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Aluminum Foil Boat Design ChallengeTechnology Education May 2020 Enrichment Activity Option 2: Aluminum Foil Boat Design Challenge(This activity & other tech-ed activities are available in our Google Classroom join with this code: 5hrcfaq ) ****Join the google classroom for more tips, photos and videos and help from Mr. Barket and Mr. Offutt.

Introduction: Have you ever wondered how metal ships can float? A piece of metal sinks on its own when placed in the water. How do ships float and how can they carry heavy loads? Through this design challenge you will learn about using a principle called buoyancy or its ability to float. The buoyancy of a boat can be determined by the density of the boat and its cargo. Density means how compact an object is, or the mass per volume. If a boat and its cargo is less dense than water it will float. Interestingly, salt water is less dense than freshwater. This makes it easier for objects to float in saltwater.

Design Problem:You will design and construct a boat from a piece of aluminum foil. The boat will then be loaded with pennies until the boat sinks. Your goal is to create a boat that will hold the maximum number of pennies. You will use the Engineering Design Process to develop ideas, choose a design, construct a prototype, test the solution, and then evaluate.

Design Constraints:● Boats must be constructed from aluminum foil.● Aluminum Foil sheet must be cut 12” x 12”● Boat is to be built to support maximum cargo load● Use the tools and materials listed below

Materials/Tools Needed:

Aluminum Foil Ruler

Pennies or other coins Calculator

Dishpan, Sink, Tub or Bucket Water

Towel

Design Hints:● Fold the flimsy Aluminum Foil to create a solid structure. A flimsy boat will not support

much cargo.● Fold Aluminum so water will not seep in the corners.

Step 1: Define the Problem:Directions: Write one or two sentences summarizing your goal for the project.(Begin with I need to ….)

Step 2: Develop possible solutions:Directions draw two possible boat designs that you think would work well with aluminum foil. (If you don’t have a printed copy make two sketches on a sheet of notebook paper.)

Step 3: Evaluate and choose your best solution: Circle the sketch from step two that you think will hold the most cargo weight.

Step 4: Construct a prototype: Using materials above and considering design constraints listed above construct your prototype. Flimsy aluminum foil may be hard to shape so you may reconstruct if you are not successful at first.

Three examples of prototype aluminum boats.

Step 5: Test the solution: Fill a sink, tub, or bucket with a few inches of water enough for the boat to sink completely. Place your aluminum foil boat in the water. Add penies or other available coins until the boat sinks. Hint: Disperse the coins evenly on the boat to avoid overloading one side. Continue loading until the boat sinks.

Aluminum boat being tested in a sink filled with water.

Step 6: Evaluate the Results: Answer the following

How did the boat sink? (Did the boat fold, collapse, or did the weight simply overwhelm the boat.

If the boat collapsed how could the boat be constructed to strengthen the hull?

Count the coins it took to sink your boat. Calculate the weight your boat held using this chart.

Cent Nickel Dime Quarter Half Dollar Dollar

Weight 2.5 g 5 grams 2.268 g 5.67 g 11.3 g 8.1 g

Example: Complete your Calculations here:

My example boat held:28 Quarters - 28 x 5.67 = 158.76 g31 Pennies - 31 x 2.5 = 77.5 g5 Dimes - 5 x 2.268 = 11.34 g 3 Nickels - 3 x 5 = 15 g

Total all coins158.76 + 77.5+11.34+15 =262.6 Grams

Bonus: Calculate Volume of you Boat

If your boat is a rectangular prism like my example pictured above simply measure the Length, WIdth and Height of the boat and calculate using this formula. If your boat is another shape, break down the shape into rectangles, triangles and cylinders. Find online calculators to determine the volume.

Volume = Length x Width x HeightExampleV = 7”x 3” x 1.25”V= 26.25 Cubic inches