research project ideas for grade 5

Bell Ringers

Independent research projects in upper elementary, independent research projects in upper elementary ela.

Every year, I plan to give my students more choice, voice, and independent project work. Of course, we also have to deal with state testing and loads of other requirements. However, giving your students independent research projects not only helps them demonstrate learning and mastery of standards, it also gives them some choices and ability to share their own unique voice! Here are some independent research projects in upper elementary ELA that your 4th through 6th graders will love!

Genius Hour

You may have heard of Genius Hour or Passion Projects. Genius Hour is considered project-based learning, and it starts with a question. Students choose their own research question about anything really, and they study it at least an hour a week. After reading/researching about their question, their final project can be something as simple as an explanatory slideshow or building their own dollhouse. The possibilities are endless.

Genius Hour can require some scaffolding at the beginning. For example, you may ask your students to research a question related to a certain topic. If you’re reading Watsons Go to Birmingham, for example, they may ask a question surrounding the Civil Rights Movement or the 1960s. The topics can be open-ended to give the students some choice but still have an overarching theme.

Once students get practice researching and coming up with their own final project, they can choose a Genius Hour topic about anything. Some example questions may include:

• How do I promote healthy eating in elementary school?
• How do I prepare for middle school?
• What is the best place to take a family vacation, and how can I plan one for my family?
• How do you start a small business as a student?

Genius Hour gives students choice and voice in the classroom, and you’ll love learning about their passions!

Author Studies

This is one of my favorite projects to use for upper elementary ELA students! I first implemented this project with fifth graders after state testing. This is the perfect time of year for an independent study, and it reinforces reading, writing, and research concepts used throughout the school year!

This project includes almost everything you need for your students to complete a research project on the author of their choosing . It sets them up to brainstorm, research, take notes, plan, and then complete a research paper on their selected authors. I have also made sure to leave some of the note-taking more generic so that you and your students can use as little or as many pages as they need.

Start by giving students the included list of possible authors to research or let them choose their own. This author may already be a favorite or one they want to know more about! Once the author is chosen, your job is to facilitate. Remind them of resources to use for research, note-taking skills and options, and let them learn and explore!

The author study resource includes everything your students need to get started. You’ll have the author examples, note sheets, rubrics, and an example research paper to help guide your instruction and student learning!

Differentiate by having students work in groups to research an author together or study different authors within the same genre. This is also a great way to culminate literature circles by having students research the author they read!

These independent research projects in upper elementary ELA are some of my favorites to provide choice while differentiating for all learners. What research projects have you tried in your ELA classroom?

• Read more about: Upper Elementary Reading

You might also like...

Reading and Writing Activities for Back to School in Middle School ELA

Teaching Reading Skills with Louis Sachar’s Holes

The Best Novels to Read with Sixth Grade

Get your free middle school ela pacing guides with completed scopes and sequences for the school year..

My ELA scope and sequence guides break down every single middle school ELA standard and concept for reading, writing, and language in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Use the guides and resources exactly as is or as inspiration for you own!

Meet Martina

I’m a Middle School ELA teacher committed to helping you improve your teaching & implement systems that help you get everything done during the school day!

Let's Connect

Member login.

PRIVACY POLICY 

 TERMS OF USE

WEBSITE DISCLAIMERS

MEMBERSHIP AGREEEMENT

© The Hungry Teacher • Website by KristenDoyle.co • Contact Martina

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.

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

Fahrenheit 451: Book Review for Teachers

Best Outdoor Learning Activities for Teachers: Taking the Classroom Outside

Effective Classroom Management Techniques for New Teachers

Become a buddy..

Join 500+ teachers getting free goodies every week. 📚

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Have you seen our latest free teacher workshop?

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

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

Cool Science Experiments Headquarters

Making Science Fun, Easy to Teach and Exciting to Learn!

Science Experiments

25 Cool Science Fair Projects for 5th Graders

Kids learn best when they are able to connect ideas and concepts through hands-on learning and it’s even better if they can do it while having fun! We’ve compiled a list of fun science experiments and science projects that are perfect for your next 5th grade science fair or anytime.

Many of these 5th grade science fair projects are easy to set up, quick to perform, and use inexpensive, readily available materials found almost anywhere. Plus, we include helpful preparation questions and a clear, easy to understand explanation of “why it works” with every tutorial.

Science Fair Project Difficulty Level and Required Materials –  Our list includes the following ratings to help you quickly and easily find the best science fair experiment or science lab activity for you.

Experiment Difficulty:

• Simple: Quick to perform experiments that can be done anytime without much advance planning 
• Moderate: Experiments that take longer to perform or take more time to prepare for or set up 
• Challenging: Higher commitment experiments requiring more preparation, longer performance time, and more effort

Materials Required:

• Simple: Requiring only a few basic items from the supply closet or items found in most homes 
• Moderate: Inexpensive, readily available materials found almost anywhere for easy purchase 
• Challenging: Needs special items that might require items to be ordered in advance or that are more expensive

Investigate Density with Floating and Sinking Soda Pop Cans

Collect your materials and investigate density in action. Be sure all your soda cans are the same shape, size and volume, and that you have a variety of different types of pop, both regular and diet. The activity takes only about 5 minutes to perform after set up and is a simple, yet effective density experiment with exciting results.

Questions: Do you think all the cans will sink or float when placed in water? Do you think they will all behave the same way? Experiment Difficulty: Moderate Materials Required: Moderate Experiment Details & Lab Kit: Floating and Sinking Soda Pop Cans 

Explore Pitch By Making a Wine Glass Sing

With only two supplies needed (a wine glass and water), this experiment is super easy and fun to perform. Kids can explore and test how the pitch and volume of sound changes by changing a few variables.

Questions: What do you think makes the wine glass sing? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: How to Make a Wine Glass Sing 

Test the Earth’s Magnetic Field with a Needle Compass

This is a super simple experiment, is quick to perform, and only requires a few materials. Make your own compass then test magnetism, magnetic poles, and the Earth’s magnetic field.

Questions: What makes the needle function like a compass? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Floating Needle Compass

Investigate Atmospheric Change as you Make a Cloud Form in a Jar 

Explore the physical changes and reactions that happen as clouds form within the atmosphere with this easy to perform experiment. Watch in amazement as you watch a cloud begin to take form inside a glass jar. Includes a chart to explore the different types of clouds and where they form in the sky.

Questions: How do clouds form in the atmosphere? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Make a Cloud Form in a Jar

Discover Buoyancy and Test Density as the Orange Floats

Experimenting with objects to determine what will float and what will sink allows students to explore and test density while learning more about buoyancy. It’s a quick experiment that will only take a few minutes to perform with only a few needed materials.

Questions: Why does the heavier orange float? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Orange Float

Musical Jars Investigate Sound Waves and Pitch

Investigate and explore pitch, sound waves, and more as you make your own simple musical instrument. Easy to set up and easy to perform with glass jars, water, and a metal spoon. Food coloring is optional.

Questions: Why do the jars make different sounds? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Moderate Experiment Details: Musical Jars 

Make Hair Stand on End with Static Electricity 

Students explore static electricity while having a great time with the science behind this experiment. Learn how to change an object’s charge and see the results in action with only a few items and an assistant with long hair.

Questions: How does static electricity make hair stand on end? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Hair Stand on End 

Explore How Liquid Viscosity Impacts Magnetic Attraction

Students learn about magnetic attraction, resistance, and viscosity through this simple experiment. Use a variety of different liquids to test the concept and your theory.

Questions: Does the type of liquid in a glass impact a magnet’s attraction? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Moderate Experiment Details: How Liquid Viscosity Impacts Magnetic Attraction

Colorful Exploration of Capillary Action

Students can observe the water walking AND changing color with only a few supplies you probably already have in your kitchen. The water in this simple experiment appears to defy gravity and change colors like magic while you learn about capillary action, attraction, and cohesive forces.

Questions: Is it possible for the water to move into the empty glass? What happens to the color of the water?  Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Color Changing Walking Water

“See Sound” When You Investigate Sound Waves

Using just a few common household materials, you can explore sound and answer the question, “Is it possible to see sound?” Students investigate the properties of sound waves and demonstrate how to see them in action with this easy, yet impressive experiment. 

