The Great Cardboard Boat Challenge
Team Members
- Captain
______
______
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Students will work in groups to design, analyze, build, and race a boat made entirely of cardboard and duct tape. This project is very detailed and will incorporated a variety of engineering standards which will allow students to critically think about the design of their boat, how it is to be constructed efficiently, and the effectiveness of the boat as a sea-faring vessel. The key to success for this project, like many group projects, is the ability to collaborate as a group. All group members need to play instrumental roles in all aspects of the design, construction, and analysis of the boat and accompanying questions. Do not be afraid to collaborate with your teacher and other groups; engineers do not work in a box. Share your ideas with each other so that your group can build the best boat in the easiest manner possible. This project counts as 2 tests grades.
STATE STANDARDS:
SCSh2. Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.
b. Demonstrate appropriate technique in all laboratory situations.
c. Follow correct protocol for identifying and reporting safety problems and violations.
SCSh3. Students will identify and investigate problems scientifically.
a. Suggest reasonable hypotheses for identified problems.
b. Develop procedures for solving scientific problems.
c. Collect, organize and record appropriate data.
SCSh6. Students will communicate scientific investigations and information clearly.
a. Write clear, coherent laboratory reports related to scientific investigations.
SP3. Students will evaluate the forms and transformations of energy.
a. Analyze, evaluate, and apply the principle of conservation of energy and measure the components of work-energy theorem by relating transformations between potential and kinetic energy.
Preview of Biology standards for water properties. (cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, capillary action)
Have Fun and Learn!
OFFICIAL RULES
- All students must participate fully and equally in all aspects of the project. All group members receive an equal grade. This rule can be modified under extreme circumstances. It is expected that all members will participate fully. It is also expected that all group members will allow the full participation of others.
- Finished boats must BE NO LARGER THAN 5 FT X 3 FT. Any attachments or extensions must also fit within these dimensions.
- Construction materials include corrugated cardboard and duct tape only.
- The boat must be human powered. Canoe paddles will be available but not required during the race.
- Your boat will be required to navigate a course carrying 2 passengers.
- Allowable materials to decorate the outside of your boat include permanent markers, poster-board and tape.
- The boat must have a theme.
- Your boat will be scored using the rubric on the back of this packet. The race only counts for 4 points. The engineering process is worth 50!
- DO NOT LOSE THIS PACKET!
Scale Models/Planning Process
You have a limited time to work on your scale models, analyze your designs, and plan your theme. Much of this time is going to be self-directed. It is absolutely necessary that your group use your time wisely to prepare yourselves before it comes time to build your boat. Good planning can save a ton of mistakes and time! This is where the meat of the grade is earned!
Scale Models:
-Be specific with your plans.
-Make detailed drawings, use the scale (5 cm = 1 m)
-Simulate theboat (where will you cut it, fold it, how will you tape it together, etc…)
-The purpose of models is to get an idea of what the real thing will be like without wasting a lot of time, energy, and money.
-In order to achieve the maximum points, your group’s models must be drawn in 3D to scale and all dimensions labeled.
-This is the time to plan your construction, don’t wait for building days!!
Planning:
-While constructing your scale models, brainstorm ideas for your theme. Brainstorming means listing ALL the ideas you have, not just the ones you plan on using.
-Make sure that all team members have input.
-Determine which song, decorations, costumes, skits, etc… you could use for each theme.
-Pick the most desirable theme and create a detailed list of your ideas for each category in the theme contract.
Design Features:
Each boat design must contain “features.” A feature is anything that deviates from a simple cardboard box. Deviations can be made with the exterior design or interior support structure.
Modeling
In the spaces below, sketch your first boat design in 3D. Answer the questions that follow as you design, build, and test your model. You will build this model using cardboard and tape, using the scale 5cm = 1 meter. Your model should then fit in a 5cm x 10cm rectangle. When each model is drawn, labeled, and completely built, bring it to the flotation area. With your teacher observing, place your model in the water, and add the “passengers” one at a time. Make sure you document how to build your boat as you are required to include instructions.
Analysis for Model 1
- Briefly describe the design of your boat; focus specifically on the pros/cons of each “feature.”
- Describe how this vessel should be constructed. Draw your parts and diagram how the boat will be put together. List each step for how this boat will be built. Use dotted lines to demonstrate where the cardboard should be cut to make the desired shape needed. Label and number each piece. Use arrows to show the transition and steps.
How much will this boat cost to build?(Duct tape = $0.25/m ; cardboard $2.93 /y2)
Total feet / 3 = ______yards area = l x w
- How much do you expect this boat to weigh? (duct tape = 10.77 g/m; cardboard = 0.915 kg/y2) change to kg to pounds = kg x 2.2
Little to no helpful instructions are provided for the construction of the boat. Estimates for the cost and weight are missing or extremely inaccurate.
1 / Instructions are given for the construction of the boat but not complete. Estimates for the cost and weight are provided but are inconsistent with the design
3 / Complete instructions are provided for the construction of the boat; Accurate estimates are provided for overall cost and weight of the boat.
