Science Fair projects for a 5th grader?

[Planogirl]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good science fair project? It can't be building anything like a volcano but has to be something experimental.

My son was excited about doing something with plants, like varying the light or seeing if they react to music. He talked to the teacher about it but she said that type of experiment was done in third grade and to come up with something else. The problem is that we weren't at this school during third grade so it's hard to know what is more "appropriate" for a fifth grader.

Any ideas?

 

[GoofItUp]

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but here's an idea I did when I was in school.

Get a small plate or saucer and put water in it. Place a candle in the middle of the plate and light it. Put a clear glass (make sure it's plenty big enough) over the candle. When the fire burns the oxygen in the glass, there will be a difference in pressure. The candle will extinguish because it's burned all the oxygen, and the water will start filling the glass because of the pressure difference. It's a pretty neat experiment and has couple of different learning opportunities with the candle (fire) burning oxygen and the pressure differences.

Good luck!

 

[MosMom]

I was in the 5th grade when I did an experiment with holograms. It was really cool and I ended up winning and going to state. I won honorable mention at state. I explained how they worked and made my own. I think you can actually buy hologram kits now.

 

[Planogirl]

Both of these experiments sound interesting! I'll suggest them to my son and see what he thinks. Thanks so much.

 

[chager]

The Discovery Channel has some great ideas too. They have a list for different subjects. Here's a link
http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/ideas.html

There are several sites that list ideas too. I have them on my computer at home. I just did a search for scince fair projects and went from there.

My 4th grader is comparing homemade cleaners to store bought chemicel cleaners.

Good luck

 

[Planogirl]

Great website chager. I think (hope) that we can come up with something fun that also pleases the teacher now. A major task sometimes!

 

[grinningghost]

Hey planogirl, after reading your comment on the thong thread, maybe he can do some "thong cultures" or something.

Sorry, I just had to...

 

[browneyes]

My dd's teacher gave them this website to work on their science fair projects (she's a 5th grader too).

 

[Cruise04]

Do they have to write a paper on their project with resources and research items? If so, don't encourage him to do one with music and plants. DD did that (actually just a few months ago) and she had a very hard time finding resources to back up why plants respond to musical stimuli. It was a GREAT project, but very nerve racking because there just wasn't a lot of variety for research - everthing she found all said the same thing.

 

[Kirk]

My daughter did a variation of this one about that time:

http://sps.k12.ar.us/massengale/egg_osmosis_sample1_lab.htm

I saw it judging a science fair and all the kids (and adults) were intrigued by it. Once you dissolve the shells you can find ways to visably swell and shrivel the eggs up. You don't really have to weigh the eggs. If you have a digital camera you could take before and after grid pictures to demonstrate size differences more accurately.


Kirk (Nerdy Piled higher and Deeper science guy!)

 

[chadfromdallas]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/program.html

Do a visual of the String Theory and talk about it

 

[we3luvdisney]

Hovercraft!

 

[Planogirl]

LOL grinningghost! The way things are going nowadays, he probably knows a lot more than me.

The string theory!!!! A hovercraft!!!!

Thanks for the help everyone. DS checked some of the websites and decided that he wanted to study the effect music had on heart rate of people. He wants to compare heavy metal and soothing music. Guess who his major test subject will be? At least it's not rap.

I'm not thrilled with the subject but he insists so I'll let him go with it.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I hate the science fair. It was tonight and I am glad its over. This is what won in the 5 th grade. A girl tested 3 methods of popping popcorn and saw what was the most efficient. Oil and pot on stove was. 2nd Place was a boy who put a bannana in a bottle, heated it up with a balloon on top and it caused the balloon to inflate. I dont know what is 3rd. For 6th grade it was a soap bubble experiement, (1st place), 2nd place was hand cleaners/soap and 3rd place was some ice skating thing. The teachers judge it. Its not done fairly or scientificly etc. I am volunteering my husband as judge in 2 years when my son is out of the school. He's a scientist and would be more objective.

 

[Planogirl]

I can't stand these science fairs but I am careful to hide that from DS. I've been against them ever since I discovered that those projects where the parents did tons of the work were graded the best. I'm trying to teach DS to enjoy the project for the sake of the experiment and not to worry so much about the look.

 

[chadfromdallas]

I can't stand these science fairs

I use to love the science fairs as a kid! I won 1st place in 4th grade(could have been 3rd, not sure though, mucho long time ago).

Get your kid really involved in it and he/she may end up to be a smart little scientist when he/she gets older

They still have something called "Odyssey of the Mind" in those lower grades ?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Amen sister.

 

[ohanafamily]

I hope he does better than I did in 3rd grade...This wasn't my final project, but I was trying to build a stronger electro-magnet. Instead of a DC battery, I used a RR spike, some really thick wire, and yes, I plugged it into the wall...there is something called an inductive loop that came about from this. I not only blew the breakers for the room, but the entire building. I owned up to it 20 years later...

The Teacher suggested a volcano, how about one that spit up chocolate pudding?

There is a store on Midway just South of Trinity Mills that sells electronics kits your son might like..Altex something or other...here is a link...
http://www.altex.com
but the Mini-kits aren't listed /8/i have an LED xmas tree I bought as a gift but never sent) He can also get a bare-bones computer there and you and he can put it together. Or, if you really want to go all out they have some really cool translucent cases..so does Fry's.

OK, that's too expensive probably, nut it's an excuse to upgrade your computer.

I hope I have at least amused you, sorry I can't be of more help...
in 10th grade I built a Z-Bug computer that had to be programmed from a Hex Keypad...

I am rambling, good night and sweet dreams all

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by chadfromdallas
I use to love the science fairs as a kid! I won 1st place in 4th grade(could have been 3rd, not sure though, mucho long time ago).

Get your kid really involved in it and he/she may end up to be a smart little scientist when he/she gets older

They still have something called "Odyssey of the Mind" in those lower grades ?

I've never heard of Odyssey of the Mind but I'll ask my son.

chad, the fairs are OK as far as the experiments go but there is too much emphasis on presentation and artwork in my opinion. My son is sloppy but he tries hard and he got a B- on his first project. Those that got A's or were sent on to competition were almost professionally done with complicated words and gorgeous caligraphy, drafting and the like. This was in third grade and really discouraged my son.

I'm not sure how fifth grade will be but I'm trying to get my son to enjoy science just for the sake of science. I hope that he eventually develops your enthusiasm.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

planogirl - just wanted to say my amen was for you.