Questions: Is it possible to see sound? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: How to See Sound

Explore Convection Currents in Action

With a few drops of food coloring, cooking oil, and a candle you can explore and observe convection currents in action. In this simple yet exciting science experiment, kids explore the concepts of convection and density as they watch convection currents in motion. Adult supervision is advised since this experiment requires fire. 

Questions: Can heat cause movement? Experiment Difficulty: Moderate Materials Required: Moderate Experiment Details: Convection – How Heat Moves

Investigate Air Pressure with Ping Pong Balls

This simple, yet fascinating experiment leaves students amazed with the results. Test Bernoulli’s principle, air pressure and more when learning how it works.

Questions: Does air pressure affect stationary objects? Experiment Difficulty: Moderate Materials Required: Moderate Experiment Details: Air Pressure Impact on Ping Pong Balls

Create Your Own Balloon Rocket

This simple and fun science experiment demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion while exploring Action and Reaction. Using simple materials, students learn how air movement can propel balloon like a rocket!

Questions: Does air pressure affect stationary objects? Experiment Difficulty: Moderate Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Balloon Rocket

Blow Up a Balloon with a Simple Chemical Reaction 

Using everyday items, this impressive science experiment demonstrates how to blow up a balloon while exploring a simple chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar.

Questions: Is it possible to blow up a balloon without using your mouth? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Balloon Blow Up

Test Polymers with Water That Doesn’t Leak

This quick and easy science experiment tests the properties of polymers in a fun and exciting way. Using only three materials found in almost every home, students can see if they can poke holes through a full bag of water without any water leaking out. 

Questions: Is it possible to poke holes in a bag of water without it leaking? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Water Doesn’t Leak

Explore Density with Oil Bubbles

Although oil and water don’t mix, students can learn about density and a little bit of chemistry as they watch oil bubbles form with just a few common kitchen items.

Questions: What happens when you add salt to oil and water? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Oil Bubbles in Water

Test Air Pressure with An Upside Down Glass of Water

It only requires a glass, a thick piece of paper or cardstock, and water to test the strength of air pressure! But, how does air pressure make it possible to turn a full glass of water upside down without it spilling? Find out how with this impressive experiment.

Questions: What happens if you turn a full glass of water upside down? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Upside Down Glass of Water

Explore Density with Your Own Cartesian Bottle Diver

Test and demonstrate the properties of density and how it impacts an object’s ability to sink or float when you create a bottle diver out of everyday materials found at home. 

Questions: Is it possible to make an object sink and float in water? Experiment Difficulty: Moderate Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Bottle Diver

Test and See Viscosity in Action

Define and investigate, and test viscosity while you predict how an object reacts in liquids with different properties. 

Questions: How does the consistency of a liquid impact how long it will take a marble to sink in a jar of liquid? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Viscosity of Liquids

Investigate Bernoulli’s Principle with Floating Ping Pong Balls

Enjoy learning about gravity, force, and air pressure while making ping pong balls float. This experiment allows students to test and make observations as you test and consider Bernoulli’s Principle with ping pong balls and other objects. Note: The air from the hairdryer in this experiment can get hot, so please use caution as needed.

Questions: What makes it possible for the ping pong ball to float in the air? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Floating Ping Pong Balls

Test and Observe Refraction As a Ruler Changes Sizes

This simple experiment is fun and exciting to demonstrate. Students explore how light travels through different mediums as well as how and why it bends and reacts in different liquids.

Questions: Why does the ruler appear to change sizes when placed in different liquids? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Moderate Experiment Details: Ruler Changes Sizes

Explore Hydrothermal Vents and Density with an Underwater Volcano

This is a fun volcano experiment with an underwater twist. Students create an impressive visual demonstration while testing the scientific fact that hot water rises and cold water sinks. It is a simple way to explore the concept of hydrothermal vents.

Questions: What makes the bottle react like an underwater volcano? Experiment Difficulty: Moderate Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Underwater Volcano

Keep a Paper Towel Dry Underwater and Demonstrate the Volume of Air

It might not seem possible to keep a paper towel dry underwater, but science proves that it is! This simple experiment helps students explore the volume of air and density with an impressive visual.

Questions: Is it possible to submerge a paper towel in water without it getting wet? Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Dry Paper Towel 

Test Temporary Magnets with a Paperclip Chain

This quick and easy science experiment only takes minutes to set up and perform, but the result seems magical. Using simple science, students explore magnet transference as they demonstrate the power of temporary magnets with an impressive paperclip chain. 

Questions: What makes it possible to create a paperclip chain simply by touching them together end on end?  Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Moderate Experiment Details: Paperclip Chain 

Investigate Freezing Temperatures When You Pick Up Ice with a String

Demonstrate the power of freezing points with this quick and easy 3-minute science experiment. Students test freshwater versus saltwater as they experiment with freezing temperatures.

Questions: What makes it possible to pick up ice with only a string?  Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Moderate Experiment Details: Pick Up Ice with a String 

Make an Arrow Changes Direction with Light Refraction

Using only paper and a glass of water, science can explain how an arrow can change directions right before your eyes! This visually impressive experiment is so quick and easy to perform while students demonstrate the properties of light refraction.

Questions: Is it possible to use water and light to change the direction of an arrow?  Experiment Difficulty: Simple Materials Required: Simple Experiment Details: Light Refraction

You may also be interested in:

• Easy Science Experiments – 35 cool experiments you can easily do today
• Science Lab Kits – Over 50 easy to do science labs

Reader Interactions

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.

• Privacy Policy
• Disclosure Policy

Copyright © 2024 · Cool Science Experiments HQ

K-12 Internet Resource Center

Free PreK-12 lesson plans, activities, and resources

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

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.

Attributes: 4-5

Resource Link:  https://www.weareteachers.com/5th-grade-science-projects/

• Grade Levels
• Search Site
• Grade 5 >>

Grade 5 Research Project Worksheets

Related ela standard: w.5.7.

This is the grade level where we let our students loose to see what they can accomplish on their own. Students have learned the skills that they need to prepare themselves for researching and deciding on their own plans to conduct and analyze research. At this grade level we find that most teachers focus on science centered research which is very logical and forth right because most of them will be taking their focus in that direction. These worksheets ask students to use all that they have learned over the years and work towards solving relevant practices of research.

Grade 5 Research Worksheets To Print:

Is Global Warming Real? – Is this really still a valid question?

Research Plan – Get the "Sea of Information" piece?

Before You Move... – Time to find some sources to validate your point.

Plan Your Report – You should do this every time you want to write a report on anything.

Animal Kingdom – We look at the six most common sources.

Planning A Biography – Choose a famous person that interests you. Research that person's life.

Video Games – Can you learn important skills by playing video games? Or are video games bad for you?

Big Steps – Answer the first four questions. Conduct your research. Then answer the last question.

Made In... – Every day we use and purchase items without giving much thought to where they came from. Which country produces the most material goods?

Researching Careers – Deciding what career you want to have is a big decision. Different careers require different temperaments and different levels of education.

A Day in the Life – Choose one of the topics below. Circle it. Then fill out the worksheet.

Parenthood – Write an essay about what you think it will be like to be a parent. Your ideas should be supported by research.

Greek Myths – Choose one of the Greek Gods below and research them. Fill in the diagram. Then write a descriptive essay about the god you chose.

A Moment in Time – Think like a photojournalist. What kind of image would capture the event that you researched? Draw the image in the box.

Research Checklist – This one is great to laminate and keep around all the time.

How to Organize a Research Project?

Successful completion of a research project is one of the hardest tasks for anyone in their academic career. The modern and advanced curricula all across the world focuses on building a student's research execution skills from an elementary level so that the students do not face difficulty in their academic life afterwards. Initially, students are given topics to research on and strengthen their own idea about that topic from their research. Later this practice goes on to become harder with students choosing their topics themselves and going on to complete their research papers and publishing them in peer reviewed journals and so on.

However, irrespective of its kind and difficulty level, a research project is expected to follow an organized pattern to be successfully completed. The steps included in organizing all research projects are as follows:

Selection of a Topic

First of all, think of one broad topic you already have a strong grip on and interest in. Now do some basic reading and search about the trends and aspects of the idea you selected and narrow it down to one specific point you want to do your research project on. Be clear about the topic and read as much as possible about what is already there on it. After reading, you will be able to find various hidden and less-researched aspects of your topic - choose any one of them and think what will you do and how.

Dig in and Search for Your Required Material

Now that you know what to do, try to find the maximum possible amount of data from the relevant researches done on the same topic in various ways over time. Read everything you obtain from the internet and during the course of your reading, you might find the ideas for how to do your research.

