5th grade hypothesis science projects

120+ Exciting 5th Grade Science Project Ideas With Hypothesis In 2023

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of 5th-grade science projects with hypotheses? Science projects are not just about fun experiments; they also involve forming hypotheses to make educated guesses about outcomes. But what makes a good hypothesis for a science project? In this blog, we’ll explore the key components of a successful hypothesis.

Selecting the right 5th-grade science project can be a challenge, and we’ll share some valuable tips to help you choose the perfect one. We’ll dive into the importance of combining hypothesis with your science project and why it’s a vital aspect of learning and discovery.

But that’s not all! We’ve also compiled an extensive list of 120+ exciting 5th-grade science project ideas with hypothesis, providing you with a wealth of inspiration for your next scientific adventure. Stay tuned with us to unleash the world of  5th-grade science project ideas with hypothesis  and nurture your curiosity in the process.

What Is A Good Hypothesis For A Science Project?

Table of Contents

A good hypothesis for a science project is like a smart guess. It helps scientists figure out what they think will happen in their experiment. To make a good hypothesis, you need to use words like  if  and  then.  For example,  If I water the plant every day, then it will grow taller.  This shows what you’re going to do and what you expect to see.

In addition, a strong hypothesis also needs to be testable. That means you can experiment to see if it’s true or not. It’s like a detective’s clue that leads you to find the answer. Scientists use good hypotheses to guide their experiments and learn new things about the world. So, making a good hypothesis is an important part of any science project.

Things To Remember While Selecting A 5th Grade Science Project Ideas With Hypothesis

Here are some things to remember while selecting a 5th grade science project ideas with hypothesis:

1. Personal Interest

Choose a 5th-grade science project that interests you. Picking a topic you’re curious about makes the project more enjoyable. Whether it’s plants, animals, or space, your passion can make learning fun.

2. Age-Appropriate

Make sure the project is right for your grade level. A 5th-grade project shouldn’t be too simple or too complex. It should match your skills and what you’ve learned in school.

3. Available Resources

Check if you have access to the materials you need. Some projects might need special tools or expensive stuff. It’s essential to choose something you can do with the materials you have.

4. Safety First

Keep safety in mind. Select a project that’s safe to do at home or in school. Make sure you won’t be using anything harmful or dangerous.

5. Clear Instructions

Look for a project with clear instructions. It’s easier when you know what to do step by step. Projects with easy-to-follow directions help you succeed and learn better.

Developing A Hypothesis For Your Science Project

Developing a hypothesis for your science project is a crucial step. It’s like making an educated guess about what you think will happen during your experiment. Here are seven key points to consider while creating a hypothesis:

• Identify the Variables: Determine the two things you’re testing in your experiment, the  if  and  then  parts. For example, if you’re testing plant growth, the variables could be  amount of sunlight  and  plant height. 
• Be Specific: Make sure your hypothesis is clear and precise. Avoid vague or broad statements. The more specific, the better.
• Predict the Outcome: Your hypothesis should state what you expect to happen. Will one variable cause a change in the other? State your prediction clearly.
• Use  If-Then  Statements : Craft your hypothesis using  if-then  statements to show the relationship between the variables. For instance,  If the amount of sunlight increases, then the plant height will also increase. 
• Keep It Testable: Ensure that your hypothesis is something you can test through an experiment. It should lead to concrete results that you can measure.
• Avoid Bias: Make sure your hypothesis doesn’t show your personal beliefs. It should be based on research and evidence, not what you want to happen.
• Revisit and Revise : As you conduct your experiment, be ready to adjust your hypothesis if the results don’t match your initial prediction. Science is all about learning and adapting.

Here we have a list of 120+ exciting 5th grade science project ideas with hypothesis in 2023: 

• Balloon Rocket

Hypothesis –   If I inflate a balloon and release it, then it will move forward because of the escaping air. 

• Moldy Bread

Hypothesis –  I think bread left in different conditions will develop mold at varying rates. 

• Growing Plants 

Hypothesis –   If I give plants different amounts of water, then they will grow differently. 

• Magnet Magic

Hypothesis –  I predict that magnets will attract some objects but not others. 

• Lemon Battery

Hypothesis –  I believe I can create a battery using a lemon because it is acidic. 

• Volcano Eruption

Hypothesis –   I expect that a mixture of vinegar and baking soda will create a volcanic eruption. 

• Density of Liquids

Hypothesis –   I think different liquids have different densities, and some will float on top of others. 

• Solar Still

Hypothesis –   I predict that a solar still can collect clean water from dirty water through evaporation. 

• Bouncing Balls

Hypothesis –   I believe that balls made from different materials will bounce to different heights. 

• Static Electricity

Hypothesis –   I think rubbing a balloon on my hair will create static electricity that attracts objects. 

• Fruit Battery

Hypothesis –  I expect that fruits like oranges and lemons can power a small light bulb. 

• Color-Changing Milk

Hypothesis –  I predict that adding soap to milk with food coloring will make colorful patterns. 

• Tornado in a Bottle

 Hypothesis –   I think that by swirling water and dish soap in a bottle, I can create a tornado-like vortex. 

• Water Filtration

Hypothesis –   I believe that by using sand and gravel, I can filter impurities from water. 

• Rust Formation

Hypothesis –  I predict that metal objects left in water will rust over time. 

• Candy Dissolving

Hypothesis –  I think that different candies will dissolve at different rates in water. 

• Seed Germination

Hypothesis –  If I plant seeds in various conditions, then they will sprout at different rates. 

Hypothesis –  I expect that by using a simple rain gauge, I can measure rainfall accurately. 

• Sound Vibrations

Hypothesis –   I believe that different objects will produce different sounds when struck. 

• Egg Drop Challenge

Hypothesis –   I predict that if I design a protective container, the egg will survive a fall. 

• Paper Airplanes

Hypothesis –   I think that altering the shape of paper airplanes will affect their flight distance. 

• Food Preservation

 Hypothesis –   I expect that different methods of food preservation will keep food fresh longer. 

• Homemade Slime

Hypothesis –  I believe that mixing glue and borax will create a slimy substance. 

Hypothesis –   I predict that combining oil and water with Alka-Seltzer will create a mesmerizing lava lamp effect. 

• Air Pressure

Hypothesis –   I think air pressure can be measured with a simple barometer. 

• Crystal Growth

Hypothesis –  I expect that I can grow crystals by dissolving substances in water. 

• Ocean Currents

Hypothesis –   I predict that hot water and cold water will create ocean currents in a container. 

• Rainbow in a Jar

Hypothesis –   I believe I can create a rainbow by layering different liquids with different densities. 

• Static Electricity Levitation

Hypothesis –  I think that static electricity can make a small object levitate. 

• Melting Ice

Hypothesis –   I predict that adding salt to ice will cause it to melt faster. 

• Potato Battery

Hypothesis –   I expect that a potato can conduct electricity and power a small device. 

• Pendulum Swing

Hypothesis –   I believe that the length of a pendulum will affect its swing time. 

• Soda Geyser

Hypothesis –   I predict that dropping Mentos candies into soda will create a geyser. 

• Chromatography

Hypothesis –  I think I can separate the colors in markers using chromatography. 

• Heat Transfer

Hypothesis –  I expect that different materials will transfer heat at varying rates. 

• Rainfall and Runoff

Hypothesis –   I predict that if I simulate rainfall on different surfaces, some will produce more runoff. 

• Fizzy Lemonade

Hypothesis –   I believe that combining lemon juice and baking soda will make lemonade fizzier. 

• Rock Identification

Hypothesis –  I think I can identify different rocks by their characteristics. 

Hypothesis –  I predict that by cutting a straw, I can make it produce musical sounds like an oboe. 

• Taste Perception

Hypothesis –   I expect that people’s taste perception may change when their sense of smell is altered. 

• Color-Changing Flowers

Hypothesis –   I believe that adding food coloring to water will change the color of white flowers. 

• Solar Cooker

Hypothesis –   I predict that a solar cooker can cook food using only the sun’s energy. 

• Tornado Formation

Hypothesis –  I think that rotating two bottles will create a tornado effect. 

• Vinegar and Baking Soda Rocket

Hypothesis –  I expect that mixing vinegar and baking soda in a bottle will launch it into the air. 

• Popsicle Stick Bridge

Hypothesis –  I predict that I can build a strong bridge using only popsicle sticks and glue. 

• Rainfall Patterns

Hypothesis –  I believe that rainfall patterns can be different in various parts of the world. 

• Chemical Reactions

Hypothesis –  I think mixing certain chemicals will result in a visible reaction. 

• Fruit Decomposition

Hypothesis –   I predict that different fruits will decompose at different rates. 

• Balancing Act

Hypothesis –  I expect that I can balance various objects on a pivot point. 

• Photosynthesis Simulation

Hypothesis –   I believe that using a simple setup, I can show how plants perform photosynthesis. 

• Sinking and Floating

Hypothesis –  I think that objects with different densities will either sink or float in water. 

• Tooth Decay

Hypothesis –  I predict that different liquids will affect teeth differently, simulating tooth decay. 

• Rainwater Collection

Hypothesis –   I expect that by using a funnel, I can collect rainwater efficiently. 

• Soundproofing

Hypothesis –  I think that different materials will block sound to varying degrees. 

• Egg in a Bottle

Hypothesis –   I predict that I can place a peeled hard-boiled egg into a bottle without breaking it.  

• Water Wheel

Hypothesis –   I believe that the flow of water can make a small wheel turn.  

• Invisible Ink

Hypothesis –   I expect that I can create invisible ink that reveals messages under certain conditions.  

•  Heat from the Sun

Hypothesis –   I predict that a dark-colored object will get hotter in the sun than a light-colored one.  

• Layered Liquids

Hypothesis –   I think that liquids of different densities will form layers when mixed.  

• Candle Burning

Hypothesis –   I predict that different types of candles will burn at different rates.  

• Buoyancy with Clay Boats

Hypothesis –   I believe I can make clay boats that float and carry small loads.  

Hypothesis –   I expect that a mixture of cornstarch and water will behave strangely, like a liquid and a solid.  

• Magnetic Slime

Hypothesis –   I predict that adding iron filings to slime will make it magnetic.  

• Stalactites and Stalagmites

Hypothesis –   I think I can grow stalactites and stalagmites using a simple solution.  

Hypothesis –   I expect that different substances will have varying pH levels, which can be tested with indicator paper.  

• Solar Still for Drinking Water

Hypothesis –   I believe that a solar still can produce clean drinking water from saltwater.  

Hypothesis –   I predict that I can create a sundial that tells time using the sun’s shadow.  

• Dissolving Sugar

Hypothesis –   I expect that sugar will dissolve faster in hot water than in cold water.  

• Balloon Inflator

Hypothesis –   I think that a chemical reaction in a bottle can inflate a balloon.  

• Baking Soda and Vinegar Boat

Hypothesis –   I predict that a boat made from materials like baking soda and vinegar will move.  

• Oil Spill Cleanup

Hypothesis –   I believe that using different materials can help clean up an oil spill in water.  

• Seed Dispersal

Hypothesis –   I predict that seeds can be dispersed in various ways, such as by wind or animals.  

• Lemonade Sweetness

Hypothesis –   I expect that lemonade sweetness can be adjusted by adding sugar in different amounts.  

• Density of Solids

Hypothesis –   I think different solid objects will have different densities, which can be measured.  

• Making Ice Cream

Hypothesis –   I predict that I can make ice cream by mxing ingredients and using ice and salt.  

• Conduction and Insulation

Hypothesis –   I believe that different materials will either conduct or insulate heat.  

• Centrifugal Force

Hypothesis –   I predict that spinning an object will create a centrifugal force that affects its path.  

• Balloon-Powered Car

Hypothesis –   I expect that a car powered by a balloon will move because of the escaping air.  

• Candle Extinguisher

Hypothesis –   I think that covering a candle with a glass will extinguish it by using up the oxygen inside.  

• Water Filter Comparison

Hypothesis –   I predict that different water filters will remove impurities to varying degrees.  

• Capillary Action

Hypothesis –   I expect that water will rise differently in materials with varying capillary action.  

• Static Electricity and Salt

Hypothesis –   I believe that salt can be moved with static electricity.  

• Food Coloring in Flowers

Hypothesis –   I predict that adding food coloring to water will change the color of flowers.  

• Bottle Trombone

Hypothesis –   I think I can make a simple trombone-like instrument using a plastic bottle.  

• Windmill Power

Hypothesis –   I expect that a windmill can generate power when exposed to wind.  

• Chewing Gum Flavor

Hypothesis –   I predict that the flavor of chewing gum changes over time as it’s chewed.  

• Yeast Balloons

Hypothesis –   I believe that yeast will produce gas that can inflate a balloon.  

• Water Wheel Efficiency

Hypothesis –   I think that the design of a water wheel affects its efficiency in generating power.  

• Simple Electric Circuit

Hypothesis –   I expect that I can make a light bulb glow by completing an electric circuit.  

• Sugar Crystal Lollipop

Hypothesis –   I predict that sugar crystals will grow on a string dipped in a sugary solution.  

• Temperature and Magnetism

Hypothesis –   I believe that magnets will behave differently at various temperatures.  

• Styrofoam and Acetone

Hypothesis –   I expect that acetone will dissolve styrofoam.  

• Starch in Foods

Hypothesis –   I think I can test for the presence of starch in different foods using iodine.  

• Balloon-Powered Boat

Hypothesis –   I predict that a boat powered by a balloon will move on water.  

• Melting Chocolate

Hypothesis –   I expect that chocolate will melt at different rates when heated.  

• Air Pollution and Plant Growth

Hypothesis –   I believe that exposing plants to air pollution will affect their growth.  

• Simple Motor

Hypothesis –   I predict that I can build a simple motor that turns when an electric current flows through it.  

• Lemon Battery Voltage

Hypothesis –   I expect that different fruits will produce varying amounts of electricity when used as batteries.  

• Fireworks in a Jar

Hypothesis –   I think that mixing oil and colored water will create a fireworks-like display in a jar.  

• Bending Water with Static Electricity

Hypothesis –   I predict that static electricity can bend a stream of water from a faucet.  

• Soda Can Fizz

Hypothesis –   I expect that dropping a mentos candy into a soda can will cause fizzing.  

• Tornado Tube

Hypothesis –   I believe that connecting two plastic bottles with a tornado tube will create a vortex.  

• Magnetic Attraction and Distance

Hypothesis –   I predict that magnets will attract objects from varying distances.  

• Heat Absorption by Colors

Hypothesis –   I think that objects of different colors will absorb heat differently under sunlight.  

• Lemon Battery Power

Hypothesis –   I expect that a lemon battery can power a small LED light.  

• Strawberry DNA Extraction

Hypothesis –   I believe I can extract DNA from strawberries using common household items.  

• Marshmallow Density

Hypothesis –   I predict that marshmallows of different shapes and sizes have different densities.  

• Balloon-Powered Windmill

Hypothesis –   I think a windmill with balloons will turn when exposed to air.  

• Spinning Colors

Hypothesis –   I expect that spinning a color wheel will create the illusion of blending colors.  

• Sound and Vibration

Hypothesis –   I predict that different objects will create different sounds when struck and vibrate differently.  

• Rock Erosion

Hypothesis –   I believe that different rocks will erode at varying rates when exposed to water.  

• Air Pressure and Crushed Can

Hypothesis –   I expect that changing air pressure will crush an empty can.  

• Straw Flute

Hypothesis –   I think that cutting and blowing through a straw can produce musical notes.  

• Bottle Rocket

Hypothesis –   I predict that a bottle rocket filled with water and pressurized air will launch into the air.  

• Fruit Electricity

Hypothesis –   I believe that different fruits can produce electricity using simple circuits.  

• Melting Snow and Ice

Hypothesis –   I expect that different substances can help melt snow and ice at varying rates.  

• Plant Growth in Different Soils

Hypothesis –   I think that different soils will affect the growth of plants differently.  

• Static Electricity and Salt and Pepper

Hypothesis –   I predict that salt and pepper can be moved with static electricity.  

• Floating Paperclip

Hypothesis –   I expect that surface tension can make a paperclip float on water.  

• Crayon Melt Art

Hypothesis –   I believe that crayons will melt and create art when heated.  

• Balloon-Powered Hovercraft

Hypothesis –   I predict that a hovercraft powered by balloons will glide over a smooth surface.  

• Research Topics For Commerce Students
• Maths Project Ideas For College Students

Importance Of 5th Grade Science Project Ideas With Hypothesis For Students 

In this section, we will discuss the importance of 5th grade science project ideas with hypothesis for students: 

1. Hands-On Learning

5th-grade science projects with hypotheses offer students a chance to learn through doing. They get to experiment, make predictions, and see the real-world results. This hands-on approach helps students grasp scientific concepts better.

2. Critical Thinking

These projects encourage critical thinking. Students have to come up with educated guesses (hypotheses) and then analyze their experiments’ outcomes. It teaches them to think logically and solve problems.

3. Curiosity and Exploration

Science projects fuel curiosity. They allow students to explore topics they find interesting, making learning more engaging. This curiosity can spark a lifelong interest in science.

4. Application of Knowledge

The things that students have learned in school can be used in real life. It helps them understand that science is not just in books, but all around them. This makes their education more useful.

5. Confidence Building

Successfully completing a science project with a hypothesis can boost a student’s confidence. They see that they can tackle challenging tasks and find solutions. This confidence can extend to other areas of their education and life.

Understanding what makes a good hypothesis is the first step in any 5th-grade science project with a hypothesis. It’s all about making educated guesses and having clear  if-then  statements. Remember to choose a project that matches your interest, is safe, and fits your grade level. With over 120 exciting 5th-grade science project ideas with hypothesis, you have a world of possibilities to explore. 

Moreover, these projects offer hands-on learning, boost critical thinking, and ignite curiosity. They let you apply what you’ve learned in school to real life. Completing these projects can build your confidence, showing that you can tackle challenges and make discoveries. So, dive into the world of 5th-grade science project ideas with hypothesis and start your exciting scientific journey!

Related Posts

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

5th Grade Science Project Ideas with Hypothesis

Are you a 5th grader on a quest to discover the wonders of science? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of the top 100 5th grade science project ideas with hypothesis to help you embark on your scientific journey. These projects are not only fun but also educational, giving you the opportunity to learn while having a blast.

Science projects are a great way to explore your curiosity, test hypotheses, and better understand the world around you. So, let’s dive right into our list of exciting science project ideas and start making hypotheses!

Top 100 5th Grade Science Project Ideas with Hypothesis

1. The Color-Changing Milk Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing milk, dish soap, and food coloring will create a mesmerizing display of color.

2. The Vinegar and Baking Soda Volcano Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: When vinegar reacts with baking soda, it will create a volcanic eruption.

3. The Seed Germination Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different types of seeds will germinate at different rates.

4. The Balloon Rocket Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Launching a balloon rocket will demonstrate Newton’s third law of motion.

5. The Lemon Battery Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A lemon can be used to generate electricity and power a small LED light.

6. The Egg Drop Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Creating a protective structure for an egg will prevent it from breaking when dropped from a height.

7. The Water Cycle in a Bag Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: By creating a closed system in a bag, you can observe the water cycle in action.

8. The Solar System Model Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Building a model of the solar system will help understand the arrangement of planets and their sizes.

9. The Density Tower Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Liquids with different densities can be layered in a container, forming a colorful tower.

10. The Magnetic Slime Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing magnetic particles with slime will result in a magnetic slime that can be controlled with a magnet.

11. The Paper Airplane Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different designs of paper airplanes will have different flight patterns.

12. The Rainbow in a Jar Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Layering liquids of different densities in a jar will create a colorful rainbow effect.

13. The Homemade Compass Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A homemade compass can accurately determine the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field.

14. The Germs on Surfaces Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different surfaces may harbor varying amounts of germs, and some may be cleaner than others.

15. The Pendulum Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: The length of a pendulum affects the time it takes to swing back and forth.

16. The Water Filtration Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Various materials can be used to filter dirty water and make it clean.

17. The Lava Lamp Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing oil and water with food coloring will create a mesmerizing “lava lamp” effect.

18. The Static Electricity Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Rubbing balloons against different materials will generate static electricity and make objects cling to them.

19. The Rainbow Paper Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Water and sunlight can combine to create a stunning rainbow on white paper.

20. The Music and Plant Growth Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Playing different types of music to plants will affect their growth patterns.

21. The Vinegar and Eggshell Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Soaking an eggshell in vinegar will demonstrate the effects of acid on calcium.

22. The Moldy Bread Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Bread exposed to different conditions will develop mold at varying rates.

23. The Potato Battery Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Potatoes can be used to generate electricity and power a small digital clock.

24. The Dissolving Candy Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different types of candy will dissolve at varying speeds in water.

25. The Osmosis in Gummy Bears Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Gummy bears placed in different solutions will absorb or release water, changing their size.

26. The Melting Ice Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Various substances, such as salt or sugar, can be used to melt ice at different rates.

27. The Color-Changing Carnations Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Carnations can absorb colored water, changing the color of their petals.

28. The Rock Candy Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Crystals can be grown on a string by dissolving sugar in water.

29. The Invisible Ink Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Writing with invisible ink will reveal a hidden message when exposed to heat.

30. The Magic Milk Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Swirling dish soap on the surface of milk will create beautiful, colorful patterns.

31. The Egg in a Bottle Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: An egg can be placed inside a bottle without breaking it using heat and air pressure.

32. The Popcorn Popping Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Popcorn kernels will pop when heated due to the buildup of pressure inside.

33. The Density of Liquids Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different liquids have different densities, which can be determined by their ability to float or sink in each other.

34. The Lemonade Stand Profit Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Running a lemonade stand on different days will yield varying levels of profit.

35. The Homemade Stethoscope Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A homemade stethoscope can be used to listen to different sounds within the body.

36. The Salt and Ice Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Salt can be used to lower the freezing point of ice, allowing you to create ice sculptures.

37. The pH of Household Substances Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different household substances will have varying pH levels, and they can be tested using pH strips.

38. The Rainbow Fire Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Burning different metal salts will produce colorful flames.

39. The Raisins and Soda Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Raisins placed in a glass of soda will exhibit a dancing effect as they move up and down.

40. The Paper Chromatography Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different colors in markers can be separated by capillary action on paper.

41. The Slime Time Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing glue and Borax solution will create a stretchy, gooey slime.

42. The Skittles Rainbow Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Placing different colored Skittles in water will create a colorful rainbow pattern.

43. The Magic Sand Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Magic sand repels water and can be used to create underwater structures.

44. The Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloons Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Inflating balloons with the gas produced by the reaction between baking soda and vinegar.

45. The Water and Oil Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Water and oil do not mix, and their separation can be observed in a homemade lava lamp.

46. The Solar Oven Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A homemade solar oven can be used to cook food using sunlight.

47. The Fizzing Lemonade Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing lemonade with baking soda will create a fizzing, carbonated drink.

48. The Magnet Maze Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Creating a maze with hidden magnets and using a magnetic wand will lead to exciting discoveries.

49. The Glow-in-the-Dark Slime Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Glow-in-the-dark paint can be added to slime to make it illuminate in the dark.

50. The Crystal Snowflakes Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Borax crystals can be grown on pipe cleaners in the shape of snowflakes.

51. The Wind Speed Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different shapes and sizes of windmills will affect the speed at which they spin.

52. The Paper Towel Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Paper towels from different brands will have varying absorption capabilities.

53. The Fruit Battery Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Various fruits can be used to generate electricity and power a small LED light.

54. The Growing Beans Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Growing beans under different conditions, like sunlight and water, will affect their growth.

55. The Mentos and Soda Explosion Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Dropping Mentos candy into soda will create a spectacular eruption.

56. The Tooth Decay Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different drinks will lead to varying levels of tooth decay when teeth are soaked in them.

57. The Rainbow Sugar Water Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Sugar water can be used to create colorful rainbow layers.

58. The Fingerprint Analysis Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Each person’s fingerprint is unique, and it can be analyzed and compared.

59. The Oil Spill Cleanup Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different materials can be used to clean up an oil spill, and their effectiveness can be tested.

60. The pH of Soil Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different types of soil will have varying pH levels, which can affect plant growth.

61. The Lemon Juice Clock Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Lemon juice can be used to power a clock with the help of electrodes.

62. The Separation of Mixtures Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Various mixtures can be separated into their individual components using different methods.

63. The Soundproofing Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different materials can be used to soundproof a room, and their effectiveness can be tested.

64. The Potato Clock Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Potatoes can be used to power a clock with the help of electrodes.

65. The Growing Crystals Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing water and sugar or salt will result in the formation of crystals.

66. The Toothpick Bridge Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Building bridges with toothpicks and glue will demonstrate the principles of engineering and physics.

67. The Egg Floatation Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: The density of water can be changed by adding salt, causing an egg to float.

68. The Homemade Lava Lamp Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A homemade lava lamp can be created using oil, water, and an effervescent tablet.

69. The Cornstarch and Water Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing cornstarch and water will create a substance that behaves like both a solid and a liquid.

70. The Magnetic Field Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different objects will be attracted or repelled by a magnet’s magnetic field.

71. The Coin Cleaning Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Various methods can be used to clean old, tarnished coins.

72. The Paper Bridge Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Building bridges with sheets of paper will test their strength and weight-bearing capacity.

73. The Homemade Volcano Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A homemade volcano model can erupt with the help of baking soda and vinegar.

74. The Earthquake Simulation Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Simulating an earthquake by shaking a container of sand will demonstrate the principles of seismic activity.

75. The Water Surface Tension Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different liquids will affect the surface tension of water, causing objects to float or sink.

76. The Vinegar and Egg Experiment Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Soaking an egg in vinegar will cause it to swell and change in texture.

77. The Fireproof Balloon Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A balloon can be made fireproof by filling it with water.

78. The Rainbow Fireworks Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Burning different metal salts will create a beautiful and colorful fireworks display.

79. The Mystery Substance Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A mystery substance can be identified by testing its properties, such as solubility and conductivity.

80. The Geyser Eruption Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing Mentos candy with soda will create a geyser-like eruption.

81. The Floating Orange Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: An orange can be made to float in water by changing the amount of salt in the water.

82. The Paper Cup Telephone Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A simple telephone can be made using two paper cups and string, allowing for communication over a distance.

83. The Ice Cube Race Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different shapes of ice cubes will melt at varying rates.

84. The Lemon Volcano Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: A lemon can be turned into a volcano by adding baking soda and creating a fizzy eruption.

85. The Light and Plant Growth Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Plants require different amounts of light for growth, and this can be tested using different light sources.

86. The Raisin Dance Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Raisins will “dance” in a glass of soda due to the carbonation.

87. The Rainbow Density Tower Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Liquids with different densities can be layered in a container, forming a colorful density tower.

88. The Rainbow Slime Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing various colors of slime will create a mesmerizing rainbow effect.

89. The Static Electricity Balloons Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Rubbing balloons against different materials will generate static electricity, making them cling to each other.

90. The Solar Eclipse Model Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Building a model of a solar eclipse will help understand the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.

91. The Chemical Reaction Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Mixing two or more chemicals will result in a visible chemical reaction.

92. The Heat Conduction Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Different materials will conduct heat at varying rates, which can be tested using a hot plate.

93. The Acid Rain Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Simulating acid rain by spraying vinegar on plant leaves will show its harmful effects.

94. The Growing Gummy Bears Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Gummy bears placed in water will absorb it, growing in size.

95. The Weather Forecast Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Creating a homemade weather station will allow you to predict the weather based on observations.

96. The Colorful Ice Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Adding food coloring to water before freezing it will result in colorful ice cubes.

97. The Crystal Garden Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Growing crystals in a container filled with a super-saturated solution will create a crystal garden.

98. The Colorful Eggshells Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Coloring eggshells with different substances will create vibrant, colorful shells.

99. The Balancing Act Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Creating a balance scale with household items will help understand the concept of weight and balance.

100. The Invisible Force Hypothesis:

Hypothesis: Demonstrating the force of magnetism by testing objects for their magnetic properties.

Final Words

These are just a few of the exciting 5th grade science project ideas with hypothesis. Remember that the key to a successful science project is to start with a clear hypothesis, conduct experiments carefully, and document your findings. Whether you’re exploring the mysteries of chemistry, physics, biology, or environmental science, these projects are a fantastic way to learn and have fun at the same time.

So, gather your materials, make your hypotheses, and get ready to dive into the fascinating world of science. Who knows, you might even discover something new and groundbreaking along the way! 

Related Posts

Top 10 Easy ways to improve programming skills for beginners

Programming skillsProgramming is a mixture of several skills which means it is not probable to study it in a speedy Period, relatively it will come…

How to Hire someone to do my Statistics Homework for Me?

Students ask to do my statistics homework for me. Although there are many online tutors or statistics homework service providing websites available to help you…

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Have you gotten your free poster delivered? ✨

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

50 Fantastic 5th Grade Science Projects, Experiments, and Activities

For the classroom or science fair.

There’s something so fascinating about hands-on science experiments and projects. They make learning so meaningful and so much fun! These 5th grade science projects help kids explore biology, physics, chemistry, and a whole lot more. Try one at the 5th grade science fair, or use a few to liven up your lesson plans.

To make things even easier, we’ve rated every one of these 5th grade science projects based on difficulty and materials:

Difficulty:

• Easy: Low or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much anytime
• Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
• Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time or effort
• Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
• Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
• Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete

5th Grade Science Fair Projects

Stem challenge 5th grade science projects, 5th grade matter and energy science activities, more 5th grade science projects and activities.

Choosing a science fair project means finding a subject that really interests you and coming up with a unique question to answer. Use some of these 5th grade science fair project ideas to create a cool experiment all your own.

Stop soil erosion with plants

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Soil erosion is a serious problem that can lead to natural disasters like landslides as well as causing problems for farmers, who lose valuable topsoil. Try this experiment to learn how plants help keep soil in place naturally, and change up the variables like soil composition or types of plants.

Learn more: Soil Erosion Experiment at Life Is a Garden

Blow square bubbles

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium ADVERTISEMENT

Bubble science experiments are always a hit! In this one, kids construct a device to see if they can blow a square bubble instead of a round one.

Discover the delights of decomposition

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

This is a good chance to apply the scientific method and practice your observation skills, using only basic kitchen supplies. Ask the question: “Which food will rot (decompose) the fastest?” Have students hypothesize, observe, and then report their findings. Get a printable observation sheet at the link below.

Learn more: Food Decomposition at No Time for Flash Cards

Mix up some magic sand

What if you could make sand that was “afraid” of water? This 5th grade science experiment uses waterproofing spray to create you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it hydrophobic sand.

Learn more: Hydrophobic Sand at Teaching Mama

Make your own bouncy balls

Students learn about polymers as they mix borax with cornstarch, glue, and water in this playful experiment. Experiment with size, shape, and ingredients to see which work best.

Learn more: DIY Bouncy Balls at Babble Dabble Do

Study water filtration

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

See the process of water purification firsthand. Layer coffee filters, sand, and gravel in the bottom of an empty cup punched with holes. Place the cup in an empty jar, pour in dirty water, and watch what happens. Mix up the variables, and you’ve got a cool 5th grade science fair project.

Learn more: Water Purification at Teach Beside Me

Find out if a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s

Settle an age-old debate with this 5th grade science fair project. Collect saliva from both humans and canines with cotton swabs and place each sample in labeled petri dishes. Check the bacterial colonies in each and compare the results.

Learn more: Dog’s Mouth Project at Sciencing

Explore basic genetics

Send your students on a quest to find out more about their genes and inherited traits. The link below includes a printable chart they can use to learn about recessive and dominant genes.

Learn more: Inherited Traits at Education.com

Design a biosphere

This project really brings out kids’ creativity and helps them understand that everything in a biosphere is really part of one big whole. You’ll be overwhelmed by what they come up with!

Learn more: Biosphere Project at Laney Lee

Measure heat capacity of different liquids

Your students will venture into the world of chemistry with this experiment that tests the heat capacity of different liquids, such as salt water, olive oil, and liquid soap, using a hot plate . They’ll incorporate math into their experiment when they plot their results!

Learn more: Heat Capacity at Education.com

A good STEM challenge can spark a terrific science fair project too. These also make terrific classroom activities for 5th grade science students.

Assemble an automatic water fountain

Water fountains were around long before humans harnessed the power of electricity to make pumps. Learn how they worked with this STEM challenge science project for 5th grade.

Race down a LEGO zip line

Every kid loves LEGO bricks, so incorporate them into your 5th grade science activities! Challenge kids to design and build their own zip line. You can set the parameters, like distance and slope, then let students get to work.

Learn more: Zipline at 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Slow your roll

Ball-run challenges are always fun, but this one has a twist. Your goal is to build a run that gets the ball to the bottom taking the longest time possible! This requires kids to think about friction, slopes, and other creative features.

Fly clothespin airplanes

Put your 5th grade science students’ engineering skills to the test. Provide them with clothespins and wood craft sticks , and challenge them to build a realistic airplane. Bonus points if it can actually fly!

Learn more: Clothespin Airplane at STEAMsational

Spin a candle-powered pinwheel

Prove that hot air rises by using candles to spin a homemade pinwheel. Then experiment to see how the number of candles affects the spinning speed. (As always, make sure kids use fire under safe conditions.)

Set off a chain reaction

Learn about potential and kinetic energy when you try this cool 5th grade science experiment. All you need are wood craft sticks and a bit of patience.

Bounce on a trampoline

Kids love bouncing on trampolines, but can they build one themselves? Find out with this totally fun STEM challenge. Plus, check out more 5th grade STEM challenges here.

Learn more: Trampoline STEM Challenge at Student Savvy

Build a solar oven

Learn about the value of solar energy by building an oven that cooks food without electricity. Enjoy your tasty treats while discussing ways we can harness the energy of the sun and why alternative energy sources are important. ( Love edible science projects? Get more ideas here. )

Learn more: DIY Solar Oven S’mores at Desert Chica

Launch your own bottle rocket

Blast off with a few supplies and a little help from the laws of motion. Encourage kids to design and decorate their rockets first and see which one can fly the highest!

Learn more: Bottle Rocket at Science Sparks

Peer through a cardboard microscope

Microscopes can be pricey, so make your own at home! This is the kind of 5th grade science fair project that will really wow the judges.

Build a snack machine

Incorporate everything students learn about simple machines into one project when you challenge them to build a snack machine! Using basic supplies, they’ll need to design and construct a machine that delivers snacks from one location to another. ( Get more candy experiments here. )

Learn more: Snack Machine Challenge at Left Brain Craft Brain

Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Your students will absolutely love playing with these!)

