Designing Boats for Aquatic Science

The spring term has started and students have just completed their boat design project. I love this project.  The designs are very interesting but what is really cool is how the students work together and even help other teams.



 Some students really go beyond when building boats.   I wore my sailboat shirt and they dressed like sailors.   Very cute.



Our aquatic science classes have been doing this several years.  It really gets students involved and keeps them engaged.  You know you have hooked the students when they show up before class to work on their project

Teaching strategies: 

• First we have students pick a partner - they can work individually or in pairs
• Then we show a short power point on the project that gives includes directions and suggestions for design and building
• Key requirements:  must have sail, mast, keel, rudder, hold twenty small marbles and  sail down a stream table without touching the side
• I have students complete three successful trial then average their time and calculate the speed.   Distance down the stream table - 100 cm. The times are added in the teacher log book.
• Grade is based on the fastest time
• Each student has to fill in an evaluation form

Blogging:   This is something I have just started this year.   It has been a work in progress.   Students are asked to take pictures of their building/design and working model.  The pictures are then added to their daily blog.   It takes awhile to get everyone set up with a valid blog and may require parent phone calls to make sure participation is 100 %.  Some students love it and some think it is more like pulling teeth.  However, once they get use to doing it most will complete them.  They do like sharing it with their friends.  This year we are going to give a prize (not decided yet) for the student with the most followers. 


Here are some more pictures of students working: