Wonderful independent research

Self-study that impresses your teacher! Recommended science self-study ideas for 5th graders

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

Independent science study can be a fun adventure for kids! Here, we introduce recommended self-study science topics for fifth graders that are sure to impress teachers.

Exploring freely makes learning even more enjoyable.

Observe nature around you, try simple experiments, and experience the joy of discovering new things.

As your interest in nature and science grows, it’s also fun to share what you’ve learned with friends and family.

Please use this as a guide and dive into the exciting world of science with us!

Self-directed study that will impress your teacher! Recommended independent science study ideas for 5th graders (41–50)

Making alum crystals

“Making Alum Crystals in One Hour” for 5th Grade: “How Substances Dissolve” #HowSubstancesDissolve #Alum #CrystalMaking

Making alum crystals

In 5th grade science, students learn about how substances dissolve, such as how much salt or alum can dissolve in 1 liter of water, and whether the amount that dissolves changes with the water’s temperature.

As a related independent project, how about making alum crystals? If you soak a pipe cleaner in hot water in which alum has been dissolved and then leave it until it cools, crystals will form around the pipe cleaner.

Repeating this process several times will produce a large alum crystal.

Once the crystal has formed, consider and research why crystals form, and compile your findings into a report—this will make an excellent independent research project.

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Investigating rheotaxis in medaka

Two experiments using medaka fish: “Water Flow” and “Rotation of Striped Patterns”

Investigating rheotaxis in medaka

The topic of fish reproduction is also covered in the fifth grade, right? So, in connection with that, let’s look into rheotaxis, a behavior characteristic of medaka.

Rheotaxis is the tendency to move in a specific way in response to water flow; in the case of medaka, they swim against the current.

For the experiment, gently stir the water in a circular motion in the tank where the medaka are swimming to create a flow, and observe how they swim.

Additionally, related to this, you can cover the outside of the tank with striped paper and rotate it to observe how the medaka swim.

Combining these observations should make for an interesting report.

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Let’s observe the reflection of light

[Independent Study] Let's observe light reflection using a mirror!

Let's observe the reflection of light

How about doing an independent study observing the properties of light? In elementary school science classes, you probably do experiments to confirm light reflection, but let’s dig deeper into that for your project.

Shine a flashlight inside a box to check the direction the light travels, place a mirror, and observe the angles of reflection.

It could also be interesting to compare the flashlight’s brightness with the number of reflections.

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Research and summarize about typhoons

[Independent Research] Are Changes in Air Pressure a Massive Source of Energy? The Mechanism Behind Typhoon Formation! [Yukkuri Explanation]

Research and summarize about typhoons

You learn about weather changes and typhoons in fifth-grade science, right? In that case, how about researching typhoons more deeply and putting together a report? Specifically, you could look into how typhoons form and where they come from, where they move to and what happens to them in the end.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about typhoons.

You could also investigate the strength of typhoons and the damage they cause, and use that information for disaster preparedness.

That would make your independent research even more meaningful.

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Comparing how salt and sugar dissolve in water

Which dissolves more easily in water, sugar or salt?

Comparing how salt and sugar dissolve in water

In connection with the way substances dissolve, which is studied in 5th-grade science, let’s compare how salt and sugar dissolve in water.

For the same amount of water, which dissolves more—salt or sugar? Also, as the water temperature increases, how does the amount that dissolves change for salt and for sugar? Summarize the results you obtain through experiments in a report.

In addition to salt and sugar, look for other substances that dissolve well in water, substances that dissolve better when the water temperature is raised, and substances whose solubility does not change much even when the water temperature is increased.

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Simulated investment experience

[Money and Investing] “Growing Your Assets”… Kids Are Interested Too: Experiencing “Investment Consulting” and Being a “Shareholder”

Simulated investment experience

This initiative lets children simulate stock trading and investing to deepen their interest in money.

In today’s society, where building assets for the future is emphasized and NISA contributions can be started by minors, it’s important to create opportunities for kids to learn about money.

Supporting a company is called investing, and it can be helpful to learn the meanings of terms like yen depreciation and yen appreciation through games.

Options include visiting facilities or seminars where kids can experience different jobs, or studying together as a family.

It’s also recommended to learn about investing using familiar themes for children, such as the prices of snacks and juice.

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Let’s make a Japan map puzzle

Get a head start on your independent research! Let's make a Japan map puzzle.

Let's make a Japan map puzzle

It’s a puzzle where pieces cut into the shapes of Japan’s prefectures are arranged correctly to complete a map of Japan.

You can have fun while learning what each prefecture looks like and where it’s located in Japan.

It’s easy to make: prepare a colorful map of Japan with prefectural borders drawn, and attach magnet sheets to the cut-out prefectures to finish.

It’s also recommended to include the prefecture names and local specialties on the pieces so you can learn the shapes and locations together with key information.

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