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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Recommended Independent Research Ideas for 5th Graders [Elementary School Students] (41–50)
Ice that freezes in 3 minutes
This is a science project where you make cool, tasty ice cream in a short time.
Put heavy cream, chocolate sauce, and chocolate chips in a zip-top bag and seal it tightly, then place it inside another larger bag filled with ice and salt.
Adding salt lowers the temperature of the ice, quickly freezing the cream inside the bag.
Wrap it in a towel and shake well, and in about three minutes the ice cream is ready.
The crunchy chocolate bits are fun, and the flavor is very satisfying.
Scientifically, the key is that salt lowers the melting point of ice, causing an endothermic process that absorbs energy and freezes the contents.
It’s an idea packed with both deliciousness and learning, letting you experience the relationship between cold and chemistry.
Bird call making
As a craft project perfect for children who love nature observation, I recommend making a bird call.
Prepare a hand-sized wooden branch and drill a small hole in the center.
Screw in a metal part called an eye nut, and when you twist it so the wood and metal rub against each other, it produces a sound like birdsong.
Real birds may sometimes respond to this sound, so trying it out in a park after making it is part of the fun.
The volume and pitch change depending on the type of wood and the depth of the hole, so by experimenting and recording the differences, you can enhance the quality of the project as an independent study.
It’s a hands-on idea that lets kids connect with nature while sparking curiosity about how sound works.
How to make rainbow punch
Rainbow punch is perfect for a science project where you can learn about color and state changes.
Divide shaved ice syrup into several cups and mix in your favorite colors.
Dissolve gelatin in hot water and combine it with each colored syrup, then chill in the refrigerator to set into jelly.
Place the colorful jellies in a glass, and finally pour in soda water—your rainbow drink will sparkle with fizzy bubbles.
By observing the transformation of gelatin from liquid to solid and how it interacts with carbonated water, you can deepen your understanding of color and temperature-related state changes.
It’s an idea that’s visually fun and scientifically rich, letting you enjoy both observation and experimentation.
How to make jelly that sets instantly
Here’s how to make a beautiful jelly with sparkling, colorful beads.
Make the jelly base with sodium alginate, then gently pour a liquid colored with shaved ice syrup or food coloring into water containing dissolved calcium lactate.
Like magic, soft jelly sets instantly.
This happens because alginic acid and calcium undergo a chemical reaction that forms a jelly-like membrane.
Shine a light on it for an even more enchanting effect.
By experimenting with color combinations and shapes, you can create pieces that are visually delightful for kids.
It’s a perfect idea for an independent study project full of wonder, blending science with crafts.
stone art
Let’s make stone art using materials close at hand, like those from rivers and parks.
Start by collecting stones and twigs.
Choosing stones without sharp edges will help you create cute pieces.
Also, selecting twigs with branches is a key tip for making a lovely work.
Arrange the stones and twigs you found on a frame or cork board, which you can also buy at a 100-yen shop.
As children think, design, and create on their own, it boosts their imagination.
You can paint the pieces, and it’s also nice to add pinecones, leaves, and other items besides stones and twigs.
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.
Gem-like soap
Gemstone soaps are available as DIY kits, but they’re easy to make as long as you have glycerin soap and coloring.
Cut the glycerin soap into small pieces and place them in a container, then heat in a microwave at 500W for 10 seconds.
Mix in your favorite colorant to add color, and add aroma for fragrance.
Once you’ve made a few colors, pour them into another container in layers and let them set—that’s it! Try changing the color combinations and see what kinds of gemstones you can create.
Using a clear soap base also gives a light, airy look and is highly recommended.