Kids, try this at home!

Materials:

cardboard, bubble wrap, styrofoam, plastic and paper cups, aluminum foil, straws, string and paper

Instructions:

1.  Brainstorm various ways to build a boat with the materials you have gathered together.                  

What shapes

and materials will

help my boat float?

2.  Sketch your designs and decide which ones you think will float the best.

3.  Build model boats with different materials, or do the activity with friends so you can build several models by combining your ideas.

4.  Float the boats in a bathtub, sink or wading pool, and compare to see which boats float the best.

Things to think about:  

· Which boats float?  ·  Which boats sink?  · What changes can you make to improve your boat?

Things to try:   

1.  Add a rudder or a sail.  Create wind by blowing on the boats and see what happens. 2. Try adding pennies inside the boats.  How much weight can they carry?  Why?