Now execute your actual research and take rough notes for your results and experiences. After all of that is done, you can write a paper easily.

Teachers: Upgrade Now

• Print all 25,000+ worksheets
• All grade levels and topics
• Save endless hours of your time...
• Answers to everything too!

Get FREE English Worksheets In Your Email

• How We Are Aligned To The Common Core
• Educator Resources
• Privacy Policy
• Newsletters

© English Worksheets Land . All rights reserved.

Research Topics for 5th Graders

Martha mendenhall.

Fifth Graders can do simple research projects and papers on a variety of topics. Offer them the opportunity to find out more about a famous person, a location such as an American state or an ancient city, an invention or landmark or a current event. Students can learn to gather research from books, magazines, newspapers and the internet, as well as document their findings with citations and footnotes.

Explore this article

• The History of…
• Current Events

1 Biography

Students choose a famous person of past or present. Have them consider the realms of politics, sports, film/TV, business, medicine, humanitarian interests, the military or other fields where individuals have made a significant contribution. Students can choose a modern day personality they greatly admire or someone from the past they would like to know more about. Have them research the details of this person’s life and require that they utilize more than one source for their research. You might decide to have them focus only on a particular time in the person’s life, narrowing the time period that students need to research.

Students can research statistics and points of interest about cities, states or countries. For example, students could each choose a separate state and research a list of questions relating to topics such as the history of the state, its population, its industries, natural resources and geographic description. Students could also research ancient cities and civilizations using a similar format. Consider assigning the creation of a map of the selected research location in addition to the written researched material .

3 The History of…

How did the celebration of Mardi Gras get started in New Orleans? Where did the Grand Canyon come from? What was the very first computer? Who invented baseball? The Yo-Yo? Chewing Gum? Students can research the origins of an event, a landmark, an invention, sport , toy or food. Have them choose a topic that really intrigues them, potentially answering a question that they have wondered about. In this way, students are making the real life connection between having an interest in or question about something and researching that topic in order to find out the answer.

4 Current Events

Students can learn to use the information available in magazines, newspapers and online when they choose a current event as a topic for research. Have a "Current Events Day" in your class and introduce some topics of local, national and international significance to your students. Share with them a variety of sources for each topic. As of this writing, students might consider researching events such the uprising in Egypt, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan or the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Students could also research the upcoming presidential election of 2012 and the effects of the ongoing economic recession on American citizens.

• 1 Pro Teacher Community: Help—Research Paper for 5th Grade!!

Related Articles

Cultural Heritage Projects for Kids

Activities for Black History Month for Upper-Grades...

Children's Research Projects for the Third Grade

Ancient Egypt Sixth-Grade Project Ideas

Informative Writing Topics for the 5th Grade

Greek Mythology Writing Activities for Middle School

Topics for Fourth-Grade Research Papers

School Projects on National Monuments

Ideas for a French Project

French Oral Presentation Ideas

2nd Grade School Activities on the First Thanksgiving

5th Grade Solar System Project Ideas

High School History Projects on the Industrial Revolution

1st Grade Lesson Plans on George Washington

How to Make a Fake Mummy's Tomb

African History Essay Topics

Pioneer Life School Projects

What Are Some Things Hawaii Is Famous for?

How to Write an Analytical Research Essay

How to Teach Ancient Greek History to Fifth Grade

Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers.

• Accessibility
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Copyright Policy
• Manage Preferences

© 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer .

• 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!

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

Universities, like banks, are too big to fail

Opinion | i’m a college president and i hope my campus is even more political this year, revolutionizing education through school-based healthcare, state set to revolutionise varsity education, funding, christian formation for the ‘toolbelt generation’, marie lynn miranda: public higher education is essential to training our future workforce, hear what the nation’s top student podcasters have to say, teaching students about socialism, teaching students about naturalism, teaching students about heartwood, 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, the edvocate podcast, episode 3: why teacher shortages occur.

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

The Edvocate Podcast, Episode 1: 8 Attributes of Successful Digital Age Teachers

The Edvocate’s List of 31 Apps, Tools and Games That Teach Kids to Code

High school anatomy apps, tools, and resources that we love.

Why Climate Change Education Belongs in Every Curriculum

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

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Science Struck

Amazing 5th Grade Science Fair Projects That are Kid-friendly

5th graders are inquisitive, curious, and willing to experiment with what fascinates them. Science projects give students a chance to understand complex, scientific phenomena through simple experiments. Encourage this need to learn, discover and prod, by introducing them to these fascinating ideas for 5th grade science fair projects.

Like it? Share it!

Science fairs are a gateway to an opportunity where students can display their work proudly, by using various materials that mind-boggle those who chance upon each stall. It’s not only a valuable learning experience, it’s a chance to sharpen their communication skills at a young age; they will be nervous at first while speaking, but it will slowly come naturally once they get into the flow of explaining what their project is about.

5th graders are abuzz with energy and are open to all sorts of things, where science becomes an instant favorite as a subject, as they grow. Devising project ideas for fifth graders shouldn’t be very difficult, since children of this age are eager to experiment.

Kids have questions about the world and are interested to know about why things happen the way they do. They are so enthusiastic, that they’ll do anything to satisfy their hunger for knowledge. They’ll dirty themselves in muck to collect earthworms, enter turbid waters to closely inspect ‘aquatic’ life, or climb tall trees to examine a bird’s nest. Their craving for learning is insatiable where it’s best to channelize this curiosity in the right direction, by encouraging them to participate in science fairs, exhibitions, and project competitions. These 5th grade science fair projects, will teach them how the things around us aren’t as ordinary as they seem.

5th Grade Science Fair Project Ideas

Magical frost.

Things Required

• A cup and a ½ of Epsom salts
• 2 cups of water
• A glass saucepan
• 2½ tablespoons of powdered laundry detergent
• A paint brush
• A medium-sized sheet of ordinary glass
• 2 oz. of dextrin (a.k.a, baked corn starch – optional)

Procedure Step 1 : Place the glass saucepan over a medium flame on the stove, and pour into this the two cups of water.

Step 2 : Wait for the water to start bubbling before adding the Epsom salts. Stir thoroughly for about 30 seconds until some of the salts dissolve, leaving the rest settled at the bottom of the saucepan.

Step 3 : Take the saucepan off the heat and stir into this, the powdered laundry detergent and dextrin.

Step 4 : Wait for the water to cool down, before using the paint brush to slather the mixture across the glass sheet; leave it aside to dry. If this is too messy, a good alternative would be to pour the mixture in a shallow tub before submerging the glass sheet into it. Leave the tub in a sunlit area for the glass sheet to dry faster, while the excess water evaporates. The result will be a frosted glass with vivid detailing.

What Kids Will Learn

Kids will learn how Epsom salts upon drying, will crystallize to form frost-like deposits across the glass, as it coalesces with the other ingredients to form a stiff bonding. The glass can be used as a decorative piece in the classroom, or at home where it can be on display for all to see post the science fair.

Jack and the Beanstalk

• A handful of beans
• Watering can
• Rubber gloves
• Paper and colored pencils

Procedure Step 1 : Choose any kind of beans that you’d like to plant (mung beans, for example), and let kids place these in individual pots. Teach them the importance of using gloves while potting and handling plants, to avoid contaminating their hands.

Step 2 : Using an index finger, create little holes in the mud, spacing them apart so that the beans have enough room to grow.

Step 3 : Once the beans are tucked into their little mud pockets, cover them up by sliding mud across these openings.

Step 4 : Pat the soil gently for a few seconds (to even it out), and then pour a little water into the pot from the watering can. Leave it on a windowsill that receives plenty of sunlight, and have kids water it twice daily during school hours. Have them record their observations by drawing it on paper, and marking each day’s date as well.

Kids will learn about how plants grow, and what it takes to nurture them into full-grown spectacles. It will ‘sow’ in their hearts the desire to plant something on their own at home, where parents can play a major role in encouraging this particular interest. Beans aren’t the only things that can be experimented with. Try fast-blooming plant varieties like marigolds and cosmos.

Magnified Beauty

• A bunch of colorful leaves
• Large magnifying glass

Procedure Step 1 : Tear a leaf into half (or scrape the top of it), and stain the exposed edge with a single drop of red dye.

