Boats Afloat!

In math we are learning about volume! We have learned that volume is found when you multiply length, width, and height. To put our volume knowledge to the test, we decided to construct aluminum foil boats. Once constructed, students had to measure the volume of their particular boat. Then they had to guess how many erasers their boat could hold before putting it to the test.

This math project coincided with science on so many levels that we also wrote our project like a science experiment.

Our Boat Experiment
Question: Which aluminum foil boat can hold the most erasers?

 

Hypothesis: We think that Boat G6 will hold the most erasers. (Votes: G6:8, Blue Games, 3, Titanic 3)

Research: Boats can hold different amounts. Boats are different sizes. 3-D shapes float better. Volume is everything.

Team G6 had a volume of 100 cubic inches

Team Titanic had a volume of 84 cubic inches.

Team Blue Games had a volume of 280 cubic inches

 Materials:

• 1 qt cup
• 12 in cut of aluminum foil
• water
• ruler
• metal tin
• scissors
• erasers

Procedure:

1. Gather all materials
2. Use ruler to measure 12 inches of aluminum foil.
3. Cut 12 inches of aluminum foil
4. Create aluminum foil boat
5. Grab ruler, measure all sides, calculate volume.
6. Pour 3 qts of water into metal tin
7. Place boat in water.
8. Add erasers 10 at a time until boat sinks
9. Write down data.

 
Conclusion: We were wrong!!! The Blue Games boat won because the sides of their boat were taller and because their volume was greatest.