PENNSYLVANIATHE KEYSTONE STATE
Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Online Center
Everything Pennsylvania fifth graders need for PSSA Science, six full-length practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and every Pennsylvania science standard for this grade in one place.
Standards source: State Academic Standards, Pennsylvania State Board of Education.
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Pennsylvania Science by Grade
Every Pennsylvania science center, grade 1 through grade 8.
Start With a Practice Test
Six full, timed science practice tests for Pennsylvania fifth graders, 35 questions each, instant scoring, a breakdown by science area, and a written explanation for every question. Each one opens right here.
Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Practice Test 1
A full diagnostic across every science area for this grade.
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Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Practice Test 2
Fresh questions and new phenomena to build accuracy.
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Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Practice Test 3
New problems that push reading of data, models, and evidence.
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Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Practice Test 4
Another complete, timed exam to build pacing and stamina.
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Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Practice Test 5
A brand-new mixed set to test how ready you are.
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Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Practice Test 6
A final full-length simulation to confirm you are ready.
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Grade 5 Science Skill Quizzes
Pick one science area, answer 10 questions, and see exactly where the idea broke down. Each quiz opens right here.
Matter and Its Properties
A quick 10-question check on matter and its properties, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Forces and Motion
A quick 10-question check on forces and motion, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Energy
A quick 10-question check on energy, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Cells, Structures and Life Processes
A quick 10-question check on cells, structures and life processes, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Ecosystems and Heredity
A quick 10-question check on ecosystems and heredity, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Earth and Space Systems
A quick 10-question check on earth and space systems, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Earth, Human Activity and Engineering
A quick 10-question check on earth, human activity and engineering, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Grade 5 Science Study Tools
A few minutes of review between practice tests. Both open right here.
Grade 5 Science Flashcards
All 145 terms this grade is expected to know. Search the deck, filter by science area, star the hard ones, and mark off what you have down.
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Grade 5 Science Quick Review
Every must-know idea for this grade on one page, grouped by science area, with the vocabulary for each one.
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Study with a clearer next step
This Pennsylvania grade 5 science center is part of the Effortless Math library. Practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and the state's own standards are connected so a student always has a clear next step instead of a wall of links.
Effortless Math is an independent educational publisher. Test names, state exams, standards names, and trademarks are used only to identify the relevant study topic; their owners do not sponsor, endorse, or approve this page.
Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Snapshot
Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Topics
These are the 49 science standards Pennsylvania sets for grade 5, from the Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Standards (STEELS), grouped and ordered exactly the way the state's own standards document groups them. Each one is tagged with its official code so you can trace it straight back to the state document.
Pennsylvania standard codes
3.1 Life Science
- 3.1.5.A3.1.5.BOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
3.2 Physical Science
- 3.2.5.AParticles, Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
- 3.2.5.BScientific Tools, Measurement, and Data Displays
- 3.2.5.CMaterial Properties and Uses
- 3.2.5.DMixtures, Solutions, and Conservation of Matter
- 3.2.5.EChemical and Physical Changes
- 3.2.5.FGravity and Object Motion
- 3.2.5.GOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
3.3 Earth and Space Science
- 3.3.5.A3.3.5.BSun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space Systems
- 3.3.5.CWater Cycle, Weather, Climate, and Atmosphere
- 3.3.5.DEarth's Water, Freshwater, and Saltwater Resources
- 3.3.5.ENatural Resources and Human Impacts
- 3.3.5.FEngineering Design and Solution Evaluation
3.5 Technology and Engineering
- 3.5.3-5.A3.5.3-5.H3.5.3-5.DD3.5.3-5.HHPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and Change
- 3.5.3-5.B3.5.3-5.K3.5.3-5.M3.5.3-5.P3.5.3-5.Q3.5.3-5.S+5Engineering Design and Solution Evaluation
- 3.5.3-5.CFollow Directions Complete Technological Task
- 3.5.3-5.NWhy Product System Not Working Properly
- 3.5.3-5.DCertain Aspects Daily Lives Would Different Without Given
- 3.5.3-5.E3.5.3-5.F3.5.3-5.GGNatural Resources and Human Impacts
- 3.5.3-5.GHelpful Harmful Effects Technology Natural Energy Sources
- 3.5.3-5.JTechnologies Developed Adapted When Individual Societal Needs Wants
- 3.5.3-5.R3.5.3-5.ILab Safety and Responsible Investigations
- 3.5.3-5.XVarious Relationships Exist Between Technology Engineering Other Content
- 3.5.3-5.FFThings Found Nature Differ Things Human Made Noting
- 3.5.3-5.LTools Machines Extend Human Capabilities Holding Lifting Carrying
- 3.5.3-5.WMaterial Properties and Uses
- 3.5.3-5.YResources Needed Get Technical Job Done People Materials
- 3.5.3-5.ZNew Product Improves Someone'S Life
- 3.5.3-5.BBWhen Parts System Missing May Not Work Planned
- 3.5.3-5.CCSubsystem System Operates Part Another Larger System
- 3.5.3-5.AARepresentations Tools People Made They Cultivated Provide Food
Grouped and ordered from the state's own standards document.
Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science Standards
The full text of every grade 5 science standard in the Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Standards (STEELS). If your Pennsylvania classroom or report card mentions a code, you will find it here.
3.1 Life Science
- 3.1.5.AOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesSupport an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water
- 3.1.5.BOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesDevelop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment
3.2 Physical Science
- 3.2.5.AParticles, Atoms, Elements, and CompoundsDevelop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen
- 3.2.5.BScientific Tools, Measurement, and Data DisplaysMake and communicate observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties
- 3.2.5.CMaterial Properties and UsesInterpret and analyze data to make decisions about how to use materials based on their properties
- 3.2.5.DMixtures, Solutions, and Conservation of MatterMeasure and graph quantities to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved
- 3.2.5.EChemical and Physical ChangesConduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances
- 3.2.5.FGravity and Object MotionSupport an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down
- 3.2.5.GOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesUse models to describe that energy in animals' food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun
3.3 Earth and Space Science
- 3.3.5.ASun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space SystemsSupport an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from Earth
- 3.3.5.BSun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space SystemsRepresent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky
- 3.3.5.CWater Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereDevelop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact
- 3.3.5.DEarth's Water, Freshwater, and Saltwater ResourcesDescribe and graph the amounts and percentages of water and fresh water in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth
- 3.3.5.ENatural Resources and Human ImpactsObtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth's resources and environment
- 3.3.5.FEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationGenerate and design possible solutions to a current environmental issue, threat, or concern
3.5 Technology and Engineering
- 3.5.3-5.APatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeUse appropriate symbols, numbers and words to communicate key ideas about technological products and systems
- 3.5.3-5.BEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationExamine information to assess the trade-offs of using a product or system
- 3.5.3-5.CFollow Directions Complete Technological TaskFollow directions to complete a technological task
- 3.5.3-5.NWhy Product System Not Working ProperlyIdentify why a product or system is not working properly
- 3.5.3-5.DCertain Aspects Daily Lives Would Different Without GivenPredict how certain aspects of their daily lives would be different without given technologies
- 3.5.3-5.ENatural Resources and Human ImpactsExplain why responsible use of technology requires sustainable management of resources
- 3.5.3-5.FNatural Resources and Human ImpactsClassify resources used to create technologies as either renewable or nonrenewable
- 3.5.3-5.GHelpful Harmful Effects Technology Natural Energy SourcesDescribe the helpful and harmful effects of technology
- 3.5.3-5.KEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationJudge technologies to determine the best one to use to complete a given task or meet a need
- 3.5.3-5.HPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeDetermine factors that influence changes in a society's technological systems or infrastructure
- 3.5.3-5.JTechnologies Developed Adapted When Individual Societal Needs WantsExplain how technologies are developed or adapted when individual or societal needs and wants change
- 3.5.3-5.MEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationDemonstrate essential skills of the engineering design process
- 3.5.3-5.PEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationEvaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing design solutions, including their own solutions
- 3.5.3-5.QEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationPractice successful design skills
- 3.5.3-5.RLab Safety and Responsible InvestigationsApply tools, techniques, and materials in a safe manner as part of the design process
- 3.5.3-5.SEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationIllustrate that there are multiple approaches to design
- 3.5.3-5.TEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationApply universal principles and elements of design
