Grade 5 · Ages 10-11
A fifth grader can finish any of these projects easily. What holds their attention is everything they can change afterward. These kits have enough moving parts that fifth graders will keep experimenting long after they finish the project.
$1.15
lowest cost per student
45-75 min
activity time
01
Energy conversion · flight
Rubber Band Helicopters
- Simple and quick to build. Challenging and fun to optimize.
- Number of rubber bands, amount of energy stored, flying technique, and the paper cutout all affect flight time.
- Shows energy conversion directly: stored elastic energy becomes rotation, then lift.
Why it fits fifth grade
- 5th graders can dive deeper into the science and fully grasp how the variables affect flight time.
- Students can keep track of each change they make and record their observations after each test.
- They may achieve some success quickly, but helicopters are still challenging enough to keep them engaged for an entire class.
$22.46
$24.95
Builds 10 helicopters
Price per student: $2.25
Pack size
02
Thrust · vehicles
Rubber Band Propeller Cars
- A wound-up rubber band drives a propeller that pushes the car forward.
- Propeller angle, number of rubber bands, amount of energy, and wheel steering all affect the outcome.
- First build that combines stored energy, propulsion, and friction in one vehicle.
Why it fits fifth grade
- Four variables give even the sharpest 5th graders plenty to explore.
- Assembly will be simple at this age, leaving most of the class time for investigations.
- Distance traveled is easy for students to measure independently, whether it's down a hallway or on blacktop.
$36.86
$40.95
Builds 10 propeller cars
Price per student: $3.69
Pack size
03
Simple circuits · robotics
Wonky Robot Kit
- Students build a motorized robot-styled machine using special high-power motors.
- Combine different wheel attachments to change the driving pattern.
- See frequency and patterns in a delightful robot-styled design.
Why it fits fifth grade
- Jumper-style wire connectors allow students to independently create their own circuit, as well as experiment with reversing the current.
- Students have probably never done a project like this, making engagement an easy win for teachers.
- Dive deeper into science concepts like frequency and amplitude, but with a novel and delightful mechanism.
$43.16
$47.95
Builds 10 robots
Price per student: $4.32
Pack size
Run all three as a unit on energy and motion
Pack sizes differ between kits, so check the student count on each one before ordering for a full class.
All three kits, one of each
$102.48
$113.85
POs accepted. Free shipping.