Learn more: Rubber Band Guitar at Science Sparks

Assemble Archimedes’ screw

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

It’s amazing how often science looks like magic—until you understand the principles behind it. Such is the case with the simple pump known as Archimedes’ screw. It’s easy to build your own and makes for a cool 5th grade science fair project.

Recycle newspaper into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge students to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape.

Learn more: Newspaper Tower at STEM Activities for Kids

Construct a sturdy bridge

To design a safe bridge that meets the needs of the community, engineers must understand the capabilities and limitations of the bridge. This project is great for budding 5th grade engineers as they simulate constructing a bridge that serves its purpose and keeps community members safe.

Every 5th grade science curriculum is different, but many include some common concepts. Learn about the states of matter, matter and its interactions, and energy science with these neat 5th grade activities.

Model the states of matter

Create simple models to show the arrangement of molecules in solids, liquids, and gasses. Ping-Pong balls are perfect for this. ( Find more states of matter activities here. )

Drink root beer floats

This is our favorite way to learn about the various states of matter! Treat time becomes a learning lesson with this 5th grade science matter activity.

Learn more: Teaching Matter With Root Beer Floats at Learning Lab Resources

Fill a bubble with dry ice vapor

Discover the science of sublimation by turning dry ice from a solid directly into a gas. Then play around with surface tension as the resulting vapor fills a giant bubble. This one is so cool to see in action!

Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of cool science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring.

Learn more: Hot and Cold Water Density at STEAMsational

Learn to layer liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated than other science projects, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Your 5th grade science students will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Liquid Density at Wonder How To

Light(ning) it up indoors

On a cool, low-humidity day, use a foil-covered fork and a balloon to create a “lightning storm” in your classroom. Turn down the lights to give students a better view of the static electricity you’re creating.

Learn more: Indoor Lightning at Education.com

Create convection currents

This easy experiment uses hot and cold liquids and some food coloring to explore the thermal and kinetic energy that creates convection currents. Take things a step further and research how convection currents work in large bodies of water, like oceans.

Learn more: Heat Convection at Education.com

Sink or swim with soda cans

Here’s another easy density experiment. Place unopened cans of regular and diet soda into a bin of water to see which float and which sink. The differences are due to the use of sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Learn more: Sink or Swim at Cool Science Experiments HQ

Find out if water conducts electricity

We always tell kids to get out of the water as a storm approaches. This 5th grade science project helps explain why. (Conductivity vs. non-conductivity is one of the properties of matter too.)

Learn more: Electricity and Water at Rookie Parenting

Blow up a balloon—without blowing

This is the classic science experiment that helps you teach the reactions between acids and bases, plus what happens when you mix different substances together. Fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda. Fit the balloon over the top, shake the baking soda down into the vinegar, and watch the balloon inflate.

Learn more: Balloon Experiments

Use these hands-on science activities to spice up your lesson plans or as enrichment projects for science-loving kids to try at home.

Erupt a baking soda volcano

Need a 5th grade science fair project? Go with a classic: the volcano ! This one’s made from salt dough, which is easy to work with and inexpensive to make.

Learn more: Baking Soda Volcano Experiment (With Free Printable Student Recording Sheet)

Peel an orange to understand plate tectonics

If students are learning earth science, use an orange to make plate tectonics easier to understand. Peel it, then reassemble it and look at the pieces as plates floating on the Earth’s mantle.

Learn more: Orange Tectonics at Science Sparks

Discover the strength of eggshells

We think of eggshells as very fragile, but their shape makes them surprisingly strong. Try this experiment to learn why arches are such a useful shape in architecture.

Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

So simple and so amazing! All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and some water to blow your students’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Magic Leakproof Bag at Paging Fun Mums

Explore the science of glow sticks

Glow sticks are always a big hit with kids, so they’ll have a terrific time learning about the chemical reactions that make glow sticks work.

Learn more: Glow Stick Science Experiment at A Dab of Glue Will Do

Grow crystal snowflakes

Kids love crystal projects, and this one results in winter decorations for your classroom. Your students will learn about supersaturated solutions and crystallization. ( See more winter science activities here. )

Learn more: Crystal Snowflakes at Little Bins for Little Hands

Escape from quicksand

Dive deep into the science of quicksand and learn about saturation and friction along the way. You’ll create a small “quicksand” pool from cornstarch and water, then experiment to find out the best ways to escape.

Learn more: Quicksand Experiment at Education.com

Watch the heart beat with marshmallows

If you can get your 5th grade science class to quiet down enough for this one, they might be able to see a marshmallow jump with each beat of their hearts!

Learn more: Heartbeat Marshmallows at Growing Grade by Grade

Make a foil bug walk on water

Surface tension allows water striders to dance across the surface of the water. Re-create this scientific phenomenon with little “bugs” made of aluminum foil.

Learn more: Foil Water Strider at The Homeschool Scientist

Find out how bile breaks down fat

Learning about the digestive system? This 5th grade science demo explores the purpose of the bile produced by the liver, which breaks down fat.

Learn more: Bile Experiment at Simple Southern

Construct a homemade lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as a 5th grade science project! Learn about acids and bases while putting together a totally groovy lava lamp.

Learn more: Homemade Lava Lamp at Education.com

Investigate osmosis with gummy bears

Gummy bears are not only tasty, but they can also help teach your 5th graders about the concepts of osmosis and equilibrium as well as solvents and solute.

Replicate a sunset

With just water, milk powder, a flashlight, and a glass dish, your 5th graders will investigate why the sky appears to change colors as the sun sets.

Learn more: Sunset Sky at Rookie Parenting

Defy gravity with floating water

This one might cause a bit of a mess, but it’s only water, and it’s all in the name of your students discovering air pressure. All you’ll need is a cup, index card, water, and crossed fingers that your classroom doesn’t become a puddle!

Model constellations

Space delights students of all ages. The mystery and mystique is intriguing, and creating a constellation out of pipe cleaners is a fun STEM activity to explore the night sky.

Learn more: Constellations Model at STEAM Powered Family

Continue the STEM learning with these 5th Grade Math Games for Teaching Fractions, Decimals, and More .

Plus,  sign up for our newsletters to get all the latest teaching tips and ideas straight to your inbox..

You Might Also Like

These 33 Edible Science Projects Are Educational and Yummy, Too

Have your science experiments, and eat them too! Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Science fair can be the highlight of your child’s 5th grade school year. We have rounded up 31 great fifth grade science fair ideas to get you started! With one previous science fair behind his or her belt, your 5th grader is now ready for a little more challenge.

In this post, we’ve assembled 31 easy science fair project ideas for 5th grade. We link each project description to its original source, where you can get more information and step-by-step instructions.

Tornado in a Bottle

In this fascinating experiment, water will create a channel as it is emptied from a bottle. A device connecting the two bottles allows the water to empty into a second bottle.

Recommended for Grade 5.

Source: www.scinado.com

Effects of Temperature on the Sublimation of Dry Ice & How Soap Reacts in the Microwave

Two projects in one! Testing how temperature affects two different solids: dry ice and soap.

Source: GlobalPost.com

Do People Have a Dominant Side of Their Brain?

These experiments will help the scientist to determine if people have a dominant hand, foot, eye or ear. A great behavioral discovery project.

Recommended for Grades 5-6.

Source: www.faculty.washington.edu

When life gives you lemons, make a battery!

Lemon Power is a fascinating experiment that you can attempt to duplicate with other fruit. Which fruit makes the best battery? Experiment and find out!

Recommended for Grades 4-5.

Source: www.kidsactivitiesblog.com

A Science Fair Project on Tooth Decay by Jennifer Elrod

Doing an experiment on tooth decay is both beneficial and interesting. It only requires a few inexpensive materials and a week’s worth of observation and record keeping. The experiment requires no work after the initial setup.

Source: www.ehow.com

Homemade Lava Lamp by Alexa Bach McElrone

This project takes about 2 hours to complete the experiment and the write-up. Kids will get to explore the relationship between oil and water in terms of density as well as hydrophilic/hydrophobic compounds.

Source: http://www.education.com

How the Amount of Light Affects Germination and Growth.

The goal of the project is to find out how different lighting conditions affect seeds germination and growth. This article will give you the step by step procedure for this project.

Source: www.scienceprojectlab.com

Growing Bacteria in Petri Dishes by Steve Spangler

A Petri dish prepared with nutrient agar (a seaweed derivative with beef nutrients) is an ideal food source for the bacteria you’ll be growing. Collect samples from around the house or classroom and record the results for the one with the most bacteria.

Source: www.stevespanglerscience.com

Bridge Project by Sarah Benton

This project explores the basic physics of bridges. The goal is that the student will develop an understanding through experimentation of which shapes are the most structurally strong, and that many factors are taken into account in engineering and building.

Source: www.education.com

Paper Airplane Science Fair Project

Create your own hypothesis about paper airplanes, then start your experiment. This article gives you all of the information you need.

Source: www.easy-science-fair-projects.net

Barometer Science Project

Make your own barometer and then use it to test weather conditions on a dry day, a rainy day, a cloudy day, etc.

Source: www.hubpages.com

How Do Antacids Work?

In this activity, learners explore the chemical reaction between water and effervescent antacid tablets. This hands-on activity models how a material can act differently when it’s nanometer-sized. Learners compare the reaction rate of an effervescent antacid tablet that is broken in half with one that is broken into many pieces.

Source: www.howtosmile.org

Gummy Bear Osmosis

Do Gummy Bears dissolve in water? In vinegar? In liquid soap? Test your hypothesis on a variety of liquids and find out.

Source: www.homeschool.com

Is Your Dog’s Mouth Cleaner than Your Mouth?

Is it a myth or fact that a dog’s mouth has less germs that a human’s mouth? Follow these simply instructions and test for yourself.

Does Mint Actually Cool Things Down? By Jennifer Penn-Chiu

Mint-flavored gum, breath fresheners, and hard candies often advertise that mint has a cooling effect, and use images of frost and ice to demonstrate this sensation. But is this sensation a result of the mint actually lowering temperatures?

Which Food Will Rot First?

This example tests the rotting of 4 different foods, but your scientist can test as many different types of food as they can imagine.

Source: www.notimeforflashcards.com

Helmet Crash Test by Steve Spangler

Not only will your little scientist gain a better appreciation for using a helmet, she can also learn more about the science behind it. Try testing different size melons and different height drops.

Source: www.parenting.com

Can Magnets Affect the Growth Process of Radish?

In this experiment, your scientist will determine whether magnets make radish plants grow faster or slower.

Source: www.buzzle.com

Playground Teeter-Totter

The goal of this project is to create a compound machine using pulleys and levers that would be able to lift a Barbie doll up and down by pulling a string by the player. A common problem on the playground is that you sometimes can’t find another person to go on the teeter totter with you.

Recommended for Grades 4-6.

Source: www.projects.juliantrubin.com

Growing a “Mold Garden”

The goal of this project is to grow different mold species on different kind of substrates to find out if the same bread mold species will grow on all of them. Do all mold species have the same taste and preferences?!

Recommended for Grades 4-5

Source; www.scienceprojectlab.com

Making a Simple Sundial and Testing Its Accuracy

Learn how to make a sundial and then test its accuracy with a series of experiments.

Recommended for Grades 4-6

Source: www.explorable.com

A Pint Pot Planet

This experiment will demonstrate the water cycle and test different hypotheses on rainfall and the water cycle.

Source: www.raisingsparks.com

Build and Test a Paper Bridge

This project helps you discover how to create a strong bridge using just paper. Instructions also offer some additional parameters to add into the experiment.

Recommended for grades 4-5

Source: www.teacherstryscience.org

Paper Airplane Experiment

Experiment to find the best design for a paper airplane

Source: ScienceFairMath

Use the Energy in a Peanut to Heat Water

Just about everything has potential energy stored in it. The problem is releasing that energy to be able to do some work.

A tiny peanut contains stored chemical energy. When we eat them, the stored energy is converted by our bodies so we can do work. We can also use the energy in a peanut to heat a container of water.

Recommended for grades 4-6

Source: www.energyquest.ca.gov

Oil Spill Experiment

This experiment will demonstrate the detrimental effects of oil spills to marine life

Make Your Own Microscope with Water

Make a simple microscope using water and take a closer look at the world around you.

The lens you create with water works like a microscope or magnifying glass, allowing you to see objects in much greater detail than if you were just looking with the naked eye.

Source:  www.sciencekids.co.nz

How Does the pH of the Soil Affect the Type of Plants?

Plants’ survival can be based on the pH of the soil. This experiment lets you test soil pH based on the type of plants that live there.

Source: www.livescience.com

Surface Tension Experiment

Surface tension is one of water’s most important properties. It is the reason that water collects in drops, but it is also why water can travel up a plant stem, or get to your cells through the smallest blood vessels. You can experiment with surface tension using just a few household items.

Source: www.hometrainingtools.com

All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

80 Science Fair Projects for 5th Graders

Explore our specially selected science projects for fifth graders, with complete instructions and informative videos!

5th Grade Science Fair Project FAQ

What are some easy 5th grade science fair projects.

Any one of these easy 5th grade science fair projects will teach you important scientific concepts and help you have fun while learning. An easy science fair project is a great way to introduce the wonders of science to 5th graders!

Storing Bread Safely

Windy Wonders: Plant Growth

Dancing Spaghetti

Colorful Temperature

Collecting Micrometeorites

Can Fish Tell Time?

Levitating Train

The Painted Lady Butterfly

Staining Teeth with Beverages

Breakfast and School Performance

Science fair project details right above the FAQ!

What is the best 5th grade science project ever?

We absolutely love the Uncovering Fall Colors science fair project for 5th graders. This project uses chromatography to separate the colors in leaves and helps students discover the hidden colors inside them. It's a great way to learn how to use a common experiment used in chemistry to separate substances. If it's not fall or you can't find different colored leaves, you can always use flower petals of different colors instead.

If you're looking for more 5th grade science projects, check out the 5th grade science fair projects at the top of this page! 

Check out more Best Science Fair Projects →

What are some cool 5th grade science fair projects?

Get ready to be amazed by these super cool 5th grade science projects for 5th graders! With just a few simple things, introduce students to the wonders of science and have tons of fun!

Growing Mold

Is Yeast Alive?

Can You Taste With a Plugged Nose?

Electrifying Lemon Battery

Making Oobleck: Liquid or Solid?

Egg Drop Project

Colors of Skittles Experiment

Cloud in a Bottle

What are 5 testable questions for 5th grade?

A testable question is a question that we can answer through a science experiment. To do this, we do a control science experiment, then we change one thing in the experiment to see how it affects what happens. This is how we can discover the answer to our question!

What makes a cloud form?

Can drink and food taste different just by changing its color?

Does the color of light affect photosynthesis?

Does temperature affect seed sprouting?

What makes popcorn pop?

Here are more testable questions along with their science projects →

What are the top 10 science projects for 5th grade?

These are our top 10 5th grade science projects, with projects from Biology, Chemistry and Physics. These projects can be used as science fair project ideas or as a fun experiment to explore different areas of science!

Uncovering Fall Colors

How Temperature Affects Taste

The Doppler Effect

Science project details right above the FAQ!

Can I do a 5th grade science fair project in a day?

Yes! Quick experiments can be a great option for a science fair project! If you want to explore quick reactions, we have science project ideas on various topics to get you started.

Acid-base reactions: Mixing acids with bases quickly makes carbon dioxide gas!

Make a rocket fly sky high with just baking soda and vinegar! Rocket Film Canisters

Learn how to make your own acid/base indicator using red cabbage and use it to test different fluids! Make Your Own PH Indicator

Chromatography reactions: Separate out colors!

Did you know that some Skittles have a secret rainbow hiding inside them? Colors of Skittles Experiment

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Let's find out by using chromatography to separate the colors of a green leaf! Uncovering Fall Colors

Heat reactions: Heat speeds things up!

Do you want to find out which color candle burns the fastest? Which Candle Burns the Fastest?

Ever wondered if a balloon filled with water can withstand fire? Fire-Resistant Balloons

What are some hands-on ways to find inspiration for my science fair project?

There may be free admission days or free passes to a science museum near you! Check your local library for free museum passes, nearby science museums for free entrance days and your credit card for offers.

Find a science museum near you and prepare to be awed by all that you can learn there! I always learn something new and am inspired whenever I go to a science museum!

How do I start a science fair project?

What should I do after I have a science fair project idea?

How do I make a science fair board?

What is the scientific method?

What is the engineering design process?

Where can I find a science fair competition?

The www Virtual Library: Science Fairs website also has a collection of science fairs from all over the world, as well as national, state, regional, local, and virtual competitions!

99+ Easy 5th Grade Science Project Ideas with Hypothesis

Let’s join 5th-grade students on a journey into the world of science with the help of easy 5th grade science project ideas with hypothesis! We’re diving into fun experiments that make learning a blast. In this article, we’ll explore some cool science project ideas with hypotheses.

These projects aren’t just about having fun; they’re also about sparking curiosity and thinking creatively. Each project comes with a hypothesis, which is like a guess that gets our brains buzzing. So, get ready for some science fun that will keep you entertained and inspired!

Table of Contents

What is a 5th Grade Science Project?

A 5th-grade science project is a fun assignment tailored for elementary school kids in their fifth year. These projects often include hands-on experiments or investigations where students can explore and use scientific ideas.

