As we embark on our investigation of motion and energy, what better way to get our brains going than to make something that moves?
Inspired by this video, the Magical Minds and I used cups, bowls, plates and hot-glue to build water-powered boats.
Inspired by this video, the Magical Minds and I used cups, bowls, plates and hot-glue to build water-powered boats.
The following day we took our boats down to the courtyard. Using measuring cups, we filled the cups with water, which drained through the straw, propelling the boats.
Armed with stop timers and a measuring tape, we attempted to measure how far and how fast our boats moved. Alas - the boats spun in place more than they moved forward. My grand plans for an introduction to velocity were thwarted!
Later, we discussed as a class why the boats behaved this way. We came up with a few theories: the fountain's spray was disrupting their movement, the straw was too small (or too large), the material was too light, the shape of the boat changes how the boat moves...
Here's a fun home connection
Try one (or many) of these variations on our experiment: float the boat in a calm body of water (eg. bathtub), build a new boat with different materials, build a different shaped boat, or try using a different shaped straw.
Later, we discussed as a class why the boats behaved this way. We came up with a few theories: the fountain's spray was disrupting their movement, the straw was too small (or too large), the material was too light, the shape of the boat changes how the boat moves...
Here's a fun home connection
Try one (or many) of these variations on our experiment: float the boat in a calm body of water (eg. bathtub), build a new boat with different materials, build a different shaped boat, or try using a different shaped straw.