Step 2 : Sandwich the leaf between two microscope slides, and have students record their observations under the microscope.

Step 3 : They will notice how intricate the inside of a leaf is, as the red dye highlights the transparent bits. It is truly a sight to behold for a 5th grader.

Step 4 : After this experiment, take students out into an area where there is an abundance of plant life, and using magnifying glasses, have them record their observations by analyzing flowers, leaves, or even insects.

Kids will learn about the marvels of nature and how plants look ordinary to the naked eye, but are in fact a whole different story when closely examined. Help them identify the plants that they chance upon, using a reference book that enlists all kinds of flowers and non-flowering plants. The microscope experiment can be used to examine not just leaves, but petals as well.

Handmade Sundial

• 1 sturdy stick
• A handful of pebbles

Procedure Step 1 : Find a sunny spot to carry out the experiment, whether it’s at the beach, a backyard, or school playground. Bury the stick in the mud / sand and have kids take notice of the shadow it casts.

Step 2 : Explain to them how the shadow will start to shift, depending on the movement of the sun’s rays, much like that of an old-fashioned sundial. Showing them what a sundial looks like beforehand, will make them understand the experiment better.

Step 3 : Track the shadow’s movement by keeping a clock on hand, marking the time in a notebook before placing a pebble where the shadow of the stick falls.

Step 4 : Tell kids to check on the dial every 3 hours, marking the time in their notebooks along with a diagram of the sundial. They must also place a row of pebbles along the length of the stick’s shadow, and draw the number (that signifies the time) in the mud / sand using a pencil. They must be whole numbers, so that they can create a sundial that has a complete rotation of 9 – 12 – 3 – 6 – 9.

Kids will learn a fun way of telling the time, and can create their own kind of sundial at home using creative materials. Parents / teachers can help them put a sundial together for the science fair project, using things like cardboard, paint, stickers, glitter, and other imaginative add-ons.

Color-Changing Marvel

• Celery stalk (or any light-colored flower on its stem)
• Food coloring (any one color)
• Tall glass of water

Procedure Step 1 : In a glass of water, add 3 tablespoons of desired food coloring, briefly stirring the solution so that the water is a solid color.

Step 2 : Place the celery stalk (snip the bulbous end off) or flower in an upright position in the glass of colored water.

Step 3 : The following day, students will be in awe to witness the celery stalk / flower carrying coloration changes, that it absorbs from the colored water.

Kids will learn about how plants sustain themselves, using their roots or exposed ends (like the celery stalk) to suck in water. This experiment doesn’t have to be restricted to a glass of water. To change the colors of white flowers, a potted plant can be watered with colored water instead of regular water. Let students experiment with an entire pot of white lilies or roses, to give them a beautiful blush once water is absorbed.

Other Science Fair Projects to Try

#Demonstrating the laws of motion # Showing experiments on the uses of solar energy # Making a volcano model # Demonstrating the anomalous expansion of water # Conducting litmus tests to identify acids from bases # Distinguishing a boiled egg from a raw one # Experimenting with how music helps plants grow # Testing the effects of salt on the freezing point of water # Demonstrating how the color of an object determines its size, according to visual perception # Testing the effect of temperature on a magnet’s properties # Making miniature models of simple machines # Comparing people’s pulse rate from different age groups (using a stethoscope) # Doing a comparative study of the time taken by different people, to respond to the same stimuli

These ideas for 5th grade science fair projects are a fun mix of different experiments, that kids can try out at home before putting it up on display. Once they get the hang of doing the experiments on their own, have them come up with others that they’d like to try, by performing the experiments in the class laboratory first.

Science projects provide students with the means to apply scientific concepts to a practical situation, experimenting with what they read in books. Projects serve as an excellent learning experience for students, as they can put into practice all the interesting scientific theories they are taught in class. Help students conduct thorough research on the subject of their project. Guide them in the analysis of experimental data and in deriving conclusions. Warn them of the safety precautions they need to take, so as to avoid any mishaps. Most importantly, give these inquisitive young minds the freedom to experiment. You never know, these kids could be ‘scientists-in-the-making’.

Choose Your Test

• Search Blogs By Category
• College Admissions
• AP and IB Exams
• GPA and Coursework

113 Great Research Paper Topics

General Education

One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great paper.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

• Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance .
• Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
• How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
• How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern American music?
• How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
• How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

Current Events

• What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?
• How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
• How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
• Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
• What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
• What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
• How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
• How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
• How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
• What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
• What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
• What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
• Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain) .
• Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
• Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
• Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
• Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools?
• Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
• How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method ?
• Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
• What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
• How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
• What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students' health?
• Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
• Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
• Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
• How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
• Should graduate students be able to form unions?

• What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
• How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
• Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
• Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
• How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
• How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
• Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?
• Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
• Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
• Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
• Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
• Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
• Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
• Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?
• Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
• How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
• How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
• What are the most effective ways to treat depression ?
• What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
• Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
• What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
• What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
• Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
• Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
• How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
• Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
• What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
• How does stress affect the body?
• Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
• What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
• Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
• How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
• What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
• What were the impacts of British rule in India ?
• Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
• What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
• What were the causes of the Civil War?
• How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
• Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
• What caused Hitler's rise to power?
• Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
• What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
• How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
• What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide ?

• Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
• Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
• How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
• How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past decades/centuries?
• What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/ agnosticism in the United States?
• What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
• How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?

Science/Environment

• How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
• How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
• Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased in the past few decades.
• Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
• How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
• How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
• What are the pros and cons of fracking?
• What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
• What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
• How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
• Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
• Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
• What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
• What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
• How are black holes created?
• Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
• How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
• Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
• How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
• Has social media made people more or less connected?
• What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence ?
• Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
• What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
• How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
• When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
• Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

How to Write a Great Research Paper

Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn good research paper topics into great papers.

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing

You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a strong paper.

What's Next?

Are you also learning about dynamic equilibrium in your science class? We break this sometimes tricky concept down so it's easy to understand in our complete guide to dynamic equilibrium .

Thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner? Nurse practitioners have one of the fastest growing careers in the country, and we have all the information you need to know about what to expect from nurse practitioner school .

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa).

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Trending Now

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Get Your Free

Find Your Target SAT Score

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing

How to Improve Your Low SAT Score

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing

Find Your Target ACT Score

Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer

Get a 36 on ACT English

Get a 36 on ACT Math

Get a 36 on ACT Reading

Get a 36 on ACT Science

How to Improve Your Low ACT Score

Get a 24 on ACT English

Get a 24 on ACT Math

Get a 24 on ACT Reading

Get a 24 on ACT Science

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Teach Starter, part of Tes Teach Starter, part of Tes

Search  everything  in all resources

Great White Shark Information Report – Writing Project

Updated:  29 Aug 2024

Get your students writing an informational text about sharks using this age-appropriate fact file and writing scaffold.

Editable:  Google Slides

Non-Editable:  PDF

Pages:  1 Page

• Curriculum Curriculum:  CCSS, TEKS

Grades:  3 - 5

• Printable PDF - Color (pdf) Sign up to Plus
• Printable PDF - Black and White (pdf) Sign up to Plus
• Google Slides Sign up to Plus

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2

Ccss.ela-literacy.w.5.2, elar 3.12(b).

Compose informational texts, including brief compositions that convey information about a topic, using a clear central idea and genre characteristics and craft;

ELAR 4.12(B)

Elar 5.12(b).

Write an Informational Text About Sharks

At the end of a writing unit, teachers tend to assess students’ understanding of the genre by having them write a text independently.

This informational text writing project has been designed by our experienced teacher team for this very purpose! This resource will support your students in writing a high-quality information text about one of the ocean’s most iconic apex predators  – the great white shark. Students will be guided through the process of researching facts about great white sharks and then using these facts to write a detailed information report. Here’s how:

• Research – Students will gather important information about great white sharks using the fact file included as well as other sources of their choice.
• Record – Students will complete the graphic organizers to sort the information they have collected into groups.
• Write – Students will use the research they have gathered to write a great white shark information report on the pages provided. Alternatively, they may like to present their information using a medium of their choice.

You’ll find everything you need to implement this great white shark information text project in the comprehensive student workbook. The workbook contains the following:

• Great white shark fact file
• Research graphic organizer
• 2-page writing scaffold
• Lined writing page
• Unlined writing page

This great white shark information text writing project downloads as a:

• PDF with full-color fact file
• PDF with black-and-white fact file
• Google Slides file (containing both the color and black-and-white fact files)

This writing project is an engaging way to teach students how to write a comprehensive, well-structured information text. By combining structured support with opportunities for research and creativity, this resource caters to a wide range of learning needs. Whether working independently, in groups or with the whole class, students will strengthen their writing skills while gaining a deeper understanding of one of the ocean’s top predators.

