Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 21

The Shape of Floatation
Source Institutions
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
Source Institutions
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
Source Institutions
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
Source Institutions
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
Source Institutions
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
Source Institutions
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.

Boats Afloat
Source Institutions
In this water activity, learners build boats that float and sink. First, learners listen to the book, "Who Sank the Boat" and practice making predictions throughout the story.

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

Prepare for a Dock Shop Field Trip
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore what makes a boat float and sink. They examine and test various objects to determine why objects float or sink.

Watercraft
Source Institutions
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
Source Institutions
Learners act as engineers and design mini submarines that move in the water like real submarines.
Soaring Satellites
Source Institutions
Using a vertical wind tube and using simple materials, individuals and groups attempt to design a "satellite" that floats for at least 5 seconds.

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

Make a Wire Critter That Can Walk on Water
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners make water-walking critters using thin wire, and then test how many paper clips these critters can carry without sinking.

Suminagashi: Floating Ink Paper Marbling
Source Institutions
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
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a hovercraft using a paper plate, cup, and simple motor.

Boats Afloat
Source Institutions
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
Source Institutions
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
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore the engineering behind life vests or personal flotation devices and the challenges met by these devices.

Parachuting Pinwheel
Source Institutions
Build a pinwheel that works without wind! This activity contains steps on how to build a parachuting pinwheel out of paper, a film canister, and some brads.