Aluminum Foil Boat
Step 1 - Problem
Problem:
• How many objects can I fit inside an aluminum
foil boat before it sinks?
Step 2 - Imagine
• Brainstorm: What do you already know about this
topic?
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Materials:
• Aluminum foil - 1 sheet per boat
• Pennies, marbles, or other objects for boat
• Dishpan or bucket
• Recording sheets
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• Hypothesis: What do you think will happen?
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Aluminum Foil Boat
Step 3 - Plan
• Draw and label two models that you think will work.
• Explain why you chose to make the designs this way.
Design #1
Design #2
We chose this design because we think__________________
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We chose this design because we think__________________
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Aluminum Foil Boat
Step 4 - Create
Conduct the test, and record the results:
What happened? _______________________________________
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Procedure:
1. You will get 2 pieces of aluminum foil to make two different
style boats that will float.
2. Place the one boat in the water. Add objects to the boat until it
sinks. Record your results.
Make a chart to show your results:
3. Repeat with the second boat.
•
•
What problems did you encounter?
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# objects
Build your design. As you are constructing your models, record
your thoughts:
Group
1
Group 2
Group 3
Group
4
Group
5
Group
6
Boat
1
How did you solve the problems?
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•
Did you need to change a part of your design?
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What did you change, and why?
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Boat
2
How do your group results compare to other groups?
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Aluminum Foil Boat
Step 5 - Improve
Draw and label what your BEST model looked like.
• What worked well?
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• What was the most challenging part?
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• How would you improve your design if you tried this again?
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• What did you learn from this activity?
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