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In this activity, learners explore how boats are engineered to achieve speed. Learners consider and develop a design, build their speedboat out of everyday items, and test their boat against those developed by other "engineering" teams. Learners reflect on the challenge and present their findings to the group.
- Under 5 minutes
- 2 to 4 hours
- Over $20 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Student Resource Sheets
- Student Worksheets
- Water
- Towels
- Canal (long waterproof container such as a planter or gutter section with end pieces attached)
- Stopwatch or other speed measuring device
- Rubber bands
- Measuring tape
- Cardboard
- Fasteners
- Blocks or sheets of Styrofoam
- Duct tape
- Toothpicks
- Paper
- Foil
- Glue
- Pencils
- Straws
- Gears
- Paper cups
- Wax
- Balloons
- String
- Springs
- Cork
- Motors
Subjects
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
-
Technology
- Transportation
-
Engineering
-
Mathematics
-
Measurement
- Rate
-
Measurement
-
Physical Sciences
- Energy
-
Motion and Forces
- Machines
- Momentum and Velocity
- Acceleration
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Mass and Weight
- Volume and Density
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
-
The Scientific Process
-
The Nature of Technology
-
The Design Process
- Research and Development
- Invention and Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
-
The Design Process
Informal Categories
- Model Building
- Sports and Exercise
- Transportation
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, IEEE,