Here are several science fair project ideas that are suitable for a 5th grader:
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Plant Growth Experiment: Test how different types of light (sunlight, LED, fluorescent) affect plant growth. Measure the height of the plants over time.
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Homemade Volcano: Create a baking soda and vinegar volcano and observe how different amounts of each ingredient affect the size of the eruption.
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Bridge Building Challenge: Design and build a bridge using items like straws, popsicle sticks, or spaghetti. Test how much weight each bridge can hold.
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Water Filtration System: Create a simple water filter using materials like sand, gravel, and charcoal. Test how well it cleans dirty water.
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Egg Drop Experiment: Design a container that will protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height. Experiment with different materials like bubble wrap, cotton, or cardboard.
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Static Electricity: Investigate how static electricity can attract objects. Use a balloon to see how many different materials it can pick up after being rubbed on hair or fabric.
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Tornado in a Bottle: Create a tornado effect using two plastic bottles, water, and duct tape to explore the physics of tornadoes.
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Chemical Reactions: Mix different solutions (like vinegar and baking soda or baking soda and lemon juice) and observe the reactions. Measure gas produced or changes in temperature.
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Insulation Experiment: Test how well different materials (like cotton, paper, bubble wrap) can keep ice from melting. Measure the amount of water produced after a set time.
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Sun vs. Shade: Investigate how the amount of sunlight affects the temperature of water. Fill two containers with water, place one in the sun and the other in the shade, and record the temperature over several hours.
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Magnet Strength: Test how different materials (wood, plastic, metal) affect the strength of a magnet’s pull. Measure how many paperclips each magnet can hold.
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Growing Crystals: Create a crystal-growing experiment using salt, sugar, or Epsom salts. Observe the growth over several days and document changes.
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Rusting Experiment: Test which conditions (water, saltwater, air) cause metal to rust the fastest. Use metal nails and different liquids to observe the effects.
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Oobleck Exploration: Make oobleck (a mixture of cornstarch and water) and explore its properties as a solid and a liquid. Test how it reacts under pressure.
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Sound Waves: Investigate how different materials (like paper, plastic, and cardboard) affect sound transmission. Use a speaker and microphone to measure sound levels through each material.
Choose a project that interests you and use the scientific method to plan, conduct, and present your experiment. Good luck!