Build a boat challenge

On Friday morning, we did a sink and float experiment to get us ready for the build a boat challenge for the afternoon science lab. Each child had an object to test in the water, and we first predicted whether each object would sink or float and why. 

For science lab, our pretend scenario was that the bridge was broken and the three Billy goats gruff needed a boat to get across the water to the grassy pasture. Each partnership had to make one boat together that could hold the Billy goats and help them cross the river. Using Popsicle sticks, straws, paper, foam, tin foil, straws, cotton balls, and tape, each pair of students had to design a boat to help the Billy goats. 

After the boats were completed, we tested them under our document camera and projector so that everyone could see the results. We also talked about if your boat sinks, think about how you could fix it to make it float.