Students pick a topic, make a guess called a hypothesis, do experiments, and share what they discover. The goal is to deepen their grasp of science, boost critical thinking, and foster a passion for science early on. Plus, it helps them practice doing research on their own and solving problems along the way.

Major Benefits of Easy 5th Grade Science Project Ideas with Hypothesis

Let’s talk about why 5th-grade science projects with hypotheses are so great! These projects are awesome because:

• Hands-on Learning: You get to learn by doing fun experiments.
• Critical Thinking: They help you think smart and solve problems.
• Using Your Knowledge: You can use what you learn in class in real-life situations.
• Being Creative: You can come up with cool ideas for your experiments.
• Independence: You learn to work on your own and feel confident.
• Communication Skills: You get better at explaining your ideas.
• Love for Science: They can make you love science even more.
• Family Fun: Sometimes, your family can join in on the fun.
• Future Readiness: They prepare you for more exciting science adventures.

So, get ready to dive into these projects and have a blast learning!

Also Read: Science Fair Project Ideas for 8th Grade

List of Easy 5th Grade Science Project Ideas with Hypothesis

Here are easy 5th grade science project ideas with hypothesis for students in 2023:

Life Sciences

• Plant Growth: How do different types of music affect plant growth?
• Seed Germination: Do seeds germinate faster in light or darkness?
• Ant Behavior: Does temperature affect the activity of ants?
• Photosynthesis: How does the color of light impact the rate of photosynthesis in plants?
• Fruit Ripening: What factors influence the ripening of fruits?
• Mold Growth: Does temperature affect the growth of mold on bread?
• Insect Preferences: Do insects have a preference for certain colors of flowers?
• Effect of Music on Animals: Can music affect the behavior of pets like dogs or cats?
• Bee Pollination: How do different flower shapes influence bee pollination?
• Bird Feeding Preferences: Do different bird species prefer specific types of bird feed?

Earth Sciences

• Weather Patterns: How does temperature affect weather patterns?
• Soil Erosion: What factors contribute to soil erosion in your area?
• Rock Types: Does the type of rock affect the temperature of the ground?
• Rainfall and Plants : How does rainfall impact plant growth?
• Earthquake Impact: How do building materials affect a structure’s ability to withstand earthquakes?
• Water Filtration: Which materials are most effective at purifying water?
• Volcano Simulation: Create a model to simulate a volcanic eruption.
• Climate Change: Investigate the impact of human activity on global temperatures.
• Ocean Currents: How do ocean currents affect marine life and weather?
• Fossil Formation: How are fossils formed, and what can they tell us about ancient life?

Physical Sciences

• Magnet Strength: What factors affect the strength of magnets?
• Light and Color: How does the color of light affect plant growth?
• Static Electricity: What materials create the most static electricity when rubbed together?
• Balloon Rockets: Investigate the forces that make balloon rockets move.
• Sound Waves: How does the shape of a musical instrument affect the sound it produces?
• Solar Energy: Compare the efficiency of different solar cell types.
• Density and Buoyancy: Does the shape of an object affect its buoyancy in water?
• Friction and Surfaces: How do different surfaces affect the amount of friction?
• Simple Machines: Explore the mechanics of simple machines like levers and pulleys.
• Electric Circuits: Investigate how different materials affect the conductivity of an electrical circuit.
• Chemical Reactions: Investigate the reaction between baking soda and vinegar.
• Acid-Base Indicators: Test common household substances as acid-base indicators.
• Crystals: Grow crystals from different solutions and compare their growth.
• Food Preservation: Explore different methods of food preservation and their effectiveness.
• Density of Liquids: Determine the density of various liquids and their layering.
• pH Levels: Test and compare the pH levels of various household items.
• Chemical Elements: Investigate the properties and common uses of different chemical elements.
• Heat and Temperature: How does the amount of heat affect the temperature of water?
• Chemical Reactions in Cooking: Study the chemical changes that occur during cooking.
• Chemical Pollution: Investigate the effects of chemical pollution on water quality.

Environmental Sciences

• Recycling: Analyze the effectiveness of recycling programs in your community.
• Air Quality: Test and compare the air quality in different locations.
• Composting: Study the decomposition rate of different compost materials.
• Pollution and Plant Growth: How does pollution affect plant health?
• Water Conservation: Investigate strategies for conserving water in daily life.
• Energy Efficiency: Compare the energy efficiency of different household appliances.
• Invasive Species: Research the impact of invasive species on local ecosystems.
• Climate and Wildlife: Study how climate change affects local wildlife populations.
• Water Pollution: Investigate the sources and effects of water pollution in your area.
• Waste Reduction: Explore ways to reduce household waste and its environmental impact.
• Solar System Models: Create a scale model of the solar system.
• Phases of the Moon: Track and explain the phases of the moon.
• Starry Night Sky: Observe and document the stars and constellations in your area.
• Planet Research: Investigate the characteristics of a specific planet in our solar system.
• Eclipse Predictions: Predict and observe solar or lunar eclipses.
• Asteroid Impacts: Study the history of asteroid impacts on Earth.
• Telescope Optics: Explore the optics of different types of telescopes.
• Light Pollution: Investigate the impact of light pollution on stargazing.
• Black Holes : Learn about black holes and their role in the universe.
• Space Exploration: Research and present on a space mission or spacecraft.
• Animal Behavior: Observe and document the behavior of a specific animal species.
• Animal Adaptations: Study how animals have adapted to their environments.
• Life Cycles: Investigate the life cycles of insects or amphibians.
• Endangered Species: Research and raise awareness about an endangered species.
• Habitat Study: Explore the different habitats in your local area and the species that inhabit them.
• Animal Tracks: Identify and track animals through their footprints or signs.
• Animal Senses: Investigate the sensory capabilities of animals.
• Migration Patterns: Study the migration patterns of birds or other animals.
• Animal Camouflage: Explore how animals use camouflage to hide from predators.
• Insect Diversity: Collect and identify various insect species in your area.
• Leaf Identification: Identify and classify different tree leaves in your area.
• Germination and Light: How does light affect seed germination in different plant species?
• Plant Reproduction: Investigate the reproduction methods of specific plants.
• Aquatic Plants: Study the growth of plants in aquatic environments.
• Fruit Dispersal: Explore the methods by which plants disperse their seeds.
• Plant Diseases: Investigate common diseases affecting plants and their treatments.
• Soil pH and Plants: How does soil pH affect the growth of different plants?
• Invasive Plants: Research the impact of invasive plant species on local ecosystems.
• Leaf Surface Area: Measure and compare the surface area of leaves from different plants.
• Photosynthesis and Leaf Color: Explore the relationship between leaf color and photosynthesis.
• Projectile Motion: Study the trajectory of objects in motion.
• Newton’s Laws: Investigate and demonstrate Newton’s three laws of motion.
• Buoyancy and Ships: Build a model boat and explore the principles of buoyancy.
• Magnetic Levitation: Create a simple magnetic levitation device and explain how it works.
• Heat Transfer: Study how different materials conduct heat.
• Sound and Resonance: Investigate how sound waves create resonance in different objects.
• Electricity and Magnetism: Explore the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
• Motion and Gravity: Analyze how gravity affects the motion of objects.
• Optics and Reflection: Study the reflection of light using mirrors and other surfaces.
• Simple Harmonic Motion: Explore pendulum motion and oscillations .

Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Social Media and Self-Esteem: Investigate the impact of social media on self-esteem.
• Peer Pressure: Study how peer pressure influences decision-making in children.
• Stereotypes and Biases: Explore the existence of stereotypes and biases in your community.
• Study of Emotions: Investigate how different stimuli affect human emotions.
• Bullying and its Effects: Analyze the effects of bullying on the mental and emotional well-being of students.
• Memory and Recall: Research memory retention and the factors affecting recall.
• Altruism vs. Selfishness: Conduct experiments to understand human behavior in helping others.
• Music and Mood: Investigate how music choices impact mood and emotions.
• Gender Roles in Media: Analyze how media portrays gender roles and stereotypes.
• Media Consumption and Behavior: Explore the relationship between media consumption and behavior in children.

These easy 5th grade science project ideas with hypothesis cover a wide range of topics and provide opportunities for students to explore the world around them while developing their scientific and research skills. Enjoy your scientific journey!

In summary, easy 5th-grade science projects with hypotheses are not just educational assignments; they’re gateways to a world of wonder and exploration. They serve as bridges connecting young minds to the captivating realm of science. These hands-on experiments go beyond textbooks, allowing students to experience and understand the mysteries of the natural world firsthand.

These projects do more than teach scientific concepts; they ignite curiosity and foster a deep love for discovery. What makes them beautiful is the questions they spark, the critical thinking they encourage, and the joy of finding answers. So, as you embark on these scientific journeys, remember to embrace those questions, nurture your curiosity, and above all, enjoy the excitement of exploring science. After all, science is an endlessly fascinating journey of discovery and learning

FAQs (Easy 5th Grade Science Project Ideas with Hypothesis)

1. are these projects safe for 5th graders to do on their own.

Absolutely! These projects use common household items and are designed with safety in mind. However, adult supervision is always a good idea.

2. Can I use these projects for a science fair?

Yes, many of these projects make great science fair entries. Be sure to follow your school’s guidelines for project submissions.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Filter Results

• clear all filters

Resource Type

• Guided Lessons
• Lesson Plans
• Hands-on Activities
• Interactive Stories
• Online Exercises
• Printable Workbooks
• Science Projects 
• Song Videos

middle-school

• Science 
• Social studies
• Holidays 

Fifth Grade Science Fair Project Ideas

Science Fair Projects for 5th Grade

Aug 8, 2022 / By Katherine Rea

These   science fair projects for 5th grade   make hands-on science and math fun! Here at KiwiCo, we’ve developed easy-to-follow experiments that are perfect for 5th graders to explore all kinds of topics, from chromatography to photosynthesis!

The best science fair projects for 5th grade begin with a hypothesis -- a supposition or proposed explanation made with limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. Below, we've included examples of hypotheses for each project idea. To make a truly awesome science fair project, make these your own and consider how you can explore these cool science demonstrations.

Don’t want the learning to stop? Check out our line of   engineering kits   that are perfect for 5th grade students.

Dry Ice Bubbles (Ages   5-16)

Dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide, is a super fun and accessible way to play around with the physics of cold materials. In this experiment, we use dry ice to create self-filling fog bubbles. See how big you can make your bubble, then pop it and watch the fog cascade across your table!

Science Fair Hypothesis ideas:

• If more dry ice results in more reactivity, then using more dry ice will cause a taller fog cascade.

Ingredients and step-by-step instructions: Dry Ice Bubbles

Magnetic Slime (Ages 9-16)

Polymers are really big molecules, made up of lots and lots of smaller molecules joined together. They can make materials bouncy like a rubber ball, stiff like a plastic toy, or stretchy like a piece of gum. One great way to play around with polymers — and to do some hands-on experimentation with chemistry in general — is to make your own slime. In this experiment, we uplevel your standard green goo to a jet-black magnetic version that will magically move and dance without you even touching it!

For some extra experimentation, try varying your ratio of iron oxide to glue to liquid starch and observe the results. Depending on your ratio, the slime can either be very thick or thin and it will interact differently with the magnets.   What combination worked the best for you?

• A higher ratio of iron oxide will result in a stronger magnetic effect.

Ingredients and step-by-step instructions: Magnetic Slime

Thermal Powered Flower (Ages   9-16)

Have you ever seen hot air rise? In this project, explore the physics behind thermal air currents (hot air rising) by harnessing them to power your own spinning flower! Note that this project uses fire and paper, and should only be attempted with adult supervision. Happy spinning!

As the flames from each candle heat the air up around them, the air expands and becomes less dense than the surrounding, cooler air. This causes the heated air to rise upwards, creating a gentle, warm breeze that causes your flower to rotate just like a pinwheel spins in the wind!

• Higher heat will result in a faster spin.
• A spinning pinwheel will generate more power than a potato battery.

Ingredients and step-by-step instructions: Thermal Powered Flower

Ice Cube vs Wire

Can you cut through an ice cube with a piece of wire and a couple of weights? Find out with this simple science experiment!

Hint: It’s all about the quirky physics of water.

A weighted wire is going to cut through an ice cube, but somehow leave the ice cube whole after it passes through. This may sound like that magic trick where the assistant gets sawed in half, but there’s no magic about this! This happens because of another quirk of water physics called “regelation.” Ice melts into water because of pressure, but once that pressure is gone, any ice above or around it will cool it back down to freezing. Essentially, the ice refreezes itself shut behind the wire. As you watch this experiment happen, see if you can spot any difference between the ice behind the wire and the rest of the ice block.

• More weight on the wire will cut the block more quickly.

Ingredients and step-by-step instructions: Ice Cube vs Wire

Get more blog posts delivered to your inbox!

More from stem, 3 quick science tricks with gravity.

Did you know that we’ve only started to understand how gravity works in the last 300 years or so? That’s not such a long time for a force that gave us the moon and tides, created our orbit around the Sun, and holds galaxies together. Fortunately, even though gravity’s effects are cosmic, it’s also easy to explore right here on Earth. We’ve gathered three of our favorite quick science tricks for exploring gravity with kids of all ages — and for curious grownups, too!

Which Planet Has the Most Moons? Exploring Moons Within and Beyond our Solar System

From the majestic planets of our solar system to the enigmatic exoplanets scattered across the vast cosmos, the universe is filled with celestial wonders. One such wonder is moons, captivating companions that orbit planets. Today, we embark on an exploration to discover which planet holds the record for the most moons within our solar system and delve into the fascinating realm of exoplanets, uncovering the planets beyond our solar system that boast a multitude of moons.

Science Fair Projects for 7th Grade

These science fair projects for 7th grade are perfect for allowing older kids to explore more advanced scientific concepts, like electrolysis and electroplating.

You might also like

Top categories burst graphic, get hands-on projects, delivered.

Halloween Motion-Sensing Spider

Marble Roller Coaster

Water and Sand Sensory Table

$179.95 5.0

Science of Cooking: Ice Cream

Creepy Creations Bundle (2-Pack)

Chain Reaction Workshop

Join our community!

The Edvocate

• Lynch Educational Consulting
• Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
• Write For Us
• The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
• The Edvocate Podcast
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Assistive Technology
• Best PreK-12 Schools in America
• Child Development
• Classroom Management
• Early Childhood
• EdTech & Innovation
• Education Leadership
• First Year Teachers
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Special Education
• Parental Involvement
• Policy & Reform
• Best Colleges and Universities
• Best College and University Programs
• HBCU’s
• Higher Education EdTech
• Higher Education
• International Education
• The Awards Process
• Finalists and Winners of The 2023 Tech Edvocate Awards
• Award Seals
• GPA Calculator for College
• GPA Calculator for High School
• Cumulative GPA Calculator
• Grade Calculator
• Weighted Grade Calculator
• Final Grade Calculator
• The Tech Edvocate
• AI Powered Personal Tutor

True Leadership Is in Short Supply on Modern College Campuses

University of richmond expands richmond’s promise to virginia, china reshaping higher education with focus on quantum, deep tech workforce, anti-dei law shuts university of alabama black student union office, queer resource center, leadership models in higher education: insights from 2 arab university leaders, ai upskilling: future-proofing careers and bridging the skills gap, opinion | the roots of stem excellence, opinion: how innovative higher education models can benefit students, benefits and limitations of ai in corporate learning: a comprehensive overview, upskilling, upskilling, upskilling: time to future-proof your workforce, 26 of the best 5th grade science projects and experiments.

Are you looking for science activities to do with your 5th graders? No sweat. We have you covered. Check out our list of 26 science projects and experiments that you can try with your 5th graders this month.

