Staying Afloat

For this project, you will design and construct two boats that can carry a cargo and float in water. Your boats should be made of only metal and be able to support a cargo of 200 pennies without leaking for at least 10 seconds.

You will need to experiment with different materials and design shapes. Be sure to keep track of your experiments and results. You will need to be aware of the mass of your boat and its cargo-carrying capacity. At the end of the project, you will analyze your observations and experiments, summarize your designs, and demonstrate your boats to the class in a brief presentation

Project Rules:

  • You will be making TWO DIFFERENT BOAT DESIGNS for this project. Try to make each one beneficial for different reasons (lightest, holds the most pennies, cheapest to build)
  • Each boat must be made of ONLY metal materials (non metal materials may be used for decorative purposes or to attach pieces of metal material, but not for the main structure of the boat)
  • You should use at least TWO DIFFERENT types of metal materials to build each of your boats.
  • You must supply the materials you will be using to make your boat.
  • Each of the materials you use will have a “cost.” You must keep track of and calculate how much it “cost” you to make each of your designs. This is not money you will actually spend – it is only used for classroom purposes.
  • Each boat cannot “cost” more than $10.00 to build
  • “Costs” for materials used for calculations (see me for pricing of materials not on the list)
  • Small Soda can - $1.00
  • Large Soda can/Soup Can/TunaFish Can - $2.00
  • Coffee Can - $2.00
  • Pie Tin - $4.00
  • Aluminum Foil - $1.00 per 20 cm
  • Muffin Tin - $6.00
  • Lasagna Pan - $8.00
  • Tape - $1.00 per 20 cm
  • Hot Glue Sticks - $1.00 per stick
  • Each boat must not be longer than 50 cm, wider than 25 cm, or taller than 50cm.
  • Each boat may not have a mass greater than 610 grams
  • Each boat must not have any sharp, exposed edges. Cover sharp edges with tape. The safety of your boat will be judged by your teacher.
  • You will present your completed boat to the class in a presentation.
  • You must fill/edit the presentation shared with you on Google Classroom. Make sure to complete all slides. You may add any additional if you choose.
  • Your presentation of the boat could be a live demonstration or a video demonstration. If yours is a video demonstration it should be placed in the Google presentation.

Suggested Materials:

You will need to construct your boat from metal. You may use materials such as cans, plates, bowls, boxes, or other metal objects. You may wish to use aluminum foil, aluminum sheets, corrugated metal, or similar material to construct your boat. You will need at least 200 pennies to test the cargo carrying capacity of your boat.

Project Hints:

You have the option of working alone or in a group (maximum of 2 people) for this project. If you are having trouble getting started, begin brainstorming design and material ideas. You may also want to research online to see how ships made of metal are able to carry cargo and float.

Look around at home or school for metal objects that you know or suspect will float. Think of ways to combine several metal objects to make a boat.

Remember that your boat does not need to be a typical boat design. The goal of this project is to construct a boat out of metal that can carry a cargo. Be creative!

When you test different boat designs and materials, record your materials, designs, and results. If your design is unsuccessful, think about ways you could alter your design or materials to make it successful. If your design is successful, think of ways to improve your design to make it more efficient.

***EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY***

The boat that can hold the most pennies and the boat that is the cheapest to build will each earn 5 pts extra credit on their project grade

This project will count as one test grade, so be sure to put your best effort and creativity into it!!!

Project Time Line:

Tasks Due Date

  1. Partner AgreementOctober 30
  2. Work on boat design in classOctober 30
  3. Preliminary design approval (have a sketch for October 30

your teacher to approve

  1. Work on Construction of boats,redesign, modify,Nov 2, 6, 9

reweigh, and retest your boats(in class)

  1. Work on conclusion, diagram, presentation (in class)Nov10 - 11
  2. Presentation of resultsNov 12

This project was assigned on October 29, 2015 and is due on November 12, 2015

Rubric for Grading:

