Float My Boat
Source Institutions
-
WGBH
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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? Learners must adjust many variables in their boat design to maximize stability and flotation, in order for the boat to support a heavy load of pennies. This activity is great used with lessons on engineering or design.
- 10 to 30 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- 1 cent - $1 per student
- Ages 6 - 11
- Activity, Model
- English, Spanish
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- 6-inch squares of tinfoil (or aluminum foil)
- Pennies
- Ruler
- Container half filled with water
Subjects
- Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
- Technology
- Transportation
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis and Probability
- 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
- Transportation
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- be mobile
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Foreign language versions of this resource:
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:
- WGBH
Source Collection:
- FETCH! With Ruff Ruffman
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, WGBH Educational Foundation, ©2006
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation, 0452485
- Public television viewers
- The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation
- Arby's
- Greendog
