Discover Engineering in Central Texas

Grade Level:  Elementary School, 1^st-6^th

Related classroom topics:  Buoyancy

Supplies Needed: 

For a classroom of 20-30:

·        1 roll of aluminum foil at least 30 square feet long

·        Weights:  hundreds of pennies

·        Large Tupperware bucket to float boats in

Procedure: 

1.      Give each student 1 square foot of aluminum foil and several pennies (weights).

2.      Instruct each student to fold foil into any shape of a boat.

3.      Place each boat into water-filled container and add pennies until boat sinks.

4.      Keep track of how many pennies boat can hold on chalkboard.

5.      Student’s boat that can withstand the most pennies has the best design.

Extensions: 

Given time, allow students to attempt to redesign boat so it can handle more pennies.

Related topics you could discuss:  Buoyancy

Hints/Tips:  The boats shaped similar to a barge will hold the most weight.  Purchase aluminum foil specifically for wrapping sandwiches, it is precut into 1 square foot pieces.  Ask teacher for possible water containers within school supplies.  Boats may carry any where from 40-100 pennies, can divide students into groups if unable to attain enough pennies.

Original Experiment Submitter:  Dena Tensa, Oregon