Boat Float
This idea was obtained from the web site for the PBS kids' show ZOOM.
Age
Done with third graders last year
Materials Needed
- Aluminum Foil—one sheet per child
- Weights—Box of fender washers
- Water Table (or place to float the boats)
Purpose
Design a boat from the sheet of foil that will hold the most weight.
Activity
The children can fold the foil into any shape and then see how much weight it will hold. When the boat sinks, they have added too much weight. Then they could redesign the boat using the same piece of foil and see if they could get the boat to hold more. Keep track on the chalkboard of which boat held the most weight. Then the children will have a goal to aim for.
Result: The boats shaped similar to a barge will hold the most weight. Talk about the shapes that held the most weight.
Note: We bought the box of aluminum foil sheets which are advertised for wrapping sandwiches. This cut down on preparation time. We also borrowed the water tables from the kindergarten classrooms.
Thanks to Dena Tensa in Oregon for providing this activity idea.
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