Differentiate This Informational Writing Project

Are you looking for some ideas as to how you might differentiate this writing activity in your classroom? Here are some suggestions you might like to consider:

• For less confident readers and writers, simplify the task so that they only research one characteristic of the great white shark, for example, its appearance, its habitat or its diet. This makes the task less overwhelming and increases students’ likelihood of being successful in the task.
• For more confident readers and writers, extend the task so that they research and write about additional characteristics of great white sharks not included in the fact file. This enables students to make choices and research other aspects of the shark that they are interested in.

Download to Start Writing Great White Shark Information Reports

Use the dropdown menu on the Download button above to access the PDF or editable Google Slides file. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template before accessing it).

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter collaborator.

Browse More Informational Writing Prompts

Teach Starter has created a wide variety of informational writing prompts to support and engage your students. Click below to explore a selection from our range:

teaching resource

5 expository writing prompts.

Use this set of 5 writing prompts to assess your students’ expository writing skills.

Koala Information Report – Writing Project

Get your students writing a koala information report using this age-appropriate fact file and writing scaffold.

Information Text Fact Files and Scaffolding Sheet

Use this set of informational writing prompts to support your students in writing a detailed and well-structured factual report.

Teach Starter Publishing

We create premium quality, downloadable teaching resources for primary/elementary school teachers that make classrooms buzz!

Write a review to help other teachers and parents like yourself. If you'd like to request a change to this resource, or report an error, select the corresponding tab above.

Suggest a Change

Would you like something changed or customised on this resource? While our team makes every effort to complete change suggestions, we can't guarantee that every change will be completed.

Report an Error

Did you spot an error on this resource? Please let us know and we will fix it shortly.

Are you having trouble downloading or viewing this resource? Please try the following steps:

• Check that you are logged in to your account
• For premium resources, check that you have a paid subscription
• Check that you have installed Adobe Reader ( download here )

If you are still having difficulty, please visit the Teach Starter Help Desk or contact us .

You may also like

• English Language Arts →
• Types of Writing →
• Expository Writing →
• Templates →
• Report Writing →
• Writing Templates →
• 3rd Grade →
• 4th Grade →
• 5th Grade →
• Google Slide →

Silent Letters PowerPoint

A 24-slide editable PowerPoint presentation about silent letters.

Multiple Meanings Vocabulary Worksheet

A worksheet to use in the classroom when identifying multiple-meaning words.

Bloom's Taxonomy Fast Finisher Task Cards - Upper Grades

44 Bloom's Taxonomy fast finisher activity cards.

Punctuation Sentence Challenge Worksheet

A teaching resource to help consolidate the students’ knowledge of punctuation.

Common Core State Standards Progression Trackers - Kindergarten - Language

Individual student and whole class trackers using the Language Common Core Standards.

Multiple-Meaning Word Puzzles

16 puzzles to use in the classroom when identifying homonyms.

Bring Your Characters To Life Poster

A poster to remind your students to add detail and description to their writing to bring their characters to life.

Vocabulary Dice Roll Activity

6 vocabulary activities to use with a range of words.

Verb Past Tense Worksheet

A worksheet with simple and irregular past tense verbs added to complete the sentences.

'I Can' Statements - Reading (Upper Elementary)

A set of 26 'I can' statement cards focusing on reading for upper elementary.

• Our Mission

7 Research Findings About Technology and Education

Here’s what research shows about the effectiveness of technology for learning and when less tech can be more productive.

Do students perform better on digital or paper assessments? Does the amount of time spent on an app correlate to learning growth? How much valid and reliable research is typically behind an educational application? These are questions that busy educators often wonder about, yet they may not have an easy way to find answers. Fortunately, there is research on education apps and devices as well as learning growth and outcomes in the research journals. Below are seven things that educators should know about the research on the effectiveness of technology for learning—note that research findings can evolve over time, and the points below are not definitively settled.

Advantages and disadvantages of Tech

1. When screens are present but not being used for learning, students tend to learn less. Whether it’s a laptop or a smartphone , studies have found that the mere presence of these devices reduces available cognitive capacity in college students. Long-term recall and retention of information decreases when students at the university level have screens present during direct instructional time . Just having a laptop screen open or a cell phone next to a student (but not being used) is enough to distract their brain from fully focusing on the class activities.

Further, studies found that students in college who send off-task text or IM messages during class or engage with social media on their devices typically take lower-quality notes, and their overall academic performance is worse than that of those who didn’t engage in those activities during class. It’s important to note that when a student doesn’t have a device but is near another student who is using a device during class, both students’ grades will likely be negatively affected.

2. Literacy applications often have little valid and reliable research associated with them. A number of applications in the app stores (such as Google Play) do not have much, if any, valid and reliable research associated with them. According to a study looking at the top-rated early literacy applications , 77 percent of the applications have zero reliable research behind them. And the few apps that did have research only considered the look and feel of the application (such as ease of navigation or visual appeal), rather than if the child was likely to learn foundational literacy skills from the app.

There are apps that are effective , but finding them in the sea of all available apps—many of them poorly designed, with inadequate backing evidence—is a daunting task.

3. Neither the amount of time spent on an app nor the number of sessions in an app correlates with effectiveness. A recent study found that the “dosage” of the app, such as the number of sessions, time spent per session, and duration of the study, did not predict effectiveness of the app . Thus, learning outcomes did not change if a student spent more or less time in an application. The quality of the application matters more in determining learning growth or outcomes than the amount of time or number of times an application is used.

4. Students who read online tend to comprehend less than those who read via paper. Studies have shown that when it comes to comprehension and reading online versus on paper , the type of text matters. One study discovered that when it comes to leisure reading , the more complex the text, the more likely students will comprehend the content better when reading on paper.

Print reading over a long period of time could boost comprehension skills by six to eight times more than digital reading. The same study found that younger children (ages 6–12) seem to benefit the most from print reading over online. Further, another recent study found that university students tend to annotate more when reading on paper versus digital text, though this does not improve their subsequent memory of the text.

5. Students tend to perform worse when testing online compared with those who test on paper. While many standardized tests have moved online, there’s research that doesn’t support this as the best medium for optimal outcomes. A 2018 study determined that students tend to score worse when testing online versus paper in both math and English language arts. In particular, English language learners, children from lower-income homes, and students on individualized education programs perform worse online than on paper.

Some studies are finding that the use of computers in formal assessments creates an obstacle for students who need special accommodations like text-to-speech readers or language translators. For example, students with visual impairments tended to perform worse on computer-based tests that provided a digital reader, compared with similar students who took paper tests with a human reader.

6. Online classes are best for students who can self-regulate and are independent learners. The Brookings Institution’s Executive Summary on online learning finds that online learning is best suited for students who are high achievers and self-motivated. The research they reviewed found that academically strong students can benefit from fully online courses, while students who are not academically strong tend to do worse in online courses than they would in in-person classes.

One example is the Back on Track study, which looked at ninth-grade students taking credit recovery algebra. The study compared students in a fully online algebra credit recovery course with students in an in-person credit recovery algebra course; the fully online students had worse overall academic outcomes and were less likely to recover credit. Additionally, students in fully online courses with no face-to-face instructor interaction typically fared worse than students in face-to-face classes. The good news is that students in blended courses (part online and part in-person) appear to do about the same as those in fully in-person classes.

7. The type of device matters. While schools often shop for the least expensive option for student devices, it is important to note that a recent study looking at remote learning found that the type and quality of student devices matters in learning outcomes. Students who used devices that were older and had slower processors had a worse quality of learning experiences than those who had newer devices with stronger specifications.

These are some highlights from recent studies that can inform teachers and school districts when it comes to decision-making with purchasing technology, creating policies, or devising alternative academic offerings. It is important to understand the evidence behind any edtech-related decisions that could impact many students.

2024 Washington State Teacher of the Year: Creating a Home in the Classroom

Media contact.

