"Floatastic Voyage: Modesto's Boat Showcase!"

High School Grade Project 4 weeks

"Floatastic Voyage: Modesto's Boat Showcase!"

Rudy Escobar

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Purpose

Students will engage in a dynamic exploration of boat design and functionality, integrating physics, history, and environmental science, with a focus on the Modesto, California area. They will collaboratively design and construct model boats, applying principles of buoyancy and propulsion while considering sustainable materials. The project culminates in a presentation where students showcase their designs and reflect on the historical and cultural significance of boats, addressing a specific community's needs through innovative solutions.

Learning goals

Students will explore the principles of buoyancy and hydrodynamics to understand how boats float and move. They will investigate the impact of material choice and design on boat efficiency and sustainability. Through historical analysis, students will examine the role of boats in shaping trade, culture, and exploration, with a focus on the Modesto, California region. Finally, students will apply their knowledge to design a boat tailored to the needs of a specific community, considering both functionality and environmental impact.

Standards

NGSS - HS-PS2-1: Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on an object, its mass, and its acceleration.
NGSS - HS-ESS3-4: Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.MG.A.1: Use geometric shapes, their measures, and their properties to describe objects (e.g., modeling a boat as a combination of cylinders, rectangular prisms, etc.).

Products

Students will collaboratively design and construct a scale model of a boat using sustainable materials, applying principles of buoyancy, balance, and propulsion. They will create a presentation that explores the historical impact of boats on trade and culture, supported by research and interviews with local maritime experts in Modesto, California. Each group will produce a detailed report proposing a boat design tailored to the needs of a specific community, including sketches, material lists, and a rationale for their design choices.

Launch

Kick off the project by organizing a field trip to the nearby Modesto Reservoir, where students can observe different types of boats and speak with local boaters about design and functionality. Facilitate a discussion on their observations about why certain designs and materials work better than others. Introduce the essential questions through an interactive presentation showcasing diverse boat designs and their historical significance, encouraging students to think about how these designs meet specific needs and challenges. Conclude the launch with a brainstorming session where students propose ideas for a community-focused boat design project.

Exhibition

Students will host a "Floating Innovations Fair" in Modesto, California, where they present their boat designs, prototypes, and research findings to peers, teachers, and community members. Each team will showcase their process, highlighting how their design addresses specific community needs or purposes. Attendees can engage with interactive displays that demonstrate the principles of buoyancy and propulsion, and students will facilitate discussions on the historical and cultural impacts of boats. The event will conclude with a reflection session where students share insights gained and future applications of their learning.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Introduce the project with a field trip to the Modesto Reservoir to observe various boat types, engaging students in conversations with local boaters about design and functionality.	Present the essential questions and facilitate an interactive presentation on different boat designs and their historical significance, encouraging students to consider how these designs address specific needs.	Conduct a hands-on activity where students create small-scale boat models using materials like aluminum foil, cork, and plastic to explore buoyancy and balance principles.	Facilitate a discussion on observations from the hands-on activity, focusing on buoyancy, hydrodynamics, and materials.	Organize a brainstorming session where students propose ideas for a community-focused boat design project, considering sustainable materials and functionality.
Deliverables	1. A written reflection on the buoyancy experiment, detailing observations and conclusions drawn from the hands-on activity. 2. A list of initial ideas and sketches for the community-focused boat design project.
Preparation	1. Coordinate and organize a field trip to the Modesto Reservoir, including necessary permissions and transportation arrangements. 2. Prepare materials for the buoyancy experiment, such as aluminum foil, cork, plastic, and small water tubs. 3. Develop an interactive presentation on diverse boat designs and their historical context. 4. Create guidelines and prompts to facilitate the brainstorming session, helping students generate ideas for their projects. 5. Gather examples of sustainable materials and innovative boat designs to inspire students.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Research sustainable materials for boat construction, focusing on environmental impact. Students will work in groups to investigate materials like bamboo, recycled plastic, and bioplastics.	Explore the historical impact of boats on trade, culture, and exploration through group presentations. Each group will choose a historical period or region and present their findings to the class.	Begin the design phase by sketching detailed boat models incorporating sustainable materials. Students will use geometric shapes to conceptualize their designs, ensuring they consider principles of buoyancy and propulsion.	Conduct a peer review session where students present their initial sketches and receive feedback on material choices, design, and functionality. Encourage constructive critique focusing on innovation and sustainability.	Start the construction of scale model boats using selected materials. Students will apply their research and design sketches to build prototypes, focusing on achieving balance and buoyancy.
Deliverables	1. Group research report on sustainable materials, detailing their properties and potential environmental benefits. 2. Presentation on the historical impact of boats, highlighting key developments in trade and culture. 3. Initial detailed sketches and design plans for the boat model, including materials list and rationale. 4. Feedback notes from peer review session, documenting suggested improvements and changes.
Preparation	1. Compile a list of sustainable materials and their properties for student research, including online resources and library materials. 2. Organize access to materials for constructing scale models, such as bamboo, recycled plastic, and bioplastics. 3. Prepare guidelines and criteria for the peer review session to ensure constructive and focused feedback. 4. Coordinate with local maritime experts or historians for guest speaker opportunities or virtual Q&A sessions. 5. Set up a workspace with necessary tools and safety equipment for boat model construction, ensuring a safe and efficient environment.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Conduct a testing session where students place their scale model boats in a water tank to observe buoyancy, balance, and propulsion. Record observations and identify areas for improvement.	Facilitate group discussions to analyze test results, encouraging students to reflect on the effectiveness of their designs and materials, and generate ideas for modifications.	Guide students in revising their boat designs based on test outcomes, focusing on enhancing functionality and sustainability. Encourage students to incorporate feedback from previous peer reviews.	Have students begin making modifications to their scale models, applying adjustments to improve design efficiency and address any issues identified during testing.	Introduce a session on the cultural and community aspects of boat design, where students explore how their projects can address specific community needs. Encourage them to integrate this perspective into their final design and presentation.
Deliverables	1. Testing and observation report detailing the performance of the scale model boats, including identified strengths and weaknesses. 2. Revised design plans with annotated sketches highlighting modifications and improvements made after testing. 3. A reflective journal entry discussing how cultural and community considerations have been integrated into the boat design.
Preparation	1. Set up a testing area with a large water tank and measuring tools for students to evaluate their model boats. 2. Prepare guiding questions and discussion prompts to help students analyze their test results critically. 3. Compile resources and examples of culturally significant boat designs to support the community-focused design session. 4. Organize materials and tools needed for students to make modifications to their models, ensuring access to additional sustainable materials if required. 5. Coordinate a guest speaker or virtual session with a community leader or cultural expert to provide insights into the role of boats in the local context.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Finalize modifications and enhancements on the scale model boats, ensuring all improvements based on previous tests and feedback are applied.	Conduct a final testing session to demonstrate the buoyancy, balance, and propulsion of the completed model boats, recording the final performance data.	Prepare and rehearse for the 'Floating Innovations Fair' by organizing presentation materials, including visual aids, prototypes, and research findings.	Host the 'Floating Innovations Fair' in Modesto, California, where students present their boat designs, research, and the historical and cultural significance of their projects to peers, teachers, and community members.	Facilitate a reflection and feedback session, where students discuss their learning experiences, challenges faced, and potential future applications of their project.
Deliverables	1. Finalized scale model boat with all modifications implemented. 2. Presentation materials for the 'Floating Innovations Fair,' including a summary of research, design process, and community focus. 3. A reflective essay or journal entry summarizing the project experience, addressing learning outcomes and personal growth.
Preparation	1. Provide final construction materials and tools needed for last-minute adjustments to model boats. 2. Set up the event space for the 'Floating Innovations Fair,' ensuring all necessary technology and display areas are available. 3. Prepare a schedule and guidelines for the Fair, including time slots for each group's presentation and Q&A sessions. 4. Invite community members, parents, and local experts to attend the Fair, creating a diverse audience for student presentations. 5. Develop reflection and feedback prompts to guide the post-Fair discussion and ensure meaningful student participation.