5
CARDBOARD BOAT CALCULATIONS
Some helpful information:
Density of cardboard: 2.52 g/1 in31 kg = 2.2 lbs
Weight of cardboard: 1 in2 = 0.63 g1 kg = 1000 g
Area = L X W Volume: L X W X H
duct tape = 10.77 g/m1 m = 3.28 ft
Surface area of a Rectangle = 2ab + 2bc + 2ac
Total Surface Area:
Boat weight: (weight of the cardboard + duct tape)
Passenger weight: Passenger 1 + Passenger 2 = Total Passenger Weight
Weight of Water =62.4 pounds/cubic-foot
SampleVolume Calculation:
Example: (Flat Bottom) 6 ftWalls 2 ft high
4 ft
1 ft
Sample Calculation: L ft x W ft x H ft + (.5)(Length of triangle ft x width ft x height ft) = ______ft3
______ft3 / 35.3 = ______m3
Volume of Boat:
Labeled Drawing:
Maximum Weight the boat will hold:
2156 lbs/ (Volume of boat) m3 = ______lbs
Boat Displacement = Boat volume (ft3) X Weight of Water = ______
Water Displaced(ft3) = Weight-of-boat-&-people-lbs =
62.4 lbs/ft3-H20
Depth (ft) boat sinks = Water Displaced(ft3) =
Length X Width of boat (ft2)
WATERLINE:
Compare your answer using these equations:
Calculate how much weight your vessel will hold. Remember that water has a weight of approximately 60 pounds per cubic foot. So for every cubic foot of volume you boat has it will support approximately 60 pounds of weight. Use the answer from #2.
(Boat Volume)______X 60 =______
How much weight will your boat hold before it sinks? ______
4. Calculate how much your boat will sink into the water when you and your partner get in it. Take the total weight your boat is calculated to hold (from #3 and divide it by the height of the hull in inches). This will give you the amount of weight that is necessary to submerge your vessel 1” into the water.
Total weight your boat will hold / height of the hull in inches =
______/ ______= ______
Divide the total weight of the crew by the weight it takes to submerge your boat 1”
Total weight of crew / weight to submerge boat 1” (answer for #4)
______/ ______= ______
How much weight does it take to submerge your boat 1” ______
How much will your boat sink into the water when loaded?______
- What is the total volume of water displaced by the boat?
- What is the recommended weight capacity for this boat? Why have you selected this number?
- Calculate the level of the float line for the team members who will be in the boat. Draw this line on your scale model and the scaled drawing. This will eventually be drawn on your finished boat before the race!
- Describe the group’s confidence in the ability of this boat to support passengers. How many passengers can comfortably fit in the vessel and still paddle? Are there any problems with passenger arrangement? How so?
The group has little to no evidence to support claims of confidence in passenger configuration. No evidence includes lack of measurements for height, length, width, weight,etc…)
1 / The group’s confidence is based on measurements (height, length, width, weight, etc…) but not all factors have been considered.
3 / The group indicates the configuration of passengers with a reference to real measurements (height, length, width, weight, etc…) The group discusses the placement of the float line in relation to assumed passengers.
5
- What about this boat will lead you to success in the race and overall project grade?
- What about this boat might lead to failure on all or parts of the overall project? What are you concerned about if using this design?
The group has included little to no analysis of this boats ability to navigate the course. The group has also failed to analyze the potential design flaws.
1 / The group has analyzed either the ability of the boat to meet design criteria or navigation of the course.
The group’s analysis covers both of the above-mentioned areas but is incomplete.
3 / The group has analyzed the ability of this boat to successfully navigate the course. The group has also analyzed the potential design flaws in relation to the criteria (features, dimensions, floatability, etc…)
5
- Test your boat; what happened during the test that you anticipated? Did not anticipate?
- Did the test increase or decrease your confidence in this model? Why or Why not?
- Why might you question the results of the test?
The group has demonstrated little to no specific reflection on their model design and fails to discuss what changes, if any, need to be made for success with this project.
1 / The group has provided a complete analysis of their model, but does not indicate how it will impact their approach to making changes, if any, to be successful with this project.
5 / The group’s analysis of their model has thoroughly been considered. The group has cited specific areas for improvement and plans to implement these changes.
10
- Using Archimedes Principle, explain why your boat should be able to support and carry 2 passengers safely across the lake several times.
- Define and Explain Adhesion, Cohesion, SurfaceTension, Capillary Action and Density. Give examples of how each of these terms may have an effect on your boat’s performance.
- Thinking in terms of air and density, why is corrugated cardboard a good choice for material for our boats? What happens when the cardboard becomes flattened or gets crushed?
The group has demonstrated little to no understanding of relative physics terms in regards to their boat design or performance.
1 / The group has demonstrated some understanding of relative physics terms in regards to their boat design or performance.
7 / The group has demonstrated a thorough and developed understanding of relative physics terms in regards to their boat design or performance.
15
Theme
As stated in the rules, your boat must have a theme. With your group, brainstorm five possible names or themes for your boat.
1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1
Boat Name /Design/Graphics
Flag
Headwear
Other Ideas
The group has demonstrated little to no effort to brainstorm or to develop a theme in regards to their boat design or performance.
1 / The group has demonstrated some effort to brainstorm and to develop a theme in regards to their boat design or performance.
5 / The group has demonstrated
exceptional effort to brainstorm and to develop a theme in regards to their boat design or performance.
10
Name of boat:______# of Passengers: ______
Team Members:______
______
______
Cleanup
0.1 / 0.2 / 0.3 / 0.4 / 0.5 / 0.6 / 0.7 / 0.8 / 0.9 / 1.0No cleanup / Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent
Final Design
0.1 / 0.2 / 0.3 / 0.4 / 0.5 / 0.6 / 0.7 / 0.8 / 0.9 / 1.0Taped a box together / 1 feature boat matches model / 2 feature boat matches model
Final Dimensions (5 Ft X 3 Ft Max.)
0 / 0.5 / 1Both dimensions exceed maximum / One dimension exceeds maximum / Neither dimension exceeds maximum
Floatability (x the number of passengers)
0.2 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1Sank immediately / Stayed afloat to Buoy #1 / Stayed afloat to Buoy #2 / Land Ho!!!
Time Afloat: ______
1