Lesson

Topic
Subject(s)
Standard(s
)

Foil boats

Objective(s
)

Students will design a foil boat that floats

Students will improve their boat to increase pennycarrying capacity
Students will count the pennies their boat could hold
45 minutes
Foil, pennies, large plastic tub or plugged sink, water,
paper towels (and possibly a change of clothes for the
teacher!)

Time
Materials
Process

Assessmen
t(s)

Science, engineering, math

Alaska State Standards
Science A-2: develop an understanding that the processes of science require
integrity, logical reasoning, skepticism, openness and peer review.
Science E-2: develop an understanding that solving problems involves
different ways of thinking, perspectives, and curiosity that lead to the
exploration of multiple paths that are analyzed using scientific, technological
and social merits.
Math K.CC.1: count to 100 by ones and tens.

1. Tell students we will be making boats and seeing how many pennies
each boat can hold. Allow them to talk with a partner about their
boating experiences or boats they have seen.
2. Introduce the design process: ask, imagine, plan, create, improve.
We will all ask what kind of boat can carry the most pennies?
3. Have kids imagine how their boat might look.
4. Give each partnership an equal-size piece of aluminum foil. Ask
them to design a boat, and come check in the water if it floats. If it
doesnt float, problem-solve how to make a boat that will float.
5. When all partners have a floating boat, start adding one penny at a
time to all the boats, counting the pennies as you go.
6. When a boat sinks, fish it out. Encourage the team to observe what
kinds/shapes of boats are still floating, and improve their boat.
7. Look at some photographs of boats and barges to inspire different,
improved boat designs and continue trying.
8. Reconvene the group. Observe all the final boats. Discuss what
shape boats could hold the most pennies. Are they surprised?

Observation:
-Worked with a partner cooperatively
-Built a boat that could float
-Improved the boat
-Counted pennies accurately
Work sample:
-boat