• Hand-Eye Coordination and Age | All-Science-Fair-Projects.com – Grades 2-5, Use a stopwatch and ping-pong ball to find out how hand-eye coordination changes as children get older.
• What Do Yeast Eat…and How Can You Tell? | Education.com – Grades 2-5, The objective of this project is to examine which foods yeast cells eat.
• How Do Antacids Work? | Biochemistry Discovery Lab – Grades 3-6, Simulate out how antacids work to treat heartburn by using fake stomach enzymes.
• Mice & Music | Hubpages.com – Grades 3-6, Find out if music affects the performance of mice in a maze.
• A Magnetic Primer Designer | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 3-6 Biology project that utilizes magnets to mimic the process that scientists use to replicate DNA, using the polymerase chain reaction.
• Growing Bacteria in Petri Dishes | Stevespanglerscience.com – Grades 3-6 biology In this science fair project, you must find samples of bacteria from an assortment of surfaces to find the surfaces that are the dirtiest.
• Effects of Ozone on Plants and Health | Julian’s Science Fair – Grades 4-6, Environmental conditions can dramatically impact plant growth and germination. Does increased ozone stunt germination and plant growth? Grow some plants and find out.
• Making Batteries from Fruits and Vegetables | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 4-7, Use veggie power to build a simple battery from a variety of vegetables. Which ones are the most powerful?
• How Water Beats Rock | Education.com – Grades 1-5, Discover how water is more potent than rocks.  Experiment with ways that water can break the stone.
• Soil Type and Liquefaction | All-Science-Fair-Projects.com – Grades 1-5, Experiment with sand, clay, and loam and find out which type of soil dissolves most easily.
• Effects of Temperature and Humidity on Static Charges | Education.com – Grades 1-5, Use balloons, a rubber ball, and a scarf to investigate why those socks stick together when you take them out of the dryer and how conditions in the air affect static electricity.
• Dig This: Biodegradation | Education.com – Grades 2-6, How do organic materials become soil? This science experiment measures which materials biodegrade.
• Geology 101 | Education.com – Grades 2-6, Water carries lots of soil and minerals in a creek. In this project, you’ll examine the behavior of water and gravel in creek beds and the formation of sedimentary rocks.
• Geothermal Power Plant Model | Energyquest.ca.gov – Grades 3-6, Use a pinwheel and a can of boiling water to simulate geothermal power production. Determine how to generate the most energy from your “power plant.”
• Egg Substitutes | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 3-6, Many people avoid eggs because of allergies or diet preferences. But eggs play a vital chemical function in baking and cooking. Evaluate the ability of egg substitutes to mimic their binding, leavening, or thickening properties.
• How Much Water is Required to Cook Pasta? | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 3-6, We’re used to cooking our pasta in a big pot of boiling water. Do you actually need that much water, time, and energy to cook pasta? Perform some experiments to find out.
• Building the Best Bridge | Education.com – Grades 3-6, This project helps students develop an understanding of architecture and engineering through experimentation of which shapes are the most structurally strong.
• Rubber Bands for Energy | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 3-6, Put the energy of rubber bands to work and learn about the relationship between potential and kinetic energy.
• Properties of Pendulums | Illinois Institute of Technology – Grades 3-6, Pendulums have been used for timekeeping for hundreds of years. Find out how changes in mass and length affect the oscillation of a pendulum.
• Bust That Rust! | Education.com – Grades 3-10, Investigate the chemistry of rust and the oxidation process. Younger students will use steel wool, water, salt, and vinegar. Older students will explore the chemistry of rust.
• Wind Around the Home | Education.com – Grades 4-6, Learn about wind speed and duration and different locations around your home. Determine the best site(s) for a windmill.
• Arch Magic: The Unbreakable Egg | Education.com – Grades 4-7, Tell you, folks, tonight is a good night for an egg dinner. Use the eggshells to explore how arches distribute weight. Demonstrates the power of arches by asking students to pile telephone books on top of eggs without damaging them.
• How a Comet’s Size Affects How Fast It Melts | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 4-7, Comets are often compared to giant, dirty snowballs, and the comet tail you see in the sky is evidence of melting. In this project, you’ll use figure out how the size of a comet affects its melting rate.
• Make an Electromagnet | Energyquest.ca.gov -Grades 4-7, Learn how to create an electromagnet from batteries, wire, and a knife switch. How does changing to kind of batteries used affect the power of your
• Bombs Away! A Ping Pong Catapult | Science Buddies.org – Grades 4-7, They fly through the air with the greatest of ease. Find ways to put a ping pong ball accurately on target time after time.
• The Mechanics of Carnival Games | Sciencebuddies.org – Grades 5-8, Find out why those carnival games are so hard. Learn the fundamental laws of science that help the concessionaires engineer the games in their favor.

Improving Deaf Children’s Education

Ph.d. vs. ed.d., which one is right ....

Matthew Lynch

Related articles more from author.

Why Low-income Kids Are Nowhere to be Found in STEM

25 Science Trivia Facts to Spark Student Curiosity

The Edvocate’s List of 57 STEM Apps, Tools & Resources

20 of the best 3rd grade science projects and experiments.

High School Anatomy Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

12 STEM Resources for Teachers

Science Fair Projects for 5th Grade: Teacher's Guide

Finding meaningful science fair projects for 5th graders can be a real challenge for teachers.

This comprehensive guide for teachers promises to make planning and executing winning science fair projects for 5th grade easy and enjoyable.

You'll discover the top 10 project ideas, step-by-step instructions for developing testable experiments, gathering materials, recording observations, analyzing data, creating visual displays, tips for captivating presentations, and evaluating outcomes to celebrate student success.

Introduction to Science Fair Projects for 5th Grade

Science fair projects provide an engaging way for 5th grade students to explore science topics that interest them. As a teacher, guiding students through the process of developing a science fair project teaches important research, critical thinking, and communication skills. This guide offers tips and resources to help 5th grade teachers mentor students in creating meaningful science fair projects.

Exploring the Benefits of Science Fair Projects

Science fair projects have many benefits for 5th grade students:

• Spark interest and engagement in STEM topics
• Build research, experiment design, and data analysis skills
• Boost confidence through independent investigation of a topic
• Allow creativity and choice in project development
• Develop scientific thinking and communication abilities

By participating in science fairs, students gain exposure to the scientific method and learn how to conduct experiments.

Selecting Winning Science Fair Topics

Choosing an appropriate topic is key to developing a successful science fair project. Consider these strategies for helping 5th graders select a topic:

• Brainstorm areas of interest from the 5th grade science topics list
• Determine if a topic can be tested through an experiment at home
• Ensure required materials are easily accessible
• Match topics to students' abilities and skill levels

Some winning 5th grade science fair projects have focused on testing the effects of different variables on plant growth, modeling weather phenomena, investigating properties of matter, and more.

Crafting a Compelling Research Question

A strong research question guides the entire science experiment. Here are tips for developing a focused research question:

• Frame the question around testing a specific variable
• Make the question clear, narrow, and answerable through an experiment
• Use the scientific method to inform the phrasing of the question

For example, "How does the amount of sunlight affect the growth rate of bean plants?" is an effective research question.

What are the top 10 science fair project?

Here are 10 great science fair project ideas for 5th grade students:

1. Investigating the Effect of Different Soil Types on Plant Growth

This project tests how plants grow in different soil types like clay, sand, potting mix, etc. Students can measure plant height over time to compare growth rates.

2. Measuring the Effect of Music on Memory

Students can test how different music genres affect memorization of words or numbers. A control group with no music can be used for comparison.

3. Creating a Solar Water Heater

Using basic materials, students can build a solar powered water heater to test temperature changes over time. This explores renewable energy.

4. Investigating the Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity

By changing pH, students can measure how enzyme activity is affected. This shows how acidity impacts chemical reactions in living things.

5. Measuring the Effect of Temperature on Electrical Resistance

Using wire and a multimeter, the resistance of conductors can be tested at different temperatures. This demonstrates scientific principles.

6. Building a Simple Wind Turbine

Students can construct small wind turbines to power LED lights. This explores mechanical energy conversion.

7. Testing Strength of Different Bridge Designs

Using materials like popsicle sticks or toothpicks, students can build different bridge models and test their strength by adding weights until structural failure. This is an engineering design challenge.

8. Investigating Which Materials Best Insulate Heat

By timing how long ice cubes last when wrapped in various materials, insulation properties can be compared. Everyday items like cotton, foil, and Styrofoam can be tested.

9. Observing Osmosis in Cells

Using eggs, students can observe the process of osmosis and diffusion across semi-permeable membranes. This demonstrates biology concepts.

10. Testing Paper Airplane Designs

Students can build different paper airplane models and measure flight distance and duration. Aerodynamics principles are explored through iterative testing.

What is the best science project for Class 5?

Here are some of the best science fair project ideas for 5th grade students:

Bouncing on a Trampoline

This project looks at how the height of a trampoline bounce changes depending on the weight of the person jumping. Students could test different weights and record bounce heights.

The "Magic" Leakproof Bag

Students can create a bag out of a plastic zipper storage bag that seems to defy gravity and doesn't leak water even when turned upside down. This demonstrates air pressure and density.

Clothespin and Popsicle Stick Airplanes

Students can build simple airplanes out of clothespins and popsicle sticks and test how far they fly when launched by hand. They can experiment with different wing shapes and angles.

Tornado in a Bottle

Using a plastic bottle, water, glitter or small pieces of paper, and dish soap, students can create a mini tornado and observe how tornadoes form.

Float or Sink Pop Cans

By crushing pop cans and placing them in water, students can observe differences in density and record whether crushed cans float or sink compared to normal cans.

These are just a few fun and easy science project ideas that demonstrate science concepts like gravity, density, pressure, and forces. Students get hands-on experience coming up with a hypothesis, testing variables, collecting data, and drawing conclusions. And they'll learn some really cool science facts along the way!

What are the topics for grade 5 science?

Here are some of the most common science topics studied in 5th grade:

Earth and Space Science

• Structure and layers of the Earth
• Landforms and changes in the Earth's surface caused by weathering and erosion
• The water cycle
• Weather patterns and severe storms
• The solar system, planets, stars, galaxies

Life Science

• Plant structures and functions
• Plant life cycles and reproduction
• Ecosystems and food chains
• Human body systems and functions
• Animal classification, structures, and adaptations

Physical Science

• Properties and states of matter
• Atoms and molecules
• Energy, heat, light, and sound
• Forces and motion
• Electricity and magnetism

5th graders typically learn about these topics through hands-on activities, experiments, projects, and demonstrations that connect the concepts to real-world examples relevant to where they live. For instance, they may study local weather patterns, plant life cycles in their area, organisms in a nearby ecosystem, or conduct experiments with household materials related to physical science concepts. Tying the learning to their surroundings helps cement understanding.

What are testable questions for science fair projects 5th grade?

Science fair projects allow 5th grade students to explore scientific concepts through hands-on experiments. When coming up with a testable question, it's important to choose a topic that interests your student and can be tested using the scientific method.

Here are some examples of testable questions for 5th grade science fair projects:

How does temperature affect crystal growth?

• Students can grow crystals using different solutions and observe how temperature impacts crystal size and shape. This allows them to learn about states of matter.

How do different liquids affect how quickly an ice cube melts?

• Students can measure how long it takes ice cubes to melt when placed in different liquids like water, oil, soda etc. This teaches them about heat transfer.

How does the angle of a ramp affect the distance a toy car travels?

• Students can build ramps at different angles and test how far toy cars roll down them. This demonstrates concepts of potential and kinetic energy.

How does the amount of light affect plant growth?

• Students can grow plants under different lighting conditions to observe the effects on plant height, leaf number etc. This illustrates photosynthesis and plant biology.

The key is choosing questions that allow students to measure data and draw conclusions. This teaches the scientific method and critical thinking skills. Review science fair project ideas for 5th grade when helping your student select a topic.

sbb-itb-bb2be89

Preparing and executing the experiment.

Executing a successful science experiment requires careful preparation and precise execution. As a teacher guiding 5th graders through science fair projects, focus on facilitating engaging hands-on learning experiences.

Gathering Data and Materials for Science Experiments

• Recommend students use household materials that are safe and easy to acquire. Simple materials like paper, cardboard, basic craft supplies, food items, and recycled containers work well.
• Have students research reliable sources to gather background information and data to inform their hypothesis and procedures. Useful sources include science textbooks, library books, museum websites, and other vetted educational sites.
• Compile a classroom kit of basic supplies like tape, scissors, rulers, notebooks, and pencils to have on hand. Consider creating a sharing system for students to borrow specialty items as needed.

Implementing Procedures Safely and Accurately

• Supervise all experiments to ensure safety protocols are followed properly. Review safety rules and demonstrate proper handling of any potentially hazardous materials.
• Guide students to follow procedures precisely as outlined to control variables and yield reliable results. Encourage recording detailed notes on each step.
• Allow flexibility for iterations and improvements if initial trials reveal flawed procedures. Discuss troubleshooting techniques.

Recording Observations with Precision

• Instruct students to record qualitative observations through detailed notes, drawings, photos, or videos. Emphasize thorough, objective descriptions.
• Have students take precise quantitative measurements with metric rulers, scales, timers, thermometers, etc. Stress the importance of accurate data.
• Consider using student-friendly apps, like Google Science Journal, to assist with gathering observational data.

Organizing and Analyzing Data Like a Scientist

• Help students organize recorded observations into user-friendly tables, charts, and graphs. Online tools like Google Sheets simplify data analysis.
• Explain basic statistical concepts like mean, percentages, rates of change, correlation vs causation, and margin of error. Guide analysis appropriate for 5th grade level.
• Compare results to background information gathered. Did the data support or contradict the original hypothesis? Why?

Drawing Conclusions from Experimental Results

• Facilitate constructive discussion around interpreting results and assessing hypotheses. What conclusions can reasonably be made given the data? How might the experiment be refined and expanded in future trials?
• Stress that "failed" experiments still provide learning opportunities if students can thoughtfully analyze their procedures, observations, and conclusions to determine improvements for next time. The scientific process involves ongoing questioning, testing, and refinement of ideas.

With thoughtful mentorship, 5th grade science projects grant meaningful opportunities to engage students in core aspects of the scientific process. Patience and creativity are key to guiding young scientists as they build critical thinking skills through hands-on discovery and analysis.

Creating a Standout Science Fair Presentation

Teachers can provide guidance to help students create an impactful science fair presentation that clearly communicates their project and findings.

Developing a Clear and Engaging Presentation

• Have students outline key sections to include in their presentation:
• Introduction
• Materials & Methods
• Suggest students make supplements like posters, models, or prototypes to showcase the project.

Incorporating Visuals and Science Fair Boards

• Encourage the use of charts, graphs, photos to present experiment data and results.
• Colorful visuals grab attention and illustrate findings.

Assembling the Science Fair Board with Creativity

• Use borders, title headers, and section dividers to organize display boards.
• Incorporate photos, diagrams, and other graphics to showcase the project.
• Utilize color strategically to highlight important elements.

Practicing the Oral Presentation for Impact

• Have students rehearse presenting to build confidence.
• Focus on clearly explaining the science concept.
• Prepare for likely questions to demonstrate knowledge.

Showcasing the Project at the Science Fair

• Strategically place projects to maximize foot traffic and visibility.
• Have students engage fairgoers to explain their project and findings.
• Collect feedback for students to help further develop projects.

With thorough preparation and creative presentation, students can effectively showcase their science fair projects and communicate experiment outcomes. Teachers play a key role in guiding the development of impactful science fair displays.

Evaluating and Reflecting on Science Fair Outcomes

Teachers can utilize several methods to evaluate student learning and development of science process skills through science fair projects.

Reflecting on Student Growth and Science Skills

• Have students complete self-reflection forms about their research process, including questions like:
• What science concepts did you learn through this project?
• What research skills did you develop or improve?
• What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
• Assign journal prompts for students to write about their science fair experience, such as:
• Describe the most interesting thing you learned while doing your science project.
• What science process skills (observing, inferring, predicting, etc.) did you use?
• Create rubrics to assess science process skills like developing a hypothesis, designing procedures, collecting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating findings.

Gathering Feedback from Judges and Peers

• Survey science fair judges on project qualities like creativity, effort, scientific thought, and skill development.
• Have students share constructive critiques on peers' projects.
• Encourage audience members to leave feedback or ask engaging questions.
• Review judges' rubrics and comments for areas of growth.

Evaluating Learning Objectives Through Projects

• Align science fair projects to curriculum standards for scientific investigation.
• Create project guidelines and rubrics that assess specific learning objectives.
• Evaluate projects on the degree students demonstrate target skills like:
• Asking scientific questions
• Developing models
• Planning investigations
• Analyzing data
• Using mathematical thinking
• Constructing explanations
• Engaging in arguments from evidence

Adjusting Teaching Approaches Post-Science Fair

• Identify common gaps in understanding or skill that projects revealed.
• Differentiate instruction going forward, providing extra support in challenging areas.
• Update science units and activities to better scaffold key science and engineering practices.
• Reflect on how science fairs can be improved to maximize learning.

Innovative Science Fair Project Ideas for 5th Grade

Science fair projects allow 5th grade students to explore scientific concepts through hands-on experiments and investigations. Choosing an innovative idea can help spark curiosity and engagement. Here are some creative science fair project suggestions suitable for 5th graders.

Science Fair Projects for 5th Grade at Home

• Test how different liquids affect the buoyancy of an egg. This allows students to learn about density at home using common household materials.
• Explore how sugar affects the rising process of yeast dough. Students can observe biological processes using ingredients found in most kitchens.
• Investigate how acidity impacts plant growth by watering plants with liquids of different pH levels. Everyday materials like lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda can be used.

Last Minute 5th Grade Science Projects

• Evaluate how different surfaces like carpet, tile, and wood impact the speed of a toy car. This fast experiment teaches concepts of friction and gravity.
• Test how the shape of pasta impacts the time it takes to cook. Students can explore why certain shapes cook faster, learning about geometry.
• Investigate how salt impacts the freezing point of water by freezing salty and plain water samples. This demonstrates states of matter.

5th Grade Science Fair Projects with Food

• Explore how freezing, heating, or mixing different liquids affects a hard-boiled egg inside the shell. Students can apply scientific concepts through edible experiments.
• Test how antioxidants in fruits impact oxidation by leaving apple slices exposed to air. Students can measure browning rates, learning about botany.
• Investigate how acids in vinaigrette salad dressing impact vegetable color. Students can explore concepts of chemistry using familiar foods.

5th Grade Science Fair Projects with Plants

• Analyze how natural and artificial light impacts plant growth by exposing plants to various light sources. This teaches foundations of botany and ecology.
• Explore how microwaving seeds impacts the sprouting ability compared to untreated seeds. Students can learn about plant reproduction through this experiment.
• Test how salt, sugar, vinegar, baking soda, etc. affect the wilting rate of flowers. Students can identify what damages or preserves plants.

