Boat Float Challenge

By Michael Rust •

Grade Level	9th
Subject Area	Physical Science
Duration	Six 50 minute classes
Setting	Standard Classroom
Background Knowledge	The students recently completed a unit on density, which prepared them for this activity.
Author	Michael Rust

Summary
This lesson engages students in a design activity that teaches them about engineering and the nature of technology. Students are given the task of designing a boat using a limited set of materials. Students can work in groups of two and each group will be given the same set of materials. Several design goals are given to the students to attempt, which culminates with the Boat Float Challenge competition. Each design will be tested and awarded points for the following categories: 1. Distance traveled with one blow 2. Amount of weight it can hold 3. Cost efficiency This is a checkpoint activity, thus the students will complete specific tasks and have their work signed off by the teacher. This shows incremental student work and also allows the teacher to keep all students moving at the desired pace.

Objectives
Students will be able to: 1. Implement the engineering design process to construct a boat a. Identify goals b. Identify constraints c. Select from available options d. Design prototype e. Test f. Revise and iterate g. Finalize designs 2. Describe their design to others through written and verbal communication

Materials Required
Materials for students to design with (number in parenthesis indicates number given to each group of 3 students): Flexible straws (3) cardboard (two 3”x 3” pieces cut from a box) Styrofoam (4 Styrofoam packing peanuts) aluminum foil (one 8.5 x 11” sheet) craft sticks (4 mini wood craft sticks) scotch tape (one roll per group of students) construction paper (half of a 8.5 x 11” sheet) large Ziploc bags (gallon sized freezer bags). Materials for testing Container to hold water (should be between 50 and 100 cm long, at least 5 inches deep) Weights for testing (can use something simple like pennies, or 1 gram cubes)

Ohio Standards

Science

Science and Technology

A.2 Identify a problem or need, propose designs and choose among alternative solutions for the problem
A.3 Explain why a design should be continually assessed and the ideas of the design should be tested, adapted and refined
B.1 Describe means of comparing the benefits with the risks of technology and how science can inform public policy

Technology

Technology and Society Interaction

A.1 Explain how making decisions about the use of technology involves weighing the trade-offs between the positive and negative effects

Design

A.1 Explain and apply the methods and tools of inventive problem-solving to develop and produce a product or system
B.2 Explain how a prototype is a working model used to test a design concept by making actual observations and necessary adjustments