Name: ______

STEAM PROJECT

Unbelievable Buoyancy!

The Problem: You and your partner(s) must transport a large cargo shipment across the Atlantic Ocean on a boat without the boat sinking. You will need to make a boat that will support the most cargo possible using foil, clay, or a combination of both materials.

STEP 1 in Engineering Design Process

ASK

Can you make a boat out of clay?

What do you know about clay? If clay were thrown in the water, what would it most likely do? Float or sink? Why? (you must write complete sentences)

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Can you make a boat out of foil?

What do you know about aluminum foil? If aluminium foil was thrown in the water, what would it do? Float or sink? Why? (you must write complete sentences)

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For the following questions, you may use your science book or an online source to find the answer. (you must write complete sentences)

What is mass? What can you use to find the mass of an object? Give one example using grams as your unit of measure.

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What do you know about volume? How do you measure the volume of an object? Give one example using centimeters as your unit of measure.

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What do you know about density? How do you measure the density of an object? Give one example.

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What is buoyancy? Use what you learned on the video “The Crown of Syracuse” to explain Archimedes Principle in your own words.

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Materials

*Clay*Foil

*Ruler*Calculator

*Tub of water*Gram cubes

STEPS 2 and 3 in Engineering Design Process

IMAGINE and PLAN

Consider the materials you have available to make your boat and what you know about mass, density, and buoyancy. Consider different boat designs. In the box below, sketch your proposed design choice.

Next, meet with your partner(s), and discuss your ideas, plan and sketches. Work together to come up with a design solution that you agree upon.Sketch your final proposed idea in the box below.

Explain why you picked your design solution. What are some of the things that you agreed upon? Did you disagree on any parts of the design? If so, what parts did you disagree with? What was it like to make a plan you both agreed upon? (answer these questions in complete sentences)

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STEP 4 in Engineering Design Process - Create

Construct your model boat. As you are working, keep notes of any unexpected problems or obstacles you may face. Record any notes below.

Notes:

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STEP 5 in Engineering Design Process - Test and Improve

  • Once your model is complete, carefully place your boat in the water.
  • PREDICT how much cargo your boat will hold (grams)

Record your prediction here: ______

  • Begin adding gram cubes one by one, very gently.
  • When your boat no longer holds the cubes (it begins to take in water), stop and record the information chart below.

DATA

How much mass do you think your boat will hold?
How much mass did your boat hold?

Conclusion:

How did you get your boat to float? Did you use clay, foil, or both? Why do you think your boat was able to float? If it did not float, explain what you think the problem was in your design.

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What would you do next time to IMPROVE your boat design?

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