Boat Materials & Safety / Boat is constructed of only metal parts and constructed with no sharp edges. 5 pts / Boat is constructed of mostly metal, with some pieces that are not metal and is constructed with no sharp edges. 4 pts / Boat is constructed of some metal and/or is constructed with some sharp edges
3 pts / Boat is constructed mostly of materials that are not metal, or is constructed with sharp edges or other safety hazards.
2 pts / Boat is constructed without using metal or is constructed with multiple safety hazards.
0 pts
Boat Size & Mass / Boat constructed is 50 cm or less in length and height; 25cm for width AND
Boat has a mass of 610 grams or less.
15 pts / Boat constructed is between 51 – 55 cm in length, or height or 26-30cm in width
OR
Boat has a mass of 610 grams or less.
11 pts / Boat constructed is between 56 – 60 cm in length or height or 31-35 cm in width
OR
Boat has a mass of 611 grams or more.
8 pts / Boat constructed is between 61 – 65 cm in length or height, or 36-40 cm in width
OR
Boat has a mass of 611 grams or more.
4 pts / Boat constructed is 66 cm or more in length orheight, or 41 cm or more in width
OR
Boat has a mass of 611 grams or more.
2 pts
Cost of Boat / Boat “cost” less than $10.00 to make
10 pts / Boat “cost” between $10.01 and $12.00 to make
8 pts / Boat “cost” between $12.01 and $14.00 to make
6 pts / Boat “cost” between $14.01 and $18.00 to make
4 pts / Boat “cost” more than $18.00 to make
2 pts
Leaking Time / Boat can hold pennies for at least 10 seconds.
20 pts / Boat can hold pennies for at least 6 seconds.
15 pts / Boat can hold pennies for at least 4 seconds.
10 pts / Boat can hold pennies for at least 2 seconds.
5 pts / Boat can hold pennies for less than 2 sec.
2 pts
Boat Information / Presentation includes all of the following: Picture of the boat, dimensions in cm, materials used to construct the boat, maximum amount of pennies held,mass, and cost of making the boat.
20 pts / Presentation includes all but one of the following: Picture of the boat, dimensions in cm, materials used to construct the boat, maximum amount of pennies held, mass, and cost of making the boat.
15 pts / Presentation includes all but two of the following: Picture of the boat, dimensions in cm, materials used to construct the boat, maximum amount of pennies held, mass, and cost of making the boat.
10 pts / Presentation includes all but three of the following: Picture of the boat, dimensions in cm, materials used to construct the boat, maximum amount of pennies held, mass, and cost of making the boat.
5 pts / Presentation includes less than 3 of the following: Picture of the boat, dimensions in cm, materials used to construct the boat, maximum amount of pennies held, mass, and cost of making the boat.
2 pts
Boat Comparison / Comparison clearly and accurately describes the benefits and drawbacks of each design.
20 pts / Conclusion is at one paragraph that summarizes and describes most of the following: the boat design, materials used to create the boat, and a detailed description of the design process.
15 pts / Conclusion is at one paragraph that summarizes and describes some of the following: the boat design, materials used to create the boat, and a detailed description of the design process.
10 pts / Conclusion is less than one paragraph that summarizes and describes some of the following: the boat design, materials used to create the boat, and a detailed description of the design process.
5 pts / Conclusion is less than one paragraph that summarizes and describes only one of the following: the boat design, materials used to create the boat, and a detailed description of the design process.
2 pts
Creativity / Boat design AND presentation are completed in a very professional and creative manner. 10 pts / Boat design AND presentation are completed in a professional and creative manner.
8 pts / Either boat design OR presentation is completed in a professional and creative manner.
6 pts / Boat design OR presentation are messy and show very little creativity.
4 pts / Boat design AND presentation are messy and show very little creativity.
2 pts

Total Points:______

Staying Afloat

Agreement for Projects Done by TwoStudents

I am requesting permission to work with another student, of my own choice, to complete the Staying Afloat project.

I fully understand and agree to the following:

It is my responsibility, along with that of my project partner, to appropriately meet to plan and finish the project.

Once approved, this is an irrevocable commitment. I cannot back out, and I must see the project through.

My partner’s involvement will affect my grade, because all project partners will receive the same grade on all components of the project.

My partner’s name is: ______

______

My Signature Date

Parental Agreement:

Having discussed the above requirements with my child, I support his/her decision to complete the Staying Afloat project in partnership with the classmate(s) named above.

______

My Parent’s Signature Date

***This is due back no later than Friday October 30, 2015***