9 Amazing Free Stem Activities For 5th Graders

Are you looking for exciting and stimulating STEM activities for 5th Graders?

As your child embarks on their final year of elementary school it is important for us as parents to realize that 5th Grade is a big step in their educational journey. For many kids, it’s the step before middle school, where schooling gets a bit harder, and more will be expected of them. It becomes very important to provide our children with a strong foundation, giving them the right tools and knowledge to pave the way for more complex learning.

By 5th Grade, our kids would have learned most of the basic science stuff and they will be ready to move on to more complex topics. However, the key to unlocking your child’s potential and fostering a deeper appreciation for these subjects is by using hands-on learning, which is best achieved through STEM activities. STEM education refers to the integrated teaching and learning of the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

While the fifth grade curriculum might be different depending on where you live certain core concepts remain universally common. Topics such as electricity, magnetism, chemistry, ecosystems, fractions, and probability normally find their place in the academic syllabus. Integrating activities focused specifically on these subjects can be helpful for parents wanting to help with their children’s school-based STEM learning.

However, in 5th Grade, STEM education isn’t just about learning facts. It also helps students develop important life skills, teaching them to think critically and be excellent in teamwork. They acquire logic, creative thinking, and problem-solving abilities through hands-on STEM tasks.

Knowing what 5th Graders usually learn in STEM education let’s look closer at the activities and projects that they can delve into.

We’re excited to share with you a few fantastic STEM activities and projects tailored specifically for 5th Graders.

These 5th Grade STEM activities are designed to captivate their interest and deepen their engagement in learning.

Why Include 5th Grade STEM Activities in Your Lesson Plans?

5th Grade is a very important time in your child’s academic journey. This is the year when things really start to get more challenging, and it is crucial to either start giving them a strong foundation for success or build on the foundation that has already been laid by you during the previous years. 

One of the best ways to strengthen their foundation is by integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) into your lessons.

STEM not only broadens their knowledge in these specific areas but also enhances numerous skills. When you incorporate STEM activities specially designed for 5th Graders into your science sessions, you’re giving your child the essential tools and concepts they’ll need to achieve success. STEM education not only prepares them for more advanced studies but also helps encourage a genuine interest and curiosity in the world around them. By ensuring a strong STEM foundation, you’re opening doors for them to become innovative thinkers and confident learners in an ever-changing world.

“Play is the greatest form of research,” said the brilliant Albert Einstein once. This quote resonates deeply with the importance of STEM education for children. Just as play allows children to explore, experiment, and understand the world around them, STEM activities provide them with a structured playground to feed their natural curiosity.

Through hands-on STEM projects, children are basically ‘playing’ with scientific principles, technological tools, engineering challenges, and mathematical concepts. This playful approach encourages our children to ask questions, make connections, and draw conclusions, all while having fun.

STEM education not only allows you to bond with your child it will also develop important skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, engineering mindset, teamwork, adaptability, and many more.

STEM education effortlessly blends the joy of play with the challenges of research, fostering a lifelong love for learning and discovery.

There are just so many amazing benefits of STEM education that make it a no-brainer to include in your curriculum.

Before we get started with our favorite STEM activities for 5th Graders, don’t forget to check out our STEM Made Easy Digital Subscription where you can get exclusive project guides and resources delivered right to your email inbox every month…

9 Free Entertaining STEM Activities For 5th Graders that will get them very excited.

Here are some of our absolute favorite 5th Grade STEM activities

1. DIY Jack in The Box Project

Ready to dive into a STEM adventure with a playful twist? Let’s get busy and craft a DIY Jack in the Box! With this fun-filled activity, your fifth grader will not just be playing, but discovering the magic of potential and kinetic energy.

Ever wondered how our jolly Jack pops out? It’s all about the energy stored in a spring, waiting to leap into action! This project is super easy, and as you and your child put it together, you’ll see science concepts spring to life. Plus, there’s room for personal creativity. Each Jack in the Box can be a special showcase of your child’s imagination.

So, gather around, and let’s add some springy science fun to your homeschooling day!

Get the full project: DIY Jack In The Box Project

2. 3D Edible Candy DNA Model

No better way to get your 5th Grader ready for an adventure than using candy to explain a new concept. Transform your kitchen into a colorful lab where sweets meet science! With just candies and a dash of creativity, your young scientists will whip up their very own 3D DNA models.

And guess what? These models are not just to look at, they’re edible too! We love edible science experiments!

Jump into the world of DNA, the double helix, and the wonders of genetics without any complicated equipment – just tasty treats! This is a perfect way to make learning the secrets of life’s blueprint an unforgettable and yummy experience. For all you curious minds and budding biologists, let’s get set to craft, munch, and become experts in the fascinating world of DNA.

Get the full project: Edible DNA Model

3. Amazing Aquaponics System

Taking on this fantastic STEM experiment will show your 5th Grader just why fish and plants can be great buddies.  In the world of aquaponics, they’re total BFFs! Think of an aquaponic system as nature’s coolest attempt at teamwork.

