Looking for new research project ideas for elementary students? I’ve got you covered with these fun, engaging topics that will keep students of all ages interested in the research process.

Tips for Research Projects for Elementary Students

• Break multi-class research projects up into individual classes. For example, the first class is for introducing the project, the second class is for taking notes, and the third class is for the final project.
• Offer choices for the final project! Let students be creative.
• Kickoff research projects with a read aloud to get students thinking about the topics.
• Don’t forget to share! Instead of having students share with the whole class, have students get in partners and share their work.
• Grade research projects on the same research rubric every time. This offers consistency!
• Don’t do research projects only once a year. Sprinkle them throughout your lessons.
• Do a combination of one-class research lessons and multi-class research lessons.
• Use a variety of books, websites, and databases for your elementary research projects.
• If you want students to research using two sources, have them research two different topics and compare them.
• Link projects to student’s opinions! Have them use the facts to show what they learned and form an opinion.
• If a student misses a class during a multi-class research project, have them partner up with someone else or limit the amount of work they have to do.
• Have FUN! If you don’t like the project…your students won’t either.

Visit notesheep.com to access ALL of these research projects for elementary students. All articles and projects are included!

Toy Research Project

Who doesn’t want to learn about the invention of popular toys? There are a ton of great read alouds about toy inventions. Kick off your project with a great read aloud, have students explore toy inventions, and take notes on two different toys. Add in a final project on what toy they think should win the BEST TOY EVER, and you’ve got yourself a solid multi-class research project.

Roller Coasters Research Project

Mix up your research project topics and introduce this roller coaster project! Students will learn about different roller coasters in the U.S and take notes about how they were made, how much they cost, and ride features. You’ll quickly learn which students are into roller coasters and which aren’t!

Nocturnal Animals Research Project

Yes, you’ve done animal research before but have you had students create comics with the facts they learned? If you haven’t, this is your sign to do it now! Kids will easily find facts about noctunal animals and you’ll be amazed with their creativity in their comics.

Natural Disasters Research Project

Enter the Natural Disasters research project. Students will listen to amazing read alouds to kick off the project, and then take notes on the warning signs of natural disasters, the deadliest in history, and how to prepare.

Food Trucks Research Project

This project will be one that you repeat every year. Introduce students to different food trucks and have them take notes on how they formed, what they serve, and where they are located. Then, have students create their own ideas for a food truck!