Science Fair Projects for 5th Grade Biology

• Investigate how antibiotics impact bacterial growth by exposing cultures to antibiotics. This demonstrates germ theory and microbiology.
• Analyze how different liquids impact an earthworm's ability to move by exposing earthworms to assorted liquids. Students learn about invertebrate biology.
• Explore what insects are attracted to different food baits by leaving various foods outdoors. Students can categorize insects and analyze data.

Conclusion: Celebrating Science Fair Success

Science fairs provide an exciting opportunity for 5th grade students to explore science topics that interest them through hands-on projects. This guide has covered key tips for successfully mentoring students through the process, from choosing a topic to presenting the finished project.

Key Takeaways for 5th Grade Science Fair Projects

• Select an experiment-based project that aligns with your student's interests and grade level standards. Focus on testable questions.
• Set a realistic timeline for research, experimentation, analysis, and putting together the presentation.
• Provide guidance on research skills, scientific method, data collection, and safe procedures.
• Have students reflect on what they learned and how they can build on their project in the future.

Building on Projects for Future Success

Students can continue developing their science fair project by:

• Repeating experiments with different variables or sample sizes
• Competing at school, district, or state-level fairs
• Expanding into a long-term research project across multiple years
• Exploring extensions into engineering, computer science, or mathematics

The science fair experience allows students to build critical thinking, communication, and research skills that will serve them well in future science endeavors.

Related posts

• Spelling Words for 5th Grade: Classroom Activities
• Writing Prompts for 4th Grade: Fostering Creativity
• STEM Activities for Kids: Classroom Integration
• Science Fair Project Ideas for 4th Grade: Simple Experiments

Top 12 Student-Centered Teaching Techniques for Modern Classrooms

Spelling Words for 3rd Grade: Games and Activities

Incorporating Global Perspectives in Lessons

Become a buddy..

Join 500+ teachers getting free goodies every week. 📚

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Teaching Expertise

• Classroom Ideas
• Teacher’s Life
• Deals & Shopping
• Privacy Policy

5th Grade Science Project Ideas: Experiments, Model Building, DIYs, Challenges, And More

March 8, 2024 //  by  Sean Kivi

Hands-on experiments. They’re one of the greatest tool tips at a teacher or parent’s fingertips to ensure that their students understand new concepts. But where do you start with these? How do you know which experiments are the best for your 5th-graders, or which ones will help to promote learning in the most stimulating way? Well, look no further. This list of 65 5th-grade science projects compiles the best activities for encouraging your students’ discovery and passion for science, from biology, physics, chemistry, and more.

1. Bouncing on a trampoline

Get your kids learning while exercising! This mini trampoline experiment will help your 5th graders by challenging their construction skills and understand the basic principles of a rubber band. By adjusting their own contraption, they will discover how to make the highest bounce.

Learn More: Teach Student Savvy

2. The “magic” leakproof bag

Challenge your students to create a leakproof bag. They might think it’s magic, but you can use it to teach them all about the science of polymers. You can even develop on this by using other materials, too, like plastic bags that have a different size or thickness. Definitely one for your messier kids!

Learn More: Steve Spangler Science

3. Clothespin and popsicle stick airplanes

For this engineering activity, your student will need to create all sorts of airplanes using different household items, such as popsicle sticks and clothespins. Using different methods and construction material, they will see if their planes can actually fly! This experiment also has excellent links to STEAM, too.

Learn More: STEAMsational

4. Tornado in a Bottle

Bring the outside world inside with this fun and simple science experiment. You’ll only need a few things, like a bottle, water, and glitter, to help your students to understand the science behind natural disasters like a hurricane. You can even develop this to teach them about centripetal force as well.

Learn More: Cool Science Experiments Headquarters

5.  Float or Sink Pop Cans

Your students might already be familiar with the version of this experiment that uses eggs, so why not shake things up with soda cans instead? This experiment is a great way for your students to learn about density with different types of artificial sweeteners. You can also teach them about the dangers of too much sugar!

6. Invisible Ink

Your students will love transforming into secret agents with this amazing activity! Using baking soda as ink, they’ll turn their writing invisible. You can then reveal the message with grape juice or a heat source to teach them about paper fibers.

Learn More: ThoughtCo

7. D.I.Y. Snowflakes

All of the fun of snow, but with none of the mess and cold! This is a perfect way to teach your students about molecules and the separation of liquids in a way that they’ll find interesting. You can also use these as beautiful decorations all year round.

Learn More: Little Bins for Little Hands

8. Quicksand escape

Have you ever seen your students playing superhero games together? Well, this is your chance to turn those games into learning! This experiment scaffold kids’ learning of solid and liquid properties by learning through play. They will also discover the best ways to escape from this tricky texture!

Learn More: Education.com

9. Solar S’mores

Create a solar oven that traps the Sun’s energy in this delicious science experiment. Your students are to enjoy these tasty treats while they learn about alternative energy resources and greenhouse gases.

Learn More: Desert Chica  and   Climate Kids NASA

10. Monster Dry Ice Bubble

This experiment does require a little preparation, but it’s sure to be a hit with your students. They will explore the process of sublimation and learn about pressure as they watch the bubbles expand. As this involves dry ice, you will need to be careful with it.

Learn More: Wonder How To

11. Soil Erosion Experiment

This is a great activity to do outdoors on a nice day, as your students will find out about soil erosion and its harmful effects on the natural world. They’ll discover the importance of having vegetation cover the soil.

Learn More: Orlando Science Center

12. Newspaper STEM Challenge

Put those old newspapers to use in this innovative experiment that will foster the creative engineering skills of your kids. They will not only build up their teamwork skills but also develop their problem-solving capabilities by creating their own constructions using only paper materials. This makes it an excellent tool for introducing STEAM engineering concepts.

Learn More:  STEM Activities for Kids

13. Create a Bouncy Ball

Polymers are a hard concept for students to wrap their heads around, so you’ll want to keep the borax aside for this fun learning experiment. You’ll only need a few other spare ingredients to help create your own bouncy balls for your students. They can even play with them afterward!

Learn More:  Babble Dabble Do

14. Build a Snack Machine

Yet another delicious experiment, this one involves learning and applying everything they know about simple machines to create their own Mimi snack machine. It only requires a little basic mechanical engineering but it can be a little challenging trying to re-allocate the snacks.

Learn More:  Left Brain Craft Brain

15. Hot and Cold Density

If you’re looking for a quick science experiment, check out this rainbow density jar experiment. In less than 10 minutes, your kids will explore challenging concepts like water density, molecule science, and more. Try using food coloring for even better results!

Learn More:  STEAMsational

16. Build a Bridge

Challenge your students to re-construct their own models of famous bridges around the world to see which one is the strongest. You should encourage your students to make predictions about each bridge’s strongest design and weight limitations before testing.

Learn More:  Education

17. Testing Heat Capacity

This heat capacity experiment will answer any questions that your students have about why water takes so long to boil in comparison to oil. Your 5th-graders will also understand the different ways that liquids absorb heat and the amount of heat required to modify the object’s temperature by a certain amount (heat capacity).

Learn More: YouTube

18. Rock Candy

The tasty experiments continue with this rock candy creation. You can use it to show your kids the shape of sugar on a bigger scale. They will need your help with mixing boiling water, but they’ll definitely be able to enjoy the sweet results!

Learn More:   Steve Spangler Science

19. Sunlight vs. Artificial Light

Your students will learn about photosynthesis and the factors that can affect it in this science experiment. They will investigate whether plants grow better under natural sunlight or artificial light, as well as the plants’ general health, too.

20. Make a Compass

This excellent experiment is a great introduction to ideas about magnetism and the Earth’s magnetic field. Your students will make their own compass with a magnetized needle. Try challenging your students to compare the differences between magnetic north and geographic north.

21. Musical Glasses

Make some cross-curricular connections with this charming project. Using basic knowledge of physics, your students will create their own musical glasses of water. By studying the different types of material used, they can explore the various properties of glass with these musical masterpieces.

Learn More:  Teach Beside Me

22. Melting Ice Challenge

By adding different solids to ice cubes, your students will test what ingredients can be used to make ice melt faster. They can then record these to determine the melting time of each material. You’ll only need a few ingredients, such as salt, sugar, or baking soda.

Learn More:  Little Bins Little Hands

23. Exploring Fluorescence

This experiment will help your students to solve the mystery of “black lights” in an interesting way. It will also introduce them to the power of ultraviolet light and the electromagnetic spectrum, as well as the different ways that black light can be used.

Learn More:  Supply me

24. Flying Popsicle Sticks

Definitely one for your more active students! They’ll simply love learning about potential by weaving popsicle sticks together, then discovering kinetic energy when they throw them. You can challenge them further to see how long of a chain they can make.

Learn More:  Steve Spangler Science

25. Chalkboard Slime

Almost all 5th-graders love playing with slime, and this experiment is sure to be no different. By adding a few extra ingredients to a normal slime recipe, they’ll create their own slime that is thicker than ever before. An unmissable tool for learning about polymers.

26. Water Conductivity

This is a simple experiment, but it is certainly effective! Your 5th-graders will finally be able to understand the dangers of touching electrical sockets with wet hands. They’ll learn about conductivity and whether water really works as a conductor or not.

Learn More:  Rookie Parenting

27. Magic Marker Stick Man

Your students will think this marker stick man is magical when it comes to life! Instead, you can use this viral experiment to explain the solubility of materials and the use of adhesives.

Learn More:  Gizmodo

28. Making Lightning

A science experience that allows you to bend electricity to your will , even bring it … into the classroom? Dim the lights and bring on a foil-covered fork to find out how static electricity is created.

29. Watching the heartbeat with marshmallows

Mix this delicious treat with science to help your students learn about the circulatory system. They’ll see how the marshmallows “jump” with their heartbeats and understand even one of the hardest units on the human body.

Learn More: Growing Grade by Grade

30. Water Filtration

Demonstrate the water purification process as part of this engaging experiment. Your 5th-graders will explore ideas about water pollution and how to remedy it. You can try expanding on this by using different materials like oils and food coloring to see what happens.

31. Make Oxygen with the help of a plant

A plant’s ability to make oxygen is the main reason that we are alive today. Ene still, this is a difficult concept for students to understand. This project will help you teach how plants help us by producing oxygen. Try different plants to see which ones are best at producing the air we breathe.

Learn More: MEL Science

32. Pendulum Painting

This hands-on activity will help your students learn about important science concepts of potential and kinetic energy while making beautiful art they can be proud of.

Get painting at Jenny Rambles WordPress

33. Greenhouse Gases Experiment

Learn about how greenhouse gases affect the temperature of the planet by using baking soda and lights. You create a chemical reaction using baking soda and water to understand the effects of carbon dioxide on the atmosphere. Have fun!

Learn More: Da Vinci TV

34. Cabbage Chemistry Acid-Base Science Project

A great chemistry science fair experiment that will help your students learn about how acids, neutrals, and bases work. You will make a red cabbage acidity indicator. It’s a smelly but engaging experiment, so plug your nostrils and get to testing acidity.

35. Acid Rain Earth Science Effects

Acid rain is a big problem! It is created when we burn fuels to make electricity and has devastating effects on the areas where it falls. This project will teach Earth science principles by checking how acid rain affects chalk at different levels of acidity. Kids will love this!

36. Tooth Decay Model and Exploration

Teach your students the importance of oral health by demonstrating how tooth decay affects our teeth using our favorite body learning science experiment. You don’t need your teeth because you will use eggshells.

Learn More: Sciencing.com

37. Do Paper Clips Float?

This is a simple experiment to help your students understand surface tension. This is done with household products that you probably have lying around. You can substitute a paper clip for other items to see if they float and how surface tension affects the float-ability of objects. 

Learn More: Champak World

38. Make a Heart with Pumping Blood Model

Many people think that engineering projects are only good for earth sciences, but they work great for life sciences too. Your students will build a model of the circulatory system and test how it works in this hands-on project. 

Learn More: Exploratorium Teacher Institute

39. Electroscope Static Electricity

Built-up static electricity has given us all a shock once or again. This project aims to teach your students about how static electricity gathers and then shocks us. It can also teach about the best electrical conductors if you use various materials.

Learn More: The Kitchen Pantry Scientist

40. Apple Oxidation Experimentation

This is an engaging hands-on activity to get your students to understand the process of oxidization that takes place on objects left exposed to rain and water. We recommend using a variety of artificial sweeteners to test out how they affect the process.

Learn More: Mom Brite

41. Explore Density with a Lava Lamp

Acids and bases are a basic scientific concept and there is no better way to demonstrate them than with a groovy homemade lava lamp. Here you can also demonstrate the density of different liquids.

Learn More: OSC

42. Convection Currents in a Glass

By using water of different temperatures, students can observe convection currents when they drop food coloring in. This can be tied to ocean currents or currents in any large bodies of water.

Learn More: The Homeschool Scientist

43. Biospheres

Students must create one or several biospheres, each enclosed to show how they are all different. They must explain how the parts of each biosphere are interconnected and how it would be affected if one is removed.

Learn More: Laney-Lee

44. Discover Genetics

Students must collect basic information about their family’s characteristics on a gene table. This table must then be interpreted in a family tree to show how some traits can be inherited.

Learn More: Science Buddies

45. Digestive demonstration

With simple kitchen items, students can observe how bile from the liver breaks down fat in the digestive tract. Biological science is a fascinating world the students love exploring.

Learn More: Simple Southern

46. Archimedes’ Screw

This ancient invention is something students can make themselves, showing how a simple invention can change lives.

Learn More: Steps Engineers Ireland

47. Bottle Rocket Competition

Bottle rockets are an exhilarating way for students to explore aerodynamics and the laws of motion. They can change many aspects of their rockets to see who can fly higher or stay in the air longer.

Learn More: Teaching Engineering

48. Catapult Launches

Students can build their own catapults from popsicle sticks and try and catch the launches or aim them at a target. They must make conclusions about how shorter or longer arms on their design will change the outcomes.

49. Candle Carousel

This experiment lets your students prove that hot air rises! Start by having them follow the instructions to make cuts on an aluminum plate and then let them decorate it with colored markers before attaching a metal nut and straw. Once it’s set up, they can then add candles underneath and they’ll see the pinwheel at the top turning. More candles will also make it spin faster!

50. Water Balloon Density

Fill balloons with various liquids and have students predict which ones will float. They must explore the properties of each liquid that helps them to come to their conclusion.

Learn More: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

51. Self-Watering Plant

One hands-on way to teach your students about plant physiology is by having them create a self-watering plant system. While discovering how to create an efficient irrigation system, they’ll get to learn how plants absorb water through their roots and stems via capillary action.

52. Bottle Terrarium

Imagine a miniature world within a bottle! That’s exactly what your students get to build when creating a plant-based microcosm! It’s an exercise in understanding ecosystems, the water cycle, and photosynthesis. As they craft a terrarium in a bottle, they’ll observe firsthand how environmental changes impact these systems.

Learn More: Soul Flower

53. Homemade Battery

Electricity is fundamental to our world, but how is it generated? Your students can unravel this mystery by creating a homemade battery using everyday objects like lemons and pennies. Through this project, they’ll learn about core concepts such as current, voltage, and electrochemical reactions.

54. Dancing Rice Experiment

This fun and intriguing experiment demonstrates gas behaviors. To get their rice grains dancing, they’ll need to add vinegar to a mix of water, baking soda, and rice. What a nifty way to discover more about states of matter and gas production!

Learn More: Mott Children

55. Egg Drop Challenge

This isn’t just a fun science project- it’s a crash course in physics! Your students will need to construct a protective device to prevent an egg from cracking when dropped from a height. To do so they’ll need to think critically about concepts like gravity and force.

Learn More: Sciencing

56. Making a Sundial

Step back in time as your students take a crack at this project! As they craft a sundial, one of the earliest tools for telling time, they’ll learn about Earth’s rotation and how it affects our understanding of time.

Learn More: KDVR

57. Crystal Growing Experiment

What’s more fascinating than watching crystals grow? Your students are sure to love taking this project on! If they do, they’ll transform into little geologists and learn more about how geological processes result in amazing structures.

58. Homemade Rain Gauge

Who knew you could measure rainfall with a DIY tool? Students can build their own rain gauge and gain insights into the water cycle, precipitation, and the significance of data accuracy in science.

Learn More: Spectrum News

59. Sound Wave Experiment

Have your students explore the fascinating world of sound waves using just a spoon and a string. In conducting this experiment, they’ll dive into learning about how vibrations create sound and how sound travels differently through various mediums.

Learn More: KC Edventures

60. Invisible Extinguisher

Fire and oxygen – a relationship your students will explore by putting a candle out without blowing on it. As they pose various hypotheses, they’ll discover the role oxygen plays in combustion and observe what happens when fire is deprived of it.

61. Growing Mold Experiment

A slightly ‘yucky’, but fascinating experiment is to get your students to grow mold on different food items! This will provide them with insights into decomposition, microbial growth, and the importance of proper food storage.

62. Salt Water Desalination

This experiment prompts your pupils to consider how they could solve the world’s water crisis. As they take on a desalination experiment, they’ll develop an understanding of the processes of evaporation, condensation, and the water cycle.

Learn More: Teach Beside Me

63. DIY Barometer

Bring the weather station into your classroom with a DIY barometer! This science project will help students understand atmospheric pressure and how it’s used for weather predictions. All they’ll need to get started is a glass jar, rubber band, doctor’s glove, tape, markers, paper, and a straw. 

