Baseball bats are traditionally made from wood or metal alloy, especially ash wood and aluminum. Some other materials include cork, fiberglass, bamboo, maple and hickory. Taking a bat from each material, and going outside to hit a few balls in the park can help a fifth-grader see if a specific material is superior to the others. Have the student calculate and record each hit with each different bat to compare distances. Take notes on the weight of each bat; is one bat heavier than the others? Which bat is the lightest? The student may also record if he found a specific bat better to swing.
Energy drinks are popular among many athletes, and the claim that these drinks provide instant energy may be irresistible to some athletes. A fifth-grader could find out if these claims are true by purchasing a few of the popular brands of sport drinks safer for children, and using them while playing sports. Before and during a game, drink one of the products, and record which one you have consumed and what sport you are playing. Record how the fifth-grader felt while playing. Do the same at your next sports event, except do not consume any kind of energy drink, only water. Again, record how the fifth-grader felt; did he feel different than the time he used the energy boost? Try a different product next time he plays a sport, and record the findings for that product versus water.
Fifth-grade students of all shapes and sizes can enjoy sports. By getting a group of students with varying heights together, you can see if height makes a difference in sports performance. Have a tall student race a shorter student down a field to a marker. Record which student reaches the marker first, then write down why you think that student won over the other student. You could also have the group of students play a game of any chosen sport. Observe and record each player, and document how a taller student performs compared to a shorter student. See if height does make a difference in sports, or if it depends upon the individual rather than height.
Swimming gives a student a full body workout while being enjoyable at the same time. There are many different kinds of swimwear in stores, so finding the right material for you may be hard. Getting a group of students together with various types of swim clothing can help you find out which materials help you swim better and which kinds may weigh you down. Record each material the students have, and note the type of clothing, such as trunks, briefs, full piece or two piece suit. Observe the students as they swim, asking them how each material feels when wet. Next have the students all swim laps, and record how each student's article of swimwear felt. Does one type of clothing feel like it holds the student back, and does one type feel like the student can swim faster? You may also see if a certain style of swimwear hinders or helps a student's ability to swim.