Project Details
Theme
November | Physics
Messy Level
3
Suggested Location
Outside
Prep & Classroom Structure
Prep:
Suggest this project be performed outside near a water source.
Designate an area in the lab where materials can be organized for the students to select them
1 student per group will have 30 seconds to select their materials and groups should go in the order of the lead's choosing.
Encourage students to design their boat with the supplies they chose.
Have children build in the lab and bring outside for testing before commencing a bracket tournament.
Recommend groups of 3–5 students and specifically note that the design needs support for looping the rubber band around. It also suggests example size limits of about 10 inches long, 4 inches wide, and a paddle no longer than 3 inches, which can be adjusted for your race course.
Resource:
Video example:
Materials
• Plastic To-Go Containers
• Plastic Bottles
• Styrofoam
• Blocks
• Pencils
• Craft
• Sticks
• Rubber
• Bands
• Spoons
• Milk Cartons
• Inflatable regatta raceway
• Hose with Water Access
• Sharpie
• Prize for winning team, 2nd and 3rd
Project Instructions
1) Work in a small team to decide what shape and materials you want to use for your boat.
2) Build a lightweight hull from a plastic container, bottle, Styrofoam, milk carton, or similar floating material.
3) Add two sturdy supports near the back of the boat using craft sticks, pencils, straws, or chopsticks.
4) Loop a rubber band securely around the two supports.
5) Create a paddle from a craft stick, spoon, or lightweight piece of plastic and place it through the rubber band.
6) Twist the paddle repeatedly to wind up the rubber band and store energy.
7) Place the boat gently in the water while holding the paddle in place.
8) Release the paddle and watch the boat move forward.
9) Observe how straight, fast, and far your boat travels.
10) Redesign and test again by changing the hull shape, paddle size, rubber-band tension, weight, or balance.
11) When your design is ready, race it against another team’s boat.