Learn More: Housing A Forest

64. DIY Wind Vane

Learning about wind direction becomes an art project when your students create their own! This fun project combines weather patterns, creativity, and problem-solving.

Learn More: Generation Genius

65. Paper Chromatography

Using paper chromatography, your students will break down black ink into its component colors. This project allows them to develop an understanding of solubility and intermolecular forces. 

Learn More: Rainy Day Mum

Science and STEM learning is best when it’s hands-on, and each of these experiments is a great example of this. Don’t forget to encourage your students to complete a write-up activity before and after each one to really push their scientific understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good science project for a 5th grader.

A good science project should introduce students to new concepts, but with hands-on and exciting experiments. Take a look at the list above for the most exciting.

What are some easy experiments?

Each of the experiments that we have listed above requires very little setup and is easy to do in the classroom or at home. Plus, they all have proven results that will get your students interested in learning science, too!

Science Experiments for 5th Graders

5th Grade is a fantastic age to do science. The kids are old enough to start doing some projects independently and they have an insatiable curiosity and passion for learning. Especially when it is hands on experiments with great wow factor! These science experiments for 5th graders will inspire curiosity, spark a passion for learning, and excite young scientists. If you are working on lesson plans for your grade 5 students (or 5th year), here are some of our top picks!

The Best Science Experiments for 5th Graders

What you will discover in this article!

Although the topics covered in 5th grade vary based on where you are in the world, there are some consistent themes that are commonly covered at this age. We’ve looked into syllabuses from all over and came up with this list of topics that appear most often. These themes include lesson plans around:

• Earth and Space
• Lifecycles (plants and animals)
• The human body
• Electricity
• Chemistry (such as crystallization)
• States of Matter

Scientific Method

Phew! That’s a lot! But trust me, it can also be fun! Plus this is based on reviewing school curriculums all around the world. You don’t need to tackle all of these subjects. Or maybe you do if you have a passionate young scientist!

Based on this list of topics I have gathered up some of our favourite science experiments (and STEM projects) that are perfect for adding to your 5th grade science lessons.

5th Grade Science Project Ideas

Oobleck states of matter exploration.

Oobleck is always a hit with kids! We have done a lot of different Oobleck experiments over the years. One of our favourites was a science fair style investigation which also worked on the sense of touch (learning about the body), as we explored different recipes and evaluated how the texture varied with each recipe. But that is just one of many awesome Oobleck ideas we have done. Check them out!

Growing Crystals (Chemistry)

Growing crystals is a great way to introduce students to lab work and chemistry. Usually before this age they have already played around with the basic baking soda and vinegar type reactions , but if they haven’t definitely add those into the mix too. For crystals growing there are lots of different ways to grow crystals. Some use borax which is not available in some countries, but we also have crystal growing options using other solutions such as alum, salt or sugar! With sugar crystals (candy science), you can also explore taste, which ties into the human body studies too.

Building a Heart Model

Learning about the human body is fascinating and important. We want kids to understand their bodies, how they work, and how to properly care for their bodies. One of our favourite body learning activities was building a heart model that we made beat and move “blood” around. It was a great project for 5th years!

Windmill (STEM Project)

I love when I can combine a great science project with a fantastic book. If you decide to try a windmill engineering challenge (a brilliant STEM Project for 5th grade) there is a fantastic book called The Book Who Harnessed the Wind. This unit study is fantastic because it brings together literacy/reading, history (it’s a true story) plus engineering and physics lessons. The book is a great read with multiple levels of difficulty available.

Elephant Toothpaste

Elephant Toothpaste is a great science experiment for grade 5 that explores chemistry, biology, and states of matter. Plus it is a lot of fun for students!

Space Projects

Space is a fantastic topic to tackle with 5th graders! They love learning about the stars, planets and and our place in the universe. We have been obsessed with our space studies for many years and have compiled a great resource with tons of space related science experiments , all perfect for 5th grade! My personal favourite is the pipe cleaner constellations and the space inspired bath bombs!

Coding Challenges

Coding is the second language of today and the future and something all kids should explore and learn. It can be intimidating to teach coding if it is not something you are familiar with, but thankfully there are a lot of programs and options out there to help kids learn coding. We have a number of screen free options, plus there are programs, toys and more all designed to make learning coding fun and easy!

Circuit Building

Light it up! Kids in grade 5 are the perfect age to build circuits and learn how electricity works. From salt circuits, to circuits built with food, to circuit bugs, there are so many cool options for you to explore.

Wingardium Leviosar

Magnets are fascinating for kids and a great tool for doing some simple science experiments. One of our favourite science experiments we did in grade 5 tied into the Harry Potter books, Wingardium Leviosar Magnetism Experiment . Making this another fun cross subject activity!

Water Science

Water is an incredible tool for doing science experiments with liquids in 5th grade. You can use it to study states of matter, physics, chemistry, and more. It is readily accessible, safe for kids and the experiments are a ton of fun! We have done lots of experimenting with water science over the years. Check out our comprehensive resource on Water Science Projects for the perfect experiment for your studies.

Make It Move

Make it Move is a fantastic classroom challenge, where kids need to innovate and come up with ways to make their car race across a track or table without pushing it! Give them a variety of supplies and a matchbox car, then watch those imaginations go wild.

Balloon Races

A wonderful activity for introducing physics concepts to kids in 5th year is balloon races . It gets them up and moving and having a blast exploring these fundamental concepts around Newton’s Laws of Motion. Budget friendly, fun and perfect for home or the classroom, this is one activity you must do!

Layers of the Earth Soap

Learning about the layers of the Earth with this soap making project is a great way to explore our gorgeous planet. Plus, every time the kids wash their hands they will remember the lessons on the planet layers, helping to reinforce those concepts.

Climate Change and the Greenhouse Effect

Students will gain a greater understanding of the water cycle, climate change and the way greenhouse gases capture and hold heat in this experiment in a jar . Fantastic as an experiment, science fair project, or a classroom demonstration.

Lifecycle Activities

Learning about lifecycles is a very popular topic for our 5th grade students. We have a fun Lifecycle Decoding Activity that is perfect for some screen free learning. Plus it combines coding skills with learning about lifecycles.

Rain Clouds

Looking for a gorgeous, simple, and fairly quick experiment? Try this Rainbow Rain Clouds experiment and learn how clouds work when it rains. It’s easy, fast and kids can do this experiment independently.

One of the key concepts kids should be learning not just in grade 5 but throughout their schooling is the Scientific Method . Using the method should become natural and easy with practice and encourages critical thinking and analysis which is important for all students to master.

The Science Fair

Grade 5 is a very popular grade for science fair projects! We LOVE doing science fair projects and have so many ideas. Check out our comprehensive resource to find the perfect science fair project idea. We also provide tips on how to prepare, what to expect, and topic ideas.

Grade 5 is a wonderful year for science experiments and hands on learning. Enjoy these top picks for Science Experiments for 5th Graders.

More Science Ideas

5 Days of Smart STEM Ideas for Kids

Get started in STEM with easy, engaging activities.

• Most Recent
• Free Silly Handwriting
• Easy Sub Plans Template
• Sprinkle Topped Shop
• My TpT Shop
• Amazon Favorites
• Free Video Series

The Sprinkle Topped Teacher

7 Easy Scientific Method Experiments

Kids’ natural curiosity never fails to amaze me. Their imaginations and observation skills run wild, especially at the elementary level. And the classroom is the perfect place to explore and exercise their curious minds!

When it comes to introducing younger students to scientific concepts like drawing observations and conclusions, the scientific method is a great place to start. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. I’ve seen some pretty intense resources that teach the scientific method for kids, and they’ve been anything but kid friendly!

My preferred way to teach science is to boil the scientific method down to these 5 steps:

• Asking a research question
• Making a hypothesis
• Doing the experiment
• Taking observations
• Writing a conclusion

Keeping the scientific method for kids simple lets them explore their world without confusing them too much. When it comes to science concepts, we want to ease younger students in — not overwhelm them. This helps kids build a love of science that will last their whole lives!

With all that being said, I’ve gathered my favorite easy scientific method experiments for younger students into one bundle for you! These 7 Easy Science Experiments to Teach the Scientific Method are amazing because they all follow the same framework. This helps students know what to expect when it’s time to experiment and keeps your curriculum cohesive. Once we do one or two, my class gets into a nice groove and doesn’t need much direction on my part.

Plus, each of these experiments are available in a digital format, so they’re perfect for in-person or distance learning! And since they are so easy for students to follow, students will have no problem completing them at home.

What are the 7 easy scientific method experiments?

I’m glad you asked! Here is everything that is included in the scientific method for kids bundle:

1. Rainbow Milk Experiment

In the Rainbow Milk Magic Experiment, students will combine milk, dish soap, and food coloring to learn all about why the colors begin to swirl and look as if they are exploding into a rainbow. This is such a simple science experiment that works great with students of any age!

2. Tornado in a Bottle Experiment

This Tornado in a Bottle Experiment is the perfect way to teach the scientific method to kids. Students will practice measuring to fill a water bottle, then add dish soap and of course some glitter! They will then create a vortex to simulate a tornado and learn all about tornadoes.

3. Fingerprint Science Experiment

In the Fingerprint Science Experiment, students will become detectives and investigate their fingerprints while learning about the scientific method! This STEM fingerprint science experiment will cover the three types of fingerprints and super fun facts about fingerprints in humans and animals.

4. Marshmallow Toothpick Tower Science Experiment

The Marshmallow Toothpick Tower Science Experiment teaches students about building structures. They get to build their own masterpieces with marshmallows and toothpicks. As a bonus, this one ends in a tasty snack that students can enjoy!

5. Coffee Filter Digital Science Experiment

Students will learn about pigment and chromatography through this engaging experiment. They will get to draw a picture on a coffee filter using markers and observe what happens when it is sprayed with water. This is a fantastic way to introduce students to the concept of chemistry!

6. Slime Experiment

What kid doesn’t love slime?! This fun experiment lets them make their own with just a few household supplies. I love using this one during Halloween — it’s got the perfect spooky vibe!

7. Clean a Dirty Penny Science Experiment

Students love to collect and bring in a dirty penny for this science experiment. Students discover which cleaning solution works best to clean it and why using the scientific method! All you need are pennies, water, dish soap, salt, and vinegar. It’s a great option for Presidents’ Day, too!

What’s included in each scientific method for kids experiment?

I recently edited this bundle of experiments to include a table of contents, digital versions on Google Slides, and some great teacher tips to help your experiments run smoothly and make life easier for you. Each experiment includes…

●       Explanation of the experiment, great for parents to follow at home!

●       Guiding Question and Hypothesis

●       Experiment (Picture and written)

●       Observations (Picture and written)

●       Conclusion

●       The science behind the experiment explained (includes fill in the blank option as well)

There you have it: everything you need to teach the scientific method to your students or a child at home!

Teaching the scientific method to kids doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s best to stick to 5 steps and use the same experimental format to keep science lessons cohesive. My 7 Easy Science Experiments to Teach the Scientific Method are an amazing option for anyone looking to introduce students to key STEM concepts!

How often do you experiment in your classroom? What’s your favorite experiment to do? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Share this:

You may also like, 3 digital science lessons for elementary students, free 1st grade math warm-ups, fingerprint science project for kids, 2nd grade fractions activity, number search puzzle for fun multiplication and division practice.

Babble Dabble Do

30+ Science Fair Projects That Will Wow The Crowd

February 20, 2022 by Ana Dziengel Leave a Comment

Are your children signing up for the science fair this year? Have you begun the arduous task of looking for  science fair projects  that might pique your child’s interest? Or do you have a child who already has ten ideas they have been dying to try?

The science fair is a great school tradition and a memorable experience for many children (I still remember the life size plaster penguin I made in 5th grade), and if your school doesn’t conduct one, consider starting it!

This year if you are on the lookout for science fair projects I challenge you to think beyond the vinegar volcano (we have “Volcano Alley” at our school because there are so many volcano projects every year). I know, vinegar volcanoes are like a rite of childhood passage, but there are so many other amazing science ideas out there! I have compiled a list of 30+ science fair projects for kids based on their grade level below. Before we get started I wanted to share some tips for getting the most out of the science fair.

This post contains affiliate links.

Science Fair Tips

• Don’t do the project for your child! This is my number one tip. Many parents have a tendency to jump in and make children’s work “more presentable” or to assist their child so much in the project that it’s hard to know who actually did it. Listen I get it, science is fun and you want your child to have a wonderful presentation…but that’s not really what the science fair is about. It’s about your child learning how to do scientific research and present their findings in their own way. Think of yourself as a helpful guide NOT an assistant, and definitely not the boss.
• Choose something age  appropriate  When your child is choosing the science fair idea they want to try, make sure it’s age appropriate. Sure we’d all love to make a working robot but there’s nothing more frustrating than trying a project that may be too advanced for the skills of your child. And that’s when a lot of parents resort to doing the project instead. Not a good solution. So make sure your child is capable of completing the steps them self.
• Make a list of three ideas Have your child select three science fair project ideas and then go over the choices with them. Make sure they understand the steps involved in each project and wether or not they feel comfortable in executing those steps on their own with your guidance.
• Follow your child’s interests Encourage your children to explore some ideas based on interests they already have. Here’s a list of science books with projects based on things your child already loves!
• STEAM it up! STEAM projects rock the science fair!!! A great way to get kids to become more familiar with STEAM concepts it to pick science projects that crossover into art, math, engineering and more!  Two STEAM books to consider are  STEAM Kids Play and Learn (my book!) and   STEAM Kids ebook.  Both books will get you started with some great ideas!
• Read our Science Fair Mini Guide I created this mini guide to walk kids  through all the steps for completing their science fair project. You can check out the full guide here: 

Speak like a scientist! Science Vocabulary to use in your presentation

We’re almost ready to get to the projects! Before we begin, let’s review some science terms. In fact, using these terms in your science fair presentation will be sure to impress your friends and adults!

• When you watch, see, or notice something you are making an observation
• When you ask who, what, when, where, why, or how, you are forming a question  
• When you read a book or an article about your observation, you are doing research
• When you make a guess based on your observation, question, and research, you are forming a hypothesis
• When you test your hypothesis, you are conducting an experiment
• When you change one factor in your experiment at a time while keeping everything else the same, you are changing a variable
• When you take notes in your journal and write down what you see happening in your experiment, you are logging data  
• When you examine, or look at, your data, you are analyzing it
• When you are able answer your question, you are coming to a conclusion

30+ Science Fair Projects for Kids 

Now let’s get on with the science fair projects! I have organized the projects by age/grade level. Click the titles to be taken to the project instructions, unless the instructions follow below.

If you’d rather have the science fair projects list organized by subject you can download our hyperlinked PDF by subscribing to our email list here .

Kindergarten-1st Grade Science Fair Projects

1.  lemon volcano.

Skip the vinegar volcano and try lemon juice! Kids will learn about the chemical reaction between citric acid and baking soda.

2. DIY Bouncy Balls

Learn about polymers while making a DIY toy!  This variation on slime uses a few simple ingredients. <span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>

3. Shiny Pennies

A classic experiment that kids love is Shiny Pennies . Collect dirty tarnished pennies and have kids soak them for a minimum of 5 minutes in different acidic liquids. We used vinegar, salsa, lime juice, and lemon juice.  After soaking, remove them from the solution and rinse in soapy water then compare which ones are shiniest. Take notes on which acid worked best to shine the pennies. Variation: Don’t rinse all the pennies after removing them from the different liquids. Can you see a difference in the rinsed vs. non-rinsed pennies? Leave them overnight and see if any of the copper oxidizes (turns green) on the non-rinsed pennies.

pictured above: Regrowing vegetable scraps, DIY Stethoscope, Simple Circuit

4.  Regrow Vegetable Scraps

Did you know you can start an entire garden from vegetable scraps? It works indoors too!

5.  DIY Stethoscope

Make your own stethoscope from a few hardware store parts.

6.  Simple Circuit

For all tech centered kids: Learn how to make a very simple circuit from easy to find items.

pictured above: Chromatography Butterflies, Rainbow Rubber Eggs, Exploring Density with Salt

7. Chromatography 3 Ways

Chromatography is the process of separating mixtures, in this case we will be separating ink into different colors.

• How to do the Classic Chromatography Project The simplest kids chromatography project using paper towels
• Chromatography Art Turn chromatography strips into a woven paper art project!
• Chromatography Butterflies Learn how to separate colors and create a sweet science based craft!

8. Exploring Density with Salt

Why don’t oil and water mix? Find out with this density experiment inspired by Lava Lamps!

9. Rainbow Rubber Eggs

Rubber eggs are another classic science project that kids love. And it’s so easy! I mean does dropping an egg in vinegar and coming back in a few days sound do-able?

2nd-4th grade Science Fair Projects

10. magic rollback can.

You just can’t get rid of this physics project! This project explores the difference between potential and kinetic energy. <span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>

pictured above: Bleeding Blossoms, Teleidoscopes, Density Tower

11. Absorption 2 Ways

• Bleeding Blossoms Explore capillary action and absorption in this science meets art project.
• Magical Water Blossoms Make beautiful blossoming paper flowers with the help of absorption. This project has a simple wow moment that everyone enjoys watching.

12.  Teleidoscopes

A teleidoscope is a kaliedoscpe without an end. This means you can use it to view anything and everything. Look through one of these and you will be amazed!