Katy Payne   she/her 360-764-0201

In these blogs, I'll share personal stories, student narratives, and insights from my peers. Throughout this journey, I want to emphasize that my experiences reflect my truth, which isn't always positive. Some stories will share instances where teachers unintentionally caused harm in my life, and I'll honestly address their impact on me. I recognize that these incidents may be decades old, and the teachers, schools, and districts have all had time to change and grow. What I love about teaching is that there is always a chance to learn and do better. I invite you to join me in exploring stories of teachers who genuinely connect with students and students who unapologetically express their needs and experiences. I hope you can connect with the stories that are woven through, that you can see yourself or students in the shared experiences. Connections are truly what drives us and I hope you experience that along the way.

When I was in elementary school, my family moved to a small town in Washington. There were just two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Our middle and high schools shared a campus, and I’m convinced that we only had two elementary schools because our geographical area was large, not because we had a lot of kids. As a biracial black girl coming from a diverse area in another state, I assumed that all spaces I went to would have the diversity I had become accustomed to. That worldview was quickly challenged my first day. I very soon was often the only student of color in a space. 

I think this is something that many people can relate to. I don’t remember a lot that I connected with that first year of school in Washington. I don’t remember seeing myself in the material or having friends who looked like me, and my new teacher couldn’t get my name right (often calling me a variety of different B names: Brandy, Brooke, etc). I felt adrift and lost in this new environment, and I know that impacted my learning. How could I connect with my class if my own name was constantly forgotten? 

That experience has stayed with me to this day. I make it a priority to learn every student's name in the first week; it is not always an easy task when you have 150 high school students on your rosters. I also make sure that students can immediately see themselves in the classroom, whether that is through pictures, posters, their own work, or class materials. They need to know that this is their space where they can bring themselves every day and feel empowered enough to let down those walls, be vulnerable, and take risks. That's why when I walked into Nelda Trujillo’s classroom, it was like a ray of sunshine on my heart. 

Nelda Trujillo is a 1st-grade teacher at Gildo Rey Elementary School in Auburn. When I first walked into her classroom, it was immediately evident that her students were at the center of that space, and they owned it! I arrived during lunch on a rainy afternoon (not uncommon for us Washingtonians!). There was laughter and delight as they went around the room with one of their “get to know you” questions; I later learned this is something that they do everyday. The question posed to each student was, “What is a job you would like to have one day?” 

Nelda went around the class, making sure everyone had a chance to speak. 

“I want to be a train conductor, '' an exuberant little boy stated. 

“I want to be a teacher with red hair, just like you Mrs. Trujillo, '' another child exclaimed. 

I loved hearing the enthusiastic shouts of “a teacher.” There were so many it moved my heart. I don’t think that I ever thought I could be a teacher when I was younger. I didn’t see anyone that remotely looked like me in that role growing up, so hearing this answer more than five times in a single class by a diverse group of students filled me with such joy. Nelda was an expert at navigating students who were hesitant to answer in front of new adults (there were three of us there), helping them find their confidence when needed. Every student listened to each other and welcomed a chance to get to know something about their community. 

After lunch, a student came over and grabbed my hand, and told me she was going to show me around the room. I walked with her as she proudly showed me their welcome wall with every word of welcome from every language spoken in the classroom. “That’s mine, I speak Punjabi!” she said proudly. Others quickly joined the conversation: “I speak Spanish,” “I’m learning Korean, because one of our classmates speaks it, isn’t that cool?” It was immensely clear that in this classroom, the students were affirmed in their cultural connections; they wore that pride clear as day. 

The tour continued with pictures of all the activities and field trips they had been on that year: “See all the things we’ve learned?” I absolutely did! The group walked me past a word wall, sentence stems, and a class library where covers mirrored the community in the classroom. They took turns explaining things along the way. 

“Don’t you love our classroom?” one boy asked me. 

“I do, I love the colors and how much love I can see in your learning,” I responded. 

“Yeah, we’re really smart,” he said matter of fact. 

It was such a heartwarming reaction. There was no doubt in his voice; he was confident in his ability and in his classroom’s journey. I know this is only possible because Nelda focuses on building strong relationships with students and families, affirming every student everyday, and building an environment of trust and respect. 

Witnessing her passion for connecting with families was inspirational. Nelda’s classroom community, her student’s growth and learning, and her family engagement answer the question, “What happens when we break down barriers and partner with our families?” 

About the Author

Blaire Penry is the 2024 Washington State Teacher of the Year . Blaire teaches CTE and Fine Arts at Auburn School District and is the worksite learning coordinator for multiple schools. A true equity-driven educator, she has led in the creation of student equity groups, developed and facilitated equity and diversity professional development for a 1st-12th grade faculty, and committed to working with local leaders to make sure all students are prepared for the future that they choose.

