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] (51–60)
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!
Palm-sized ocean diorama

Let’s try making a diorama that captures a summer scene.
It’s palm-sized, so you won’t have trouble finding a place for it, and it’s easy to bring to school.
Prepare a container you like, apply glue to the bottom, and lay down paper clay.
Use sand, powdered pastels, and resin to create the beach and the sea.
Add stones and moss, place parts made from paper clay, and you’re done.
You can depict any landscape you like, so try making it while recalling the fun things you did during summer vacation.
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!
Let’s make a flute

As a one-day science project, here’s a fun idea for making a simple flute.
Since this involves using fire, be sure to work with an adult.
Prepare three thick straws and flatten one end of each.
Use a lighter to gently heat the flattened end, then pinch the melted section with a clip to seal it.
After making all three the same way, blow into them—you’ll hear a flute-like sound.
The pitch changes with the length of the straws, so adjust them to create the scale you like.
Summary of Recommended Independent Research Projects for 5th Graders [Elementary School Students] (61–70)
Simple kaleidoscope

Let’s make a kaleidoscope that shows rainbow colors.
Prepare three mirrors for a kaleidoscope and glue them together into a triangular prism with the mirror sides facing inward.
Place this inside a toilet paper tube, and seal one end with black construction paper that you’ve pierced with numerous holes using a pin.
Seal the other end with black construction paper that has a diffraction (rainbow) film attached at the center.
Finally, decorate the outside of the toilet paper tube with masking tape or similar, and you’re done! It’s very easy, so please give it a try.
It’s not a kaleidoscope with changing patterns, but the rainbow colors are truly beautiful.
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.
Casein plastic

You can actually make plastic from a drink that’s close to all of us: milk.
If you add vinegar to boiled milk and mix, you’ll get a white, clumpy substance.
This is casein, a protein that serves as the base for plastic.
Remove the moisture from the casein, press it into a mold, and heat it in a microwave for one-minute intervals several times until it hardens.
In recent years, the issue of plastic waste has gained attention, and many of us are thinking about how we can reduce it.
This experiment could be a wonderful independent research project that points toward a future rich in nature.



