This article analyses the features of innovative curriculum design and the associated research activities of primary school students in Ukraine. It is emphasised that the priority is the formation of 'meta-subject results' in junior high school students, which can be seen as universal learning activities that will ensure, to a large extent, the success of learning at the next levels of education. Our research has shown the undeniable effectiveness of innovative curriculum design allied to pupil research activities based on project work when compared with traditional methodological approaches to learning. We argue that the increasing demand to develop key competencies in education gives a heightened need for these pedagogical approaches. Moreover, the introduction of project work allows the teacher to form a pedagogical situation in which the student formulates a goal and achieves it whilst developing the key skills that will underpin their wider education.