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The Shape of Floatation
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In this activity (on page 2 of the PDF under GPS: Sailboat Design Activity), learners will discover how the shape of an object, not just its weight, determines whether it floats or sinks.

Fragile Waters
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In this activity (on pages 18-29) learners explore the impact of the March 24, 1989 oil spill in Alaska caused by the Exxon Valdez tanker.

Deep Sea Diver
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In this ocean engineering activity, learners explore buoyancy and water displacement. Then, learners design models of deep sea divers that are neutrally buoyant.

Float My Boat
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In this activity, learners use tinfoil to build and test their own boats - which designs will float, and which will sink?

Full of Hot Air: Hot Air Balloon Building
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In this activity, learners create a model of a hot air balloon using tissue paper and a hairdryer. Educators can use this activity to introduce learners to density and its role in why things float.

Plankton Races
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In this two-part activity, learners investigate buoyancy, density and surface area as well as biodiversity and the relationship between the structure and function of organisms.

Milli's Super Sorting Challenge
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In this activity, learners separate materials based on their special properties to mimic the way recyclables are sorted at recycling centers.

Can You Canoe?
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In this activity, learners explore how engineering has impacted the manufacturing of canoes over time, including the development of new, durable, and lighter materials.

Watercraft
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In this design challenge activity, learners build a boat that can hold 25 pennies (or 15 one inch metal washers) for at least ten seconds before sinking.

Design a Submarine
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Learners act as engineers and design mini submarines that move in the water like real submarines.

OBIS Oil Spill
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In this outdoor activity, learners simulate an oil spill using popcorn (both oil and popcorn float on water), and estimate the spill's impact on the environment.
Soaring Satellites
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Using a vertical wind tube and using simple materials, individuals and groups attempt to design a "satellite" that floats for at least 5 seconds.

Sink or Swim?
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In this activity, learners identify different plastics in a mystery bag. Learners discover that plastics are classified #1 through #7.

Build a Raft
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In this activity, learners explore density and buoyancy as they design and construct rafts.

Density Intensity
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In this activity on page 12 of the PDF (Rethinking the 3 R’s: It’s Easy to be Green), learners examine how recyclable materials are separated by various properties at recycling centers.

Suminagashi: Floating Ink Paper Marbling
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In this activity, learners try to float ink on the surface of water to create a pattern and then capture it with absorbent paper.

Hovercraft
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In this activity, learners build a hovercraft using a paper plate, cup, and simple motor.

Boats Afloat
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In this activity, learners discover what buoyancy is and determine the characteristics that make an object buoyant. Learners design, build, test, and evaluate boats made from a variety of materials.

Milk Carton Boats
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This activity (on page 2 of the PDF SciGirls Activity: Milk Carton Boat) is a full inquiry investigation into boat hull design.

Life Vest Challenge
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In this activity, learners explore the engineering behind life vests or personal flotation devices and the challenges met by these devices.