- 3.5.3-5.UEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationEvaluate designs based on criteria, constraints, and standards
- 3.5.3-5.VEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationInterpret how good design improves the human condition
- 3.5.3-5.XVarious Relationships Exist Between Technology Engineering Other ContentExplain how various relationships can exist between technology and engineering and other content areas
- 3.5.3-5.DDPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeDemonstrate how simple technologies are often combined to form more complex systems
- 3.5.3-5.ILab Safety and Responsible InvestigationsDesign solutions by safely using tools, materials, and skills
- 3.5.3-5.EEEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationExplain how solutions to problems are shaped by economic, political, and cultural forces
- 3.5.3-5.FFThings Found Nature Differ Things Human Made NotingCompare how things found in nature differ from things that are human-made, noting differences and similarities in how they are produced and used
- 3.5.3-5.GGNatural Resources and Human ImpactsDescribe the unique relationship between science and technology, and how the natural world can contribute to the human-made world to support innovation
- 3.5.3-5.HHPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeDifferentiate between the role of scientists, engineers, technologists, and others in creating and maintaining technological systems
- 3.5.3-5.LTools Machines Extend Human Capabilities Holding Lifting CarryingDemonstrate how tools and machines extend human capabilities, such as holding, lifting, carrying, fastening, separating, and computing
- 3.5.3-5.OEngineering Design and Solution EvaluationDescribe requirements of designing or making a product or system
- 3.5.3-5.WMaterial Properties and UsesDescribe the properties of different materials
- 3.5.3-5.YResources Needed Get Technical Job Done People MaterialsIdentify the resources needed to get a technical job done, such as people, materials, capital, tools, machines, knowledge, energy, and time
- 3.5.3-5.ZNew Product Improves Someone'S LifeCreate a new product that improves someone's life
- 3.5.3-5.BBWhen Parts System Missing May Not Work PlannedIllustrate how, when parts of a system are missing, it may not work as planned
- 3.5.3-5.CCSubsystem System Operates Part Another Larger SystemDescribe how a subsystem is a system that operates as a part of another larger system
- 3.5.3-5.AARepresentations Tools People Made They Cultivated Provide FoodCreate representations of the tools people made, how they cultivated to provide food, made clothing, and built shelters to protect themselves
Source: Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards. Always check the current official document before relying on a code for placement or reporting.
Pennsylvania Grade 5: Math and English Too
Science is one of three Pennsylvania grade 5 centers. Same format, same standards-first approach, for the other two subjects.
Pennsylvania Grade 5 Math
Six full practice tests, printable worksheets, step-by-step lessons, and every Pennsylvania grade 5 math standard.
Pennsylvania Grade 5 English
Reading, writing, and language standards for Pennsylvania grade 5, broken into short skill targets with practice for each one.
Pennsylvania Grade 5 Science FAQ
Does Pennsylvania test science in grade 5?
Yes. Pennsylvania students take PSSA Science in grade 5. Beginning 2025 to 2026, PSSA Science moved from grade 4 to grade 5 (and grade 8). Aligned to PA STEELS: Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology & Engineering.
Which standards does grade 5 science in Pennsylvania follow?
Pennsylvania follows the Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Standards (STEELS), published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. All 49 of this grade's standards are listed further down the page with their official codes.
How long are the practice tests?
Each of the six practice tests has 35 questions and a 60-minute timer. The timer auto-submits at zero and you get your score, a breakdown by science area, and a written explanation for every question.
Is any of this free?
Yes, every practice test, quiz, and flashcard set on this page is free and needs no login. Your progress is saved in your own browser and nowhere else.
What is the fastest way to use this page?
Take practice test 1 cold. Look at the topic breakdown, pick the weakest science area, and do that skill quiz. Then read the quick review for that area and come back for practice test 2.
Grade 5 Science in Other States
Standards, practice tests, and quizzes for grade 5 science in every state and Washington, D.C.
Start With One PSSA Test
Take a timed practice test, find the science area that costs you the most points, and study that one first with the matching quiz and quick review.