Related News

Educator of the Year Awards: Staff Answer Questions

Blaire penry is 2024 state teacher of the year; hilda lail is 2023 state classified school employee of the year, dana miles named 2023 state teacher of the year; veronica gonzalez named 2022 state classified school employee of the year.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Learning Standards
• Performance Assessments
• Resources and Laws
• K-12 Learning Standards
• Computer Science Grants
• Learning Standards and Best Practices for Instruction
• Comprehensive Literacy Plan (CLP)
• Strengthening Student Educational Outcomes (SSEO)
• Washington Reading Corps
• OSPI Contacts
• Regional ELA Coordinators
• Assessments
• Environmental and Sustainability Literacy Plan
• Resources and Research
• About FEPPP
• Trainings and Events
• Committees, Meetings, and Rosters
• Partnership
• Resources and Links
• Legislation and Policy
• Laws & Resources
• ASB Frequently Asked Questions
• Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Implementation
• Sexual Health Education Standards Comparison
• 2024 Sexual Health Education Curriculum Review
• Sexual Health Curriculum Review Tools
• Training/Staff Development
• Math Graduation Requirements
• Family Resources
• Modeling Our World with Mathematics
• Modern Algebra 2
• Outdoor Education for All Program
• Grants, Resources, and Supports
• SEL Online Education Module
• Academic Learning is Social and Emotional: Integration Tools
• Learning Standards & Graduation Requirements
• OSPI-Developed Social Studies Assessments
• Resources for K-12 Social Studies
• Civic Education
• Holocaust Education
• History Day Program Components
• Washington History Day and Partners
• Temperance and Good Citizenship Day
• Social Studies Grant Opportunities
• Social Studies Laws and Regulations
• Social Studies Cadre of Educators
• Social Studies Showcase
• Early Learning Curriculum
• Elementary Curriculum
• Middle School Unit 1C Washington State History—Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854
• High School Unit 1 Contemporary World Problems
• High School Unit 1 US History
• High School Unit 2 Contemporary World Problems
• High School Unit 2 US History
• High School Unit 3 Contemporary World Problems
• High School Unit 3 US History
• High School Unit 4 Contemporary World Problems
• High School Unit 4 US History
• High School Unit 5 US History
• High School Unit 6 US History
• Tribes within Washington State
• Implementation and Training
• Indigenous Historical Conceptual Framework
• Regional Learning Project Videos
• Language Proficiency Custom Testing
• Proficiency Assessment Options
• Credits & Testing for Students
• Testing Process For Districts
• Laws/Regulations
• Washington State Seal of Biliteracy
• Talking to Young People About Race, Racism, & Equity
• Open Educational Resources
• Course Design & Instructional Materials
• Reporting Instruction and Assessment
• Washington State Learning Standards Review
• Learning Standards Public Comment
• High School and Beyond Plan
• Waivers and CIA
• Career Guidance Washington Lessons
• High School Transcripts
• Graduation Pathways
• Credit Requirements
• Career and College Readiness
• Family Connection
• Whole-child Assessment
• Early Learning Collaboration
• Training and Webinars
• WaKIDS Contacts
• Professional Development
• Calculator Policy
• ELA Assessment
• Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers
• 1% Alternate Assessment Threshold
• Access Point Frameworks and Performance Tasks
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Scoring and Reporting
• INSIGHT Portal
• State Testing Frequently Asked Questions
• Achievement Level Descriptors
• Technical Reports
• Testing Statistics (Frequency Distribution)
• Scale Scores State Assessments
• Sample Score Reports
• Request to View Your Student’s Test
• ELP Annual Assessments
• English Language Proficiency Screeners
• Alternate ACCESS
• WIDA Consortium
• Trainings, Modules, and Presentations
• Assessment Resources
• Monitoring of State Assessments
• Principal Letter Templates
• NAEP State Results
• NAEP Publications
• Timelines & Calendar
• Approval Process
• Carl D. Perkins Act
• Program of Study and Career Clusters
• 21st Century Skills
• Career Connect Washington
• Methods of Administration (MOA)
• Statewide Course Equivalencies
• Work-Based Learning
• Skill Centers
• Federal Data Collection Forms
• Special Education Data Collection Summaries
• File a Community Complaint
• Special Education Due Process Hearing Decisions
• Request Mediation (Special Education)
• Request a Due Process Hearing
• Special Education Request Facilitation
• Early Childhood Outcomes (Indicator 7)
• Transition from Part C to Part B (Indicator 12)
• Preschool Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) - Indicator 6
• Behavior and Discipline
• Disagreements and Complaints about Special Education
• Eligibility for Special Education
• Evaluations
• How Special Education Works
• Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Making a Referral for Special Education
• Need Assistance?
• Parent and Student Rights (Procedural Safeguards)
• Placement Decisions and the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
• Prior Written Notice
• Transition Services (Ages 16–21)
• What Is Special Education?
• Special Education WAC and Federal IDEA
• Policy Guidance and Resources
• Rulemaking and Public Comment
• Current Nonpublic Agencies
• Personnel Qualifications Guidance
• Annual Determinations
• Model Forms for Services to Students in Special Education
• Self-Study and System Analysis
• Significant Disproportionality
• Washington Integrated System of Monitoring
• Technical Assistance
• Special Education Community Complaint Decisions
• State Needs Projects
• Attendance Awareness Materials
• Improving Attendance for Schools
• Policies, Guidance, and Data Reporting
• District Truancy Liaison
• Root Causes & Interventions for Absences
• Truancy Supports and Resources
• Building Bridges Grant Program
• GATE Equity Webinar Series
• Contact Us - CISL
• Course-Based Dual Credit
• Exam-Based Dual Credit
• Transitional Kindergarten
• Early Learning Resources
• Early Learning District Liaisons
• Early Learning Fellows Lead Contact List
• How the IPTN Works 
• Menus of Best Practices & Strategies
• MTSS Events
• Integrated Student Support
• MTSS Components and Resources
• Ninth Grade Success
• Equity in Student Discipline
• Student Discipline Training
• Student Transfers
• Powerless to Powerful
• Continuous School Improvement Resources
• Migrant Education Health Program
• Migrant Education Parent Advisory Council
• Migrant Education Workshops and Webinars
• Migrant Education Student Resources
• TBIP Program Guidance
• WIDA Resources
• Dual Language Education and Resources
• Title III Services
• Family Communication Templates
• Webinars and Newsletters
• Migrant & Multilingual Education Program Directory
• Tribal Languages
• Types of Tribal Schools
• State-Tribal Education Compact Schools (STECs)
• Support for Indian Education and Culture
• Curriculum Support Materials
• Rules and Regulations
• Title VI Indian Education Programs — By District
• Contact Information
• Native Educator Cultivation Program
• Tribal Consultation
• McKinney-Vento Act
• Liaison Training Update Webform
• Homeless Student Data and Legislative Reports
• Homeless Education Posters and Brochures for Outreach
• Resources for Homeless Children and Youth
• Interstate Compact for Military Children
• Military Kids Resources and Links
• Foster Care Liaison Update
• Building Point of Contact Update Form
• State and Federal Requirements
• Foster Care Resources and Training
• Postsecondary Education for Foster Care
• Children and Families of Incarcerated Parents
• Project AWARE
• Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Postvention
• Best Practices & Resources
• Prevention/Intervention SAPISP Coordinators
• Behavioral Health Resources
• Workforce Secondary Traumatic Stress
• Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
• Digital/Internet Safety
• HIB Compliance Officers Contact List
• Student Threat Assessment
• School Safety and Security Staff
• Restraint and Isolation
• Active Shooter
• Bomb Threat & Swatting
• Gangs in Schools
• School Drills
• Terrorism and Schools
• Weapons and Schools
• Reducing Restraint & Eliminating Isolation (RREI)
• Youth-Centered Environmental Shift Program
• Erin's Law 2018 Curriculum Review
• Erin’s Law – House Bill 1539
• Health Services Resources
• Health Services Sample Forms
• Immunizations
• School Nurse Corps
• 2021 COVID-19 Student Survey Results
• Healthy Youth Survey
• School Health Profiles
• Alternative Learning Experience
• Continuous Learning
• Graduation, Reality And Dual-Role Skills (GRADS)
• Guidance and Resources for Educators and Families
• HiCapPLUS Professional Learning Modules for Educators
• Home-Based Instruction
• Home/Hospital Instruction
• For Applicants
• For Schools & Districts
• Course Catalog
• Online Learning Approval Application
• Approved Online Schools and School Programs
• Approved Online Course Providers
• Getting Started Toolkit
• Open Doors Reports
• Washington's Education Options
• The Superintendent's High School Art Show
• Daniel J. Evans Civic Education Award for Students
• Washington State Honors Award
• Pre-Residency Clearance In-State Applicant
• Teacher College Recommendation
• Conditional Teacher Certificate - In-State
• Intern Substitute Certification In-State Applicants
• Emergency Substitute Certification In-State Applicants
• First Peoples' Language, Culture and Oral Traditions Certification
• Pre-Residency Clearance Out-of-State Applicant
• Residency Teacher Out-of-State
• Professional Teacher Out-of-State
• Substitute Teaching Out-of-State
• Conditional Teacher Out-of-State
• Intern Substitute Teacher Certificate Out-of-State
• Emergency Substitute Teacher Certification Out-of-State
• Foreign Trained Applicants Teacher Certification
• Residency Teacher Renewal
• Professional Teacher
• Transitional Teaching Certificate
• Conditional Teacher Certification
• Emergency Substitute Certificate
• First Peoples' Language, Culture and Oral Traditions Renewal
• Initial Teaching Certificate
• Standard/Continuing Teaching Certificate
• Provisional Teaching Certificate
• Upgrading Initial to Continuing
• Upgrade from Residency to Professional
• Converting Initial to Residency Teaching Certificate
• STEM Renewal Requirement for Teacher Certification
• Adding a CTE Certification Vocational Code (V-Code)
• Renewal of a Career and Technical Educator (CTE) Initial Certificate
• Renewal of a Career and Technical Educator (CTE) Continuing Certificate
• Career and Technical Educator Conditional Certificate
• Initial/Continuing CTE Career Guidance Specialist Certificate
• Career and Technical Educator (CTE) Director Certificate
• Washington State Certification - Frequently Asked Questions
• General Paraeducator