13. Density Towers 2 Ways:

Yes, you can layer liquids on top of each other without them mixing! This is a classic project and kids can customize the liquids they choose to layer.

• Simple Layered Liquids Learn how to make a simple density tower out of kitchen ingredients and then turn it into a lava lamp!
• Glowing Density Tower This density tower has a bonus science surprise: it glows under UV light!

14.  Magnet Magic

Make a simple hanging magnet structure and explore the magic of magnetism.

pictured above: Chromatography Art, Dry Erase Figure, Overnight Crystals

15. Make a Lemon Battery and a Lime Light

Did you know that a chemical reaction can generate electricity?

16.  Electric Playdough

AKA Squishy Circuits, this project will demonstrate that salt and water conduct electricity!

17. Simple Sound Science

Explore the science of sound with these 4 experiments, then use your knowledge to make your own DIY instrument!

pictured above: Magnetic Sensory Bottle, Magical Plastic Bag, Cartesian Divers

18.  Magnetic Field Sensory Bottle

This will surely be a hit at the Science Fair! Watch metal particles dance and move under the influence of powerful magnets!

19.  Magical Plastic Bag Experiment

It’s not magic, it’s polymers! This easy science fair project uses a minimum of materials but demonstrates how everyday polymers work.

20.  Cartesian Divers

A classic science experiment exploring buoyancy. Make “diver” swim up and down in a bottle using science.

21. Water Drop Microscope

Did you know you can make simple microscope from a plastic bottle and water? This project teaches kids to turn trash into a science tool!

22. Spinning Tops

Learn about centrifugal force and friction with one of these three spinning tops ideas!

• Spin Art Tops
• Spin-finite Tops
• Perler Bead Tops

23. Kinetic Sculpture

Make you own moving sculpture while learning about cams and gears!

<span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>

Science Fair Projects for 5th Grade and up

pictured above: Crystal landscapes, Tiny Dancers, Coffee Can Camera Obscura

24. Crystals 3 Ways:

• Overnight Crystals Grow Epsom salt crystals overnight in your refrigerator.
• Crystal Wind Catchers Borax crystals are SUPER easy to grow! Turn them into a lovely dangling wind catcher.
• Crystal Landscapes A more advanced crystal growing experiment using bluing and salt but WOW, these are gorgeous!

25.  Tiny Dancers

These are actually a very simple motor! Kids will learn about electromagnetism by building this motor that can “dance.”

26.  Coffee Can Camera Obscura

Make a simple camera obscura out of an old coffee can.

pictured above: Heat Sensitive Slime, Levitating Pen

27. Heat Sensitive Slime

Click your slime chemistry up a notch by adding in thermochromic paint!

28.  Levitating Pen

Make a pen appear to levitate using a magnet!

29.  Newton’s Cradle

Featured on Dude Perfect! I made one of these for the science fair back in the 1980’s…This science “toy” is mesmerizing for kids and adults alike!

pictured above: Electromagnetic Train, Fake Lung, Articulated Hand

30.  Electromagnetic Train

Incredible display of electricity and magnetism!

31.  Fake Lung

For kids interested in life science and biology, make a model of how our lungs work for the science fair.

32.  Articulated Hand

Another one for biology oriented kids, explore how our joints move by creating an articulated hand.

33. Salty Circuits

In this simple circuit project, kids will create an electrical circuit using salt to conduct electricity and power a light emitting diode (LED).

Are you ready for the science fair?

Whether your child has never participated in the science fair or is an old pro, I hope the science fair projects here will inspire them to have fun, explore science, and get creative the same time.

And if you still need MORE ideas I also have a giant list of chemistry projects for kids that would make amazing science fair starter projects!

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Pin It on Pinterest

Process Science

• Thermometers
• Balance Scales
• Length Measurement
• Hand Lenses
• Data Sheets
• Using Diagrams
• Draw Conclusions
• Observation vs. Inference
• Identify and Control Variables
• Using Graphs
• Time Measurement
• Liquid Measurement

Reading Levels

Hypotheses are statements that predict an outcome and provide a potential explanation for an experiment, based on prior knowledge. By using the resources below, students will learn about this important science skill and practice making good hypotheses.

• Print Unit Resource List PDF Project Unit Resource List Unit Resource List

Quick Reads

What Is a Hypothesis?

• Print What Is a Hypothesis? PDF Project What Is a Hypothesis? Printable Resources
• Preview What Is a Hypothesis? Digital

Process Activities

• Print Process Activity Materials Lists - All 5-6 units PDF Project Process Activity Materials Lists - All 5-6 units

• Print Hypotheses PDF Project Hypotheses  

Activity Sheets

Making a Hypothesis

• Print Making a Hypothesis PDF Project Making a Hypothesis  

Supporting Materials

Discussion cards.

Blank Discussion Cards

• Print Blank Discussion Cards PDF Project Blank Discussion Cards  
• Print Video Teaching Guide PDF Project Video Teaching Guide Video Teaching Guide

• Print discussion questions for FlipperBot PDF Discussion Questions
• Preview FlipperBot Video

Instructional Support

Standards and correlations.

• Next Generation Science Standards
• U.S. State Science Standards
• International Science Standards
• STEM Connections
• Common Core - ELA/Literacy
• FOSS Module Correlations
• Gizmos Correlations
• STEMscopes Correlations

Student Connections

• Get Students Started
• Get to Know the Student Portal
• Incentives & Awards
• Mobile Apps
• Parent Information
• Professional Development
• Live Webinars
• Recorded Webinars
• Video Library

Instructional Tools

• Projectables
• Helpful Tips
• Research and Efficacy
• Assignments Feature
• File Cabinet Feature
• Unit Roadmaps

Text Complexity

• Science A-Z and Text Complexity

Sign up to receive our eNews, updates, and offers.

Subscribe You may unsubscribe at any time.

• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences

Sciencing_Icons_Science SCIENCE

Sciencing_icons_biology biology, sciencing_icons_cells cells, sciencing_icons_molecular molecular, sciencing_icons_microorganisms microorganisms, sciencing_icons_genetics genetics, sciencing_icons_human body human body, sciencing_icons_ecology ecology, sciencing_icons_chemistry chemistry, sciencing_icons_atomic & molecular structure atomic & molecular structure, sciencing_icons_bonds bonds, sciencing_icons_reactions reactions, sciencing_icons_stoichiometry stoichiometry, sciencing_icons_solutions solutions, sciencing_icons_acids & bases acids & bases, sciencing_icons_thermodynamics thermodynamics, sciencing_icons_organic chemistry organic chemistry, sciencing_icons_physics physics, sciencing_icons_fundamentals-physics fundamentals, sciencing_icons_electronics electronics, sciencing_icons_waves waves, sciencing_icons_energy energy, sciencing_icons_fluid fluid, sciencing_icons_astronomy astronomy, sciencing_icons_geology geology, sciencing_icons_fundamentals-geology fundamentals, sciencing_icons_minerals & rocks minerals & rocks, sciencing_icons_earth scructure earth structure, sciencing_icons_fossils fossils, sciencing_icons_natural disasters natural disasters, sciencing_icons_nature nature, sciencing_icons_ecosystems ecosystems, sciencing_icons_environment environment, sciencing_icons_insects insects, sciencing_icons_plants & mushrooms plants & mushrooms, sciencing_icons_animals animals, sciencing_icons_math math, sciencing_icons_arithmetic arithmetic, sciencing_icons_addition & subtraction addition & subtraction, sciencing_icons_multiplication & division multiplication & division, sciencing_icons_decimals decimals, sciencing_icons_fractions fractions, sciencing_icons_conversions conversions, sciencing_icons_algebra algebra, sciencing_icons_working with units working with units, sciencing_icons_equations & expressions equations & expressions, sciencing_icons_ratios & proportions ratios & proportions, sciencing_icons_inequalities inequalities, sciencing_icons_exponents & logarithms exponents & logarithms, sciencing_icons_factorization factorization, sciencing_icons_functions functions, sciencing_icons_linear equations linear equations, sciencing_icons_graphs graphs, sciencing_icons_quadratics quadratics, sciencing_icons_polynomials polynomials, sciencing_icons_geometry geometry, sciencing_icons_fundamentals-geometry fundamentals, sciencing_icons_cartesian cartesian, sciencing_icons_circles circles, sciencing_icons_solids solids, sciencing_icons_trigonometry trigonometry, sciencing_icons_probability-statistics probability & statistics, sciencing_icons_mean-median-mode mean/median/mode, sciencing_icons_independent-dependent variables independent/dependent variables, sciencing_icons_deviation deviation, sciencing_icons_correlation correlation, sciencing_icons_sampling sampling, sciencing_icons_distributions distributions, sciencing_icons_probability probability, sciencing_icons_calculus calculus, sciencing_icons_differentiation-integration differentiation/integration, sciencing_icons_application application, sciencing_icons_projects projects, sciencing_icons_news news.

• Share Tweet Email Print
• Home ⋅
• Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids, Middle & High School Students ⋅

How to Write a Hypothesis of Magic Milk for 5th Grade

Food Coloring & Science Projects

The “magic milk” experiment is a great way to introduce children to scientific experimentation, and also writing hypotheses. According to Steve Spangler’s “Color Changing Milk,” milk is a mixture of protein, fat and nutrients suspended in a mostly water solution. Food coloring, which dissipates in water, is held in place by the fat and protein in the milk. The fat and protein react to disruptions in the milk. The dish soap disrupts the chemical bonds that hold them in solution because it forms a bond with the fat. “The molecules of fat bend, roll, twist, and contort in all directions as the soap molecules race around to join up with the fat molecules.” This activity pushes the colors around. Students should write a hypothesis about what the soap will do to the food coloring in the milk before they perform the experiment.

Instruct students that a hypothesis is a statement that can be tested. According to Access Excellence, it should guess at “how two variables might be related,” in a testable way.

Define the variables in the experiment. Hypotheses are often formed from observations. It is helpful for students to observe how food coloring acts in water, milk and oil before they attempt to write a hypothesis. Teach them that soap bonds with oil and fat. This is how it cleans dirty dishes. The variables in this experiment are the soap and the food coloring.

Identify which variable is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable. Access Excellence defines these as, “the independent variable is the one you, the ‘scientist’ control and the dependent variable is the one that you observe and/or measure the results.” In this case, the soap is the independent variable and the food coloring is the dependent variable.

Using the two variables, form an “if, then” statement. If I add soap to the milk, then the food coloring will mix with the milk. Students should make their best guess; hypotheses don’t have to be correct, just testable.

Perform the experiment as indicated in Steve Spangler’s “Color Changing Milk,” but only dip the cotton swab in the milk once or twice.

Revise the hypothesis if you wish to give the experiment more depth. A more formal hypothesis thinks in terms of how the variables are related to each other. If soap can make food coloring mix with milk, then adding more soap to the milk in different places will cause the food coloring to mix with the milk faster.

Repeat the experiment using a fresh batch of milk and food coloring. Use multiple cotton swabs and stick them in different places.

Things You'll Need

This experiment can be furthered by expanding the medium being used. Try it with buttermilk or nonfat milk. Try using pepper instead of food coloring. Try it using a clean cotton swab or toothpick. Talk about surface tension.

Students should be warned that although food coloring is not toxic, dish soap can be. Do not drink milk that has soap in it.

Related Articles

The difference between research questions & hypothesis, science fair projects on milk & food coloring, a science fair project on smell affecting taste, how to neutralize food coloring in water, last-minute science fair project ideas, how to make homemade glue out of milk for a science..., how to explain math answers, what are the independent variables for a moldy bread..., how to measure carbonation in soft drinks for a science..., how to extract dna from oranges, easy kids' science fair experiments about germs, how to write a testable hypothesis, how to do cool science experiments with rubbing alcohol..., how to make a 1% sucrose solution, how to grow a plant from a bean as a science project, does ice melt faster in water or soda, science fair project on clouds, how does urea denature proteins, how to do a science project step-by-step.

• “Color Changing Milk” Steve Spangler

About the Author

A resident of New Mexico, Deborah Brenna has been writing since 2003. She is an expert in gardening, home improvement, cooking, science, medicine and the outdoors. Brenna has a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in English from the University of New Mexico.

Photo Credits

BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images

5th Grade Science Fair Projects

Narrow your search.

• Aerodynamics
• Behavioral Social Science
• Earth Environmental Science
• Electricity
• Engineering
• Food Science
• Human Biology
• Life Science
• Microbiology
• Physical Science
• Water Cycle

• Which Gum Brand Lasts the Longest?

Chewing gum; while flavor is key when purchasing a pack of gum, another impo...

• Can Our Eyes Fool Our Taste Buds?

Photo Source: Rowan Frances Ever wonder if what we see influences our per...

Built To Last - Exploring Skyscraper Design wit...

Photo Source: buildinglegoswithchrist.blogspot.com Ever wonder what it take...

Beautiful Blooms: What Makes A Flower Last the ...

Photo Source: thebottomlessbag.blogspot.com Bouquets of beautiful blooms ar...

Does the Shape of an Ice Cube Affect How Quickl...

As Christine, Selah Junior High School student, watched the ice cubes in her ...

Shake It Up! - Which Soft Drink Spews The Most ...

Photo Source: blog.lib.umn.edu/paldr001/myblog/ We've all made the unfortun...

How Greasy Are Your Potato Chips?

Photo © 2010 espensorvik, Flickr If you've ever eaten a serving of chips, i...

• Mentos + Diet Coke - Pour Six Sodas At One Time!

Photo Source: stevespanglerscience.com Did you know you could harness the r...

Which Soft Drink is the Worst for Your Teeth?

Photo © 2006 Flickr, Rex Sorgatz We've all heard that consuming too much so...

• Keeping Drinks Hot

Whether you're a coffee, tea, or cocoa drinker, if you plan to enjoy a hot be...

Nail Polish: Price vs. Quality

Ever wonder how drug store brand nail polishes stack up to salon quality pro...

• Recycled Water - Does It Effect Plant Growth?

For students interested in botany, ecology, and recycling, this science fair ...

Hydroponics - What is the Best Liquid for Germi...

Photo Source: www.kew.org If your upper elementary/middle school student is...

All That Glows - Exploring Fluorescence

Photo Source: howstuffworks.com Black lights are not only neat, they can ac...

Pizza Box Solar Oven

Photo Source: Simon Fraser University If you're interested in cooking and a...

Tornado in a Box

Photo Source: instagram.com | hardroadlilly We were inspired by this Instag...

• Harnessing the Sun's Rays for Cooking

Solar energy is a low-cost technology that can be used to heat homes, power ...

Does Eye Color Affect Peripheral Vision?

Photo © 2009 Mikleman, Flickr Reading a book. Riding a bike. Driving a car....

Video Games and Your Heart Rate

Photo ©2011 Microsoft Sweden, Flickr Perfect for the upper elementary/early...

How Clean is the Air You Breathe?

While it may seem to the naked eye that the air we breathe is clean and clea...

Music To My Heart

Photo © 2008 Fe Ilya, Flickr Ever wonder if different styles of music affec...

Making Batteries from Fruits & Vegetables

Photo © 2008 Rob Nunn, Flickr Did you know that you can use real fruits and...

Egg in a Bottle

Photo © 2006 RatRanch, Flickr This egg in a bottle project from Science Fai...

Fun with Popcorn - Which Brand Pops the Most Ke...

Photo ©2009 Vegan Feast Catering, Flickr Talk about having the best-smellin...

Font and Memory

Class syllabuses. Handouts. Lecture notes and presentations. Throughout the ...

Microwaves and Plants

Photo ©2007 Tim Patterson, Flickr You're probably wondering what kind of sc...

Why Does Popcorn 'Pop'?

Photo Source: Lucian Muset Popcorn is a delicious snack, but have you ever ...

How Age Affects Hand-Eye Coordination

Photo Source: Paul Moore We need hand-eye coordination to perform many basi...

Static Electricity & Jumping Cereal

Photo Source: the-science-mom.com Great for early elementary students inter...

Which Antacid Can Neutralize the Most Stomach A...

Photo © 2009 Shawn Campbell, Flickr While elementary and middle school aged...

Does A Person's Favorite Snack Say Anything Abo...

After encountering Dr. Alan Hirsch's book, What Flavor is Your Personality? D...

Phototropism: Why Do Plants Grow Toward Light?

For those elementary students interested in botany, this cool experiment fro...

Can Baking Soda Substitute for Baking Powder?

Photo © 2011 Isabelle Palatin, Flickr Ever been dreaming about your mom's f...

Under Pressure: Ball Bouncing Dynamics

Photo Source: Harold E. Edgerton Ask any sports enthusiast and they'll read...

Plants and Rooting Hormone: Is It Effective?

Photo Source: ewainthegarden.blogspot.com For all the future botanists out ...

Off Balance: Music & Dizziness

Photo Source: Christopher Urstitti It's no secret that when we get spun aro...

Mnemonics & Memory

Photo © 2009 digitalbob8, Flickr If you've ever studied for a big test, hav...

Top 10 Best 5th Grade Science Fair Projects [Updated 2020]

• Built To Last - Exploring Skyscraper Design with Legos
• Beautiful Blooms: What Makes A Flower Last the Longest?
• Does the Shape of an Ice Cube Affect How Quickly it Melts?
• Hydroponics - What is the Best Liquid for Germinating Seeds?