Design a Submarine

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Learners act as engineers and design mini submarines that move in the water like real submarines. The submarines must be able to float, sink, and hover steadily without touching the top of the water or resting on the bottom. Use this activity to introduce learners to density and buoyancy.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Small container with a lid (pill container, film canister, plastic bottle, etc.)
  • Variety of small, heavy objects (coins, marbles, screws, washers, etc.)
  • Variety of small, light objects (paper clips, fabric pieces, cork, beads, etc.)
  • Rubber bands or string
  • Large container or tub
  • Water
  • Paper
  • Pen

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Transportation Engineering
    • Technology
      • Transportation
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Mass and Weight
      • Volume and Density
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Invention and Innovation
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Informal Categories

  • Model Building
  • Toys
  • Transportation

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

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