12th Grade  Project 1 week

"Foil Float: The Great Buoyancy Battle!"

April Mosca
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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage students in a hands-on exploration of buoyancy and material science through collaborative design and experimentation. By constructing and testing aluminum foil boats, students will deepen their understanding of physics concepts such as density, displacement, and balance. This project encourages critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving as students iterate on their designs to optimize performance. Through this real-world application, students will gain practical insights into engineering principles and the scientific method.

Learning goals

Students will explore the principles of buoyancy and density by designing and constructing aluminum foil boats. They will apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to optimize their boat designs for maximum weight capacity. Through collaboration, students will enhance their communication and teamwork abilities while engaging in iterative design processes. The project will also encourage students to reflect on the impact of material properties and design choices on the functionality of their creations.
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 a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
  • NGSS - HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
  • 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 with geometric shapes).

Products

Throughout the project, students will create detailed design sketches and build multiple iterations of aluminum foil boats. They will document their design process and test results in a shared digital portfolio, capturing photos, videos, and reflections. By the end of the week, each team will present a final boat design, accompanied by a written analysis of their design choices, testing outcomes, and insights gained about buoyancy and material properties.

Launch

Kick off the project with an engaging 'Buoyancy Challenge Day' where students form teams to quickly design and construct aluminum foil boats. Each team will test their prototypes by gradually adding different objects to see which boat can hold the most weight without sinking. This hands-on activity will spark curiosity and set the stage for deeper exploration into the principles of buoyancy and design thinking throughout the week.

Exhibition

Host a "Boat Showcase and Buoyancy Fair" where student teams present their final aluminum foil boat designs, explaining their design choices and the scientific principles behind them. Invite peers, teachers, and family members to observe the boats in action as they undergo weight capacity tests in a water tank. Encourage students to provide feedback to each other, focusing on design innovations and problem-solving strategies. Celebrate the creativity and engineering skills demonstrated by awarding certificates for categories such as "Most Innovative Design" and "Best Use of Materials."