be sure to choose sturdy, relatively tough leaves for this experiment.
pH measurement using vegetables
Let’s try a pH measurement experiment that tells you whether a liquid is alkaline or acidic.
For preparation, shred some red cabbage the day before and freeze it.
On the day of the experiment, knead it well in water to make purple cabbage water.
This colored water actually contains a pigment called anthocyanin that reacts to pH.
In the experiment, add the liquid you want to test to this colored water and observe the color change.
It turns red if acidic, purple if neutral, and blue or yellow if alkaline.
Gather different liquids and give it a try!
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.
a picture from the story
When drawing, choosing a theme is important, and some people may struggle with that and find it hard to get started.
For those who aren’t good at deciding on a theme, a recommended approach is to use a story as a reference and create your artwork from it.
Freely choose a narrative, find a scene you like, and express it in your own way through your art.
Because cover illustrations and interior artwork can influence you, it takes skill to see how far you can distance yourself from them and how much originality you can bring.
Try to visualize the setting of the story and make a habit of expanding your imagination from there.
Cardboard garbage collection truck
Let me introduce cardboard garbage collection trucks.
There are different types of garbage trucks, and their movements and installed parts vary.
All of the trucks being introduced are made using cardboard.
By paying attention to details—such as changing the shape of the emergency stop switch section, recreating the tail lamps with plastic sheets, and writing the manufacturer’s name—you can complete a garbage truck that looks just like the real thing.
Understanding the movements and features of each type of garbage truck also makes it easier to imagine the materials you’ll need to prepare.
Be sure to try making a garbage truck in your own style.
Cardboard vending machine
Let’s introduce a cardboard vending machine that looks just like the real thing.
Insert a coin and press a button, and a drink will come out from inside.
Gather the materials—milk cartons, cardboard, bubble gum, rubber bands, paper clips, plastic sheets, tape, glue, a ruler, scissors, and a utility knife—and let’s get building.
We’ll start by making the internal parts of the cardboard vending machine.
The key is to carefully measure each part and cut it to the correct size before assembling.
Measure the base cardboard as well to ensure it’s the right size to hold the drinks, then build accordingly.
It also sounds fun to make your own original drinks!