• English Language Learner Subject Matter
• Special Education Subject Matter
• Paraeducator First Time Applicant - Advanced Paraeducator
• English Language Learner Subject Matter Renewal
• Special Education Subject Matter Renewal
• Advanced Paraeducator Renewal
• Administrator College Recommendation
• Substitute Administrator Certificate In-State
• Conditional Administrator (Principals Only)
• Superintendent College Recommendation
• Residency Principal or Program Administrator
• Substitute Administrator Out-of-State
• Professional Principal or Program Administrator
• Initial Superintendent
• Professional Principal or Program Administrator Renewal
• Initial (Superintendent, Program Administrator, or Principal)
• Continuing (Superintendent, Program Administrator, Principal)
• Standard/Continuing Administrator Certificate
• Transitional Administrator Certificate
• Residency Principal and Program Administrator Upgrade to Professional
• Initial Upgrading to Continuing
• Initial Converting to Residency Administrator
• School Orientation and Mobility Specialist
• School Counselor First Time Applicant
• School Psychologist First Time
• School Nurse
• School Social Worker First Time
• School Occupational Therapist First Time
• School Physical Therapist First Time
• Speech Language Pathologist/Audiologist First Time
• School Behavior Analyst
• Substitute ESA
• School Behavior Analyst Renewal
• School Orientation and Mobility Specialist Renewal
• School Counselor Reissue and Renewal
• School Psychologist Reissue and Renewal Applicant
• School Nurse Renewal
• School Social Worker Renewal Applicant
• School Occupational Therapist Renewal
• School Physical Therapist Renewal Applicant
• Speech Language Pathologist/Audiologist Renewal Applicant
• Conditional ESA
• Transitional ESA Renewal
• Upgrade from Residency to Professional ESA
• Upgrade from Initial to Continuing ESA
• Converting Initial to Residency ESA
• Military-Affiliated Educator Certification Applicants
• Professional Certification Webinars and Presentations
• Regulations and Reports
• National Board Candidate FAQ
• OSPI National Board Conditional Loan
• Support National Board Candidates
• National Board Certification and Washington State Teaching Certificate
• National Board Candidate and NBCT Clock Hours
• Washington State National Board Certified Teacher Bonus
• National Board Cohort Facilitator
• National Board Certification Regional Coordinators
• Washington State National Board Certification - NBCT Spotlight
• Helpful Links
• Certification-Forms
• Professional Certification Fee Schedule
• Fingerprint Office Locations
• Fingerprint Records Forms and Resources
• Fingerprint Records Alternatives for Applicants
• Fingerprint Records Private School Applicants
• Fingerprint Records Frequently Asked Questions
• International Education
• Washington State Recommended Core Competencies for Paraeducators
• Standards for Beginning Educator Induction
• Washington State Standards for Mentoring
• Mentor Foundational Opportunities
• Mentor Extended Learning
• Mentor On-going Opportunities
• Induction Leader Opportunities
• Educator Clock Hour Information
• STEM Clock Hours
• Approved Providers
• Become an Approved Provider
• Department of Health License Hours as Clock Hours Information
• Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
• School Psychology
• School Social Work
• Laws, Regulations & Guidance
• Support & Training
• Teacher-Librarians
• School Library Programs - Standards and LIT Framework
• School Library Research and Reports
• Student Growth
• Research and Reports
• Training Modules
• AWSP Leadership Framework
• CEL 5D+ Instructional Framework
• Danielson Instructional Framework
• Marzano Instructional Framework
• CEL 5D+ Teacher Evaluation Rubric 3.0
• Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching
• Marzano’s Teacher Evaluation Model
• Washington State Fellows' Network
• NBCT Leadership Opportunities
• Teacher of the Year and Regional Winners
• History Teacher of the Year
• Winners' Gallery
• Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
• From Seed to Apple
• ESEA Distinguished Schools Award Program
• U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools
• Blue Ribbon Schools Program
• Disciplinary Action Notices
• Investigation Forms
• Investigations FAQ
• OSPI Reports to the Legislature
• Asset Preservation Program
• High-Performance School Buildings Program
• School District Organization
• School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) Revision Planning
• School Facilities Construction Projects Funding
• Building Condition Assessment (BCA)
• Information and Condition of Schools (ICOS)
• Forms and Applications
• Small District Energy Assessment Grant
• Emergency Repair Pool Grant
• CTE Equipment Grant Program
• Health and Safety ADA Access Grants
• Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools Grants
• Skill Centers Capital Funding
• Lead in Water Remediation Grant
• Small School District Modernization Grant
• Urgent Repair Grant
• Regulations and Guidance
• Special Education Funding In Washington State
• Applying for Safety Net Funding
• Apportionment, Enrollment, and Fiscal Reports
• Apportionment Attachments
• Budget Preparations
• District Allocation of State Resources Portal
• Election Results for School Financing
• ESD Reports and Resources
• Tools and Forms
• ABFR Guidelines
• Accounting Manual
• EHB 2242 Accounting Changes
• EHB 2242 Guidance
• Enrollment Reporting
• Federal Allocations
• Indirect Cost Rates
• Personnel Reporting
• School District Budget Challenges and Financial Insolvency
• School Apportionment Staff
• 1801 Personnel Reports
• Financial Reporting Summary
• Organization and Financing of Washington Public Schools
• Personnel Summary Reports
• Property Tax Levies
• Training and Presentations
• Legislative Budget Requests
• 2023 Proviso Reports
• Washington State Innovates
• Washington State Common School Manual
• EGMS Resources & Guides
• OER Project Grants
• Nita M. Lowey Grant Competition
• Program Guidance
• Balanced Calendar
• Beginning Educator Support Team Grants
• Ask a Question about the Citizen Complaint Process
• Professional Learning Opportunities for Title I, Part A and LAP
• Fiscal Guidance
• Digital Equity and Inclusion Grant
• Private School Participation in Federal Programs
• Public Notices & Waiver Requests to the U.S. Department of Education
• State Applications and Reports Submitted to U.S. Department of Education
• Washington School Improvement Framework
• Homeless Education Grants
• Allowable Costs
• Educator Equity Data Collection
• LifeSkills Training (LST) Substance Abuse Prevention Grants
• Rural Education Initiative
• Student Support and Academic Enrichment (Title IV, Part A)
• Washington School Climate Transformation Grant (SCTG)
• Federal Funding Contact Information
• CGA Contacts
• Meals for Washington Students
• Washington School Meals Application Finder
• At-Risk Afterschool Meals
• Family Day Care Home Providers/Sponsors
• Meal Patterns and Menu Planning
• CACFP Requirements and Materials
• Child and Adult Care Food Program Training
• Menu Planning and Meal Patterns
• Bulletins and Updates
• Summer Food Service Program Training
• Food Distribution
• Procurement
• Local Food for Schools
• Food Service Management Companies
• Claims, Fiscal Information and Resources
• Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS)
• Child Nutrition Program Reports
• Child Nutrition Grants
• EdTech Plan for K-12 Public Schools in Washington State
• IP Address Assignment
• School Technology Technical Support
• E-rate Program
• Computers 4 Kids (C4K)
• Digital Equity and Inclusion
• Legislation & Policies
• Media Literacy & Digital Citizenship Grants
• Best Practices
• State Technology Survey
• 2023-24 State Quote Specifications
• 2024-25 State Quote Specifications
• Student Transportation Allocation (STARS) Reports
• Instructor Training Programs
• CWU Training Program
• Publications and Bulletins
• Online School Bus Information System
• Online Bus Driver Certification
• Complaints and Concerns About Discrimination
• Information for Families: Civil Rights in Washington Schools
• Resources for School Districts
• Nondiscrimination Law & Policy
• Language Access
• Report Card
• Data Portal
• Data Administration
• Education Data System Administration (EDS)
• EDS Application User Guides
• Training and Materials
• District and School Resources
• Student Growth Percentiles FAQ
• Student Data Sharing
• Educator Data Sharing
• Implementation of I-2081, the Parents’ Bill of Rights
• Discipline COVID-19 Data Display
• Monthly Enrollment and Absences Display
• Substitute Teachers Data
• K-12 Education Vision & McCleary Framework
• Use of the OSPI Logo
• Nondiscrimination Policy & Procedure
• Agency Leadership
• News Releases
• Special Projects
• Job Opportunities
• OSPI Interlocal Agreements
• Competitive Procurements
• Sole Source Contracts
• Accounting Manual Committee
• Children & Families of Incarcerated Parents Advisory Committee
• Committee of Practitioners (COP), Title I, Part A
• Publications and Reports
• Family Engagement Framework Workgroup
• GATE Partnership Advisory Committee
• Institutional Education Structure and Accountability Advisory Group
• K-12 Data Governance
• Language Access Advisory Committee
• Multilingual Education Advisory Committee
• Online Learning Advisory Committee
• Reopening Washington Schools 2020-21 Workgroup
• School Facilities Advisory Groups
• School Safety and Student Well-Being Advisory Committee Meetings
• Social Emotional Learning Advisory Committee
• Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
• Teacher Residency Technical Advisory Workgroup
• About Dyslexia
• Screening Tools and Best Practices
• Washington State Native American Education Advisory Committee (WSNAEAC)
• Work-Integrated Learning Advisory Committee
• African American Studies Workgroup
• Compensation Technical Working Group
• Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee
• Expanded Learning Opportunities Council
• K–12 Basic Education Compensation Advisory Committee
• Language Access Workgroup
• Race and Ethnicity Student Data Task Force
• Past Meeting Materials
• School Day Task Force
• Sexual Health Education Workgroup
• Staffing Enrichment Workgroup
• Student Discipline Task Force
• Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program (TBIP) Accountability Task Force
• OSPI Public Records Request
• How to File a Complaint
• Directions to OSPI
• Social Media Terms of Use
• 2024-25 School Breaks
• 180-Day School Year Waivers
• ESD Contact Info
• Maps & Applications
• Websites and Contact Info
• Web Accessibility Request Form
• Emergency Relief Funding Priorities
• State & Federal Funding
• School Employee Vaccination Data
• Washington’s Education Stimulus Funds
• Special Education Guidance for COVID-19
• Academic and Student Well-being Responses
• School Reopening Data