As students began imagining possible ideas, they thought about the following questions:
- How will you make a boat that floats well enough to support a heavy load without sinking?
- Should your boat be a platform or an open design (more like a canoe or rowboat)?
- What's the best way to make your boat waterproof?
- How big do you need to make your boat to hold 25 coins?
Once students imagined and planned, they began to create!
After each group finished creating, they tested out their design. Some were successful on the first try and some were not. All year, students have been learning that engineers are ok with failing - they learn from their mistakes!
Once students tested out their design, they went back and saw what part of their watercraft was successful and what part needed some improvements. Some of the things students worked on improving were increasing its ability to float, making sure it was not taking on water, and making sure it does not tip easily. On our final test, some watercraft ended up holding 100 coins!
