Barge+Building

Purpose:
To build a floating structure that will support as many pennies as possible.

Instructions:

 * Using one 12 cm by 12 cm sheet of foil, create a structure that will float in the water tub.
 * Test the structure in the tub with ten pennies to refine its design.
 * Predict the number of pennies you think it will hold.
 * Under the direction of the teacher, each group will add pennies to their structure one at a time until it sinks.
 * Record the number of pennies successfully supported.
 * Analyze the data from the barges for each group.

Materials:
12 cm x 12 cm Foil Sheets Water Tubs 1 Gallon of Water (approx) Pennies Permanent Marker Timer

HS Buddy Instructions

 * Allow your buddies to develop their own designs.
 * Ask if they have plans to adjust their structure after they test it.
 * When you are running the contest, have them add a penny, wait ten seconds. (It sinks when it touches the bottom.)
 * Enter the results of your group on the Barge Building Survey page.

Group Discussion and Follow Up:

 * 1) What was the best part of your design?
 * 2) What would you change if you could?
 * 3) How did the density of the boat compare with the density of the water?
 * 4) How did you control the density of the boat?

Resources
[|Barge Building Video] [|Photo Journal of Contest]

PA State Standards in Science and Technology – Grade 4
3.1.4 B Know models as useful simplifications of objects or processes. 3.2.4 C Recognize and use the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems. 3.2.4 D Recognize and use the technological design process to solve problems. 3.4.4 A Recognize basic concepts about the structure and properties of matter.