You see, fish create waste (it’s just what they do). But guess what? For plants, that waste is like a delicious treat! When plants munch on this treat, they end up cleaning the water, which makes the fish super happy. And the fish, being the generous pals they are, keep the treats coming. It’s like an endless potluck where everyone brings something to the table!

Dive into aquaponics and watch this beautiful dance of nature where fish and plants look out for each other. It’s Mother Nature’s coolest way of keeping things clean and keeping it green!

Get the full project: Free Classroom Aquaponic Lesson Plan

4. Toothpick Bridge STEM Challenge

Here is an exciting STEM activity for 5th Graders. Challenge your child to become a mini-engineer, problem solver, and patience pro when they craft bridges from toothpicks! But here’s the twist -to keep everything together give them some fun options: maybe sticky glue, squishy marshmallows, or even yummy jelly sweets.  It’s not just about making a bridge, it’s about designing one that won’t crumble under pressure!

Dive deep into the world of STEM, exploring how these tiny twigs can team up to form powerful pillars. And the best part? You can take on this challenge every year, with every creation being uniquely brilliant.

Get the full project: Toothpick Bridge STEM Challenge

5. DIY Anemometer STEM Activity

Ever dreamt of crafting a gadget that can measure the breezy whispers of the wind? Picture the amazement in your child’s eyes as they create their very own wind speed detective: an anemometer!

This is a nifty tool that measures how fast the wind is blowing. As you embark on this hands-on adventure, you won’t just be piecing together bits and bobs. You’ll be delving deep into the realms of physics, engineering, and the mysteries of our atmosphere. By the end of this project, not only will you have a wind-catching gadget at hand, but you’ll also have a wealth of knowledge about the dynamic forces shaping our planet. Let’s tackle the power of the wind and kickstart this educational journey!

 Get the full project: DIY Anemometer STEM Activity

6. The Science of Cookies

Ready to embark on a delicious adventure into the world of baking? Dive spoon-first into the delightful realm of cookie-making, where each ingredient has its own story to tell. Explore how sugar, butter, and flour dance together, creating magic in every bite.

Ever wondered why some cookies are chewy while others are crispy? Or how the amount and texture of ingredients can play a role?

Through this STEM activity that’s perfect for fifth graders, your young bakers will not only craft multiple cookie variations but also unravel the sweet science behind each delectable ingredient. Because while baking is an art, it’s the understanding of the science that turns good bakers into cookie maestros.

And the best part? At the end of this learning journey, they’ll have a plateful of yummy treats to celebrate their discoveries. Let’s mix, bake, and learn!

Get the full project: The Science of Cookies

7. STEM Water Cycle Activities  

Dive into our fantastic and resourceful STEM water cycle activities ideas and lesson plans! The water cycle is like Earth’s very own magic trick, turning water into clouds and back again. Imagine your 5th Graders’ excitement when they create a mini rainstorm in a jar, watching water evaporate and then “rain” back down. Or setting up a zip-lock bag on a sunny window to play detective and track the journey of water droplets.

With these cool experiments, not only will your child become a water cycle genius, but they’ll also get a fun-filled, hands-on lesson in how our planet works. Let’s make learning a splashy adventure!

Get the full project: STEM Water Cycle Activities

8. Slime Science Project

We get it, slime can be a handful! It’s messy and it clings to everything (including your favorite pants and carpet), but remember, it’s all for the love of our kids, right? Our young scientists are just eager to learn and discover. Whether you’re an experienced STEM parent or a newbie, the slime experiment is timeless. It never gets old and remains a lovely learning experience every time!

This squishy, stretchy substance isn’t just fun to poke and prod, it’s a science goldmine! While making and playing with slime, you’re actually exploring the cool world of viscosity, getting up close with quirky Non-Newtonian fluids, and unravelling the magic of polymers. Who knew learning could be this ooey-gooey awesome? So, let’s get slimy and science-y!

Get the full project: Slime Science Project

9. Desalination Project

Ever wondered how sea fish lives in the salty depths of the ocean, while we can’t use that same water for our daily needs? The salt’s the catch! Thankfully, through a process called “desalinization,” we’ve found a way to extract that salt.

Think about converting seawater into drinkable water. It’s achieved by heating the water, allowing it to evaporate, then capturing the pure water in a separate container, leaving the dense salt behind. Dive deeper into the fascinating world of water distillation and witness this fascinating process.

Get the full project: An Easy Desalination Project

Want STEM Project Ideas Delivered Right to Your Inbox?

For more exciting experiments and fascinating STEM activities that are sure to please kids of all ages, sign up for our STEM Made Easy Digital Subscription. Every month, you’ll get an email with a collection of curated hands-on STEM project blueprints along with a number of accompanying resources and worksheets, helping you whip up some fun-filled learning tasks quickly and easily.

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More STEM Resources to Check Out

STEM Project Ideas by Grade Level/Age:

• STEM Activities for Kindergarteners
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