LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

What floats your boat?

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=302

A lesson plan for Grades 6–8 Science

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

About this resource

Appropriate grades
6–8
Subjects
science (physics and physical science, technology and innovation)
Provider
American Association for the Advancement of Science

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Creative Commons License

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This Science NetLinks lesson is the second in a three-part series on ships. In this lesson, students use what they have learned about ship design (along with some additional information on the Web about how ships are built) to design and build a small model boat, using limited materials. They then develop a procedure to determine the load line for their boat while it is in “calm” waters. Finally, they test their boat in “rough” waters to determine whether the load line is a practical one. These hands-on activities not only allow students to explore the uses of technology and engineering, but they also hone experimental design skills and data collection and analysis skills.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 6

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
    • Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
      • Application of scientific principles.
      • Risks and benefits.
      • Constraints of design.
      • Consistent testing protocols.

Grade 7

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
    • Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
      • Application of scientific principles.
      • Risks and benefits.
      • Constraints of design.
      • Consistent testing protocols.
  • Goal 6: The learner will conduct investigations, use models, simulations, and appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of motion and forces.
    • Objective 6.06: Investigate and analyze the real world interactions of balanced and unbalanced forces:
      • Sports and recreation.
      • Transportation.
      • The human body.

Grade 8

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
    • Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
      • Application of scientific principles.
      • Risks and benefits.
      • Constraints of design.
      • Consistent testing protocols.
  • Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the hydrosphere.
    • Objective 3.01: Analyze the unique properties of water including:
      • Universal solvent.
      • Cohesion and adhesion.
      • Polarity.
      • Density and buoyancy.
      • Specific heat.